BILLY AMENDOLA-Drums,Percussion,Vocals
FRANK DeCRESCENZO-Lead Vocal,Percussion,Harmonica
JOHN KAZ-Bass Guitar,Vocals
JIMMY MAER-Guitar,Keyboards,Vocals
In Brooklyn, New York a band was playing for the last time under their name GYPSY in the summer of 1974. From that evening on they were called MANTUS.
In 1977 MANTUS was offered a record contract by WILL CRITTENDON, owner of the independent record label SMI. The demo made two years earlier was heard by Will Crittendon and he noticed that every member of the group could write their own material. Although the demo was rock-oriented they all were also influenced by R&B and Motown. The two influences together made the special sound of the group and so they got their record contract.
MANTUS toured for a year in Canada and the U.S. and after the tour they went into the studio and recorded their first single, "TURN AROUND AND BOOGIE DOWN" in Canada in July of 1978. Later that year they recorded "(DANCE IT) FREESTYLE RHYTHM" in the U.S.
WKTU, a radio station from New York city played "(DANCE IT) FREESTYLE RHYTHM" many times after it became a requested item after the first play on the station. Other stations followed to play the song and it became a disco-hit song.
In 1979 MANTUS recorded their first album, "MIDNIGHT ENERGY", and a new 12", "ROCK IT TO THE TOP", which has the catchy intro (rock, rock, rock your body). This one became a favorite with radio stations, clubs and D.J.'s. It hit the top ten in BILLBOARD, CASH BOX and RECORD WORLD dance charts.
MANTUS continued touring in 1980 and recorded their second album "MANTUS" with the single "BOOGIE TO THE BOP". This single went straight to the top of several dance charts. The album was promoted by interviews and performances on radio and T.V. through out Canada, Europe and the U.S.
In the early '80's a change in music made it hard to keep playing disco unfortunately and the band went back to their roots, playing one night stands.
In 1982, after 8 years of playing together the band split up, but remained friends.
In 1995 they decided to work together again. BUTCH JONES, original engineer and dear friend, took them back into the studio.
"THE BEAT IS BACK"
13-06-99