«This album and the work that Thomas does bring new generations closer to the greatness and glory of rock'n'roll». So Tom Morello explains how he sees it and what the ambition behind it is Masqueradethe album by Thomas Raggi of Måneskin that he produced and which will be released on December 5th. “Måneskin's younger audience has already had a taste of the glory, strength, sensuality and glamor of rock'n'roll,” the American tells Kerrang!. “This record represents a further step forward and brings new and exciting rock into 2025 and beyond.” Morello sees it as «an opportunity to be a rock'n'roll missionary».
Recorded over the course of a month at Henson in Los Angeles, the same studio where Rage Against the Machine partially recorded The Battle of Los Angelesthe songs on the album are sung by various vocalists: Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, Serge Pizzorno of Kasabian, Nic Chester of Jet, Luke Spiller of The Struts, Maxim of Prodigy and Upsahl. Raggi also sings, it's not clear how much. In the interview he explains that «for my vocal parts I have been taking lessons in the last six months», even though he remains essentially a guitarist. On bass is Hama Okamoto, on drums Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Matt Sorum, ex Guns N' Roses. In addition to Raggi, Morello is on guitar.
In the interview Tom Morello talks about the first meeting with the Italian guitarist and his band. «We were in the parking lot of the Roxy in Los Angeles where Måneskin was playing that night. My wife and some friends had asked if I could get tickets, so I went to the soundcheck. To be honest, at the time I had never heard of the band, then I looked up and discovered that one of the most famous rock groups in the world came from Italy, a very interesting phenomenon.”
Morello, who as is known collaborated with Måneskin on the single Gossipwas positively impressed by the fact that Raggi is interested in rock and its history. «It has a rock'n'roll spirit and soul that are decidedly rare nowadays. And that's how our friendship was born.” Hanging out with Måneskin when they recorded in Los Angeles “reinforced my belief that Thomas is an exceptional guitarist.”
When Raggi decided that his solo album had to be a sort of “rock revival” with musicians and singers of various generations, he thought of Morello as producer and creative director. «Thomas is a true professional», says the American guitarist. «Rock'n'roll has a wild, free and crazy side, but when you go into the studio you have to be able to record that music. There is creativity to be expressed and there is work to be done, and Thomas has been fantastic, reliable and safe.”
In a press release, Raggi said that «over the last year the relationship with Tom has solidified more and more. We got to play together a lot, he involved me in some of his festivals and concerts. It was natural for me to involve him in my project and ask him to produce it and help me structure it. Working on this project with him was wonderful, but what happened next was beyond my expectations. Gathering so many music icons around my album, and also having the pleasure of meeting just as many of them, reminded me that music has no boundaries; that you have to follow your instincts and inspiration, ignore the imposed rules and simply do what you feel. The history of Måneskin teaches me this, but now I have definitive confirmation. I feel as if those who have made the history of music are placing a hand on my shoulder, telling me “You're on the right path”.
The album opens with Getcha!a piece sung by Cester and written among others by Beck. “It was a fun collaboration and I enjoyed the challenge of singing outside my comfort zone,” the Jet singer says in a statement. “There were a lot of interesting people involved in this song, so I was very happy to be involved.”
The only cover on the album is You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)an 80s hit by Dead or Alive which is sung by Kapranos. “I remember when I was a child, when I heard that song for the first time and I loved it,” said the Franz Ferdinand singer. “I've loved that song my whole life. When they sent me the initial recording they had made, I loved it! Particularly the section with the guitar solo in the center. I thought: this is what a cover should be. It should capture the energy of the song but also add something different, a bit of personality, and this one definitely has that. I hope people enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it.”
The tracklist of Masquerade:
Getcha! with Nic Cester & Chad Smith & Tom Morello
Keep The Pack with Matt Sorum & Tom Morello
Lucy with Upsahl & Hama Okamoto & Chad Smith
Cat Got Your Tongue with Sergio Pizzorno
For Nothing with Matt Sorum
You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) with Alex Kapranos
The Ritz with Luke Spiller
Fallaway with Maxim
