Praying Mantis have been a band that predated the NWOBHM and actually is still around today, a long time after that whole scene imploded with only a handful of bands pulling through and becoming mainstays while most disappeared into relative obscurity only in a few cases to resurface a couple of decades later either to release an Anthlogy or in some cases to try and have another “crack at it”... Praying Mantis have more or less remained active for the entire time with the only downside being that they never really had the most stable of lineups often changing singer and occasionally other members as well with only the Troy Bros being a constant throughout the bands existence. Still the band hardly ever missed a bit or released something that felt sub-par. The latest reincarnation of the Brits is actually not so British after all with the inclusion of two Dutch musicians that the Troys eyed when they saw them performing at some fest to take the place of some departing members. John Jaycee Cuijpers their newly minted singer answers a bunch of questions about the past, the present and the future…
Hello John, PM seems to return with a brilliant album after a long period of inactivity, can you give us a few more details about the album and its recording etc.?
JJC: After we met at a festival I received an email asking if Hans and I were willing to join Praying Mantis. I had to sing a demo so they could check out if my voice would fit their music. Apparently it did and I was hired as the new lead singer and Hans was asked to join as well. The recording started summer 2014 till fall 2014 and at several places in several countries (UK, NL and Belgium) and was mixed in the USA by Andy Reilly, who also was responsible for the “Sanctuary” album, which was released in 2009. End of 2014 it was all finished and approved by Frontiers.
Also is the title somewhat of a celebration of the band’s longevity against all of the personal changes? That the crux remains the same and that the music is the band’s “Legacy”?
JJC: Nice interpretation of the album title! We were looking for an album title which would serve the songs that were written and recorded and would set a statement. On the album we have some the old and the new Mantis music (because of 4 different songwriters now it has a greater diversity in material but still Praying Mantis worthy) so it would leave a “Legacy”.
You along with the drummer are the newest members in a long line of people who’ve been in the ranks of the band and I think you’re both Dutch. Can you indulge a bit in the circumstances behind you joining the band (did one of you guys recommend the other or sth?)…
JJC: Yes we are both Dutch. Hans and I were asked to join Praying Mantis in 2013 after we met at a festival where Praying Mantis played and we with our Iron Maiden Tribute band Harris. We had to join them at a festival in Germany without any rehearsal but it felt great and we connected and we rocked. So the chemistry was there and still is. They are a great bunch of really talented guys and leaving Hans and me enough space to participate in all the bands affairs which is fantastic.
Can you tell us of any prior to PM involvements you had had in the rock scene with other bands? And were you aware of the band previous to you joining them? Sometimes people who join a variety of bands or have people joining their bands, say they weren’t aware of the other “parts” existence, or that they vaguely had heard of the name but not the music...
JJC: I had some local bands but just known in the area where we live. I have to admit I heard about Praying Mantis but never listened to their music before, sorry. I supported Jeff Scott Soto with a German band on tour in 2005 and recorded a song on an album for famous Dutch Musician Arjen Lucassen (former Vengeance guitarist) for his project Ayreon which was released worldwide. I also supported Toto 3 years in a row with my band Cooper Inc. With Cooper Inc. we recorded an album (“Pulling The Trigger”) in 2009 with producer Michael Voss (Mad Max and Michael Schenker) but due to personal circumstances I was not able to promote the album and the band is not active anymore. Guitarist of Cooper Inc. Christian Tolle is still releasing solo albums as C.T.P. and I am pleased to say that I recorded a song for his next solo album, which is supposed to be released in 2016. It was a great feeling being creative together again after not seeing each other for more than 5 years. Besides Praying Mantis, Hans and I are still active in several tribute bands (Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and Ronnie James Dio) and they are reasonably well known in our area and Ireland (Thin Lizzy).
Also I’m curious as to whether, you did contribute to the album’s writing besides the performance and if so to what extend – which of the new songs, resonates with you mostly and what are the lyrical topics about (if something has a more specific focus)...
