An Interview with Weird War
Written by Chloé Jones, Photographs courtesy of Drag City Records

There is not a lot of concrete information about Weird War. Perhaps they want it that way. Here's what we know: Weird War, who has also released work as The Scene Creamers, put out a slightly awkward self-titled album, then seemed to come into their own with their sophomore record, cleverly named "If You Can't Beat 'Em, Bite 'Em", and now April will mark the release of "Illuminated by the Light", their third and finest effort. Ian Svenonious, Michelle Mae, both formerly of Make Up, and Alexander Minoff complete a slimmed down line up that once included Neil Michael Haggerty of The Howling Hex. Their music jumps around in style, from dance-pop to eerie rock, making it difficult to compare them to their contemporaries. Garbled and cryptic lyrics are a sometimes atmospheric, sometimes infuriating addition to their sound. At first listen, the cynic in you might be irritated. There are references to aliens, Egypt, and your horoscope. Sometimes it all feels a little contrived. But we trust Drag City, don't we? So you'll listen again and I promise their songs will start to stick in your head, you'll try sing along, you might dance, you'll reconsider the influence of the ancients. Weird War is what it is. Take it or leave it.

What possessed members of Weird War to be in a band titled The Scene Creamers?

Because it was the proper statement, at that particular point in time. For us, everything has been considered. We make no mistakes!

Some of your guitar riffs seem directly influenced by Nintendo games. Is this accurate?

No, We are inspired by music instead. I am sorry if your brain has been infected by such a soundtrack... I suggest a heavy soap and some meditation.

Tell us, does the true Weird War lie in the heart or the mind?

On the stage.

One of your songs brings up an important question that I was hoping for a more detailed answer to; why do guys like girls like that?

A good question; maybe it's psychology. Or Biology. Or maybe they got it from some magazine.

How do you feel about aliens?

Depends on which ones.

If your band had an astrological sign, what would it be?

A fire sign with air and earth aspects. The calendar might disagree, but rock n roll's greatest and most valuable conceit is self creation. (A Jungian assignation of star signs onto rock n roll groups would be interesting I think).

Why do you feel a connection with Egypt?

The lessons of the ancients are enormously relevant to those attempting the use of all esoterica, including music!

Is there any subject that you wouldn't write a song about?

Yes, there are. But lyrics are just garbled incantations, interwoven into music. In this sense, they are almost irrelevant. Of course, "almost" is the key word here.

What is the most important thing for our readers to know about Weird War?

Weird War recognizes the use and meaning of the medium through which they work. We are not like the average cretins who, through the proclamation of media functionaries, rule their myopic kingdom of self reference. We know that music is MAGIC and will use this necromancy in the most responsible way and for its best purposes.