AnAkA, a Rock and Oddities Interview with Liam Sweeny

We reached out to Peter Pallis of the band AnAkA, who will be playing at the upcoming Rock and Oddities Con. This is their story.

RRX:  I’m listening to the song “Ominous Visions” on your site. I love the concept, the graphics. And in metal, the apocalypse is never far from being at hand. Ruin, destruction, decay – why is this so prominent in metal? Why on earth is there, and I mean this in all serious, something so soothing about all this?

PP:  Glad you dig it!  “Ominous Visions” is a beast mode tune for sure.  Indeed the apocalypse is truly…Oh so metal.  The song originates from the idea that we are all being lied to (about so many things) and that it will all eventually just come crashing down and bring about the ultimate destruction of all things.  A dark and soothing end of the great and constant struggle.

The ruins, the fire, the calamity…all of it.  All key components to many killer metal tunes over the years.  Why is it a go to?  I guess it’s because it’s a primal collection of terror.  Rage, Fear, Doom…the end of days.  That’s some heavy stuff.

RRX:  The song “Damage” is a different kind of metal song, and people not into metal don’t understand that the genre can have clear music. Granted, the song gets heavy, but it’s a balance. Because you’re musicians, and good musicians that don’t want to be playing the same groove over and over. Tell me about the subtler side of AnAkA?

PP:  Yes, “Damage” goes to some really deep places within.  We have always been about allowing the song to “become” what it will be.  We do not force preconceived notations or hammer songs into place.  We don’t say this one needs to be heavier, faster or whatever.  We trust in our process.

As AnAkA’s founder and main song / lyric writer, it’s always been about the songwriting and being true the fact that we can go anywhere we want to go musically as a band.  We go from thrash metal to the blues, to acoustic and so many places in between.  The ability to do so seamlessly is one of our greatest strengths.  For example, take our 2011 Into The Great Unknown, Acoustics Sessions album, or the fact that we are currently putting the finishing touches on our upcoming 6^th album which will be our heaviest offering to date!

“Damage” like “Erase” before it, is an example of allowing the song the take you on the journey.  It’s a reminder that we are all connected.  As human beings we all feel, hurt and endure.  You are not alone.  We all have the same size soul and when a song speaks to you it’s truly a powerful thing.  To me it’s like the universe is speaking to you.  Those songs have truly connected with others over time.  That means a lot to us.

RRX:  How you began. It’s a question that kind of needs to be asked, but I hate asking the same question over and over. So I try to mix it up. So lets try this. As good as you all are, I’m assuming you all came from earlier bands. So let’s trace the lineage, and to make it special, let’s use a lot of “this begat that” and “that begat the other.” Biblical, right?

PP:  We built the band from the bottom up.  It was my very first band and it was home grown from the start.  I started the band in 2000, my brother Jimmy Pallis joined on vocals a few months later and we were off to the races so to speak.  AnAkA really is the only band we have ever been in.   It is pretty much the same for the rest of the core members of the band as well.  This is the most serious band we have all been ever in.

Form those early Brooklyn New York beginnings to sharing the stage with bands like Zakk’s Wylde’s Zakk Sabbath, Korn, Avenge Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, Asking Alexandria, Trivium, Life of Agony etc. it’s always been about honoring where we came from.  We take great pride in the work we have put in to get us to this point.  There are also those who empowered and influenced us in massive ways outside of music as well.

So there it is…those who inspired us begat AnAkA.  We were, and still are forged by our musically influences and inspired by amazing people who helped to light the fire within us.  Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Zakk Wylde, Gojira, The Ultimate Warrior, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali just to name a few.  We honor them each and every time we hit the stage.  We carry them with us.

RRX:  When I used to play, half of my time would be dreaming up a sound and a visual in my head, and the other half would be learning to play stuff in that sound. Obviously metal has it’s conventions; you’re not playing Americana. But when you sit back and think of the vision you have in your head for that perfect groove, what is it?

PP:  Great question!  That is something Jimmy, Matt, Jordan, Jeff and our pronouncer The Jerry Farley and I talk about often.  That signature AnAkA groove, the “IT” factor in our sound, what makes us…us.  It’s been there from the start and has grown heavier, tighter and even more razor sharp in our 23 years.

It has evolved yet it has also maintained itself.  You can clearly hear its evolution throughout our five albums.  It is for sure very present on the upcoming 6^th album.  The fact that our groove changes and our music evolves yet somehow we maintain that signature AnAkA vibe is just awesome.  Again it is a culmination of our vast influences and our chemistry as a brotherhood.  Our groove is ever present.

RRX:  You guys are sponsored by ESP and EMG Pickups, KHDK.. A lot of bands, and music journalists, don’t know what that really amounts to, or how you go about getting sponsored. Do they just give you products and that’s it, or is there more? And also, how did that happen for you? Did you go to them, or they to you?

PP:  Our lead guitarist Matt Bene and I are proudly endorsed by ESP Guitars, EMG Pickups and Kirk Hammett’s truly innovative guitar pedal company KHDK Electronics.  Jeff Hinz on bass guitar is also endorse by KHDK.  Our drummer Jordan Bernacchia is also endorsed to Amedia Cymbals and Collision Drum Sticks.

They have treated us great and really hooked us up when it comes to gear and instruments.  It’s been a really cool experience.  It makes me think back to when I was a kid and I was watching Metallica’s One music video on TV.  Imagining how amazing it would be play one of those killer white ESP Explorers James was playing.  What a dream it was… and today we are doing just that for the same guitar company.  In many ways I’m still that kid…or least he’s still in here somewhere, reminding me every day how cool this ride has been.

How do you get sponsored?  Humm… that not an easy call there.  I would say do the work.  Don’t skip any steps and if you’re true to it the rewards will come.  The music, the brand, The AnAkA Army (our faithful fan base) the shows, the worldwide streams, the music videos hitting television is what brought us the attention…but the work ethic is what made it all possible.

Such companies need to know that your brand has reach and value and can assist in the promotion of their respective products. Be reality based.  Getting endorsed isn’t about hopes and handouts.  You want it?  Go make it happen.  Make the world see you.  Make music that inspires others. No smoke and mirrors.  That is real.

RRX:  You’re going to be playing at Rock and Oddities Con in Saratoga on October 28^th and 29^th. It’s how I got your business card. Names are names when it comes to festivals and shows, but this one, “Rock and Oddities,” makes me think that I’m going to see some oddities. And I think I will. Is AnAkA an oddity? If so, why?

PP:  Maybe our longevity makes us oddities!  23 years and counting lol.  That’s a lot of head banging, a lot of blood, sweat and beers. It has been an awesome journey and we are really looking forward to releasing the new album in the coming months.

Maybe we are all oddities in one way or another.  Who knows?  I know this…we all have our own unique soul print.  We all have the god given potential to go out and affect the world in truly powerful ways if we chose to do so.  For my and I bandmates, AnAkA is the ultimate expression of that.

Upcoming headlining shows:

AnAkA – Dingbatz – 10/7/2023 – 7pm – Clifton New Jersey

AnAkA – Stereo Garden – 10/14/2023 –  7pm – Patchogue, Long Island NY

AnAkA – Rock & Oddities Con – 10/28/2023 – 12pm – Saratoga Springs, New York

Official Website: www.AnAkA.net

Rock and Oddities.