Abstract - I have to Know

From the LP "The Romance" cr 200-2003. I do not own the rights to this music, this video and audio track is purely for preservation and posterity. Madera’s Abstract was formed around 1998–99 when several middle-school friends first played together under the name Dank. By their high-school years they had sharpened their sound, rebranded as Abstract, and began performing alongside other young local acts. The group’s definitive core lineup consisted of Leonardo Aguilar Jr (vocals), Mario Diaz (guitar), Rudy Laceball (bass), Ariel Rivera (guitar), and Jeff Deliguerra (drums). Abstract became known for their unique melodic intensity, which stemmed greatly from the virtuosic guitar work of Diaz, and Aguilar’s smooth alternation between crooning and screaming. According to Outward guitarist and Madstock 2002 organizer Matt Showers, “Nu-Metal, Screamo, and Emo push up against one another but never mix. In the quantum space between, there’s Abstract.” The band also became known for its energetic live performances. A staple at all-ages shows and DIY venues, they were also not afraid to bring talented friends on board to perform at larger shows, to fill out the sound with keyboards or DJ equipment, or to add color to the stage by dancing and jumping around in a cardboard robot costume. Abstract’s guest talent often went on to form or join bands such as Romance Release and Rivals. Despite their well-earned reputation as a dynamic live act, Abstract usually declined to headline shows, preferring instead to set up the audience for the next band to knock down. This practice led to their performing with l; local favorites like Hectics, Mercury Bullet, and Small Town Killer. They also raised the bar for these bands by encouraging whoever took the stage after them to bring their A-game. Abstract’s small recorded output, an album entitled The Romance, captured the energy of a scene still finding its voice in the early 2000s. The band dissolved shortly after most of the members graduated high school, with members moving on to new paths, from farming to family life. Though they were short-lived compared to some of their peers, Abstract remains remembered by those who filmed, traded CDs, and packed into garages to see them play. In recent years, rare footage and photos have resurfaced online, rekindling memories of a moment when small-town musicians made big-feeling noise.

Added 6 Apr 2026