Aug 25, 20233 min read

WAX MEKANIX: New Single “Once Upon A Lie” Showcases Refined Criticism, between Fable and Mass Media

The folk rock songwriter WAX MEKANIX has released a brand-new single, entitled “Once Upon A Lie”, taken from the upcoming album “Psychotomimetic” out on September 8th via Electric Talon Records. With this song, the Philadelphia-based artist shows all his class, thanks to captivating rock melodies and lyrics that skillfully mixes narrative mechanisms of fairy tales and sociological criticism, mostly focused on the pervasive control taking place in our society.

There’s also a cool lyric video on the label’s YouTube channel - go watch it now:

You can stream/download the track here: https://ingrv.es/once-upon-a-lie-u63-h

Who controls the one who controls us? Who assures us that the words that are served up to us are true? Wax Mekanix reminds us how often we bow our heads and accept what we are told, as if it were absolute truth, while the frenetic pace of modern civilization takes away from us the desire (and the privilege) to ask the fateful question: "Why?"

In its 3 minutes and 22 seconds, “Once Upon A Lie” illustrates the duality of the insatiable global masses for exponentially increasing deep fakes. He offers up the notion that people are not innocently duped by overwhelming misinformation. WAX MEKANIX slips into the skin of those who willingly court intellectual and spiritual immolation just to see how it feels. He is no neophyte. He’s sober, wide-eyed, accepting, and welcoming toward the endless torrent of prevarication. Curiously resolved to experience the inevitable fallout of the ebb and flow of truth vs. lies.

With a mission statement to continue his conversation with his audience, WAX MEKANIX has constructed sonic and thematic connective tissue joining “Psychotomimetic” to 2020's Grammy balloted classic rock-infused “Mobocracy”, and then to the thunderous, tribal, groovy, organic howl of 2021's “Blunt”. The "Psychotomimetic" songs seem to span time and suspend it. Simultaneously, the tracks reference the familiar past, speak to the tumultuous present, and contemplate the unknown future.

"Psychotomimetic” is available for pre-order on Bandcamp: https://talonrecordsusa.bandcamp.com/album/wax-mekanix-psychotomimetic

The album is produced by Wax Mekanix, Maxim “Lectriq” Laskavy, Machine, and Dirty Harry Zelnick. Mixed by Machine, Lectriq, and Wax Mekanix. Engineered by Lectriq (Tracks 1-7), Machine (Track 2), Alberto De Icaza (Tracks 1, 3, 5), Michael Cumming (Tracks 1, 3, 5), Benjamin Thomas (Track 2), Barney Cortez (Track 4), Don ‘Groove’ Hinton (Track 6). Art by Diogo Soares, Gargantula Creations. Photo by Ken Wolfe. Logo by Stephen Burdick.

Line-up:

Wax Mekanix: Lead & Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Percussion, Harmonica (Tracks 1-7) Lectriq: Backing vocals, percussion (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Tom Altman: Guitars, Bass (Tracks 1, 3, 5)

Aaron Sebastian Perez: Drums (Track 2)

Kyle James Smith: Bass (Track 2)

Brandon Yeagley: Backing Vocals (Tracks 2, 3, 5)

Chris Bishop: Electric Guitars (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5)

Kenny Rosario-Pugh: Electric Guitars (Track 2)

Wendell PoPs Sewell: Guitar (Track 2)

Barney Cortez: Electric Guitars, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Backing Vocals (Track 4)

Dirty Harry Zelnick: Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals (Track 4)

Raje Shwari: Backing Vocals (Track 6)

M11SON: Backing Vocals (Tracks 1, 3, 5)

Marissa Wolner: Backing Vocals (Tracks 1, 3, 5)