Jeff: I guess a little history is order. When Abdullah first got together we had more of a sludgecore sound going on. After our first practice we were watching some old wrestling videos with guys like Bruiser Brody, The Sheik and ... you guessed it... Abdullah the Butcher. At the time our music was brutal and ugly... just like our namesake! It seems really goofy now and in that context it definitely doesn't fit what we're doing these days, but what can I say? The name stuck and we really like it. If you ignore the wrestling connection, the name does take on a sort of amorphous, esoteric feeling and that's why I like it.
Can you tell us how the deal w/ MeteorCity Records come about?
Alan: We duplicated 100 copies of our demo "Snake Lore" and sent most of them out to record labels and zines (mostly online) that we thought would be interested in our music. We got a lot of positive reviews and contact from several labels, one of them being MeteorCity.
Jeff: We were contacted first by Aaron and later Jadd who told us that they were very impressed by the demo and wanted some more information about the band. We communicated via email in this manner for a few weeks and on the day before New Year's Eve of 1999 they offered us a deal. With their label boasting such a solid line-up and reputation, we were very excited. We received the contracts a few days later and felt they were offering us a very fair deal and signed on with them for a 2 record deal. Everything's been great and I expect big things for MeteorCity in the coming years.
How did the band record the album? Was the album recorded live or was it recorded in parts (drums, then guitars and so on)?
Alan: We tracked everything separately. Jeff and I played the drums and guitar together to start. That initial guitar track was just used as reference and was thrown away when it was no longer needed. I like tracking everything separately because you have so much more control over the final sound. That's not to say that we'll never consider a live recording, but up to this point it hasn't been an option without a full band.
Jeff: We didn't have a very big budget for studio time so things were a little rushed and quite hectic. We worked at a very frantic pace over the period of four eight hour sessions. On day one we laid down all drum tracks and all of the distorted rhythm guitar tracks. On day two we finished up the rest of the rhythm guitar tracks and got the bass tracks down. This day was a little frustrating because one of the bass players we used didn't have the luxury of digesting the material prior to this session (it's a long story... basically the original bass player we had lined up for the studio sessions was sent to Canada via his factory job) and we used up ALOT of studio time recording his tracks. We also used Jamie from Boulder for bass on about 7 of the tracks and he was a fucking PRO!!!! He laid down his tracks in 2 passes or less. On day three we laid down all of the vocals and guitar solos, and day four was the final mixdown and mastering. So as you can see, we didn't have alot of time left to really sit down and play with certain things or experiment with different sounds. I'm still very pleased with the results, but obviously there are things I would have liked to do such as using different guitar sounds, adding more rhythm tracks, experimenting with effects, etc. Oh well... next time!!!!
What has been happening w/ the band since the album was completed?
Alan: We're trying to find a drummer and a bassist so we can start rehearsing and playing live. We put some time into totally redoing our web site at http://www.stonerrock.com/abdullah. Other than that, we've been re-energizing and doing some promotion for the album like this here interview.
Jeff: The search for additional members has been a complete disaster. Word of mouth hasn't turned up anything, and all of the talented musicians we know are already playing in other bands. We were forced to go the route of hanging up fliers and taking out classified ads in local trade mags, but we haven't turned up a thing. We auditioned a few people who completely didn't work out, we had a couple no shows, and since then we haven't even had anyone call us. You'd figure that living just south of Cleveland there'd be a talented pool of musicians to choose from or at least some interest, but the music scene up here is in really bad shape. Aside from bands like Boulder, Keelhaul, 9 Shocks Terror, and Sofa King Killer there isn't much good local talent and worse than that the turn-out for underground shows is terrible. I don't know where everyone's hiding because the local record stores are still stocking tons of cool music and people are buying it. Regardless... I'm confident that we'll find the right people... hopefully by the year 2039.
Tell us about the concept for the artwork from the cover of the album?
Jeff: I wanted to create artwork that reflected the somber mood of the music and that conveyed a sense of the mysterious and a vague feeling of isolation. My brother created the cover art with a few pieces I provided him as well as some other pieces in the booklet. I'm really happy with the way it all turned out and we've received some pretty encouraging compliments about it. Aside from music, art is another mode of expression I use to purge some of the pent up emotions inside of me.
Do you have a personal favorite song from the album?
Alan: We both seem to have a fondness for Awakening the Colossus. I really like the music, very heavy doom, and I think the lyrics and vocals on that one are some of the best. I like all the songs on the album for different reasons but for heaviness I think that one edges out the others.
Jeff: "Awakening..." is definitely among my favorites along with "Lucifer in Starlight."
What you opinion on the underground metal scene?
Alan: If we're talking online and in zines, I think it's great. The scene is definitely thriving, or seemingly so. There are a lot of great bands out there and a lot of up to date information thanks to the web. But if you're going out to clubs to see shows it doesn't seem so big. There aren't a whole lot of people going out to see underground bands live anymore. If everyone whose into the scene would all just move to one state it would be huge!
