Jeff: Abdullah was born into this world about 2 years ago when myself and our original bassist left another band we were playing in. I wasn't happy with the direction this band was stuck in and things weren't working out in general so starting my own band seemed like a pretty good idea. We found another guitarist and were on our way.
At the time I wasn't comfortable writing music so the bassist took care of all songwriting duties. Incidentally, he was really into alot of the same sludge stuff that we were playing in the previous band so we sounded uncomfortably close to bands like Eyehategod and Iron Monkey. We recorded a few demos and things just kinda fizzled out... the bassist couldn't really commit to the band thing, the guitarist went off to tour with a grindcore act and I wanted to do something a little more melodic with the sludgey stuff. So I came up with a few songs of my own, demoed them out and started looking for other people to continue the band with. I completely lucked out upon finding Alan because not only is he a phenomenal guitar player but he shared my vision of the direction I wanted to take with Abdullah.
As a result Abdullah transformed into what it is today... more of a melodic doom rock band with some definite psychedelic overtones. As it stands right now, Alan's handling all the guitarwork while I'm singing and playing drums. We're still searching for that ever so elusive bass player to finally complete the line-up.
2.You've released two very fine demo's, tell us a little about them and what kind of feedback they've had?
Jeff: Actually, we've recorded 4 demos... 2 with the old line-up and 2 with the current one. The first demo was pretty much a long, extended jam... not for the weak-hearted or impatient. The 2nd demo was more solid but still didn't live up to the expectations I had when I started the band. The first 2 demos were never released to the general public... they're not very good. The 3rd demo I recorded by myself, so the musical style was getting closer to what I wanted Abdullah to sound like, but the musicianship is very limited. I can't play guitar or bass that well. "Snake Lore" was recorded once Alan joined and is a marked improvement from the last demo due to his excellent talent as a guitarist (he can go toe to toe with the guys in Boulder, IMHO) and the improved songwriting. We're both very happy with the way that demo came out. Both "Snake Lore" and the prior demo have done pretty well as far critical response goes... especially "Snake Lore."
3.You're latest effort "Snake Lore" has been picked up for official release on UK label Rage Of Achilles, tell us how that came about?
Jeff: Duncan of Rage of Achilles had just released his first CD with Molehill and wanted to add more bands to his roster. He got in touch with us and we sent him out a demo. A few days later he expressed his interest in giving the demo a full release. Fortunately for us, he really liked the material and also was into the rawness of the primitive recording job. Me and Alan were both floored... I mean, we both dig "Snake Lore" but with the less than professional sound quality (and a few percussion flubs) we never expected that anyone would want to release it. Regardless, we couldn't be happier and are proud as hell to be a part of that label.
4.It was recorded on a four track, how do you get such a great sound out of it when most bands struggle to get anything half decent recorded on a four track?
Jeff: I practiced alot with my old Tascam before recording the demo and had been reading up on some tips for getting the most out of a 4-track. I had also been experimenting with mic placement, mixing techinques, effects, etc. in order to get the best sound possible with such limited gear. Other than that, I attribute the decent sound to a good ear, Alan's incredible guitar sound and some later digital mastering. It's still a dream of mine to become a recording engineer some day. I'd like to start by acquiring some cool analog gear and recording some underground bands.
5.There is only the two of you, do you plan to expand Abdullah and take the band on to the stage?
Alan: Yes, we plan on finding a drummer and a bassist so we can play live. Jeff will be on vocals and rhythm guitar although he has played drums on all the recordings up to this point. We're hoping that our album will help attract the right people to complete the lineup. What we're looking for are people who are in this because they love this type of music. That's the only way you're going to get real dedication.
6.Speaking of the stage what is your local area like for playing live shows?
Alan: This area is actually a pretty good location for live shows. Not so much in Akron, but in Cleveland. There are a couple of clubs that regularly book bands in the stoner/doom and metal styles. We're lucky that we get to see Boulder a lot! In Youngstown there's the Nyabinghi where the Emissions from the Monolith festival was held. They're also having the Stoner Hands of Doom II festival there in September. I think we'll have a lot of places to play when we finish the live band. We're in a good spot to hit Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinatti, Pittsburgh, and even Philly and New Jersey. Hopefully we'll get some regional tours together at some point in the future.
7.Recently you inked a deal with the new giant of the genre, Meteor City, tell us a little about that and when do you plan to have something out on that label?
Alan: We sent copies of Snake Lore out to about 10 different labels that we thought might be friendly to it. Luckily, we struck a chord with Jadd and Aaron at Meteor City. I say luckily because I think that out of all the labels we solicited, they were probably the best fit for us now. I think that there will be a lot more attention focused on Meteor City now that they've released a great album by Solace. And we want to keep that momentum going with our debut, tentatively titled "Wading in Dark Water". We had hoped it would be out in the fall, but due to circumstances beyond our control, it might not be out until early next year.
8.You've also featured on a couple of compilations and have some coming up, can you tell the readers a little about them?
Alan: We're on The Mob's New Plan compilation on Water Dragon records. The tracks on there are "The Black Ones" and "Firmament" from our Snake Lore demo. We're on the Information Stoner Highway compilation put together online via the Stoner Rock list. That track was "Conundrum" from our self titled demo. Coming up in the near future we're contributing a song to a Pink Floyd tribute on the Music Cartel label. That's "Fearless". And we're doing a Saint Vitus cover for a tribute on DreamFire records. Finally, we're going to be recording a new song for a compilation on Dark Reign. I'm really looking forward to hearing these comps as there are going to be a lot of great bands participating.
9.What are you listening to at the moment?
Alan: Goblin, Orange Goblin, Goatwhore, Kool Keith, Paul Chain, Church of Misery, Morbid Angel, Necrophagia, sHeavy, Solace, Boulder.
Jeff: Agents of Oblivion, T. Rex, Paradise Lost, Boulder, Sisters of Mercy, Tiamat, Joy Division, Rotting Christ, Anathema, Sixteen Horsepower... lotsa happy stuff.
10.Anything else you wish to add?
Alan: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Jeff: Our father who art in heaven...