Jesusfreakhideout.com celebrates 30 Years online in 2026... Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!
Jesusfreakhideout.com celebrates 30 Years online in 2026... Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

Manic Drive


Whiplash Records alt rock foursome Manic Drive returned last Fall with their sophomore effort "Reset & Rewind" and JFH's own Laura Sproull quizzed guitarist Michael Cavallo about the album, touring, and the band's origins...
This interview took place in February 10, 2008.  


  • JesusfreakHideout.com (Laura Sproull): What is the meaning behind the name "Manic Drive"? How did you transition from One Cross to what we all know as MD today?
    Michael Cavallo: We wanted to change the name as a way of showing the industry and our fans that we were maturing and growing up as artists and not that kid band "One Cross" people use to identify us with. How the new name came about was just my brother and I (Shawn) loved the word "manic" just cause we thought it described the band's personality and music. We later added the word "drive" as in to pursue or to be driven in life. As Christians, we want to live radically and manically for Christ in our lifestyle and pursue Him always.

  • JFH (Laura): Does your single "Eleven Regrets" play any role in your life and in the lives of the band? What is the story behind the song?
    Michael: "Eleven Regrets" is a song simply about falling short in life. For example, when a man shows his appreciation for a woman, he'll usually show up with a bouquet of flowers (a dozen flowers). Instead, he shows up with eleven regrets and one flower. Just a small token of what is expected with a trail of mistakes behind him. Sometimes that's what we feel like when we fall short of God. There are times in my life where I feel shallow of my mistakes that almost feel unforgivable. It's encouraging to know that God is graceful and forgiving.

  • JFH (Laura): How did it feel to work with someone as iconic in Christian music as Kevin Max?
    Michael: I was in the third grade when I bought dc Talk's "Free at Last" album and have been a huge fan of dc Talk ever since. I had seen them perform in front of tens of thousands in my hometown, Toronto, ON, and was just another screaming fan that admire their music. We had the opportunity to perform with him a couple of times in our touring, but when I heard through our label that Kevin was interested in singing on our record, I kicked my feet in a fit of joy. I was so thrilled to have him featured on our album. It was a great honor.

  • JFH (Laura): "December Mourning" seems to convey emotions of sadness and depression during a time of great joy and celebration. What inspired this song?
    Michael: My Grandmother passed away one Christmas and when Christmas comes around now, it reminds me of her. Many people lose loved ones at Christmas and so we wrote "December Mourning" knowing it would hit home with a lot of people.

  • JFH (Laura): When you guys aren't touring, what do you like to do in your spare time? Album cover
    Michael: There are so many things we love to do aside from touring. Sports, movies, fooseball, hitting the beach, working out, billiards, darts, shopping, video games, reading, dodgeball, horse back riding, hot tubbing, bubble baths, etc. Really the list goes on. We're pretty much up for anything.

  • JFH (Laura): Have you heard any bands or records in particular lately that you've been really excited about?
    Michael: Lately I have been digging New Orleans' very own Mute Math. I find their music to be quite brilliant and innovative. Also, I'm really excited to hear Kevin Max's new record "The Blood," which features Joanne Cash, Mary Mary, and fellow dc Talk'ers Michael Tait and TobyMac.

  • JFH (Laura): How do you, as a band, stay focused while on the road and off?
    Michael: It's simply our passion that keeps us focused as a group. We love performing and doing the music thing full time and, at the same time, share our faith. We make efforts to pray before shows and keep Christ as a focal point in our lives.

  • JFH (Laura): What has God been teaching you lately?
    Michael: Patience. When traveling for hours on end with four guys in a van, sometimes those walls come closing in. We are learning to be patient with each other and embrace one another as brothers and follow our passion and career of music. We are learning to count our blessings and be content where we are in our lives.

  • JFH (Laura): Any last comments?
    Michael: Beware of frozen cheeseburgers wrapped in plastic. They may look tasty, but trust me, you'll be in for a surprise.

     

     

     

    go to main Interview page

     

  •                  
    Get a FREE month of VidAngel on us when you sign up!

