MANIC ABRAXAS

I think I’m pretty justified in saying that Bangor, Maine is not known as a heavy metal hotbed. Even North Dakota has produced more bands. Yet the dark piney woods have produced one of the most interesting and idiosyncratic groups I’ve heard recently...MANIC ABRAXAS.

I first became aware of them with their “Foreign Winds” opus, a conglomeration of diverse influences ranging from CELTIC FROST to BLUE OYSTER CULT and hitting many points in between...and outside as well. That made an impression on my fevered brain, which is always looking for unpredictable sounds. With their new opus “Skinformation”, all resistance to MANIC ABRAXAS has crumbled, as they have produced a darker, heavier, quirkier concept with a cyber punk sheen.

So it was time to head to the home of Stephen King to speak to this odd and endearing cabal...

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: Greetings from Wormwood! A pleasure to talk to you. First thing I want to ask you about is the band name...how did you come up with it? Is there a special meaning to it or is just something that sounds cool?

DALLAS SEGER: I heard somewhere this concept of Abraxas being the underlying force behind everything - good or bad, constructive or destructive.  I don’t know if that's the correct definition, but it gave me that impression, sort of Chaotic neutral on a cosmic scale; something a mortal can’t comprehend.

WC: The band hails from Bangor, Maine...off the beaten metal path. Did having that kind of location affect your sound? They say that bands from out of the way places develop a more original sound.

DS: It’s been a big factor for sure.  I think it's a pretty inspirational place.   It’s very old and strange and filled with strange people.  That’s bound to rub off. (Sounds like my kind of place...Dr. M)

WC:  What’s the metal scene like up in Maine? Are there any bands we should know about there?

JUSTIN HAMM.: SAPRUS is one to keep an eye on for sure.

WC:  The new MANIC ABRAXAS album is “Skinformation”, which very much seems to have a cyberpunk kind of vibe to it. How long has the concept been floating around for you? Is it a linear kind of concept album or is it more “loose”?

DS: Justin and I are really into sci-fi so I guess it's inevitable that we bend our creativity toward that.  We collaborated on the lyrics more this time and I think it’s our best writing that way.

But I don’t want to be too granular on the album; I’d rather let people soak it in.  I guess its a concept album in that it's all within a world we defined, along with some characters and what motivates them.

WC:  Are there any authors or movies who influenced the story behind “Skinformation”?

DS: Philip K Dick, William Gibson, David Cronenberg.  Although it’s not sci-fi Steven Erikson deserves credit for his style of storytelling.

WC: We really seem to already be living in what would have been considered a sci fi dystopia years ago. Is there any hope to get a grip on technology or is that battle already lost?

DS: Personally, I think technology is good if used correctly.  We live in an amazing time; people have always been alarmed throughout history.

WC: MANIC ABRAXAS has always had a very raw and “loose” feel to your presentation. Even though “Skinformation” deals with digital technology, you are resolutely analog in your sound. What’s the reasoning behind this?

DS: Honestly that’s just us imitating our favorite sounding albums.  They all have that vibe to them.  I like a fat, warm mix and a raw performance; that’s where it's at for me.  And like you pointed out the mix acts as a contrast to the subject matter.

WC: Some of the songs on the new album almost sound like they were done first take in the studio. Are the songs constructed meticulously or do you just kind of plug in and go for it?

DS: Yeah, we definitely had a bunch of first takes for all of us.  Besides struggling with vocals here and there I don't think we ever did more than 3 takes.  

WC: The band also has some punk and Goth rock leanings. Who are some of your inspirations from that side of the fence?

JH: We’re big fans of goth music in general, notably FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM and ROPE SECT.  We also like industrial artists like WUMPSCUT and FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY.

WC: I don’t know if you would agree, but “Cyber Satyr” has a song structure that’s more tuneful...I can even hear BLUE OYSTER CULT in it. What are some of the more obscure influences that go into your sound?

JH: Definitely BOC, ZZ TOP; it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that we love all the staple 70s rock bands and bits of that are throughout our music.

TOM BENNETT:  Have you ever watched the anime series “Black Lagoon”?  I get images of international munitions dealers fighting in international waters trying to deliver weapons to third world warlords.  That's my mental image associated with that track.

WC: Is there any one song on “Skinformation” that stands out as a favorite for you?

JH: Definitely “Neurogenic Magician”, mainly because it's the most ambitious song we’ve recorded.  It has an almost uplifting atmosphere to it that’s a cool way to end the album.

TB:  “Dark Builder” is my favorite.  The gnostic imagery is heavy, the demiurge was at our right hand for that one.  

WC: You have gone the self release route with your albums so far. Has there been any interest from labels? Do you plan on keeping to the independent route for the rest of your career?

DS: No interest but we don’t care, we’ve been self-funded all along.  The biggest thing we could use it someone to get us gigs.

WC: Does the band get to play live much? Do you have any touring plans for “Skinformation”?

DS: Stay tuned for regional dates around the release of SKINFORMATION.

WC: If you could have dinner with any 3 people from history, who would they be?

JH: All the people I’m interested in would probably be insufferable to be around.

DS: Genghis Khan, Mike Tyson, Roky Erikson

TB: Leonard Cohen, Cromwell, John Waters.

WC: Has MANIC ABRAXAS ever had a “Spinal Tap” moment where things went haywire that you could share with us?

JH: I feel like things happen around us that aren't necessarily our fault, but we end up the target of everyone's ire because of our whimsical and childlike wonder

DS: For sure we have but we can’t divulge the details.

WC: Any last words or messages for the faithful?

ALL: Yeah, book us.

MANIC ABRAXAS