JJC: Because I am used to writing my own material for 30 years they asked me to collaborate on the new album and we wrote the first songs late 2013 and continued writing early 2014. I wrote “All I See” and “The One” with Andy and from the first moment we connected and had exactly the same ideas on both songs. I have a special feeling with the song “The One”. It is about ending one relationship and starting a new one (autobiographical??). Each songwriter (Chris, Andy and Tino) had his own idea and feeling on a song he wrote but they were all very open to my suggestions on each song and it felt like I was really a part of the band from the very first start. One of the most intensive songs we all 4 collaborated on is “Believable”. We all had some ideas and we combined them and the end result is on the album now! Chris is the Lyric Meister, Tino is the Harmony Meister and Andy is the Melody Meister in my opinion and all 3 of them great songwriters and already looking forward writing new material with all 3 of them.
What is the outlook on things following the release of the album? I mean, the band is usually not that active and despite its cult status it is not as big as it could be… are you in for the long haul and if so, where do you see the band – a few years from now?
JJC: The biggest problem is that the band never had (and still has not got) a good Management or Booking Agency. So they all had to arrange most of the gigs themselves. Because everyone has got a daytime job you can imagine not leaving loads of time for bookings etc. I am in definitely it for the long haul and hope we can find a great management and booking agency which puts Praying Mantis back on the map. I would love to quit my daytime job and make music the rest of my life. I have one motto and that is “there is only one way to go and that is full throttle”and hope Praying Mantis is somewhere on top of the bill within the next couple of years and still making music and performing live over the next 20 years.
Out of curiosity Rodney is at it (artwork once more) and so we get a return of the PM from quite a few of the past covers, I was wondering as an a typical mascot did it ever have a name? (You might have to ask the Troys for that!)…
JJC: I asked the Troy Brothers and their answer was: “No we have not but let us call him Bob!”… And that is the kind of humor I like. British humor which is very important to have in a band as well in a relationship (a band is kind of a relationship)…
When you were younger who were your influences to become a musician and tell us a few of your favorite artists/bands recordings?
JJC: I discovered KISS when I was 14 years of age and dreamt of being a rockstar like them. Soon I was into Iron Maiden, Dio and all the Hard Rock bands at that period in time. I also discovered Journey and other melodic rock bands and loved the beautiful tunes and melodies and great meaningful lyrics. Loved the power of Dio and Whitesnake, so Ronnie James Dio and David Coverdale made me want to sing. So my biggest influences are KISS, Iron Maiden, DIO, Journey and Whitesnake.
What is your take on the internet these days is it a way to reach out to the fans or a “Jolly Roger” that threatens the wellbeing of musicians in your opinion? Or a bit of both?
JJC: A bit of both I have to admit. It is a great media for getting exposure all over the world and get people know you but it is much more difficult making a living by just selling records because of the download culture nowadays. I think if we could turn back time and release “Legacy” in 1985 we would be able to get as big as Iron Maiden but that is just my humble opinion (does it reflect how proud I am?!!)…
Are there any concerts planned to promote the release of “Legacy”? Could we expect a Greek date?
JJC: We have a German tour in October and soon thereafter a trip to Japan in November. Because of the lack of management or booking agency we have to do it all ourselves (except Germany) and it takes a lot of time and effort to get thing organized. We are planning to tour and do lots of festivals in 2016 to promote the album but all depending on a good booking Agency as well. We are looking for one so if you know one which would be interested in Praying Mantis let us know!! The band played in Greece in 2014 (Athens) and loved it… great crowd and beautiful people and country.
Weird questions… If you were a God for a week – what would you do?
JJC: Get my Father and my son back from Heaven. (i.n: Sorry to hear)
Which one of the seven deadly sins are you?
JJC: Lust for sure!
Who in the rock scene deserves to be bitchslapped...?
JJC: To many to mention…
If you could “erase” one thing from modern music, what would be it?
JJC: It is all a matter of taste and I never put down musicians or types of music. I respect everyone’s taste in music and I think more people should.
