MANILLA ROAD - The Beginning The foundations for MANILLA ROAD were laid in 1976 when vocalist and lead guitarist Mark Shelton teamed up with bass player Scott Park. Along with two interim drummers, MANILLA ROAD began to play the bars in Wichita, Kansas. Their song "Herman Hill" (inspired by the 1979 Easter Sunday riot in Wichita's Herman Hill Park) first brought them widespread attention and local radio airplay. To complete the band's lineup, drummer Rick Fisher signed on in July of 1979. MANILLA ROAD produced, promoted, and headlined a concert in the East High School Auditorium in Wichita, and were encouraged to produce' their own album. Invasion was recorded in the winter of 1979 and was released locally on Roadster Records, Inc., in March, 1980. Several local appearances were scheduled to promote the album, which had good, constant sales in area record stores. Invasion quickly reached number one (#1) 'on the rock playlist at KMUW-FM, and became the album to remain on the playlist longest in the show's eight year history. In addition, songs from Invasion also appeared on KBUZ-FM in Arkansas City, Kansas, and on special reports by Wichita television stations KPTS and KTVH. MANILLA ROAD headlined KMUW's "Rock Party" benefit concert in July of 1981 (co-sponsored by KICT-FM and "Pogo's" of Wichita, with promotional assistance from Warner Brothers and Chrysalis Records). The band opened for the Wichita appearance of "Point Blank,"' to wild audience approval. MANILLA ROAD was also chosen to open Wichita dates for "Randy Hansen" and "Black Sabbath," although both concerts were cancelled due to problems with the headlining bands.   Encouraged by the reception of their audiences, local radio stations, reviewers, and the sales of Invasion, MANILLA ROAD and Roadster Records, Inc., decided another album was due. Metal was recorded early in 1982. In May, MANILLA ROAD opened the Wichita concert for "Krokus," and a crowd of over 1,000 people rushed the stage to jam to the band's high-energy rock 'n roll music. Metal was released in August of 1982, this time gaining distribution through WIN Records & Video, Important Records, and Greenworld Distribution. To support the album, MANILLA ROAD played clubs and bars throughout the state and into Oklahoma. Once again, their music was greeted with enthusiasm by radio stations, reviewers, record-stores, and their growing number of fans. A previously-unreleased MANILLA ROAD song, "Flaming Metal Systems", appeared on the U.S. Metal ##3 album from Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, and MANILLA ROAD has gained airplay not only in Kansas, but throughout the U.S., England, and Europe. Distribution of MANILLA ROAD albums extends across the States, in England, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, and into the European market. In December of 1983, MANILLA ROAD released their third album, Crystal Logic. With creative, original music that spans from melodic fantasy through straight-ahead kick rock 'n roll to blazing heavy metal, MANILLA ROAD provides high-energy excitement and stageshows exploding with flash and fire: Mark, Scott, and Rick are talented musicians with a distinctive style of lyrical, intelligent hard rock music. Their dedication to their music and vision leads them to practice together nearly every day, and they constantly write new music, perform, and explore their musical horizons. The foundations of talent, energy, and discipline are solid. In the 1980's, more and more people will take the musical journey of MANILLA ROAD.............. (Rare early 80's promotional bumper sticker)