BLINDBOSS: Therapeutic Outcomes of Creation

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Blindboss, formerly known as Chameleon Technology (whose album ‘Blank Canvas‘ we reviewed here), is a one-man band of multi-instrumentalist Max Histrionic, from Costa Mesa, CA. The project is about to launch a new album entitled ‘Our Tribe‘ on February 23rd, and about his mission with Blindboss as well as how the album came into life, Max tells us in the interview below.

Define the mission of Blindboss.

Blindboss is a vehicle for my self-expression. After studying different avenues of rock music and how to deliver a message lyrically, I’m confident to pursue my current experimental course of blending styles between rock, punk and metal.

Tell me about the creative process that informed your new, upcoming album Our Tribe and the themes it captures.

The album was written from 2016 – 2017. In early ‘17, I was on tour as Chameleon Technology and was greatly influenced by life and characters in the US, outside of Southern California. I holed myself in a lockout in Dallas, TX and wrote a majority of the material in a couple months as a result.

What is the message you are trying to give with Our Tribe?

Each song is about a person and their contribution to “our tribe” as humans. Of course, it’s through my lense subjectively, so there is a bias. I’m really interested in our biological and social evolutions and how they collide to create our current circumstances. I think it’s all very fascinating if one can look at dispassionately.

How did you document the music while it was being formulated?

My smartphone. It’s funny because on the third track of the record, “Ego Echo”, I rip on modern day addiction to said devices, but I’d be at a loss without mine just the same. I use notes, voice memos and the video camera to constantly capture ideas in their inception. Later I go back and refine the shit out of those ideas until I’m happy with the product. It’s harder to push boundaries being solo, but I’m working hard to break my own barriers.

Is the dynamic flow of the pieces carefully architected?

Absolutely. I played drums in several local bands until I started taking this seriously on its own. I think it’s been instrumental (no pun intended) in paying attention to sonic dynamics. A musician I’m fond of told me that the drummer is the “quarterback” of a rock band. Once that foundation is set, I can mold the other instruments around that framework.

Describe the approach to recording the album.

I worked with Richard Bredice in Lake Forest, CA. This guy is seriously talented at mixing. We had done a ChamTech EP in 2016 together, so we had a positive rapport with one another. Going in, we tracked all of the performances, then took some time mixing to ensure something we both were happy with. A true pleasure working with Richard.

How long was Our Tribe in the making?

Although I said some of the songs were written prior to ‘17, the idea for it to be a “concept album” or whatever came together pretty quickly. I noticed a theme in all my lyrics up to that point, then steered the ship toward a similar direction, so-to-speak. All in all, a few months went by and I was like, “this is ‘Our Tribe’; that’s what I’m going for”.

Which bands or artists influenced your work on the release?

I have a few obvious influences that are cemented into my style, sometimes to a fault. But for this release specifically, I was listening to a lot of Opeth, Fugazi, Cardiacs and Thrice.

What is your view on technology in music?

I could not do what I do live without access to technology as it stands today. I have plans beyond my current stage show that I think would really blow audiences away. If you work in a neuro-robotics lab and are reading this, please contact me now.

Do you see your music as serving a purpose beyond music?

Yes, music is simply a medium. I would go postal if I did not benefit from the therapeutic outcomes of creation. Hopefully my ideas will inspire others the way I’ve been inspired by those I look up to.

What are your plans for the future?

I would love to go full time with this. Right now, I work several jobs and pour all my resources into Blindboss. Girlfriends and a rich social life are secondary. I would be really happy to survive off ticket sales and merch sales alone, but it’s a long road. Touring is the most fun thing in the world, in my eyes. I’ll go anywhere to play to an enthusiastic crowd.

Our Tribe by Blindboss is out on February 23rd; pre-order it from Bandcamp. For more information visit the official website, and follow Blindboss on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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