The Park City, Utah-based band, Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, originally came together in the early 90’s in Los Angeles. They played venues all over Southern California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara. The band consisted of Jerry Manfredi on Bass and musical director, Tommy Mars on Keyboards, Jethro Defries on drums, and occasionally Paula Sorche as a backup vocalist.
Gary’s love for music remained an integral part of his life. For a decade, he poured his heart and soul into the creation of Destiny Road, an autobiographical and deeply personal musical journey that chronicles his struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. The album was written in the 90s and the band intended to release it in the summer of 1998. It was recorded on Jefferson Airplane’s old 2″ 16 Track machine.
Gary’s most personal single to be released from Destiny Road is “Mellow Drama,” a bluesy classic rock based single with deeply honest lyrics and gripping guitar work. Musically speaking, it’s similar to Stevie Ray Vaughn meets The Wallflowers with vocals like Dan Fogelberg.
Gary’s guitar solos are more than skillful, you can hear his passion for the music as he sweeps the listener away with his melodic licks and warm riffs.
“Mellow Drama” is written in the 3rd person, sung from the point of view of people Gary has been in relationships with before his Bi-polar 1 diagnosis. He wondered what it must have been like to be on the receiving end of his disease.
“When I was in my late 40’s I had just been diagnosed as a Bi-polar 1 with Mania and for the first time I had reference for why I acted out as I did from early childhood until I started to be managed Pharmacologically,” he says. “I blew up three marriages and many relationships due to my over the top personality. It wasn’t until I moved to Park City and a Ski Racing buddy of mine referred me to his psychiatrist, Dr. Kalm (really his name. no joke) that I was put on the right cocktail of meds and I mellowed out tremendously. Before I was medicated, or just took lithium, I was hyper aggressive and often people would be put off by my demeanor. That all changed under the care of Dr. Kalm. Now I’m as calm as a lake without wind, very stable and now a genuinely nice, caring person.”
It’s clear why “Mellow Drama” is one of Gary’s personal favorites because he gets to show his musical range as well as his lyrical one.
Connect with Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions:
Website // Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // Spotify // Soundcloud
