While Dudley Perkins brings the weird yet melancholic and soulful vocals at Stones Throw Records, Declaime is his rapping counterpart. Most listeners could meet Declaime first on the classic Lootpack album 'Soundpieces - The Antidote' as a guest lyricist.
Ryan Green - drums Paul Gross - vocals/keyboards Zane Smythe - guitars/keyboards Nate Perry - bass/backup vocals Believe it or not, Manic didn’t want to get signed to Suretone, the new label of ex-Geffen president Jordan Schur. Not because they had something against them but they didn’t want their creativity stifled by a corporation. This band, who crafts lush, layered pop rock, wanted to do things on their terms and to be the masters of their own destiny.
As a young kid growing up in San Jose, Chris Manak soon realized he needed an escape from the realities of suburban life in the Silicon Valley. The age of nine was his coming of age. This was the year he discovered sports (Pittsburgh Pirates), video games (Pac man), girls (Anita Balderama), and hip hop ("Rappers Delight"). Alongside partner Sweet Steve, young Chris fashioned primitive mix-tapes (using the pause button) and ran amok at the local roller rink.
Mr. Lif (born Jeffrey Haynes) is a Boston rapper who is currently signed to New York independent label Definitive Jux. Besides his solo career, Lif is also a member of the hip hop group The Perceptionists with long-time friends and collaborators Akrobatik and DJ Fakts One. Mr. Lif grew up in the neighbourhood of Brighton in Boston, MA. For two years he attended Colgate University, dropping out after becoming enamored with the hip hop music being produced at the time.