By Dig Dirkler
We recently caught up with Mike Odd, the manager of Mac Sabbath, to talk about the band’s upcoming tour, 11 years of drive-thru metal madness, their theatrical chaos, and their deep-fried tribute to the legacy of Black Sabbath. Equal parts parody, protest, and pyrotechnics, Mac Sabbath continues to confuse and delight audiences across the country. Here’s how it all fries up…
This tour marks your 11th anniversary. What does that milestone mean to Mac Sabbath? And how has the mission evolved since those early drive-thru days?
Honestly, like the original Black Sabbath, I assumed 10 years would be the cap. So this is already a bonus round. It’s one year past what I thought was possible—which was the original lifespan of Black Sabbath. So this really is “one more,” isn’t it?
Mac Sabbath is known for its absurd stage personas, but there’s real social commentary at play. How do you balance the satire with the message?
It’s a big mix, right? Comedy and satire are already a tricky pairing with metal. Add serious social messaging to that and now it’s a full-on three-way lightsaber fight. It’s tough for people to process it all at once.
People often think we’re promoting fast food when it’s quite the opposite. Much like early Black Sabbath got pegged as evil, when really they were warning about evil—Mac Sabbath warns about the evils of fast food. So yeah… it’s all one big cluster of confusion and delight.
This tour is described as a “circus of extreme portions.” How do you pick your touring lineup?
If it’s a Mac Sabbath show, it’s going to be something over-the-top. These shows are curated as full experiences—not just time to show up late.
The band Descartes A Kant from Guadalajara, Mexico is a sexy, space rock theatrical experience—something rare and unique. Then there’s The Schizophonics, who I’d say are the highest energy rock band touring right now. Pat, their frontman, will draw you in with his insane energy. If he doesn’t knock over our gear, it’ll be a miracle!
You’re often labeled a “parody band,” but Mac Sabbath clearly transcends that. What’s your take?
At first, people called it a tribute band. I corrected that to “parody band,” but now even that feels limiting. It needs a new label.
Every night I hear someone say, “I thought I knew what this was, but I had no idea.” That’s because the live show is more like a rock opera. There’s an arc, a story, a full theatrical experience. The line between stage and audience is blurred.
So yeah, maybe one day we’ll have a name for what it is beyond Drive-Thru Metal. But for now, that’ll do.
With such an intense live show, what’s the creative process like for new stage elements? More like writing an album or directing a play?
A little of both. Ronald insists he’s teleporting here from the 1970s through a wormhole to save us from modern music and fast food.
So I have to be this conduit between modern reality and 1970s fantasy. It’s not easy. But somehow… it all comes together.
The world recently lost Ozzy Osbourne, whose legacy is at the heart of Mac Sabbath. How did that affect the band, and will you be honoring him this tour?
It’s still very fresh. The tour hasn’t started yet, so I don’t know exactly how it’ll play out. But for 11 years we’ve honored Ozzy and Black Sabbath—and there will definitely be new tributes this time.
It won’t be a “mope fest,” though. In Ozzy’s spirit, it’ll be a joyous celebration as well.
Have you ever thought about covering other eras of Black Sabbath—beyond Ozzy?
Funny you ask! Not on purpose… but last tour, Ronald had a bit of a rift, and we pulled someone from the crowd named Mickey Dio who did a little cameo.
But generally, yeah—we keep it Aussie-centric.
The band’s gear often looks customized to fit the stage aesthetic. Any unique gear you want to shout out?
Oh man, Grimlis has this giant M-shaped bass. I have no idea who built it or how he holds it—it’s enormous and weighs a ton.
You don’t realize how massive it is until someone else holds it. There are pictures of guys like Sean from White Zombie and Eddie Spaghetti from Supersuckers trying to lift it—and it’s hilarious. There’s no case for it, so it’s a nightmare to transport. It deserves its own trailer. Seriously.
If Ronald had to create a limited-edition menu item in honor of Ozzy, what would it be?
Definitely the Bat Burger. There’s a big moment in the show involving a bat—no spoilers! If you’re an Ozzy fan, you probably know what it’s referencing.
And although the band’s message is anti-junk food, maybe it would be a mushroom-based vegetarian bat burger. We’ll see!
The tour kicks off in San Luis Obispo on Sept. 4th and wraps at Riot Fest in Chicago. We’ll catch you in San Francisco and Sacramento! Any final words for fans?
Get there early. This is a full-blown sensory feast. Descartes A Kant and The Schizophonics are incredible and unlike anything you’ve seen. This whole show packs a punch—don’t miss any part of it.
Any last words for our readers or listeners?
Stay hungry.
09/04 San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brew Live *
09/05 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall *
09/06 Sacramento, CA @ Swabbies DAY (matinee show) *
09/07 Sun Arcata, CA @ Humboldt Brews *
09/10 Vancouver BC @ Canada Rickshaw Theatre *
09/11 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile *
09/12 Portland, OR @ Aladdin *
09/13 Salem, OR @ Historic Grand Theatre *
09/19 Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest
- = with The Schizophonics and Descartes de Kant
Categories: Interviews, mac sabbath, Music, Tour Dates
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