Doomed Confessionary: Mike Tate (Blue Manic)
Formed in Boston, Massachusetts, Blue Manic came onto the scene in summer 2015. Comprised of Mike Tate (guitar, vocals), Max Grebe (guitar, vocals), Jared Greiff (bass, vocals) and Corey Downs (drums), Blue Manic took a wide range of influences spanning metal, grunge, and blues to create a fuzzy, downtuned and psychedelic product that is not short on melodic harmonies.
2016 saw the independent release of the group’s debut EP »V-32«. Recorded by Richard Marr at Galaxy Park Studios, the 5-track EP showcased the attitude of a band that was thirsty for more. Just 2 years later, Blue Manic entered the studio to record what would become their first full-length release »Blue Manic« at Woolly Mammoth Sound with Dave Minehan (The Neighborhoods, Aerosmith, The Replacements).
In 2022, the group put out the »Paracosm« EP, which was followed up with »Empyros« and »Ataraxia«, which were tracked by Jake Gardam at Sawmill Recordings. Blue Manic’s latest EP »Frontier« was released on October 24th, 2025. Recorded and mixed by Mike Tate, this EP was mastered by Zach Weeks at God City Studio. Their latest releases showcase a heavier and at times more progressive sound that harkens back to their influences such as Mastodon, Red Fang or King Buffalo.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We are a heavy-psych metal band with progressive influences. We all listen to a lot of different genres, and I think that comes through in our music.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
It can be challenging at times to manage 4 different peoples’ schedules as we all work full time jobs. But music is important to all of us, so we always manage to make it work and push forward with writing and performing.
What can you be most proud of so far?
For me it was putting out our first self-produced release »Frontier« last October. It was the first time we recorded/mixed and produced an album entirely by ourselves, which was very challenging, but I’m proud of how it came out!
What was your biggest regret?
I don’t think we have too many regrets. There’s always the occasional opening gig for a great band that we can’t always commit to, but that’ll happen sometimes.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Probably opening for Slift at Sonia in Cambridge, MA a few years ago. That band was awesome to play with, and the crowd had awesome energy all night.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I don’t know if “surprise” is the right word, but it’s been great seeing younger bands coming up and showing that heavy music is very much alive. The next generation has been planning basement shows and DIY stuff wherever they can, and that’s how you make underground music thrive.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Lately I’ve been listening to the new Conan album »Violence Dimension« quite a bit. Any album by Elder or Intronaut are usually on my heavy rotation as well. I love when heavy bands show psychedelic and jazz influences.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
I used to play in funk/jazz bands, and the director of that group would always stress listening to the other players in the band and what they are doing.
It’s important to not overplay and listen to how different parts interact in the arrangement. That carries over into arranging/writing music within any style.
What are your guilty pleasures?
UFO documentaries (they’re real maaan).
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Boston?
Boston has always had great bands, and the community really rallies behind each other when faced with issues like venues closing during lockdowns or loss of practice spaces. It’s so close to Providence, RI, which has its own art and music scene, and even Western Massachusetts has become a hub for heavy music and DIY stuff like RPM Fest and THCC. I’m proud of what we have here.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We have been focused on writing our next album, but we will be playing April 25th at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston, MA with King Bastard and our friends Eight Foot Man Child and The Outlourdes. The Dregs Liquid Light Show will be lighting up the space with live psychedelic art.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
To keep putting out music and performing as long as we are standing! This band is such an outlet for all of us I can’t imagine not playing. We’d love to work with a label to put out projects in the future and perhaps a regional tour.
How can people best support your band?
I think this goes for any band and not just us, but showing up to live shows and supporting the entire music scene in whatever city or town you live in is so important. Supporting your local small venues go a long ways in helping bands like us out.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you for listening wherever you are! It’s always cool to hear from someone on the other side of the world who found us somehow and enjoy the music. We’re passionate about what we do, and we appreciate anybody who digs it!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well