Music > Interviews

Asking Alexandria

01/10/14

Asking Alexandria are a good old fashioned metal band, like out of the ‘80’s, but modern. They’ve been going for just six years yet have already got over four million fans on Facebook and regularly sell out arenas all over the world. Guns ‘n’ Roses asked specially for AA to support them, and they’ve toured with Korn. Asking Alexandria are very busy setting the world on FIRE with their metal guitars and torn jeans and groupies and unending energy. Their stage shows are absolutely wicked, with fire, and sparks and legs-akimbo-guitar-rocking-out poses. And Danny’s voice! Beautifully soft and tuneful, he also has the most terrifying, deep growl that makes you want to do bad, bad things. And they’re playing UEA in October. Look out, young students! I spoke with Ben Bruce, founder of the band and guitar king about how things are going for them at present.

Asking Alexandria – where does the name come from?

I named the band when I was about 15 years old. It honestly doesn't really have much of a meaning! I just wanted a name that people could relate to and I thought the best way for people to relate to it was to name the band as if it were a person, hence Alexandria.

How did you guys get together?

 I was friends with Danny for a while before I asked him to join the band. Once he joined he introduced me to the other lads and it just felt incredibly natural and easy.

I’ve seen AA described as metalcore and also as heavy metal. Can you explain what the difference is?

If I'm completely honest with you, I have no idea! I hate the fact that people these days feel the need to create all of these sub-genres and names. It just makes no sense. In my opinion we are just a rock/metal band, it's as simple as that!

Your latest single is the poignant Moving On, which seems to be autobiographical. Where did the concept for that song come from? 

That song almost wrote itself! It's such an honest look at our lives whilst out on the road. That song came very naturally. I was tired and had been on the road touring our previous album for about 2 years and just wanted to write a song about how I was feeling at the time.

There have been some comments that your latest album, released in 2013, was more commercial than your previous work. Do you feel this is correct, and if so, was it deliberate?

I think that there are aspects of the record that are more palatable to a wider range of people but I also feel that some of the songs on the record are the heaviest songs that we've ever written. It wasn't deliberate, when I go into writing mode I try to just follow my gut instincts and write what feels natural rather than try and force a specific style.

The lyrics for Not the American Average are pretty hardcore; “You stupid fucking bitch”, etc. Is it quite difficult to sing about women in a rock music style without inviting controversy?

It depends on the feel of the song. Some of the greatest love ballads of all time have been written by rock bands, but at the same time the lifestyle that rock ‘n’ roll leads to does invite a lot of controversy, and so it's quite easy to write songs about debauchery!

I’ve seen footage of your live shows and they look absolutely, wildly brilliant. Will we need to get extra security down to UEA for your gig?

Our shows are incredibly energetic and lively. We encourage people to leave all of their worries and day-to-day lives at the door when they enter. We want people to just let go and get wild! 

Do you get a mix of ages and types of people in your audiences? Heavy metal is one of those genres that appeals to a wide range of humans I think.

When the band started it was mainly a younger audience from the age of about 14-18 that followed our band, but they became so rabid and supportive that people of all ages, all over the world started turning their heads and taking note of the band. Now I see people from the ages of 5 all the way to 50 year olds at our shows.

You toured with Korn, amongst other huge bands. What have you learnt from spending time with them? I've learned that this lifestyle is gruelling and if you slow down to rest it will leave you behind!

No matter how established your band is or how long you have been around you have to be willing to put in just as much effort and dedication as you did when you first started.

 Do you get a lot of groupies? Following on from that question, do you have girlfriends at home? Metal is a very sexy lifestyle!

Ha ha! I suppose we have a lot of "potential" groupies! I am married so those days for me are long gone! Our bassist is getting married in a few months, and all the others are in long term relationships, so these days we don't really get to indulge in carefree sex with strangers that is available on a daily basis!!!! We still get to stare at the mass amounts of boobs being flashed though!!!

Where do you guys live now? If not in the UK, what do you miss about the UK?

We all live in the US now. I love it here but I do miss England every day. England is my home and always will be. I miss the food, I miss my family and I miss the fact that you can wake up and go straight to the pub for a pint without being judged!!!