If you could be someone else (man, woman, fictional character, historical figure) who would you chose to be and why?
JJC: Gene Simmons or Jon Bon Jovi. Never met any of them (still one of my goals in life though) but they made it as a rock star and financially independent.
If your wife of g/f sold all your records to buy herself an expensive ring, what would have been your reaction?
JJC: Bye Bye love!!!
Any famous last words?
JJC: Praying Mantis is coming to get you!!! (i.n.: No matter how far?!)
JJC: After we met at a festival I received an email asking if Hans and I were willing to join Praying Mantis. I had to sing a demo so they could check out if my voice would fit their music. Apparently it did and I was hired as the new lead singer and Hans was asked to join as well. The recording started summer 2014 till fall 2014 and at several places in several countries (UK, NL and Belgium) and was mixed in the USA by Andy Reilly, who also was responsible for the “Sanctuary” album, which was released in 2009. End of 2014 it was all finished and approved by Frontiers.
Also is the title somewhat of a celebration of the band’s longevity against all of the personal changes? That the crux remains the same and that the music is the band’s “Legacy”?
JJC: Nice interpretation of the album title! We were looking for an album title which would serve the songs that were written and recorded and would set a statement. On the album we have some the old and the new Mantis music (because of 4 different songwriters now it has a greater diversity in material but still Praying Mantis worthy) so it would leave a “Legacy”.
You along with the drummer are the newest members in a long line of people who’ve been in the ranks of the band and I think you’re both Dutch. Can you indulge a bit in the circumstances behind you joining the band (did one of you guys recommend the other or sth?)…
JJC: Yes we are both Dutch. Hans and I were asked to join Praying Mantis in 2013 after we met at a festival where Praying Mantis played and we with our Iron Maiden Tribute band Harris. We had to join them at a festival in Germany without any rehearsal but it felt great and we connected and we rocked. So the chemistry was there and still is. They are a great bunch of really talented guys and leaving Hans and me enough space to participate in all the bands affairs which is fantastic.
Can you tell us of any prior to PM involvements you had had in the rock scene with other bands? And were you aware of the band previous to you joining them? Sometimes people who join a variety of bands or have people joining their bands, say they weren’t aware of the other “parts” existence, or that they vaguely had heard of the name but not the music...
JJC: I had some local bands but just known in the area where we live. I have to admit I heard about Praying Mantis but never listened to their music before, sorry. I supported Jeff Scott Soto with a German band on tour in 2005 and recorded a song on an album for famous Dutch Musician Arjen Lucassen (former Vengeance guitarist) for his project Ayreon which was released worldwide. I also supported Toto 3 years in a row with my band Cooper Inc. With Cooper Inc. we recorded an album (“Pulling The Trigger”) in 2009 with producer Michael Voss (Mad Max and Michael Schenker) but due to personal circumstances I was not able to promote the album and the band is not active anymore. Guitarist of Cooper Inc. Christian Tolle is still releasing solo albums as C.T.P. and I am pleased to say that I recorded a song for his next solo album, which is supposed to be released in 2016. It was a great feeling being creative together again after not seeing each other for more than 5 years. Besides Praying Mantis, Hans and I are still active in several tribute bands (Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and Ronnie James Dio) and they are reasonably well known in our area and Ireland (Thin Lizzy).
Also I’m curious as to whether, you did contribute to the album’s writing besides the performance and if so to what extend – which of the new songs, resonates with you mostly and what are the lyrical topics about (if something has a more specific focus)...
JJC: Because I am used to writing my own material for 30 years they asked me to collaborate on the new album and we wrote the first songs late 2013 and continued writing early 2014. I wrote “All I See” and “The One” with Andy and from the first moment we connected and had exactly the same ideas on both songs. I have a special feeling with the song “The One”. It is about ending one relationship and starting a new one (autobiographical??). Each songwriter (Chris, Andy and Tino) had his own idea and feeling on a song he wrote but they were all very open to my suggestions on each song and it felt like I was really a part of the band from the very first start. One of the most intensive songs we all 4 collaborated on is “Believable”. We all had some ideas and we combined them and the end result is on the album now! Chris is the Lyric Meister, Tino is the Harmony Meister and Andy is the Melody Meister in my opinion and all 3 of them great songwriters and already looking forward writing new material with all 3 of them.
