sking 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? Tat song almost wrote itself! It's such an honest look at our lives whilst out on the road. Tat 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.
Tere 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.
Te 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!
“LIFE WITHOUT ROCK ‘N’ ROLL IS JUST SO BORING!”
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
outlineonline.co.uk / October 2014 / 13
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