Severs Ramsey - Prime Movers

Severs Ramsey, former member of The Prime Movers and co-writer of "Strong As I Am"
dropped by the site recently and was able to answer some questions...

MCRS :Thanks to you I now know that "Strong As I Am" was issued as a
single and also had a promo video too.

SEVERS: It was shot by Dante Spinotti and was financed by Mann himself. I have
a copy of it that was taken from the television - honestly, I was hoping that it would
be included in the new double DVD, but I guess not.

Are the Prime Movers still performing after your departure or was there
a general break up ?

The group broke up not too long after the Manhunter movie. We had been
around several years before that and had some success in England with a
song called "On The Trail" (B-side was "Strong As I Am"). Even went on a
UK tour with Big Country in 1986!

Was the song specifically written for Manhunter or does it come from
a Prime Movers album ? It just seems to work so well with the scene.

No, it was a recording that existed before the film. Michael Mann had come to
see us live several times and I think that he already had the idea for this song
in his head.

Were any other songs from the Prime Movers catalogue considered
for use ?

Not that I can remember. At that time, we had only recorded a five song EP for Island and because of publishing concerns, these were the only ones that could
be considered. I don't believe that there was time to do a new song. By the way,
when we were first became involved, the movie was still called "Red Dragon." I
think that it was changed because it sounded too much like a martial arts
movie (I personally prefer "Red Dragon").

What was it like when you and the other Movers saw that scene for the first time?

For months before we became involved with Manhunter, our management had
been shuttling us about to see the most horrible movies that you can possibly
imagine, wanting us to put music to them. Lots of skateboard/surfer/frat dude
stuff. Really awful. Us being art-istes, said no, no and more no. We wanted to
be involved with quality projects. When Michael Mann invited us to his office
and told us about Red Dragon, we were very excited. This is EXACTLY what we
hoped to be involved with. So when we saw the finished scene, we were blown
away (no pun). We really had no idea that our song would be used in such a
pivotal spot in the movie. It was quite a compliment to us and we were VERY
impressed.

Opinion on the soundtrack is polarized between people who love it, such as myself, and those who hate it. I think it might be a anti-1980's thing. Do you have an opinion on this and what do you think of the soundtrack as a whole ?

I was totally honored to be on the same soundtrack as Iron Butterfly. I am a
giant fan of what is called psychedelic, or garage sixties music and I grew up
loving the IB. Also a fan of Shriekback.

In historical perspective, you have to remember that Michael Mann was best
known for the Miami Vice television show who's claim to fame was incorporating
contemporary rock music as well as the pastel look of the filming. I think that
by the time Manhunter was released, there was a bit of a backlash because of
the show. I remember the film getting excellent reviews, but the box office
wasn't what was hoped for (and believe me, I had my fingers crossed!).

What are you doing these days ?

It's funny, because I have just, in the last two weeks begun to work with my old
Prime Mover partner, Gary Putman, again. Maybe we'll have some new
Movers!