Abatis - The Lieutenant

San Francisco rock band Abatis (“abba-tee”) began in 2010 when Sean Wagner (guitar/lead vocals) posted a Craigslist ad looking to form a rock band. Ben Lauffer (drums), a West Virginia native who had just recently moved to California, replied to the post and immediately things clicked. Ben invited Stuart Maaslehbrown (bass/vocals) to a rehearsal and the lineup was set.

Following the enthusiastic reception of their self-titled debut EP, Abatis spent several months performing throughout the Bay Area with nationally touring bands such as Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Lionize, Pierced Arrows, and Nico Vega, as well as local favorite, The Soft White Sixties.

Though the stage time was invigorating and invaluable, Abatis promptly decided to record their first full-length album, and made the bold choice to do so independently. The result: Electric Dead. Electric Dead moved away from the bluesy sound of their first EP into more raw, contemporary, fearless rock territory like that of Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Keys, and Foo Fighters. Completed in just three months and released in October 2011, Electric Dead was received with rave reviews. Alberto Rivera of Thrust Magazine described the album as “consistently amazing,” comparing Abatis to 70s dirt rockers Blue Cheer and MC 5.

Audiences praised their dynamic energy and devotees demanded more. In early 2012 the band went back to the studio to begin work on their follow-up EP, Now You’re Paying For Sleep. Following its completion, Abatis returned to the stage circuit with dozens of shows in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as a Southwest US tour.

In addition to playing shows in and around the Bay Area, the band is currently in the process of writing, rehearsing, and recording songs for its sophomore album. On this upcoming release, Abatis continues to expand their horizons, incorporating more acoustic and experimental elements into the music, while still maintaining and improving upon their tight, aggressive rock foundation.