1920's. This witch had a "familiar", a somewhat rat known as "Brown Jenkins". It was not only an iconic figure, but inspired some interesting heavy metal bands, and music. Let's just say that "Brown Jenkins" appears, and is a very important part in understanding which of our witches is using him, and what she is going to become.
Rob: Okay, this is a hypothetical question not pertaining to the storyline. In a knock, drag out "Marvel" style battle of the women on "Salem", who comes out victorious on your own mind?
Adam: Well, if you include Countess Marburgh, I might have to say Lucy. Because she comes in as such a heavyweight character. She is implied as an old witch, maybe even the oldest. But she has a vulnerability that you will discover. But, some say Anne is the most powerful, so I will have to say Anne Hale.
Rob: Yes! Definitely! You know she comes from the bloodline, not made.
Adam: Exactly! And that is part of the story that unravels step-by-step this Season, what is supposed to happen. But this doesn't discount Tituba. Mary, or anyone who inherits that world. I mean, Mary Sibley is an incredible character and I will never get tired of writing about her. She is so layered and complicated, but she is someone who fell into becoming a witch in a way to respond to her life, which is very different from what we come to understand who Anne Hale is, and what she was created for, as it were.
Rob: Since this is a music magazine, what music are you listening to now?
Adam: I have always liked that music, but I have kind of tuned out of it as some people do at a certain age. But, I will have to say in some ways it was more the experimental black metal or doom metal that really got me back, excited. I have also enjoyed some of the seventies revival, but I would say in terms of new bands, Pallbearer. They have been on repeat while I have been working on this,in the ways they bring some very classic aspects all the way back to Black Sabbath. I have also been listening to the first three Black Sabbath albums a lot. I really love that Swedish band, Graveyard. If I am down in my office, there usually is some scary music coming from my door freaking out my kids. (Laughs)
Rob: (Laughs) On the same coin, how did Marilyn Manson come into play for the theme song, and was it specifically for the show?
Adam: Initially, I think. It actually came to be because of Tyler Bates who was doing the score, and he worked so closely with Manson. I think he was talking to him about "Salem" and he said, "Oh shit! I have to do that!" And it just became one riff, I think, you know, the "Witch Drums". But that evolved into one of the new songs on his great new album. I think he is a brilliant guy, and understands the naturalization of extreme music as well as extreme story. He was one of the first people to do that nad have it not be a joke, when he does something it feels pretty fucking real! (Laughs hard)
Rob: And my final question. Do you feel that originality in horror is getting better, or do you think it is a luck of the draw situation when it comes to originality?
Adam: Well, for the moment. It may start to crack down, but at the moment, no. This is truly just an unbelievable "Golden Age" for genre television, beyond any, because movies are too big and too expensive. How much risks can be taken when the movie costs 250 million dollars, and another 250 is placed into advertising? And you have to appeal to every person on Earth, that pretty much guarantees that you are going to have to keep things pretty damn safe. The beauty of television right now is, there aren't two dramas, there are three hundred out there. You can do very well, just finding a core audience. You can really blow the mind of a few million people, or god bless it, "The Walking Dead" and have fourteen million people. But, that's not even enough to make a giant blockbuster movie! The very fact that television can grab different audiences guarantees the ability to be more authentic. You don't need to have a straight fast ball, you can kind of throw the knuckle ball, you know? (Laughs)
Rob: And I am glad that you play baseball with style, my friend. Thank you so much for doing this with me, it was really awesome to hear more from you.
Adam: Anytime. And I cannot wait to see your books.