Inkognito are anything but 'incognito'

There is a good reason why the band Inkognito spells its name differently from the regular word, incognito. "Incognito" means to have an identity that is disguised or concealed. The way 2006 is shaping up, Inkognito is doing the exact opposite.

First formed in 1998 by singer Steve Schroeppel and drummer Randy Mallett, this five member "alternative metal" group has been playing around Southeast Missouri for awhile, but they are now looking to turn heads in places beyond this area's farms fields and muddy, brown banks.

An anime video for their song "Exorcism" is one thing that might do just that. The band's song was picked by J & P Productions, a company based in New York, to be made into the video.

"We filmed ourselves playing 'Exorcism' live, and they're going to take that footage and kind of morph it into the anime video somehow," said drummer Mallett.

In addition, Mallett was told that this was the first time an unsigned band has done an anime music video. The company has done videos in the past for Korn and Disturbed, among others. The anime video will be completed in the upcoming months.

The band is also looking for its new album, "Transistion," to not only gain them more attention but to also signal a new era for their music. However, the album is still in its early phases, with studio-time booked in May.

"Right now we're just kickin' ass and hammerin' out some songs," said Mallett. "We're starting to get a little heavier, and we're writin' kinda new, edgier songs, if you will."

But by no means does Inkognito plan on leaving their fans behind as they venture into new musical territory.

"We're going to book a few shows before we head into the studio so we can kinda let the crowd test the songs," said singer Schroeppel. "We'll see what the crowd thinks, because if they're not diggin' them then we probably need to go back to the drawing board."

Even with both an anime video and a new album in the works, there will be one thing from previous years that will remain constant in 2006: playing shows.

"This year we're just going to book as many shows as we can and get out there and play," said Mallett. "Period, end of story."