Who’s your biggest heavy metal hero?

That's definitely a tough decision but I guess I would have to say Ozzy Osbourne. The man is a living legend! I'm fairly certain he is immortal at this point.

How does Danny maintain his voice? It must be very hard to keep it strong, especially when you tour so much.

We make sure that we have scheduled breaks throughout the week whilst we tour! Warming up before a show and warming down after a show is crucial as well. 

Your Stepped up and Scratched album took your songs and got others to remix them in different dance genres including dubstep and electronica . It kinda reminded me of the Spawn soundtrack. How did you come to make this album?

We just love music of all genres and we thought why not? It was definitely a fun process, and gave our songs a completely different feel and dynamic.

Is there a lot of metal bravado in the scene? Do you sometimes just want to watch Inspector Morse and have a cup of tea on the sofa with a blanket instead of rocking it out in front of millions of people?

Unfortunately there is, yes. For some reason a lot of people seem to forget where they came from and get uncontrollable egos which really pisses me off. It's just completely unnecessary. Music is the one universal language that the world shares, and it unites people, so why would to separate yourself and put yourself on a pedestal? It's a shame really. I spend most days sat in my pajamas in front of the TV before I have to play. Ha ha!

What other genres of music do you guys enjoy?

I listen to such a wide variety of music; I love pop, country, classical, rock, metal and rap. My true passion is blues music; Gary Moore, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

You’re big Guns ‘n’ Roses fans – how was it being handpicked by them to support them at their gig in New Jersey in 2011?

It was both exciting and terrifying! It was such a huge honour and I still can't believe it. But it was definitely one of the scariest things I've ever had to do…15,000 Guns ‘n’ Roses fans waiting patiently for G’n’R to come on whilst we are on stage playing songs that they have never heard!

Royal Blood have been nominated for the Mercury Prize this year; do you think it may hail the return of rock music to the mainstream?

I really do hope so! Things are getting so dull. Life without rock ‘n’ roll is just so boring.

You’ve got 4 million likes on Facebook, but have only been together for 5 years.  That’s totally mindblowing. Are you enjoying fame right now?

I am enjoying it! Trying to stay humble and just enjoy the fact that I'm lucky enough to be living my dream. 

What can we expect from your show in Norwich? You’ve been playing huge arenas, so UEA may feel a bit more intimate for you. I'm excited! I love playing more intimate shows! The fans are right there in your face and you really feel the energy. It's going to be an incredible show and a proper laugh!

Asking Alexandria play UEA on 22nd October. Tickets available from ueaticketbookings.co.uk

 

