The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.

Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.

Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.

The Obelisk Questionnaire: Wax Mekanix

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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

I’m a shameless songwriter, singer, guitarist, drummer, producer, engineer, and percussionist. I basically do two different things musically.

I’m primarily a solo rock artist with a current hankerin’ for heavy guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. But that may change depending on whatever creative breeze hits me. If you listen closely to what I do, you’ll hear hints of pop, folk, country, and blues. I’m an American born in the 20th century, so my musical DNA is infused with all of the influences that implies.

In general, my recent work is considered heavy rock exhibiting some contemporary and some classic qualities. Specifically, I create, what I like to call, high-velocity folk music. This does not necessarily mean it’s acoustic. My new album from Electric Talon Records is called Mobocracy. It’s a focused, strident, snarling, slamming, howling stew that’s being described as edgy, atypical, three-dimensional, groovy, literate, and of and for its time.

I was trying to create a set of contemporary songs with connective tissue made of my decades of history, experience, and influences. My open-minded, brave, and adventurous audience knows to be prepared for some sonic and thematic swerves, depending on what is influencing me when I make records. So, although “Mobocracy” sounds like it does, my next record is shaping up to sound unlike it. This is exciting for me and keeps me creatively healthy, inspired, and looking toward the musical horizon. In the final analysis, I trust my instincts that this is what anyone wants from me that is interested in what I do.

On the other hand I’m a founding member of American cult rock quartet, Nitro. Not the L.A. glam hairband that graced the MTV airwaves in the late ’80s. Dana, John, Brad, and I formed Nitro in 1980.

By deliberate design, the scope of all of the Nitro records (Lethal, Lethal + II, Volatile Activity, etc.) is sonically and thematically concentrated to result in high intensity, aggressive, loud, shameless songs that take in our four different sets of skill and influences. We then filter it through those personal lenses and throw it back and forth at each other with the tools we each are expected to swing. When we do that, rinse, and repeat enough times, we hit an equilibrium that our four very different perspectives agree on. It really does feel a lot like trying to break a horse by democracy.

Although I’m a bit puzzled by it, I’m grateful that our cult-like records are held in such high regard. At the risk of making more out of it than it really is, we have a unique, modest pedigree because of the fact that Nitro was on the tip of the spear as part of America’s answer to the first cries of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. So I’m thankful for that.

When I work on solo stuff like “Mobocracy”, it’s more of a dictatorship. The huge difference is that I don’t have to be diplomatic or forge some kind of sympathetic compromise to get to where I’m going with my records.

When I step outside of Nitro, I don’t have a static lineup to my band, so it depends on what/where I’m playing. There are so many inspiring creative people in the world to discover, so this is the appeal of flying solo in the way that I do it.

The goal of Mobocracy was directly tied to the times I found myself in when I was writing the songs. America was radically transforming right before my eyes. History shows us that artists will not let this kind of tectonic shift in American life pass without comment. I’m just commenting now. I wanted to design something that felt and read like the aggression, anger, and dark turmoil that most of America, and probably the world, was feeling.

Describe your first musical memory.

1966. I was not yet four years old and was holding my mother’s hand as we walked through the five-and-dime store of our town. In the distance, across the aisles, coming from the record department, were the strains of a new release, “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles. It was joyous, funny, and a perfect sing-song moment, custom made for a toddler. I was captivated and thrilled. I skipped along beside my mom, and instantly was singing, “we all live in a yellow submarine!” Less than three minutes of priceless bliss.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

Certain gigs or recording sessions come to mind, but honestly, it’s the rebirth of creativity just about every time I write new music. It’s an evergreen thing. It wonderful that there is always something new, different, and exciting on the horizon. This is a glorious gift that I have been given.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

January 6th, 2021. I consider myself a typical American citizen. I’m a pragmatic moderate realist with both conservative and liberal views. Until this date, I assumed that the majority of thoughtful American citizens, regardless of political leanings, would not do anything that would put at risk, the wellbeing of the foundation of our rare , albeit imperfect, democratic system of government. I was wrong and have been forever recalibrated. Some Americans, if given the opportunity, will use any and all means to achieve whatever political ends they desire. They will act regardless of the harm to the nation and/or fellow citizens. Unfortunately, the proverbial genie is out of the bottle and a paradigm shift has occurred, and precedent established, for better or worse.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

In my opinion, at the core, creative expression and artistic pursuits are a trip. An open-ended journey through life. Sometimes it takes the form of temporary transient satisfaction of writing a cool riff or lyric. Other times it is just about the possibility of creating something new, fresh, and uncharted. The fact that I have the opportunity to be creative. I can’t imagine my life without this possibility. I go long stretches without creating but always know that the chance of revisiting it is there. That’s a powerful comfort for me. Both aspects have always been cathartic for me and make me who I am. At the risk of being excessively dramatic, I feel really fortunate to have it in my life.

How do you define success?

Musical/creative success to me can be summed up simply. Self-sustaining. If the activity (writing, recording, and/or performing) generates resources sufficient to perpetuate it, then I’m happy. Independent of fame or fortune, the work is the point for me and was/is always in my crosshairs.

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

Frankly, nothing. Some things are hard to see, but I don’t regret seeing anything since it all has served to shape me in some way. Deliberate or serendipitous experiences make us who we are and how we interact with each other, so I try to see value in them all.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

Creatively, this is the essence of why I do what I do. It’s all about the horizon for me. Specifically, as a musicians, it’s exciting to know that there is the possibility of magnificent amazing new music that can be created in the future if I want to pursue it. This evergreen nature of art is one of the most intoxicating aspects, and great forces that drives me to continue to do it. Sometimes I dream about music that I have yet to create and I wake reinvigorated, refreshed, and excited about the possibilities ahead.

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

I have two answers that are related. 1. All that my work has to do is satisfy me. This not meant to be a cliché or some kind of ego trip. My thinking is, if I satisfy myself, then any audience that is interested in my work, will understand and appreciate it on some level. 2. I have always seen my responsibility as artist being to make the ordinary extraordinary and the ordinary extraordinary, using the skills and tools of my trade.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

In these odd sideways times of Covid, and on a macro level, I am eager for the tribal social experiences of restaurants, sporting events, concerts, parks, public travel, beaches, etc. One a personal and micro level, I am looking forward to again being physically close to those I care about without being concerned for their health. Specifically, hugging people.

http://facebook.com/WaximMekanix
http://twitter.com/waxmekanix
https://waxmekanix.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TalonRecordsUSA/
https://www.instagram.com/talonrecordsusa/
https://electrictalonrecords.bigcartel.com/

Wax Mekanix, “Black” official video