Chris Mann (Crucifixion)

 

Crucifixion were formed in Southend, Essex, England, in 1979. They recorded two singles, The Fox in 1980 and Take It or Leave It in 1982. Their last recording was the EP "Green Eyes" in 1984, having been released two compilations in 2019, "Anthology (1980-1984)" and "After the Fox". Here's a chat we had with bass player Chris Mann:

Q. - Hello Chris, how did your interest in heavy metal music start? Tell us a bit about the beginning of Crucifixion too, how did it all start?

Chris - We were all raised on Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, etc.  But when Iron Maiden hit the scene that was the catalyst to the birth of CRUCIFIXION.

Q. - How was it like, the heavy metal scene in Essex? Did you play regularly back then? Or was it hard for a heavy metal band to be booked in the area at that time?

Chris - There was a great metal scene in Essex.  Iron Maiden up the road in West Ham, Random Black, Switch Blade (Phil Hilborne’s first band), CRUCIFIXION and others.  There were several venues that liked rock bands including the legendary Ruskin Arms.

 

Q. - Do you recall the songs you were playing at the beginning? Did you play any covers too?

Chris - With the exception of Paranoid all the CRUCIFIXION were written by the band.

Q. - Do you keep any special memories from those live shows?

Chris - The obvious ones that stand out were the Top Alex, Ruskin Arms and Southend Cliffs Pavilion. Always great crowds.

Q. - Did the single "The Fox" have air play at that time on radio stations? And how was received by Crucifixion fans?

Chris - The Fox launched the band and sold out quickly. It was played occasionally on Essex Radio. It was picked up be Sounds Magazine and both side were at the top of their playlists. If was even higher than Whitesnake in the rock charts.

Q. - In 1982 you recorded a 5 song demo, did you sell these tapes at shows, or send it to fanzines?

Chris - Strangely no. We have them out to friends but used them to secure the second single deal with Neat Records.

 

Q. - Back in 84, when you recorded the "Green Eyes" EP, shouldn't have been a LP the wright step?

Chris - Neat didn’t offer us an album then.  They had a lot of artists and I don’t think they had the funds to produce an album then.

Q. - When did "Crucifixion" split up exactly? What happened that lead to the split?

Chris - Brother Pete and Glyn Morgan were often at each other’s throats!  After one particular bust up the band basically folded.

 

Q. - What do you think that lacked to "Crucifixion" to have a successful career?

Chris - We needed someone to help fund the band, a decent record deal.  Neat were pretty crap to be fair.  We never received a penny from them.  Lack of money kept us all in day jobs and stopped us fulfilling the bands potential.

 

Q. - Did you stay in touch with each others all over the years?

Chris - Only Glyn Morgan and I keep in touch. He owns and runs CHINNERYS, the best rock venue in Southend.

Q. - Did you play with Redline in the middle 80's? What do you recall from those days?

Chris - REDLINE arose from the split of CRUCIFIXION and Random Black. Mark Kirkman was their guitarist and together with Pete Morgan we formed the band. Gary was the singer in another local rock band THE EDGE and he joined soon after. We played a bunch of gigs, released a poor demo and then that fizzled out too.

 

Q. - And you've been playing with Beggar for a long time, what can you tell us about this project with Mark Kirkman?

Chris - Mark and I have known each other from the late 70s. In the mid to late 80s there was no place anymore on the music scene for original rock bands. That why, to keep playing, we formed a covers band. In one way shape or form we have been playing together for nearly 40 years.

Q. - What do you think of the recent reedition of the singles and compilations, now on CD? It surprises you it still have so much acceptation these days?

Chris - If only heavy metal labels were as cool as they are now we would have been far more successful back in the 80s. I’ve been involved in the new single and album releases and think they’ve produced great products.

Q. - Do you think these songs have stood the test of time?

Chris - I think a few have. High speed rock may be a bit dated but still has a place in anyone’s music collection.

Q. - With this recent revival of the N.W.O.B.H.M., will you try to reactivate Crucifixion?

Chris - CRUCIFIXION is dead and buried I’m afraid. I’m the only member still playing.

Q. - How do you want to end up this interview? Anything more you want to say?

Chris - CRUCIFIXION were young, inexperienced but full of energy and with the right management could have done much more. I think we started a little too late and missed the gravy train but nevertheless it was a blast!

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!