Gabriel and the Apocalypse

We were recently contacted by Damon from The Inner Light Agency about the band Gabriel and the Apocalypse who are about to go out on tour with the mighty American Head Charge. Figuring we should seize the chance to get some words from them, they were good enough to get in touch for an interview as well as sending their album through for a review! Read on to find out more!
Interview:
1). Introduce yourselves guys:
Lindy Gabriel: Vocals, Jake LaCore: Guitar, Figgles McGee: Keys/samples, Cody Hoffman: Guitar, Deter Steinkamf: Drums, Mitchell Pattrin: Bass

2). How did you get together?
The band started gigging in the Minneapolis area around 2004. Releasing several demos and recordings. We later added Mitchell, Figgles and Deter then released our first full length album in 2009. We've just added Cody the 2nd guitarist before recording our newest album "new World disAsteR" which we just put out.

3). How would you describe the music which you produce?
Heavy guitar tones, with keyboards and sampling. Female vocals with poetic and thought provoking lyrics. The music has dark tones, but melodic and versatile.

4). Why should people listen to it?
Our new record is a collection of songs that can appeal to a wide range of listeners. We have main stream hooks to all of our tracks, but have an edge that you don't find in a lot of main stream music these days. We feel it's very unique and a breath of fresh air. We pretty much just make music that we like and we would listen to. If people out there like they like it.

5). Finish the sentence – one day as a band we hope to be able to say we have made a difference in the music world, and connected with millions of people on some level.

6). What are your plans for the upcoming year?
We are going out on tour with American Head Charge in October. We just put out a new album "new World disAsteR" we are pushing, we will be spending the next year touring/playing shows to support it.

7). You’ve got Rick from Mushroomhead featured on one of your tracks, how did that come about?
We tied him up and threw him in the back of our van after a Mushroomhead show and brought him to our studio. And that was that!

8). If you could have any band in the world support you, who would it be and why?
Maybe Nine Inch Nails, or Smashing Pumpkins. We've looked up to both groups, Trent Reznor and Billy Corgan both being producers...it would be cool to work with them one day.

9). Who would you say have been your biggest influences on your music?
Definitely not any new bands. Most of us listen to bands that got their start in the 90's or earlier before things started getting really watered down and overly commercial. Depeche Mode, NIN, Deftones, Nirvana, Garbage, PJ Harvey, Manson, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, ect we could go on forever. Each of us all sort of have different musical preferences.

10). Finally – say something profound to get everyone thinking:
Seduce the gun, pretty as sin, is what we've become


Review:
Here Comes The Crash sets the bar high straight away, opening with an incredible riff underpinned by a solid drum beat and a bass line set right in the middle of the mix – the combination created here is one which will hook you from the start and not let go. As the vocals kick in they firstly catch you off guard against the music but soon work into the melody – the contrasts of insanely heavy backing music and smooth yet somehow raspy female vocals creates a sound which you’re forced to like, you can’t help it. Somehow kicking into a catchy chorus, it’s all very apparent why people are sitting up and taking note of these guys at the moment – they’re on the verge of something pretty special.

Like GoD continues the theme set so far yet somehow begins to make everything very dark. Adopting an almost Marilyn Manson style in the vocals at first, the backing music takes on a chunky and sludgy approach from here in. Bass laden from start to finish there’s an added depth here which really develops this track and makes it sound even bigger than the previous. Rolling drums give a sense of urgency whilst the vocals almost sooth you as the track progresses – this has to be a live anthem in the waiting. As if to create a contrast, Silent War opens much softer than the other tracks, still featuring those soaring guitar lines but slowing them down and making them into something which you can almost sit back and relax to. The change creates a feeling that these guys are producing music which will make you think, make you reflect and make you question things rather than just accepting them. Kicking into another catchy chorus, this track is yet another example of why these guys are about to go out on tour with a big name like AHC – they’ve got the ability to back up the reputation.

Nebula seems to keep the beat slower but this time adds in a syncopated edge, just to make sure you’re still paying full attention. Kicking in with raspy chunky - Loud Stuff

2011 was a great year for Minneapolis based Gabriel and the Apocalypse. They released Hey You to the Rock Band Network for Xbox 360 in February, opened for Combichrist in May, recorded and released a fantastic new album this fall and then toured the Midwest with newly reformed local powerhouse, American Head Charge. They were voted December’s MN Band of the Month and Best MN Band of 2011 on St. Cloud rock radio station Rockin 101.