Asking Alexandria – where does the name come from?  I named the band when I was about 15 years old! It honestly doesn't really have much of a meaning! I just wanted a name that people could relate to and I thought the best way for people to relate to it was to name the band as if it were a person, hence Alexandria!   How did you guys get together?   I was friends with Danny for a while before I asked him to join the band. Once he joined he introduced me to the other lads and it just felt incredibly natural and easy!   I’ve seen AA described as metalcore and also as heavy metal. Can you explain what the difference is?  If I'm completely honest with you, I have no idea! I hate the fact that people these days feel the need to create all of these sub-genres and names! It just makes no sense! In my opinion we are just a rock/metal band, it's as simple as that!   Your latest single is the poignant Moving On, which seems to be autobiographical. Where did the concept for that song come from?   That song almost wrote itself! It's such an honest look at our lives whilst out on the road! It  came very naturally whilst I wrote that song! I was tired and had been on the road touring our previous album for about 2 years and just wanted to write a song about how I was feeling at the time.   There have been some comments that your latest album, released in 2013, was more commercial than your previous work. Do you feel this is correct, and if so, was it deliberate? I think that there are aspects of the record that are more palatable to a wider range of people but I also feel that some of the songs on the record are the heaviest songs that we've ever written. It wasn't deliberate, when I go into writing mode I try to just follow my gut instincts and write what feels natural rather than try and force a specific style.   The lyrics for Not the American Average are pretty hardcore; “You stupid fucking bitch”, etc. Is it quite difficult to sing about women in a rock music style without inviting controversy? It depends on the feel of the song! Some of the greatest love ballads of all time have been written by rock bands, but at the same time the lifestyle that Rock n roll leads to does invite a lot of controversy  and so it's quite easy to write songs about debauchery etc   I’ve seen footage of your live shows and they look absolutely wildly brilliant. Will we need to get extra security down to UEA for your gig?  Our shows are incredibly energetic and lively! We encourage people to leave all of their worries and day to day lives at the door when they enter! We want people to just let go and get wild!    Do you get a mix of ages and types of people in your audiences? Heavy metal is one of those genres that appeals to a wide range of humans I think.  When the band started it was mainly a younger audience from the ages of about 14-18 that followed our band but they became so rabid and supportive that people of all ages, all over the world starting turning their heads and taking note of the band! Now I see people from the ages of 5 all the way to 50 year olds at our shows.   You toured with Korn, amongst other huge bands. What have you learnt from spending time with them? I've learned that this lifestyle is grueling and if you slow down to rest it will leave you behind! No matter how established your band is or how long you have been around you have to be willing to put in just as much effort and dedication as you did when you first started.   Do you get a lot of groupies? Following on from that question, do you have girlfriends at home? Metal is a very sexy lifestyle!  Haha! I suppose we have a lot of "potential" groupies! I am married so those days for me are long gone! Our bassist is getting married in a few months and everyone else are in long term relationships so these days we don't really get to indulge in the care free sex with strangers that is available on a daily basis!!!! Still get to stare at the mass amounts of boobs being flashed though!!!   Where do you guys live now? If not in the UK, what do you miss about the UK?  We all live in the US now! I love it here but I do miss England every day! England is my home and always will be! I miss the food, I miss my family and I miss the fact that you can wake up and go straight to the pub for a pint without being judged!!!   Who’s your biggest heavy metal hero? That's definitely a tough decision but I guess I would have to say Ozzy Osbourne! The man is a living legend! I'm fairly certain he is immortal at this point!   How does Danny maintain his voice? It must be very hard to keep it strong, especially when you tour so much. We make sure that we have scheduled breaks throughout the week whilst we tour! Warming up before a show and warming down after a show is crucial aswell.    Your Stepped up and Scratched album took your songs and got others to remix them in different dance genres including dubstep and electronica . It kinda reminded me of the Spawn soundtrack. How did you come to make this album?  We just love music of all genres and we thought "why not?" It was definitely a fun process and gave our songs a completely different feel and dynamic.   Is there a lot of metal bravado in the scene? Do you sometimes just want to watch Inspector Morse and have a cup of tea on the safe with a blanket instead of rocking it out in front of millions of people?   Unfortunately there is yes! For some reason a lot of people seem to forget where they came from and get uncontrollable egos which really pisses me off! It's just completely unnecessary! Music is the one universal language that the world shares and United people, so why would to separate yourself and put yourself on a pedestal? It's a shame really! I spend most days sat in my pajamas infront of the TV before I have to play haha!   What other genres of music do you guys enjoy? I listen to such a wide variety of music. I love pop, country, classical, rock, metal and rap. My true passion is blues music. Gary Moore, Eric Clapton Stevie Ray Vaughan etc.    You’re big Guns ‘n’ Roses fans – how was it being handpicked by them to support them at their gig in New Jersey in 2011? It was both exciting and terrifying! It was such a huge honour and I still can't believe it! But it was definitely one of the scariest things I've ever had to do! 15,000 guns n roses fans waiting patiently for GnR to come on whilst we are on stage playing songs that they have never heard!!!    Royal Blood have been nominated for the Mercury Prize this year; do you think it may hail the return of rock music to the mainstream? I really do hope so! Things are getting so dull! Life without rock n roll is just so boring!   You’ve got 4 million likes on Facebook, but have only been together for 5 years.  That’s totally mindblowing. Are you enjoying fame right now? I am enjoying it! Trying to stay humble and just enjoy the fact that I'm lucky enough to be living my dream!    What can we expect from your show in Norwich? You’ve been playing huge arenas, so UEA may feel a bit more intimate for you. I'm excited! I love playing more intimate shows! The fans are right there in your ace and you really feel the energy! It's going to be an incredible show and a proper laugh!