2/23/26 Page 11
American heavy metalheads and very longtime HardRadio friends MANOWAR have shared their "Fan Question Of The Month" of "What advice would you give young bands trying to stay true to themselves in today's music world?"
JOEY DEMAIO: "Advice? To be honest: I had to learn the hard way not to listen to just anyone's advice. Because the only people who can, or should, give advice are those who have proven experience and most importantly success in the area that you are seeking guidance in. The way I see it: The very first thing is that you must have an unshakeable belief in yourself. The path that's ahead of you is yours and yours alone. If you start listening to every well-meaning voice, especially as an aspiring artist, it's easy to get dissuaded.
My first recommendation would be to search your soul and make sure, that this is what you must do, not what you want to do. That it is impossible for you to think of anything else, 24/7. Because only with that fire can you persevere, in anything, not just the music business. Then I'd tell them to not be an ass-kisser, be an ass-kicker. I see too many young bands trying to please everyone, chasing trends, worried about algorithms and social media likes. You want to know what works? Just be real. Be yourself. Write music that comes from your heart, from your soul, that means something to YOU.
The truth is when we started, we got doors slammed in our faces more times than I can count. 'Too loud,' they said. 'Too intense. No commercial appeal.' And they were right - we were all those things. And that's exactly why we succeeded. Because for every industry expert who rejected us, there were Believers waiting for exactly what we had to offer. Real music. Real passion. True metal. So, when you face rejection, as an artist or in life in general - and you will - when people tell you to change, to compromise, to fit in, remember this: that's your test. That's when you find out who you really are! Are you going to fold? Or are you going to double down and lean into what you are all about? The choice you make in that moment defines everything.
And here's the beautiful thing: if you stay true, you'll find your tribe. Or your tribe will find you! It takes time and often years but real recognizes real. True fans can see and feel authenticity from a mile away. And once you have that connection, that brotherhood, nobody - and I mean nobody - can take it away from you!"