Gabriel and the Apocalypse have set themselves up for a big 2012. Friday’s show at the Triple Rock saw buzz from The Onion’s A.V. Club and City Pages. They are another great example of the high quality music thriving in the Twin Cities. Their next show is February 8 with, Psychostic, Ventana, As Summer Dies and Screaming Mechanical Brain at Station 4. - Kilted Farmer Koncerts

“Longevity comes from doing something different and having artistic integrity.” These words, spoken by Lindy Gabriel, lead vocalist of Minneapolis’ own Gabriel and the Apocalypse Lindy Gabriel explain her life surrounded by music and doing what it takes to make it in a music industry over saturated with bands. Her voice and sound transcend a lifetime of musical, personal and intellectual experiences, accompanied by guitar drum and bass work that flows like brush onto easel painting a hard rock masterpiece. There are so many bands out there today, sometimes it’s hard to find your way through all the clutter, but Gabriel and the Apocalypse are definitely a diamond in the rough. Maximum Ink’s Aaron Manogue sat down with the band’s talented vocalist Lindy Gabriel to discuss their music, her upbringing and their experience so far in the crazy music industry.

Maximum Ink: Tell me about when you first started singing. Where and how did you get your start? Did you always know you wanted to sing rock and metal?
Lindy Gabriel: I started singing when I was six years old. I always knew I wanted to sing and be a performer. I grew up with it. My parents have been playing in rock bands for many, many years, even before I was born. I started playing bass and guitar at the age of ten and started my first real band at eleven, playing gigs and all. This is what I have always done.

MI: How did Gabriel and the Apocalypse get its start?
LG: I had been in a band called The Apocalypse and it had basically dissolved. I wanted to put something else together. I met Jake at a club in Rochester, Minnesota. His band at the time was performing there. I asked him if he would be interested in doing a project with me. That’s where it all started. A year or two later we relocated the band to Minneapolis.

MI: What’s it all about? Some bands write about anger, pain, deceit; what does music do for you?
LG: I do write about my personal life and feelings but in the past year I have really strived to make a statement about my beliefs and really make people think. I write about politics, the world, people I have lost, just my life experiences and lessons I’ve learned. I always want to have a deep meaning behind it. I take my time with what I write. I aim to write in an abstract way, so it’s not too obvious, so I’m not too exposed. That way, people can relate to it on their own personal level. Music is definitely an outlet for me and if I didn’t have it, I can’t image where or what kind of person I would be.

MI: Tell me about your new album “new World disAsteR” in your own words.
LG: For me it’s more artistic than our previous records; definitely more thought provoking. It’s a strong record musically and lyrically. It’s kind of a political record but still maintaining personal elements as far as lyric content. The entire record was a planned out piece of work. We put so much time and thought into every single element of this record. Maybe that’s why I love it so much. It has a perfect flow and balance and I’m just so proud of it!

MI: You’ve been fortunate enough to share the stage with the likes of Flyleaf and Otep, also fronted by great women singers. What’s it like to be part of a big push with women being vocalists for rock and metal bands, and what was it like to share the stage with them?
LG: It feels great to be a part of it. It’s an honor to play with national acts such as that. I feel grateful for those opportunities but we definitely work our asses off for it! Crowds like Otep’s and Flyleaf’s really seem to dig us!

MI: Rick “ST1TCH” Thomas of Mushroomhead/Ventana is featured on the song “Like God.” What was it like working with ST1TCH?
LG: It was fun working with him. It was so relaxed and we saw the same vision for the track. Things went along smoothly and we got it done pretty quick. He killed it!

MI: Also in that song, there is a distinct Marilyn Manson feel to your voice. Would you agree and is he someone you look up to musically?
LG: Yeah, I have always loved his work. He’s a true artist. Even knowing him on a person level, I felt like we had similar minds, you know? So yeah, I can say that he has inspired me some.

MI: What bands out there today do you really love and listen to? Do you only listen to rock and metal?
LG: I personally am really not into metal music. What I listen to is NIN, Manson, AHC, Nirvana, Hole, Deftones, Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey, The Cure, Godhead, Pusicfer, A Perfect Circle, Pink Floyd,Skinny Puppy, Smashing Pumpkins, etc. I can’t speak for everyone in the band. We all have different tastes in music.

MI: What’s next for Gabriel and the Apocalypse?
LG: A tour this spring. To keep growing and building this machine! - Maximum Ink Music Magazine