An internet search for “who wore assless chaps at the VMAs?”
will bring up the correct answer: Maneskin vocalist Damiano David.
But the Italian rockers' superlative charisma is not limited to their head-turning visuals.
Måneskin.Tommaso Ottomano
Sonically, the early twentysomethings are equally as bold, and fans have taken notice.
2 TikTok song of 2021.
They also recently scored a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
Måneskin.Tommaso Ottomano
The plaudits never seem to stop.
Nor does the band.
(They looked at once tacky and totally dope.)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY:Maneskin embrace many styles of music.
Did you feel pressure withRush!to fit into a particular genre?
DAMIANO DAVID:No, I think we did the complete opposite.
This record, it’s actually impossible to be labeled.
It’s impossible to make it fit in a box or say it’s rock, pop, whatever.
Tell me about your new song “Gossip,” which featuresRage Against the Machine guitaristTom Morello.
Is there an “Italian Dream”?
DAVID:I think the American Dream has spread all over the world.
In Italy, there’s the American Dream: getting the big house and nice stuff.
In general [the song is] a critique of all the issues our society is facing.
The song makes fun of this kind of mindset, which is very toxic, you know?
How did Morello end up onRush!?
VICTORIA DE ANGELIS:We met him while we were in L.A.
He came to our studio three times.
We’re jamming as [if] we were all in a big band he had no ego.
Thomas, was that intimidating to you as the guitarist?
THOMAS RAGGI:It was a really great experience.
It was like a training for me.
OnRush!the first 11 songs are English, then you sing several in Italian.
Why divide it that way?
We wanted to create a block that represents the foundation everything is built around.
Is that accurate, and also the message of some of the album?
DAVID:I think the album describes all the different emotions we had the last two years.
So of course we have super-positive feelings and enthusiasm and happiness.
On the other hand, we had some bad moments where we felt disappointed.
Did you think about making things tamer for younger fans?
DE ANGELIS:My cousin, she’s 7 years old.
She went to her class and played our music videos.
You exude a lot of body positivity.
Did you always have that, Victoria?
DE ANGELIS:No.
And then you feel better.At least that’s what we do.
Rush!is out Jan. 20.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
