Saint Henry is a two piece, post-grunge rock duo out of Melbourne, inspired by rockin’ bands like Royal Blood and DZ Deathrays. Featuring Hayden Manassa on vocals and guitar and David Lo on drums, the band has just come out of the studio working with respected local producer Scott Horscroft. One of the results of those sessions is a new single, ‘Lunatic Asylum’, an infectious slice of relentless, fuzz rock. Hayden took his foot off his pedalboard just long enough to do a Q&A for us.
What was your first guitar?
My first guitar was a cheap Stratocaster. I think the brand was ‘Freedom’. It was a cheap eBay purchase
What’s your main guitar now?
Fender Squire Telecaster with a speciality made custom T90 bridge pickup
Through what amp and why?
Through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Ltd Edition. Just the crisp fuzz tones works so well with my style of playing. I had the speaker replaced as it was not holding up well against my octave and drop D tuning. So now it can sustain higher bass tones and sequences.
Which pedals are your standards?
POG 2 Micro, EHX Metal Muff, EHX Big Muff and Cry Baby WahWah. However I used a late 80’s fuzz pedal called Expandora by Bixonic that was made in Japan during the recording of our first single that I’m trying to get my hands on!
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
My latest recording was done up at The Grove Studios in Sydney with Producer Scott Horscroft for two singles. One’s out now called ‘Lunatic Asylum’. It was a fantastic location to lay down a few tracks. All going well, we plan to be back into the studio mid-late next year for the possibility of an EP.
What gigs have you been playing lately?
Most recently played a show with Them Bruins at Cherry Bar after they came back from CMJ festival in New York and local legends From Oslo at The Old Bar. Great bands, great shows
Most memorable gig?
Most memorable gig would have to be the Them Bruins gig at Cherry Bar few weeks ago. With two songs left into the set, I broke my low E string, and being a two piece without a backup guitar it was a pretty crucial part our sound. Lucky enough TBs guitarist Woody ran over to his gear, grabbed a guitar and handed it to me in a moment of saving grace. The show goes on!
Worst stage nightmare?
Guitar not being loud enough!
Best riff you’ve ever heard?
Black Sabbath – Paranoid / Arctic Monkeys – R U Mine?
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
We have our single launch at The Workers Club in Fitzroy, 14th December!
A guitar tip for the kids?
Don’t let anyone tell you ‘that’s not musically right’, push the boundaries, discover your sound!
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Have a listen to ‘Lunatic Asylum’ now