Lots of people have seasonal plans that get repeated so much they become rituals. I start my Halloween preparations on September 1st, and in Akron, Ohio that normally means that it’s still in the 70s outside.
My seasonal soundtrack shifts into the late '90s/early '00s AFI era, the Misfits’ box set, and the Type O Negative discography. I spend three months looping these in my car, on my Spotify, in my head.
Adding a new album that fits these vibes is something I didn’t think would happen anytime soon, but Neon Nightmare has come along with Faded Dream and I am happy to include it.
Neon Nightmare is a new band (solo artist?) on 20 Buck Spin, and the entire thing is shrouded in mystery. If you miss the Drab Four, this is the perfect album for you. It captures that vibe in a way I never hear done successfully. Type O Negative stood out because they were able to write songs that felt like Beatles/Sabbath mashups, and after the first wave of Carnivore fans left they shined in a that was emotionally bare.
I had a brief chat with the musician behind Neon Nightmare to try and gain some insight behind the enigmatic project.
Aside from Type O Negative, what other some of the other bands that helped inform the musical path you've taken with Neon Nightmare?
It's funny, I'm honestly not familiar with Type O Negative but everybody I've talked to has brought them up... I'll have to check them out!
Influences include Black Sabbath (all eras, but Master of Reality in particular), first three Danzig albums, Killing Joke (all eras), Siamese Dream, Pink Floyd (from Meddle through Animals), Jimi Hendrix Experience, the first few Wand albums, Ramones around the time of “Pet Semetary” /”Poison Heart," first two Trouble albums, '70s horror movie soundtracks, Tangerine Dream's Virgin Records era, and a ton of other stuff.
What about non-musical influences?
All the cliché tortured artist stuff. Life, death, the process of living and dying, addiction, loss, depression, self-hatred, misanthropy, sex (or lack thereof), love (or lack thereof), the human condition and all that profound crap. Also, Morrissey. I'm not familiar with his music, he just seems like a really cool guy.
What's the genesis story behind Neon Nightmare?
I had a recurring dream that was so persistent and annoying that it started to feel like an untreatable rash or something. I finally sat down to work something out musically, and these songs fell out. Then the dream stopped.
You say that the songs just "fell out" out of you, but how did you work all of the material that appears on Faded Dream out?
Similar answer... this recurring dream was driving me crazy. No bullshit, the songs just fell out as soon as I picked up the guitar (or bass or keyboard). A couple of them actually started with a vocal melody and lyrics, which is a first for me.
I wrote and demoed them in a few weeks, then went in the studio and recorded the album in a few weeks. Waited 6 months on artwork because I really wanted to work with David Seidman. Now NPC sheep on the internet are calling the artwork AI. What a time to be alive.
As a band shrouded in mystery, including who members are, are there any touring plans? I saw Dethklok and they darkened the stage to hide any live members.
Managers and agents are already up my ass about playing live, which is flattering. But I'm pretty burnt out on the whole corporate Live Nation, merch cut, soulless vibe of the touring industry at the moment.
If I wanted to kiss ass in a corporate environment, I would at least get a corporate job that pays above slave wages. If Glenn Danzig himself gets down on his knees and begs us to tour with him, I'll consider it. I might consider it for Billy Corgan/Smashing Pumpkins as well. Maybe Queens of the Stone Age. But first we have to find a keyboard player that looks like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
Since you won't be touring, what’s next for Neon Nightmare now that the album is out?
I have no idea. I try to stay in the now. I spent way too much of my life with one foot in the past and one foot in the future, pissing all over the present.
Anyone you’d like to shout out, other bands you’re friends with? Bands you hate?
I hate every band, including mine. What kind of delusional, misguided asshole plays in a band in 2024?
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Faded Dream will be out on November 1st via 20 Buck Spin (pre-order).
Tagged: neon nightmare
