Jeff: It had been a goal of mine for years to be in a band playing doomy and melodic music, but every band I joined never lived up to the expectations I had. Plus, I was always relegated to drums and I really wanted to move up to vocals. After becoming increasingly frustrated with all of these failed attempts, I decided to form my own band so I could have more control over the songwriting and direction of the band. It took awhile before things started to head in the direction I was looking for, but things really took a turn in the right direction when I hooked up with Alan. We recorded our "Snake Lore" demo a few months after meeting and got signed to MeteorCity not long after that.
2 Abdullah exist since 1998,a very short period of time ill think..and it look�s much shorter ive I see that two records was released since this point of Time,are you a workoholic or do you just wrote some Songs before Abdullah was born?
Jeff: I get a lot of musical ideas all at once and then I'll go for months without any inspiration to write music at all. So during these times when I'm inspired, I work out all of the ideas I can and usually come up with a bunch of songs. I never like to feel pressure to come up with new material so I find comfort in having a full back catalog of songs to choose from.
3.At the Line-Up list on the new record you mention just Alan Seibert as Guitarist und yourself as Drummer and Singer,are both Bassist�s you mention just Session Musicans or still friend of the Band ?
Alan: Both bassists were session musicians and they are both still friends of the band. Jamie is from the ripping band Boulder. He's a total rager and we were very fortunate to have him on the album. If you haven't already done so, you need to go get a copy of Ravage and Savage by Boulder. I believe Ed just moved out to California, far away from the gloom and doom of Ohio.
4.Most Songs on the Album like"The Path of Enlightment" or "Earth Answer" was written by yourself.Is Alan still a part of the Band or just someone to help you to become a little taste of a "Band Feeling".Are you wrote the Songs on Guitar by yourself or do you give the Idea�s for the meldies and Alan is still the part who�s working this Songs out?
Alan: Wow, I hope I'm still a member of the band. I've been under that assumption for quite some time now! I consider myself to be a guitar player first and foremost and writing music is something I've just been getting into over the past few years. The reason I joined Abdullah is because I recognized Jeff's songwriting talent the minute I heard his demo and I wanted to play quality material. With Jeff's songs he usually has them all worked out. I might tweak a riff here and there and I do the solos but other than that they're pretty well complete.
Jeff: I guess we stray a little bit from how most bands traditionally write songs in that we don't get together at practice and work out our ideas. Not that I feel that's the wrong way to go about writing music, but I'm usually more comfortable putting things together by myself. To me, songwriting is a very personal and reflective process where I have the opportunity to release alot of pent up emotions. I'm sure once we get a full line-up going we'll write more songs together, but at the same time I'll still write a lot by myself. What can I say? I'm a hermit.
5.Whats about the Lyric�s Jeff,you wrote them for 100% alone .....can you tell us something about the contens.What means your own Lyric�s to you and what is it about?
Jeff: I like to write about themes that mix the metaphysical with the personal while keeping things purposefully vague so as to create a more mysterious aura. I also like to incorporate a quasi-religious feel to the lyrics in order to aid in the feeling of mysticism. I try to stay away from cliches and want the content of the lyrics to reflect the languid, baleful atmosphere of the music.
6.The first Abdullah Record "Snake lore" was released at the Rage of Achilles Label why you chance now to I used to Fuck People like yoou in Prison(Sickest name I ever heard!!!
Alan: The Rage of Achilles release was just a great opportunity that we couldn't pass up. We were already signed to Meteor City when we got the offer from Rage of Achilles to release our demo "Snake Lore" so it's not like we switched labels. We are actually signed to Meteor City and they licensed the self titled album to People Like You for the European market.
7.The most Fanzines was given you more than just good a good Review and a lot of them was very impressed.Are you still surprised by this reaction,or was there any reactions from the Fans that surprised you?
Alan: It's hard not to sound conceited with a question like this. We knew the material was good so we weren't really shocked when it got good reviews but I would say we were suprised that there were so many. I would have expected some more negative responses just due to people's individual tastes but it really hasn't happened much. I'm glad that people like it.
8.Whats about the Live-Activitis Jeff, are there any concrete Plans for a own Tour or maybe the chance for a Support?
Alan: There is nothing concrete at this point since we don't have a live band together yet. We are planning on live shows and small tours as soon as possible though. We've already had several offers of shows so I don't think we'll have a problem getting out there once we're ready.
Jeff: It's been really frustrating trying to find musicians that are into playing the style of music we play. For some musicians we're too metal, for others not metal enough. Other people have a problem playing slowly, while the people we audition who can play slow prefer more of a harsh sludge-core sound over melodic doom metal. At this point we are revamping our efforts at finding bandmates so hopefully we'll have a steady line-up by 2001.
9.I�ve you had the chance to choose a Band you can play with.....whitch one you would choose?
Alan: Abdullah.
Jeff: If you mean playing live shows with, there's a ton of bands I'd like to share the stage with. Namely, Slow Horse, Tiamat, Sisters of Mercy, Tummler, Spirit Caravan, etc. I wish bands like Confessor and Agents of Oblivion were still around so we could play live with them.
10.The Music of Abdullah was very doomy and there are many Stoner-like parts,whitch Bands would you mention as your Influence or which bands you give respect for there Work?
Alan: I give all bands respect for their work. As far as doom/stoner bands go, my influences and a few of my favorites would be Slow Horse, Cathedral, Electric Wizard, Church of Misery, Solace, Spirit Caravan, Penance, Trouble, and Black Sabbath of course.
Jeff: My biggest influences musically are Black Sabbath and Iron maiden. I listened to those bands religiously growing up as well as alot of speed metal and skaterock. Later on I really liked what I heard from bands like Jane's Addiction, Alice in Chains, Acid Bath and EyeHateGod. I think if you listen closely enough you can hear all of these influences at work in our music.
11.Ok Jeff,ill wanna say thank you for this Interview and wish you all the best in tfor Future...is there anything you wanna say as "Famous last Words"?
Jeff: I know it sounds cliched and tired, but "Support the Underground." I'm noticing more and more these days that people do not want to come out and see shows of bands they've never heard of and would rather go see more establsihed artists. Go out, support the underdog and hear what you're missing! And if you haven't alraedy check out our website at www.stonerrock.com/abdullah.