American are a frightening enigma, one of those musical projects that were birthed at the outskirts of everything, at the very edge of existence, within a remote wasteland of complete anti-human introversion and detachment. Nothing is basically known about the band outside of the fact that it is formed by two obscure and recluse Virginia locals who get together cyclically to craft the meanest, most vile, putrid and desolate blackened cacophony they can materialize from their evil-corroded minds.
It goes on to say that no touring or any kind of live activity and the complete reclusiveness of the duo have further enhanced the obscurity that shrouds the band, paving the way for a listening experience of their hideous sonic craft that is absolutely daunting as it howls from depths unknown. The duo known as Mike and Jim partake in discussing their latest "Coping with Loss", giving the rundown on it's inner being's and just what else they have in-store.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Mike: I write a lot of the music, play guitar and bass, and do some vocals & noise shit.
Jim: I do vocals and drums, along with power electronics stuff as well.
Mike: We started writing and recording in my basement in 2010 while we were in high school with no intention of releasing anything.
Jim: We always kind of did it for our own pleasure.
2. You went with the name, American, why was this your name of choice? Does it have to deal with our government and politics or does it surround another meaning?
Mike: To be honest, we don’t want to talk about where our name came from. It’s a personal matter.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Jim: We’re from Virginia, but live about 3 hours away from each other.
Mike: I live in the mountains in Winchester and he lives in the city in Richmond. Lots of bar bands in Winchester. Guttermouth played there once but I threw my back out and missed their show.
Jim: Richmond is cool. There’s a lot of different music coming out of there, mainly hardcore. There’s a good metal scene as well and a quiet noise scene. As for bands, check out Unsacred, Holy Land, Bastard Sapling, and Lil Ugly Mane.
4. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
Jim: We want to instill a feeling of hopelessness and complete loss. Our lyrics are very personal and we do not intend on putting much, if any, of them out.
5. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Mike: Definitely Wolves In The Throne and The Body. Bands that are just as focused on the atmosphere as the music itself. Fast shit in general really though. Good riffs. Pantera riffs forever.
6. Is there any story or concept behind the Coping With Loss title?
Jim: I wrote the majority of the lyrics while transitioning into veganism and it all has to do with my disdain with the human race.
Mike: I just tried writing from a personal place, but that only gets you so far when writing music. To be honest, I was just listening to a lot of Bastard Sapling and was really feeling it.
7. Who produced Coping With Loss and what was it like working with them?
Jim: We worked with Anthony Vi, the same guy we recorded our split with Crone with.
Mike: Anthony is the only person behind Crone and is more of an enigma than anything else.
Jim: Anthony is the only other person we know who understands our vision and craft. He’s helped us so much and has pushed us to new heights every time we work with him.
Mike: He’s a miracle worker.
8. Who did the cover art for Coping With Loss and how much input did you have on it?
Jim: Kevin from Sutekh Hexen did the art and it’s just out of control. He blew us out of the water. Very easy to communicate with.
Mike: We were able to convey what we wanted and he just made it happen. Unbelievable.
9. Select two songs from Coping With Loss and what inspired the lyrics.
Jim: Solace is all about my irrational fear of death not being the end. Ritual is about systematic oppression in America.
10. How did the signing with Sentient Ruin Laboratories occur? What have they brought to the table for you guys that made you stick around and be a part of their family?
Mike: Mattia hit us up in November 2013 asking if we were interested in getting involved with a then untitled label.
Jim: We had just decided to try and write a full-length album so that was really good timing.
Mike: Mattia has allowed complete creative control and that’s hard to find. I think we’re pretty difficult to work with.
Jim: We want to be in control of our music as a whole and he let that happen. We were able to take as long as we wanted and that’s a big deal to us
Mike: The fact he let’s outsiders remain outsiders is wonderful.
Jim: His band Abstractor is great. The shit they’re working on is going to kill you.11. What are your upcoming touring/show plans?
Mike: I’m looking to move to Richmond next year. We’re already starting to build a live band.
Jim: Anthony Vi is the only confirmed member so far.
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
americanx.bandcamp.com
sentientruin.bandcamp.com
Mike: We’ll have merch soon enough. Tapes are up for pre-order on Sentient Ruin’s site.
13. What is it you'd like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
Mike: The emotions it made you feel as a result.
Jim: How depressed you really are.
14. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
Jim: We’ll just keep falling further and further into obscurity.
15. Any final words of wisdom?
Mike: Keep on truckin’.
Jim: Don’t depend on anybody.
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