-Interview- Blackcat Manor (1/9/18)

Blackcat Manor talks about their "Hellfire" music video, the Illinois music scene and much more.


From: Freeport, IL
Sounds like: Progressive Punk Rock/Metal

1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name “Blackcat Manor” and is there any meaning behind it?

Blackcat Manor was formed out of the ashes of previous musical endeavors. This is where Blackcat Manor received their musical influences and developed their unique sound. The name Blackcat Manor was inspired by a little show called Meerkat Manor. Blackcat Manor’s drummer Justin changed Meerkat to Blackcat and the rest is history. Blackcat Manor represents metaphorically a mansion full of bad luck and fireworks.


Be excellent to one another.


Blackcat Manor sound can be described as 90’s scape punk with a dash of 80’s Thrash.

4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?

Any band willing to take us with them.


There are five members of Blackcat Manor so we have five picks. Glassjaw’s (Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about silence), Strung Out’s (Twisted by design), 311’s (Transistor), Faith no More’s (the real thing), and Metallica’s (and justice for all).

6. What’s your take on the current state of Metal?

The current state of Metal music can be described as a saturated underground melting pot of anti-society ideals.

7. What’s the current music scene like there in Illinois both locally and state wide?

Northern Illinois Provides a wide variety of venues. Theaters holding five hundred plus people, to underground house shows for only twenty people and everything in between with Chicago at the center of it all. In order to succeed in this market, you need persistence, dedication, judgement.

8. What’s your take on legal/illegal music downloading?

No Comment (pirate our shit please).

9. What’s next for Blackcat Manor?

Blackcat Manor just released a music video for our song “Hellfire”. “Hellfire” was featured on the season seven premiere of American Horror Story on FX network. They’re planning on hitting the studio in late winter early spring, and playing as many shows as they can in 2018.

10. Any shoutouts?

All of the People and Places listed here have made extraordinary contributions to the success of Blackcat Manor. Adam Burd, Dan Barr, Scott Miller, Mitch, Tree Martin, Josh Elliot, Kevin Bressler, Dave and Greg, Road manager AL, Anthony Rosc, Danielle Wang, Scott Dunham, The Mutiny in Chicago IL, our Best Friend VLAD, Every band we have ever had the pleasure of sharing a stage or nonstage with. Every person who goes out and enjoys live music no matter what genre. All of Blackcat Manor’s Past and Present Fans, nothing would be possible without you.