Manic Drive is a Canadian
Christian rock band, formed in 2004 by brothers Michael and Shawn Cavallo. After receiving interest from a record label, they released ''Reason for Motion'' in May 2005. Over the last several years, the band has released albums including ''Reset and Rewind'' (2007), ''Blue'' (2009), ''Epic'' (2011), ''VIP'' (2014), ''Into the Wild'' (2017), and Vol. 1 (2020).
Band history
Manic Drive formed in 2004 after disbanding Christian family band ''One Cross'' with two members: Shawn Cavallo, former lead singer and drummer and brother Michael Cavallo. The band went through several lineup changes early in their career, starting with session musician Lucas Wright. In April 2004, following a GMA showcase, Manic Drive were signed to Butterfly Music Group (now Whiplash Records). In May 2005 they released their debut album, ''Reason for Motion''. Singles "Luckiest", "Nebulous", "Memories" and "Middle of it All" all hit the R&R Top 30 Christian Rock charts, debuting high in the top 10. In late 2005, they toured with Seventh Day Slumber and Fireflight.
Manic Drive recorded their follow-up album, releasing it in 2007, titled ''Reset & Rewind''. After the album was released, Lucas Wright left the band, and former members Phil Massicotte (bass and backup vocals) and Johnny Dimarco (drums) were enlisted. In 2008, the band released their single "Blue", featuring
Kevin Max
Kevin Max Smith (born August 17, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk. As a solo artist following the band going on hiatus, he has recorded 12 full-length stud ...
of
DC Talk, which reached number No. 28 on the Top 30 Christian Rock
''Billboard'' chart. "Blue" was also featured as a world premiere in over 20 countries by the Gospel Music Channel, and was No. 2 only to Skillet's "Comatose" as the best Rock Video of 2009. The album was praised by critics, with ''
CCM Magazine
''CCM Magazine'' is a twice-monthly online magazine focusing on contemporary Christian music, published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications.
History
''CCM'' was first published in July 1978, as a printed magazine. It has be ...
'' listing ''Reset & Rewind'' in the Critic Picks Top 10 Albums of 2007, along with
Relient K and
Anberlin
Anberlin is an American alternative rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band consists of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, a ...
.
In 2009, Manic Drive parted with Phil Massicotte and Johnny Dimarco and added drummer Anthony Moreino, converting into a three-piece band. On August 18, 2009, Manic Drive re-released ''Reset & Rewind'', renaming it ''Blue'' and adding several new songs including "Walls", "Music" and "Rain". ''CCM Magazine'' (January 2010 issue) listed ''Blue'' No. 7 in their Top 10 picks of 2009. In late of 2009, they toured with 80s metal band
Stryper on their "25th Anniversary Tour".
In January 2010, Manic Drive released "Walls", which hit No. 7 on the Christian CHR Billboard Charts Top 30, No. 9 on Christian Music as well as hitting No. 1 on AIR 1 Radio.
In 2011, Manic Drive worked with producer Rob Wells and released ''Epic'' September 27, 2011. The lead single, "Halo", was consistently voted No. 1 on syndicated radio network Air 1's Mixology (a voting program on weeknights). In further support of ''Epic'', Manic Drive toured back-to-back with the
Newsboys
Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which ...
across Canada on the "Maple Noise Tour" followed by "The Born Again Experience Tour" in the U.S. that fall.
Through 2012, ''Good Times'' climbed up to No. 12 on Top 30 CHR/HOT AC Billboard Chart, No. 1 on CRW and No. 1 in Canada on the CT-TOP 20.
In 2013, "Money" placed No. 27 on Top 30 CHR/Hot AC ''Billboard'' Chart and No. 2 on the Air 1 Radio Network. Following the media attention, Manic Drive was invited to team up with Audio Adrenaline on their spring "Kings and Queens Tour" which in turn, landed them a deal with
Inpop
Inpop Records is an independent contemporary Christian music record label based in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. It was launched in July 1999 by Australians Peter Furler, Dale Bray, and Wes Campbell. The name was derived from the idea of wanting ...
/
Capitol
A capitol, named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome, is usually a legislative building where a legislature meets and makes laws for its respective political entity.
Specific capitols include:
* United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
* Numerous ...
. Manic Drive finished the year touring across Canada on the Christmas "Wintour" with Building 429 and Hawk Nelson.
''VIP'' was released on October 14, 2014. In February and March 2016, Manic Drive headlined the VIP Experience Tour with dates coast to coast across the United States. "Easier" was released June 23, 2017 and "Mic Drop" was released July 17, 2017, as singles for an upcoming album.
''Into the Wild'' was released on November 7, 2017. They played part in the 2019 Winter Jam Tour, performing during the event's Pre-Jam Party.
Discography
''VIP'' was released on October 14, 2014, as an independent album album. Their first single from this album "VIP" hit No. 1 on ''Billboard''s Christian Rock Chart, and No. 12 on ''Billboard''s Christian CHR / Hot AC Chart.
Awards and recognition
;
Gospel Music Association of Canada Covenant Awards
The Covenant Awards are awarded to the Canadian gospel music industry by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada. The association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music in C ...
* 2008 winner - Rock Album of the Year: ''Reset & Rewind''
* 2008 winner - Video of the Year: "Eleven Regrets"
* 2012 winner - Hard Rock/Alternative Album of the Year: ''Epic''
* 2015 winner - Rock Album of the Year: "VIP"
; Gospel Music Channel Music Video Awards
* 2009 nominee, Best Rock Video: "Blue"
; Shai Awards (formerly The Vibe Awards)
* 2002 nominee, Best Rock Alternative Album of the Year: ''Welcome to the Real World''
* 2003 nominee, Best Song of the Year
;
Juno Awards
The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of ...
* 2015 Winner, Best Christian Album "VIP"
*2019 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year "Into the Wild"
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manic Drive
Musical groups established in 1996
Musical groups from Toronto
1996 establishments in Ontario
Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year winners
Canadian Christian rock groups