Sunsets, sleepless nights and heartaches formed the Coyotes.

Duz Mancini, music industry sophomore, along with Tulane student Jake McGregor are the main two band members. Other members include Ian Adams, music industry sophomore, Daniel Milojevic, jazz studies sophomore, and Tulane student Andrew Craig.

The band’s blend of west coast style and southern influence set them apart from most other Loyola Bands.

Q: What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?

Duz Mancini : “We’re the Coyotes. We wanted to do something representative of the west coast. Since were coming out from the west coast. Something that’s wandering the desert. Something that’s always at your back door. Something that’s up late causing a racket, causing trouble.”

Jake McGregor:“That’s kind of been our life style for the last about four years since we’ve known each other.”

Q:What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?

Mancini: “It’s old school. It’s some throwbacks. Rock N’ Roll started with horn players playing the leads. We wanted to bring that back and capture that especially in New Orleans. Were going back to our roots, a lot of it is American. It’s really gritty.”

McGregor: “It’s that grit that gives us character. Hopefully by the end of the night you’ll take with you real crafted stories behind what you’re hearing.”

Q:How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

McGregor:“We’ve known each other for 4 years now since high school. We didn’t hang out with each other high school. Duz’s ex-girlfriend introduced us when she heard I needed a guitar player. We gigged around with each other a bit.”

Mancini:“Sleepless nights here. After writing, writing, and writing and we eventually got the band together.”

Q: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?

McGregor:“We were both on the same page as far as what we wanted to write about.”

Q: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?

McGregor:“No, we don’t. Gladly. It’s something we maybe look forward to. Maybe not. It depends on who were talking to.”

Mancini: “Record labels are like old ladies who need help walking across the street and then they pull out a machete or a machine gun on you. Something that’s really inviting but when you get there, you’re stuck.”

Q: What can you tell me about your instruments?

Mancini:“We’ll play whatever is available.”

McGregor: “Whatever sounds best for the songs.”

Q:Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

McGregor:“Prytania was always fun, it’s a small intimate venue with kids who go there for one reason, to enjoy the music.”

Mancini: “It’s not like a big venue where theses so many rules inside the place. It’s kind of just freakdom when the show starts. We like those special intimate settings; it’s when that grit really comes thorough. Being surrounded by people is like a throwback to the 1960’s, where everyone’s causing a riot around you. Our next show is September 11 at The Boot, with New Grass Country Club, The Lobbyist, and BootyTrove.”

Q:Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

McGregor: “We’ve done some covers, we did Twist and Shout at the republic that was a fun one.”

Mancini:“We have a nice catalog of originals were about to release soon. All five of those songs people can expect to hear from us live this year. You can also expect a couple of Beatle covers, and maybe some other outlaw rock. Definitely some southern influences for covers as well.”

Q:Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

McGregor:“We write the songs, sometimes we write about what’s right in front of us. What happen the night before, what didn’t happen the night before.”

Mancini: “We don’t write to be obvious, we want something someone to listen closely and find three different song meanings based on the foundation of dirt and grit. Our lyrics are really honest.”

Carl Harrison can be reached at

caharris@loyno.