New Interview with Mark Menza - Composer of Dragon Ball GT

[DerekPadula]

Right, that's true, but I wonder how involved they were with the series between 2000 and 2003, after the third season took off in the ratings. My guess is that they were kept very busy with running the company, securing new business deals and keeping the business afloat. Doing CEO type of activities, rather than creative endeavors.

I'd love to interview Gen, but the guy never returns my calls or emails.

[cRookie_Monster]

I know Barry Watson seems to have been in charge the most for the dub but, Gen Fukunaga and Cocanoughers had more power and could have overruled him at any moment.

I think they had the power, but trusted Barry to the creative side.

but never in a million years would I associate this with an altruistic teenager from the future fighting for the hope of a brighter tomorrow. There's no shonen spirit to speak of. It sounds more like a Chaos Marine death march from Warhammer 40,000!

lol, nice description. Yeah they tried to tell us Trunks was actually a villain...I knew better from PlanetNamek.com and just sheer intuition..but didn't matter. Had to do what we were paid to.

[DerekPadula]

I heard from Mark about the rapper. He said that, "I think his name was Shorty the Man," and that he was in the Dallas area at the time.

So I did some research on Shorty the Man and it turns out that yes, he released an album in Dallas in 1999 called Never 2 Far:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/s ... -101555677

And here is what I believe is his MySpace page, complete with 4 tracks that have his name on the title:

http://www.myspace.com/themanshorty/music

Sounds similar to me. Any audio experts want to do a voice comparison with the vocals from this music and the GT intro?

His MySpace profile says he's still living in Dallas and involved in Hip Hop. Seems like it's definitely him, but I just want to make sure.

If so, MYSTERY SOLVED!

[Attitudefan]

So... what's happened to him after GT?

[DerekPadula]

So... what's happened to him after GT?

I couldn't find anything else on him. But his MySpace page was made in 2010, I think, and he said he was still in Hip Hop. So that music he uploaded is either from back in the day or recent stuff. Maybe he's still making music in Dallas.

[Attitudefan]

So... what's happened to him after GT?

I couldn't find anything else on him. But his MySpace page was made in 2010, I think, and he said he was still in Hip Hop. So that music he uploaded is either from back in the day or recent stuff. Maybe he's still making music in Dallas.

I see. I wouldn't doubt it.

[Gonstead]

You should see if you can get into contact with him and perhaps do a mini interview dedicated to GT.

[DerekPadula]

Oh, the sacrifices I make for Dragon Ball...

... I just signed up for MySpace.

I friended Shorty and sent a message requesting confirmation that he was the singer, and for an interview. We'll see what he says!

I also sent a message to Mark, asking him to confirm Shorty's image and profile as the same person. The wheels are in motion.

[cRookie_Monster]

Oh, the sacrifices I make for Dragon Ball...

... I just signed up for MySpace.

I friended Shorty and sent a message requesting confirmation that he was the singer, and for an interview. We'll see what he says!

I also sent a message to Mark, asking him to confirm Shorty's image and profile as the same person. The wheels are in motion.

hahaha awesome work man ^^

Definitely ask him about other stuff though! I'm sure he'll want to talk about where he's at now, and there's a good chance he might want to divorce himself from GT since most people hate the theme.

[GS7X7]

He was just a hired gun, I still feel bad that the GT rap turned out so bad for him.

Then again, fans still would have hated the rap song even if 50 Cent had sung it.

[Gonstead]

Personally I don't hate it.

Whether it be nostalgia talking or my personal views on it, I just don't hate it.

[GS7X7]

"lol, nice description. Yeah they tried to tell us Trunks was actually a villain...I knew better from PlanetNamek.com and just sheer intuition..but didn't matter. Had to do what we were paid to."

Trunks is all very mysterious the first time you encounter him, and his motives completely unknown and vaguely suspicious. They probably wanted to keep you in the dark about his character.

Lol, I wasn't expecting Trunks to chop up Freeza and his dad! I figure they'd spend like 40-50 episodes fighting it out on earth!

[Moker_B]

I know Barry Watson seems to have been in charge the most for the dub but, Gen Fukunaga and Cocanoughers had more power and could have overruled him at any moment.