Jeff: There's definitely no shortage of good underground bands out there, but as far as live shows or local scenes are concerned things have been pretty grim lately. Things aren't the way they used to be where it seemed like every weekend there was a cool underground band coming through town. I don't know... it seemed like more indie bands were able to eke out an existence through their music back then. That doesn't seem to quite make sense with our economy being as stable as it's been in recent years, but for some reason people aren't as willing to support underground bands by showing up for gigs. I hear horror stories from friends who have tried to set up small scale tours and are met with really bad turnouts. Therefore, not only is their morale as a band affected, but financially it becomes impossible to continue trudging on. And what's the point if no one's showing up? I think some of this lack of support is due in part to kids being fooled into thinking that the metal underground begins and ends with bands like Slipknot, Disturbed, and Mudvayne. Bands who are nothing but corporate whores with no artistic integrity that are merely copying off of the latest trends in hopes of making it big. After shilling out a $30 cover charge to go see System of a Down (and then paying $25 for a t-shirt) I don't think these kids have the spare change to take a chance and catch Tummler on the next night. They're saving up another 100 bucks for next year's Ozzfest. I can go on forever about this, but I'll get off of my soapbox now.
Who are your favorite bands at the moment (signed or unsigned)?
Alan: Boulder, Slow Horse, Solace, Penance, Spirit Caravan, Electric Wizard, Necrophagia, Ozric Tentacles.
Jeff: Boulder, Poison Idea, Tummler, Slow Horse, Septic Death, Drunk Injuns, Heathen, Possessed, Solace, Venom, Penance, Sofa King Killer, 9 Shocks Terror, tons of Skate Rock and Japanese hardcore...
Are you guys playing any live shows in support of the new album?
Jeff: We'd like to. Maybe we should invest in a drum machine....
Guitar question, if applicable: For those guitarists [ed: me included!] out there, what is you current set-up, such as guitar, effects and amps?
Alan: Guild "Nova" guitar. Carvin 100 Watt head and cabinet. BOSS "Metal Zone" distortion, MXR Phaser, CryBaby Wah-Wah, and I used a Roland Space Echo on the album in spots. Sadly, I don't own the Space Echo. I think this whole setup is about to radically change but I don't know to what just yet.
Do you have any other additional material released elsewhere on any other labels or is there other tracks that might get released in the near future?
Alan: Here's a rundown of the official releases, not including self-released demos - The demo version of "Conundrum" appeared on the "Information Stoner Highway" compilation put out by Lucid Haze Records. The "Snake Lore" versions (although the overall sound has been altered) of "The Black Ones" and "Firmament" were on "The Mob's New Plan" compilation by Water Dragon Records. "Snake Lore" was released in a limited edition of 1000 copies by Rage of Achilles. The self-titled album on MeteorCity is the only other release currently available. That's also been licensed to People Like You in Europe. They'll be putting out a gatefold double lp as well as the cd version. We have two tracks coming out on tribute albums in the near future. I think they will both be out near the beginning of 2001. There's "I Bleed Black" on the Saint Vitus tribute by Raven Moon Records and "Fearless" for a Pink Floyd tribute on The Music Cartel.
What are Abdullah's plans and major goals for the next 12 months?
Alan: Our main goal right now is to find the right drummer and bassist to complete the lineup. We'll also start working on new material in preparation for some new recordings.
Jeff: I'd like to put out an ep... possibly a split 7 inch (can't disclose with who, though... nothing's been finalized) which we'd release by ourselves. I'm also in the planning stages for making a video for "The Black Ones." I doubt it'll get played anywhere (maybe some local cable access shows), but I've always wanted to do it. And no... it won't feature us lip-syncing the song in an abandoned warehouse. I'm thinking more along the lines of "Gummo." I wonder if Harmony Corrine works for free?
Quick questions...
Favorite Black Sabbath Album?
Alan: How about a box set of the first six?
Jeff: I know it's cliched, but "Paranoid."
Favorite Kyuss Album?
Alan: I'm not a huge Kyuss fan but I would pick "Blues for the Red Sun".
Jeff: I'm not too big on Kyuss either, but I do spin "Circus" occasionally.
Favorite Celtic Frost album?
Alan: "Morbid Tales"!
Jeff: By god.... "Morbid Tales," man!!!! That ranks up there as one of my favorites of all time!
Your favorite album of all time?
Alan: That's too limiting, I can't do it. I'll name a couple top favorites though. I never get tired of "Animals" by Pink Floyd, great concept, excellent songs and guitar solos, it all fits together beautifully. "Piece of Mind" by Iron Maiden was my introduction to the band and my first concert. It's one of their heaviest. By the way, just about anything Martin Birch has ever touched is pure gold. "Reign in Blood" by Slayer. I'll stop there or this will get out of hand.
Jeff: Iron Maiden "The Number of the Beast"
Most underrated band of all time (active or not)?
Alan: Hawkwind. They've been around forever, put out tons of excellent albums, but hardly anyone even knows about them. I think it's because they've had so many members and so many different "eras" or sounds. You might hate the 80s Hawkwind but love the early 70s stuff for example. So if you just hear something from the 80s you might write them off. I happen to like almost all of it.
Jeff: Liquid Jesus. Some say they rode on the coattails of Jane's Addiction, but I thought this band brought so much more to the table. They had that irresistible Hendrix-y, psychedelic-cum-metal sound that no one has ever been able to duplicate! I still spin "Pour in the Sky" tirelessly and have been lucky enough to acquire their barely released follow-up "Mirrors for the Blind." If there's any justice in this world, these guys'll rise from the dead and finally get the recognition they deserve. Yeah right.... that'd have to sound like Creed for that to happen.