What is the outlook on things following the release of the album? I mean, the band is usually not that active and despite its cult status it is not as big as it could be… are you in for the long haul and if so, where do you see the band – a few years from now?
JJC: The biggest problem is that the band never had (and still has not got) a good Management or Booking Agency. So they all had to arrange most of the gigs themselves. Because everyone has got a daytime job you can imagine not leaving loads of time for bookings etc. I am in definitely it for the long haul and hope we can find a great management and booking agency which puts Praying Mantis back on the map. I would love to quit my daytime job and make music the rest of my life. I have one motto and that is “there is only one way to go and that is full throttle”and hope Praying Mantis is somewhere on top of the bill within the next couple of years and still making music and performing live over the next 20 years.
Out of curiosity Rodney is at it (artwork once more) and so we get a return of the PM from quite a few of the past covers, I was wondering as an a typical mascot did it ever have a name? (You might have to ask the Troys for that!)…
JJC: I asked the Troy Brothers and their answer was: “No we have not but let us call him Bob!”… And that is the kind of humor I like. British humor which is very important to have in a band as well in a relationship (a band is kind of a relationship)…
When you were younger who were your influences to become a musician and tell us a few of your favorite artists/bands recordings?
JJC: I discovered KISS when I was 14 years of age and dreamt of being a rockstar like them. Soon I was into Iron Maiden, Dio and all the Hard Rock bands at that period in time. I also discovered Journey and other melodic rock bands and loved the beautiful tunes and melodies and great meaningful lyrics. Loved the power of Dio and Whitesnake, so Ronnie James Dio and David Coverdale made me want to sing. So my biggest influences are KISS, Iron Maiden, DIO, Journey and Whitesnake.
What is your take on the internet these days is it a way to reach out to the fans or a “Jolly Roger” that threatens the wellbeing of musicians in your opinion? Or a bit of both?
JJC: A bit of both I have to admit. It is a great media for getting exposure all over the world and get people know you but it is much more difficult making a living by just selling records because of the download culture nowadays. I think if we could turn back time and release “Legacy” in 1985 we would be able to get as big as Iron Maiden but that is just my humble opinion (does it reflect how proud I am?!!)…
Are there any concerts planned to promote the release of “Legacy”? Could we expect a Greek date?
JJC: We have a German tour in October and soon thereafter a trip to Japan in November. Because of the lack of management or booking agency we have to do it all ourselves (except Germany) and it takes a lot of time and effort to get thing organized. We are planning to tour and do lots of festivals in 2016 to promote the album but all depending on a good booking Agency as well. We are looking for one so if you know one which would be interested in Praying Mantis let us know!! The band played in Greece in 2014 (Athens) and loved it… great crowd and beautiful people and country.
Weird questions… If you were a God for a week – what would you do?
JJC: Get my Father and my son back from Heaven. (i.n: Sorry to hear)
Which one of the seven deadly sins are you?
JJC: Lust for sure!
Who in the rock scene deserves to be bitchslapped...?
JJC: To many to mention…
If you could “erase” one thing from modern music, what would be it?
JJC: It is all a matter of taste and I never put down musicians or types of music. I respect everyone’s taste in music and I think more people should.
If you could be someone else (man, woman, fictional character, historical figure) who would you chose to be and why?
JJC: Gene Simmons or Jon Bon Jovi. Never met any of them (still one of my goals in life though) but they made it as a rock star and financially independent.
If your wife of g/f sold all your records to buy herself an expensive ring, what would have been your reaction?
JJC: Bye Bye love!!!
Any famous last words?
JJC: Praying Mantis is coming to get you!!! (i.n.: No matter how far?!)