I think they had the power, but trusted Barry to the creative side.

but never in a million years would I associate this with an altruistic teenager from the future fighting for the hope of a brighter tomorrow. There's no shonen spirit to speak of. It sounds more like a Chaos Marine death march from Warhammer 40,000!

lol, nice description. Yeah they tried to tell us Trunks was actually a villain...I knew better from PlanetNamek.com and just sheer intuition..but didn't matter. Had to do what we were paid to.

Even though the destruction theme didn't sound like a ''hero trying to save the past'' theme, I do think it did fit into place during the Trunks saga when trunks first appeared. It gave Trunks that badass look against Freeza and it kind of represented the fear Frieza had for Trunks. It has also been used a few times during the Cell Games saga; for example, when Cell launches a huge ass Kamehameha against Gohan.

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

Nice work, Derek (if I'm allowed to call you by your first name -- you don't seem the kind of guy who'd mind). I find it a bit surprising that someone would talk to a near stranger about something he worked on about ten years ago and still remember as much about it as Mr. Menza does. Don't misunderstand; I'm glad that the interview was done and that Derek had the confidence to ask all of the questions that have been in fans' minds for some years and that, unfortunately, have been the subject of often embittered controversy. I just found the circumstances a touch odd. Also, I agree that the score isn't ideal for the series, but, giving it a listen on its own, the guitar pieces are quite effective. Anyway, thanks again.

But of course I've learned since those encounters that I'm trading my expertise for money, and I should be unattached to the work. Therefore, if I really want to be super creative and have complete satisfaction, then I need to become financially successful with my own projects. That's the ultimate goal.

I can only imagine how many times you experienced similar frustration while working on the DBZ music.

The thing is, as a member of the audience watching DBZ at home, you have no idea that the music staff is working against their own conscience, so to speak. Same with Mark on GT.

And I think this is what leads to so much antagonism and outright hatred by the fans against the different types of music throughout the series. There are no explanations to the audience for the choices that are made, so there can be no understanding. This ignorance leads to frustration, which leads to hatred... which leads to the dark side.

It's only when you have interviews like this, where you see the humanity of the people behind the show, that you're finally able to gain understanding and let go of those previous notions. Then with this understanding you gain compassion, and perhaps even a little regret for the way you used to think.

Then at that point you change as a person. Maybe even feel a bit of redemption.

Perhaps I'm over philosophizing, but hey, that's my thing! It's what I do!

This is what I mainly wanted to respond to. Very well written, Derek.


I used to be very cynical of corporations. Being a Dragon Ball fan, this included FUNimation. Money is the primary objective -- let's not try to circumvent it here -- but that doesn't mean that all corporations are greedy and entirely driven by profit. Most people who work for corporations have many of the same principles and values as us. They are everyday folks trying to support a family and, more importantly, themselves. FUNimation wasn't a hugely successful company then, and rescoring GT "end to end" would've cost them a fair bit, I imagine.

Today, hearing Mark Menza speak naturally and frankly about his experiences reminded me of the humanity of these people and their need for money not for wealth but for a livelihood. By nature, this gets in the way of enjoyment and satisfaction for your work. His is another story I can take with me on the long road to a full-time career.

[MCDaveG]

Not being fan of US soundtracks, also that I grew on the Japanese score in TV from the start, but this was great and entertaining interview, thanks for your work Derek

[DerekPadula]

Not being fan of US soundtracks, also that I grew on the Japanese score in TV from the start, but this was great and entertaining interview, thanks for your work Derek

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the interview.

There hasn't been much of a response to it on my blog in terms of comments or likes, but I'm glad people are reading it!

[superplough]

Oh, the sacrifices I make for Dragon Ball...

... I just signed up for MySpace.

This made me crack up

I'm new to this site, well I guess I've been reading various bits on the Daizex site for a few years but I'm new to the forum, and there's even more amazing stuff this community does in here, like your interview with Mike Menza. It's all very interesting stuff! Thank you very much for sharing it with us

[DerekPadula]

It's all very interesting stuff! Thank you very much for sharing it with us

You're welcome.

I have a new one coming up with Rick Villa, former National Sales Manager at FUNimation from 2002 to 2004. We had the interview and it went really well.

Look forward to seeing that!

[Ani-Nation7]

Nice interview. It almost makes me want to watch Dragon Ball GT with Menza's score lol

[MuffinButton]

Fantastic Interview. I really wish Menza and FUNimation would at least throw up some GT samples and cues from the DBZ movies on the iTunes store. I would pay good money to get his music from Return of Cooler and Broly.