This came from a Czechoslovakian newspaper article back around the early 90s (there is a reference to the 'upcoming debut by Cynic'). The scan of this article is below and in the 'photos' section.
That day, when the sports hall in Prague celebrated its stormy metal feast (a concert of Napalm Death, Obiatuary and Dismember)(sommer1992), the area around the hall was flooded with crowds of people all dressed in black. Black shirts with names of bands on it, long hair falling down on ones shoulders and bicepses decorated with spectacular tattoos, those are the attributes of a death metal uniform. The fans, the stage crew, the performers themselves - they all look the same. It's hard to say who's who. And all of a sudden this black world is disturbed by a slim figure in a pink sweatshirt and a flowered elastic pants. Debbie Abono. A sixty three years old lady, five children, three grandchildren. Debbie Abono - a manager of a death metal band called Obituary, the logo of which pictures the band's name blood written on a wall. The Obituary's front man John let others to call him a "growler of death", (which is perhaps more appropriate) rather than a singer. A sinister gang at a first glance. However, all the band members pay respect to Debbie. Her first encounter with heavy metal was when she met Jeff and Larry - musicians from a band called Blizzard. Both guys came back to her a few days later and asked her to become their manager.
Later on the Blizzard changed its name to Possessed and got famous as the first death metal band. On the beginning I had no clue what it takes to work as a manager. I guess I still wouldn't have understood, if many people hadn't helped me. Such gratuitous help is not a common practice in our industry, but I guess everyone considered me as a curiosity rather than a competitor or a threat. When I went to a heavy metal concert some of the organizers usually stopped me at the entry: "Madam, don't you want to change your mind? This music will rip your ears." I loved to watch their astonishment when I said that it's OK and that my boys were also playing that night.
How it goes with Obituary?
I started to work for Obituary less than a year ago. I supervise everything
related to the band except for the stage show. Before a tour I must get
money for the equipment and everything necessary, choose an agency, make the
schedule, negotiate all contracts with lawyers ... For touring in the States
I have a special tour manager, but here in Europe I manage it myself. By now
I'm quite familiar with how it goes in Europe. This is my sixth time here,
although it is my first time in the eastern block. Of course I haven't
forgotten all those years of teaching which, I suppose, you can sometimes
tell from how I behave. I don't regret that, because sometimes, in those
critical situations, it's easier for me to be a support for the boys. In a
way something like their mother.
How does your catholic conviction copes
with somewhat unrestrained life of a death metal band?
I'm not responsible for how the others live, but only for how I live. But on
the other hand, when the Obituary was playing in Roma I made them to visit
Vatican - and all of them liked it a lot. Besides that, don't believe in all
gossips. The musicians today live much more easeful lives, not like in crazy
seventies when it was a part of good manners to throw televisions out of
hotel room windows. And as for the inspiration for their music, its much
more a matter of horror movies than a real personal experience.
In spite of all that, isn't a heavy metal band management more suitable
for men?
I'm always happy when I meet a woman who managed to handle and become
successful in a man's job, but it doesn't make me a feminist. It's the
other way around. I'm pleased if someone courteously holds a door or pay a
diner for me. They are men, I'm a woman, and that's the way I like it.
Honestly, do you sometimes play a heavy metal music at home?
Of course I follow the rock scene. Not long ago I was really excited to
listen to Killer by Rush. I like the new album of my friends Faith No More
and I'm really looking forward to the first album of Cynic. But at night,
when I relax, I more likely listen to some opera or Frank Sinatra, although
today the death metal is my major preoccupation.
- Marcela Titzlova