The Stool Pigeon

"It's not what I do that scares me," says The Black Angels' lead singer, Alex Maas, "but the menacing sound of the band. It's what they do. It gives me the chills."

He's not wrong. Listening to their new album, Directions To See A Ghost, is like being thrust into an almighty psychedelic free party at the end of the world, as the earth shakes, tidal waves rage, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse pillage pharmacies looking for valium and vitamin C tablets.

"The unknown, injustice, pain, fear, happiness - it's all on there," confesses Alex, as we discuss their second release. "We're trying to do everything. We're trying to make it sound good and create good concepts that aren't shallow, like about money or something."

Following their 2006 debut record, Passover, which earned them comparisons to 13th Floor Elevators, The Doors and The Velvet Underground, The Black Angels have been blazing an uncompromising quest for 'pure sanity' as their website states. But make no mistake - they aren't all talk.

Based in Austin, Texas, the majority of the band have lived as a collective in the same house since 2004, which has reportedly helped them to develop their doom-laden vibe. "We moved in a year after we'd formed," Alex says, "and once we did, we knew the whole thing was serious."

Their devotion to the band isn't just a matter of hard work though; it's an integral part of their sound. For the last two albums they've used the same producer, Erik Wofford, who also functions as their sound engineer on tour to help create the same experience for audiences on and off the record.

But despite their stance, which appears to be firmly rooted in the counter culture of the sixties, and songs that examine America's brutal history, such as 'Deer-Ree-Shee' with its lyrics concerning the plight of the Native American Indians, Alex doesn't necessarily consider The Black Angels' to be solely politically or culturally driven.

"No, it's not that," he says. "I mean who doesn't worry about politics? But it's not just about that. It's about the human condition. Why wouldn't you have that in your music when you're reaching people?"

"As long as it sounds good, I don't give a fuck," he continues, his voice straining at the mere suggestion that their attitude and ideas could outweigh their music. "And it's not going to sound good if the ideas aren't there. That's all encompassing. If it's played well, that can mean anything. Like some guy could know every chord ever written, but it's not going to sound good if he puts it all in one song. If it sounds good that's the main thing. You wouldn't be listening to it if it was all concepts."

The Black Angels, then: offering more than many of their garage band predecessors. Not only are they talented musicians, but they've also got a unique message, which is rare.

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