Airrace made one album in the 1980’s titled Shaft of Light. The album has become a closet classic for hard rock fans around the globe, yet the band is still best known for having a drummer with a famous father in it. Yes, Jason Bohnam hit the skins for the band, yet neither that, nor having Led Zeppelin’s manager, Peter Grant, onboard made the band as famous as everyone in the music industry thought they would be. It was not for a lack of good music, but rather some of the good old American way of doing business that led to the band’s demise. Instead of sticking with Airrace, Atlantic Records went for the new flavor of the month, leaving an incredible album, and band, to be put into the ‘Shudda Been A Contender’ file.

In 2009, the band reunited with Bonham but Jason did not stick around very long. After he left, the band recorded a new album titled Back to the Start, which came to the attention of Frontiers Records, who signed the band based on the strength of the songs.

Back to the Start is an amazing album that will bring back memories of the wonderful ‘80’s as the songs have rich harmonies, tons of distorted guitars and gobs of melodic vocals. Airrace combined dusting off old songs that never were, with some new tracks, and created one hell of an album.

Classic Rock Revisited caught up with Airrace guitarist Laurie Mansworth to discuss the band from Bonham to top! In the interview that follows we discuss why the band broke up, how it got back together, what it was like opening for Queen, AC/DC and Meat Loaf, the new album and what the band’s plans are for the future.

If you’ve not heard the new album, and you love 1970’s era rock ala Boston and Journey, then do yourself a favor and get Back to the Start as it will have a smile on your face and your lighter in the air in no time.

Jeb: If I were to bet on one band to NEVER make a comeback album it would be Airrace.　 I mean you only had one album.　 I know you got back together in 2009, but then Jason left, and a lot of people thought that was it.　 When Jason left did you all decide to stay together, or was it nearly the end, again?

Laurie: Well, that seems a strange question to me, as the rest of the band did not see Jason as a key member. He was never a writer in the band and, to us, was just our drummer with a famous dad. We knew the band would work fine without him, so we decided to continue.

Jeb: This album sounds as if it could have been released in 1985, and I mean that in a really good way.　 Are these new tunes, or did you have these lying around?

Laurie Some were old ideas from demos and about half were new songs. It was great fun rewriting songs you wrote in your early twenties and it seemed to flow very easily. It wasn't the hard task I thought it might be.

Jeb: I want to dig into the new album, but I wonder if you could tell me what really happened back in the early days, around Shaft of Light, that kept you from making it?　 You SHOULD have made it.

Laurie: I think the label, Atlantic Records, had internal ego problems between the head men. The guy who signed us left the label and we were buried. Shame, but this is not an unusual story for bands. I hope these dickheads can’t sleep at night, as they ruin people’s lives.

Jeb:　 Do you regret the way things ended up back then?

Laurie: Yes, because I feel we still had allot more to offer. I think myself and Keith were a good songwriting team and we should have developed that.

Jeb: I have to ask you about Peter Grant.　 What was he like?　

Laurie: Well, I think the Peter we had as manager was not the same Peter that managed Zeppelin. I always liked Peter, but I think his true love was Led Zeppelin and when that came to an end everything else must have seemed minor. Living at the Grant house with Warren, Peter’s son, and Jason was a great laugh.

Jeb: Tell me what it was like opening up for Queen in the ‘80’s?

Laurie: Amazing, they were at their peak. From what I remember, Freddie [Mercury] and Brian [May] were really nice and we went to dinner with them a couple of times. Being so young and playing arenas was fantastic. Brian would let me play his old red guitar through all his backline that tour. It was a dream.

Jeb:　 Same question but this time Meat Loaf?　

Laurie: He’s not as easy to get along with, but it was still a good tour. I toured with him years later and he was a much nicer guy.

Jeb:　 Who else did you open for?　

Laurie: We opened for AC/DC and that was mad. We were put on the show at the last minute. Motley Crue had cancelled but the promoter never told the audience. We got canned for four songs, then ended up playing an encore, so we turned it around.

Jeb: Once the ride was over, what did you do between 1985 and 2009?

Laurie: I came out of the business for a while. Then, in　2002, I went into management. I helped form a young band called Hurricane Party, who became Roadstar. I wrote the songs for them and got them signed by John Kalodner. We made two really good records. Unfortunately, there were some huge egos in the band, so they didn’t last long. Now, I manage my son’s band, The Treatment. They are signed to Spinefarm/Universal and we are just about to go on tour with Alice Cooper for two months, so that's exciting.

Jeb:　 How did the 2009 reunion come up?　

Laurie: Some money that was Keith’s had been paid to me by mistake, so I tracked him down. One thing led to another, and the next thing, we were signed to Frontiers Records and making an album.

Jeb:　 Lets talk about Back to the Start.　 When it was decided to go on without Bonham, did you feel any pressure to make a new album without him?

Laurie: No, not really, we just had a great time making it. There was no pressure like the old days. We just took as much time as we wanted. It was fun, and I think that shows on the record. The Shaft of Light album was a nightmare. I did not get along with Beau Hill at all. I think he was another reason why the band had a short life.

Jeb:　 I want you to tell me about some of the songs.　 We have to start with “Keep On Going.”　 I hear a tad of late 1970’s Journey in that one.　

Laurie: Yeah, I agree. We are definitely influenced by Journey, so that does come out in our material. That song was written 25 years ago and I always thought it was a good song. I am glad it made it onto the album.

Jeb: The title track is one of my favorites.　 Tell me how that one came about.　

Laurie: Thanks. I like that track, too. It was a brand new tune, it’s a song about no matter where you go in life, or what you do at some point, you always end up back to your roots.

Jeb:　 “Wrong Way Out” really is a rocker.　 Talk about that song.

Laurie: It’s the harder edge of Airrace. We always thought of ourselves as a rock band rather than an AOR band. This is a favorite when we play live.

Jeb: “Two of a Kind.”　

Laurie: That's the song the label guys signed the band on. I think that may have been about Keith and me. In the early days, we were always battling for our own ideas. We have both learned to compromise these days.

Jeb:　 Are you going to tour?　

Laurie: I think we will be doing a headline UK tour in November.

Jeb:　 You produced this album.　 What was it like being at the helm with these guys?　

Laurie: It was very easy. I have produced quite a few records now and they just left me to it. They all came in to do their stuff and went home. We all have families these days.

Jeb:　 Will you be disappointed if you have to give up Airrace once again?

Laurie: Well, that’s always a possibility, as my son’s band is taking off very fast. I will keep it going as long I can, and as long as we all enjoy it.

Jeb:　 Last one:　 With all the ups and downs Airrace has been through, what advice do you have for young bands who think they can be next big thing?

Laurie: Let no power, or prejudice, deter you from your goal.

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