The Black Angels Psychedelic Lab

By: Brett Hickman

Sunday April 15, 2007

Interview
Psychedelic rockers The Black Angels, together since 2004, made their mark on last year's Passover, a raucous and enthusiastic hommage to both heavier sounds of the 1960, the Velvet Underground in particular (the band took their name from the iconic group's "The Black Angel's Death Song") and the scene's revival in bands such as The Warlocks and Brian Jonestown Massacre.

The band, which features Stephanie Bailey (drums), Christian Bland (guitar), Alex Maas (vocals), Jennifer Raines (organ), and Nathan Ryan (bass), got their start in Austin, TX and played a well-received show in that city's South By Southwest festival of 2006.

Guitarist Bland took some time from recording the band's follow-up to Passover to answer our questions and to give readers a peek into the new album.

Static Multimedia: Are there any current trends in music that excite or repulse you?

Christian Bland: The music they play on mainstream radio is ridiculous. It's diluted and uncreative, and as far from being real or soulful as you can possibly get.

Where have all the oldies stations gone? Austin doesnt even have one. If everyone would just listen to Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry & Buddy Holly, then the world would be a better place for sure. On the other hand, there's tons of cool bands out there promoting themselves through the internet. You just have to put in a little time and do some research to find them.

How did the band form?

CB: Alex and I have been playing music together since we were kids growing up in Seabrook, TX. We moved to Austin in 2002 and The Black Angels formed in May of 2004. It was a long process of finding the right people to play with, but we finally found the right combination.

How did the name of the band come about?

CB: We took our name from the song we were named after...the Velvet Underground's "The Black Angel Death Song."

I presume recording each album is a bit of a learning experience.

CB: We love recording. its like being a painter, but with sounds.

What kinds of things did you take into recording that you'd done on other albums and what sorts of new approaches did you try?

CB: We're recording with Erik Wofford again. He did Passover. We're bringing in new instruments and new influences, so the next album is gonna show some more diversity in our style.

Our new material has the same vibe, but I think we've progressed. We're always trying new things after we hear new sounds that inspire us.

What would you do differently on the next album?

CB: We'd like to make a more "The Parable of Arable Land" (by the Red Crayola)type of album, where its one continuous piece, the entire duration of the album. We'll see what happens.

What were some of the challenges you encountered while making your latest album?

CB: The biggest challenge was finding the time to get back in the studio. we've been traveling constantly.

What are you most proud of about the album?

CB: I've listened through it about 5 times so far, and each listen has been better than the last. so i think this album will stand up as equal or greater than Passover.

What is the best song on the new album and why?

CB: My favorite right now is probably, "You on the Run." It's hypno- drone at its best. "Science Killer" is another good one...top tune.

Were there any songs that didn't make it to the final cut that you really wish had?

CB: There were about three tunes not on Passover that might surface on album two.

What were your hopes for the album and how have things gone with it so far?

CB: Passover has allowed us to travel across the US and Canada, and to the UK and Europe. It's done more than I expected. I'm glad people dig it.

What direction do you see the band/yourself going in next?

CB: We'll travel further into the psychedelic labyrinth.

What plans do you/the band have for the near and distant future?

CB: We plan to keep recording and keep traveling around the world to spread The Black Angel gospel.

What are your aspirations for yourself/the band at this point?

CB: To make as many albums as we can and to keep playing around the world.

Do you think the MySpace phenomenon has helped or hurt you/your band at all?

CB: It's definitely helped spread the word. We booked our first two US tours through MySpace alone by contacting other bands we were into.

What upcoming albums by other artists are you really psyched to hear?

CB: We're excited to hear the new BRMC album. We love the new Vietnam album.

Is there any particular band or artist you'd really love to work and/or tour with?

CB: We'd love to tour with Psychic Ills or BRMC someday. It would be fun to collaborate with Anton Newcombe (possibly on this second album)

While most artists want to be known for doing something original, every musician has likely been influenced by another band or artist. Who has been your biggest influence or what band/musician do you most admire?

CB: Each of us would probably have a different response, but for me persoanally, it's Syd Barrett and the early Pink Floyd sound.

Do you have any touring plans for the near future?

CB: We'll be heading out West this spring with Vietnam and we hope to head back over to Europe later this year. We'll be playing several festivals across the USA this summer.

What do you like best and least about the tour grind?

CB: The worst part is how tired you get. Staying up every night until 4am takes its toll.

What was the last song you heard that made you want to hurt another person?

CB: The last song i heard that made me want to hurt someone..."The Grim Reaper Blues" by Entrance.

Have you ever had a dream where you wrote a song that you were sure was the best ever written, but upon waking up, you couldn't remember anything about it? If you did remember the song, was it as amazing as the dream made it out to be?

CB: I've woken many times in the middle of the night with an idea, but no pen or paper to write it down, so I've started to sleep with a recorder on my bedstand...it's usually pretty hilarious in the morning upon listening back to the stuff.

Now that the album is out, is there anything that you would change or do differently and why?

CB: No, it is what it is. its a time capsule of what happened with The Black Angels from August 2004 thru Jan 2005

Do you plan on doing any collaborating in the near future or for your next release?

CB: We'd like to do a song with Sarabeth Tucek, or possibly with Vietnam or Brian Jonestown Massacre. Any fellow travelers.

Who is your favorite songwriter or artist and why?

CB: Syd Barrett. His lyrics and songwriting are easy for me to relate to for some reason.

Ten years from now, how would you like your fans to reflect on your work?

CB: I hope we're still on the road touring in ten years.

How would you like to reflect on your work ten years from now?

CB: I'd like to be able to sit down at night and still be able to groove to it.

Do you plan to stay in this particular genre or do you wish to branch your sound out?

CB: I think psychedelic music lends itself to experimentation, so we've just barley tapped into it.