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The ‘Surreal Moment’ Of MINDFREE’S Debut Album: With Mark Abbruzzese

Byadmin

Aug 25, 2021
MIndFree multicolor header with infinity logoMIndFree multicolor header with infinity logo

By Keith Walsh
I asked my bandmate, MindFree frontman Mark Abbruzzese, how it felt to be releasing his debut album with a childhood friend (me) on keyboards and bass synths, as well as friends from grade school — the Moynahan brothers Mike and Danny — on trumpet and saxophone.

“I’m very touched,” he told me. “It’s a special moment. It’s something that seems surreal — but it happened. And I’m very happy, with everything.” I asked Abbruzzese how he got his friends aboard, was it Fate? Buddah? Jesus? “No,” he replied. “I used handguns. Some knives. A few martial art moves from my Taekwondo days.” I asked him what specific Taekwondo moves were involved. “The hand over fist,” he said.

Ric Rosario, Mark Abbruzzese, and Keith Walsh of MindFree
Ric Rosario Mark Abbruzzese and Keith Walsh of MIndFree

Did any of Abbruzzese’s friends resist this coercion? “No, they kind of went with it, which made it nice,” he said. “They were very submissive.” Was Abbruzzese the dominant in this situation? “I wouldn’t say that,” he replied. “I would say we like to have fun together.” ‘What kind of  fun?’  I asked. “Special fun,” replied Abbruzzese, slyly.

The new album, which features drums by Ric Rosario, production by CD Rios of North Hollywood’s Echobar, and mastering by Eddie Cabral, combines elements of classic rock with psychedelia, pop, and post grunge. The genre Motown Grunge was originated by the band to describe their sound. It’s available now on Bandcamp.com and will arrive on streaming services in the coming weeks.

In July CD Rios joined the band as the fourth member, on bass guitar.

MindFreeMusic.com
MindFree On Bandcamp

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By admin

Keith Walsh is a writer based in Southern California, where he lives and breathes music, visual art, theater, and film.