Interview
Handle: Mantronix of Phenomena
How did you come up with your alias ?
Well, it was in the early days (1988). I thought of a lot of handles, but I won't mention any of them here; that is how corny they were. So, I asked a friend to come up with some cool names, and it wasn't until later that I understood that "Mantronix" was the name of a "rap-group". If I did know that, perhaps I wouldn't have chosen that name, but who cares anyway.
City / Country:
Malmoe, Sweden.
Born year:
1973
What was your first computer, and when did you get it?
ABC-80, summer 1985.
How did you get into the scene and what groups have you been a member of ?
It all started with me and two friends (of one is JAS of Phenomena) making a demo; if you could call it that. At the same time we formed a little group called Omikron (no, not the more famous one). The demo, had some bouncing sprites and a text scroller, and some of my music. Anyway we were real proud of it (I guess a lot of you guys know that feeling). After that, we were picked up by a local group called Software of Sweden (S.O.S). And then it just rolled on. I can't remember all of the groups I've been a member of, but some are: Supreme, Warfalcons, Fairlight, Razor 1911 and Phenomena (current).
What was the proudest moment in your career ?
Well, I guess that was the time when I won the music-competition at Aars (The Party 2, I think) with "Overload".
For what specific reason(s) do you think that you are remembered ?
Hopefully for some listenable Amiga music. But, of course also for all the hassle around me and Robert (Tip of Phenomena) starting with some misinterpreted scroll-texts.
What would you like to be remembered for ?
For my Amiga music, and nothing else.
What made you stop the scene activity ? (and do you remember when?)
Well, I think it was the same for all of the Phenomena guys. When we topped all the charts, then there wasn't anything else to pursue. We didn't have the energy (at least I didn't) to keep on going after that. The same thing (I believe) seems to have happened to all the guys who made it into the top spot in the charts, with very few exceptions. It's only natural.
Thinking back on the good old days, is there anything you regret?
No. Live and learn. I would like to say I'm sorry to anyone who feels offended by something that I've done or written in a scroller. Hope nobody cares anymore. What can I say? I was young and carefree.
What was your favorite
GAME(S)
Stunt Car Racer, Interceptor and... damn I can't remember the name of it.
DEMO(S)
Enigma (Phenomena), Animotion (Phenomena), Joyride (Phenomena), Voyage (Razor 1911) and Hard-Wired (Silents)
PROGRAMMER(S) (OR PROGRAMMING TEAM(S))
JAS, Celebrandil, Azatoth (Phenomena) and SIM (Razor 1911).
CRACKER(S) (OR CRACKING GROUP(S))
Sorry, didn't pay that much attention to that. But I do remember the name of the guy who cracked Interceptor so I'll name him: Il Scuro.
OVERALL GROUPS :
Phenomena (I'm beginning to seem a bit selfcentered now, right?)
COMPOSER(S)
Firefox and Tip (Phenomena), Charles Deenen (MoN), Walkman (Cryptoburners), Jogeir Liljedahl (?), Bruno (?) and Uncle Tom (Scoopex).
BEST COMPOSED TRACK(S)
In competition with so many others, I'll have to say "Klisje paa klisje" by Walkman (Cryptoburners).
BEST GRAPHICS
Uno (Scoopex), Color (Phenomena) and Reward (Scoopex)
EVENT(S) (E.G. COPYPARTY)
ECES in Eskilstuna, Sweden and The Party 2 in Aars, Denmark.
MEMORY(S)
When a friend of mine passed out (from drinking) in a sleeping bag, less than 1,5 hours after he got to a party (Odense, Denmark). Boy, did I diss him...
DRINK ?
I suppose I should write Coca-Cola, but I won't. It's Pepsi Max, actually.
What are you doing nowadays ?
Well, where do I start? I'm studying in at Lund University (Business administration), will later also get a degree in Informatics. Estimated time of graduation is 1999. Parallel to my studies, I'm running my own soundproduction company (together with my partner Robert (who is not Tip of Phenomena)). It's called MediaSound, and our biggest productions are a sample CD-R for Ensoniq (called "Dance Tools"), and two other productions (not named yet) made for the swedish company Sounds Good AB. More productions will follow. We've also done a lot of contemporary and non-contemporary studio work (for instance, last autumn I edited a complete CD with classical guitar duo music; it took me about a month to complete). I am also employed at Studentlitteratur Software at the moment as technical support staff (on Claris, Macromedia and Symantec products).
What are you doing on your spare time?
I'm partying with my friends at OG (which is Ostgota Nation, in Lund). I also try to spend a little time in the studio, writing and producing my own music.
Is there anything you'd like to say to the public (read: admires)
Thank you for all of your support. Also, thankyou all for making my scene experience on of the best times of my life. I'm sorry for hardly not answering any letters at all. There was simply no time.
What is the meaning of life?
42, but I guess you knew that.
My email: walle@forpresident.com or martin.wall@studli.se
Feel free to contact me. This goes especially to old scene friends.