Q - Can you introduce yourself and the rest of the members of the band and what positions they currently have?
A - I am Jake Sirokman the vocalist, then there is Clint Gregory/Bass,Adair Cobley/Guitar,Jimmie Sanders/Drums and Jeremy Swanson/Guitar

Q - Battle For Ozzfest has definitely increased your popularity among the hardcore and metal scene, but from your perspective, has that increase in popularity made a significant mark on your band's career (i.e. are you able to book better shows, play with bigger bands, etc.) ?
A - I would have to say yes, but if the show never existed we still would have been doing what we are doing and trying our hardest to do what we can. I think the show just gave us a good boost and just made us work ten times harder

Q - The Battle For Ozzfest tour just recently started; how's that going for you guys? Have you noticed an influx in fans?
The tour is going great, we are all having a blast. Yeah there has been some good turn outs of kids, its cool.
A - With hardcore bands you'll see a pit and some kids dancing and doing their thing. What can a person expect at a MANNTIS show? Possibly a nice trash circle pit?
You know now a days there is too many things going on as far as the whole "Scene". We just play fuckin Metal. If you wanna dance on the breakdowns do it but if you wanna rip someone's head off on the blast beats feel free.

Q - What songs really get the crowd going at your shows? Do fans favor more of the earlier stuff you guys recorded, or are they really digging the new stuff?
A - The new stuff is much harder then the old, but still unique in its own way. The song "Acte of Redemption" seems to be the winner so far.

Q - What are some favorite songs to play live? What is the most difficult song to play live?
A - "Sleep in your grave" which is the last song of the night is by far the most righteous, I try and get the whole crowd to sing along.

Q - What were the main influences within the album "Sleep In Your Grave?" I can sense a lot of hardcore and metal influences tied in to a lot of the songs on there, so would you say that the current hardcore and metal scenes in Southern California also influenced your sound on this album as well?
A - Most of our songs are written by pure emotion made by different pieces. I have been a hardcore fan for some time now including the whole straight edge and Christian hardcore stuff with bands such as Chain of Strength, Minor threat,Strife, Strongarm and Overcome not being part of that scene but never against it. Metal has always been apart of my life with bands such as Sepultura, Pantera and Iron Maiden. We play what we feel not what we hear, if that makes sense

Q - How would you describe the hardcore and metal scene in Riverside, CA, considering that Orange County and San Diego have a relatively large scene there? Do you think your band has positively helped the underground scene recognize independent metal/hardcore artists?
A - You know Im not real sure about that, there isn't much of a Scene in Riverside its more of just a big party. We just have bands that are real and aren't playing music for the fame but more or less the the fun. Plus there aren't too many venues to play just some small bars and shit. Orange County has made a very good impact on the Hardcore/Metal scene and in a very short time, very proud to be so close.

Q - How hard have you guys struggled to get to where you are today? Everyone is starting a band nowadays, so competition has got to be fierce. How hard has it been for you guys to get your name out there?
A - FUCK, it has been a long road for Manntis. With going in and out of members and some bones broken, we are very excited and lucky to be where we are. We dont consider it competition but there is alot of upcoming bands out there and as long as your focused and know what you are getting into dont let nothing stand in your way.

Q - Are there any bands out there that you think are absolutely amazing, but are yet to break into the spotlight?
Wow, there are alot of great bands out there that we have not even heard and may not ever get heard do to where they live and the lack of funds. Its a fuckin hard buisness and you gotta do anything in your power to get known (god bless the internet).
A - Big shout out to Burden of Guilt, Elseworth,Divide the day, Skys of fire and Severus

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