    Search JFH



    This Tuesday, March 24, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Philip Anthony Rare Form (independent)

    This Friday, March 27, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Romy Fay The Chosen Adventures (Vol. 1) [feat. Romy Fay] [Capitol CMG]
    Gaither I Go To The Rock [Gaither]
    Kelo & DreBeeze Da Godson TRAP WORSHIP 2 - Single [Syntax]
    Limoblaze Solid Ground - EP [Reach]
    Jason McGee & The Choir Another Tomorrow [CDAC]
    NEEDTOBREATHE The Long Surrender [UMG]
    Point of Grace Lady Wisdom [Curb]
    Tommee Profitt The Resurrection of the King [Capitol CMG]
    Tommy Royale ChurchBoy [Capitol CMG]
    Various Artists We Shall Behold Him Tribute to Dottie Rambo [Daywind]

    SINGLES
    29:11 Worship The King and The Lamb - Single [Dream Worship]
    B. Cooper Driver's Seat - Single [RMG Amplify]
    Bethel Music Cathedral (Live at Church) (feat. Jonathan David & Melissa Helser) - Single [Bethel]
    Chris Caro Noah's Song - Single [Syntax]
    Franni Cash Raised by Wolves - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Steven Curtis Chapman & Miel San Marcos Cinderella (Español) - Single [The Fuel]
    ChristianXXII Glory - Single [Wick Media]
    Cutright Nasty - Single [Syntax]
    Evelyn Cormier Leaning on Jesus - Single [BEC]
    ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band The First Time I Heard About Heaven - Single [Daywind]
    FORREST FRANK x DAWN PATROL SOS - Single [Riverhouse]
    Freedom Church Is He Not Worthy - Single [Dream Worship]
    Justin Gambino Let Me Not Forget - Single [Residence]
    Abbie Gamboa The Wonderful Blood (Amazon Music Original) - Single [Anotherland]
    Amy Grant How Do We Get There From Here (feat. Ruby Amanfu) - Single [AG]
    Philippa Hanna Citizen (feat. Israel Houghton & Moses Bliss) - Single [Integrity]
    Benjamin William Hastings x Aodhán King Hollow Grave - Single [Capitol CMG]
    J. Suthern Hicks You Are Loved - Single (independent)
    Tasha Layton x Claire Leslie Whispers - Single [BEC]
    Patrick Mayberry Three Days Later - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Matthew Plante Love You Have - Single [Dream]
    Q-Flo Midnight Matcha - Single [Syntax]
    River Valley AGES Anxious for Nothing - Single [BEC]
    Angelina Saathoff Butterflies & Goodbyes (Feat. PAIGE) - Single (independent)
    The Sagehens Dumb & Drummer - Single [Velvet Blue]
    Saints in Exile My Mind is a Prison (Orchestral Remix) - Single [Syntax]
    SEU Worship A Forgiving God (Moment) - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Signum Regis Throne Of Gold - Single [Fireflash]
    Switchfoot Wake Up, Mr. Crow - Single [By Design/BMG]
    Lauren Talley Walls - Single [Horizon]
    tonyxtrotter UNTIL THE GOSPEL ft. KJ-52 - Single [Syntax]
    Vertical Kings 20-Something - Single [Covenant Music]
    Wilson Fairchild Lean On Me - Single [Gaither]

    Next Friday, April 3, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Meredith Andrews Live From Liberty University (with Liberty Worship Collective) [Curb]
    Peech. Small Town America (Vol. 2) - EP [Capitol CMG]
    Michael Sweet The Master Plan [Frontiers]

    SINGLES
    ANTHNY x Kierra Sheard show up - Single [Provident/Sony]
    FORREST FRANK x DAWN PATROL Waste Some Time - Single [Riverhouse]
    Omega Levine All Things New - Single (independent)
    Oyinbrakemi Goosebumps - Single (independent)
    To Fight Fo Alive - Single (independent)
    Bay Turner Redeemer - Single [Centricity]


    For all release dates, click here!
     

    Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
    Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
    Check out depositphotos for royalty free images