Today, we are adding another installment to our Static Multimedia Interview series as we sit down and talk with Alex Gaskarth, the lead singer of the pop-punk band All Time Low. The band just recently released their fourth full-length studio album entitled Dirty Work, and Alex has been generous enough to take time out of his schedule and discuss it with us. However, not only did we converse about Dirty Work, in addition we also touched on the condition of the industry, music piracy, Rockstar Energy, album sales, the group’s upcoming music videos, how it feels to wear drag, and what fans can expect from All Time Low in the future.
Since forming in the Baltimore suburbs in 2003, All Time Low have become one of the biggest pop-punk bands to emerge on the scene, building a grassroots following of die-hard fans with very little radio airplay and a touring ethic that would rival road-weary vets like Green Day. Their profile only rose with the release of their stellar Interscope debut Dirty Work – a twelve track mix of hard-charging anthems and sugar-shot rockers who are poised to dominate house parties and joyrides this summer. As singer-guitarist Alex Gaskarth promises, I feel like dancing tonight – Im gonna party like its my civil right! The album is one of rocks most anticipated of the year, with Alternative Press hailing All Time Low on the cover of their Most Anticipated Music of 2011 issue.
In a lot of ways, this is the perfect summer record, says drummer Rian Dawson of the bands fourth album. The songs are really loud and will get you to roll the windows down. Its just a fun record all around.
For Dirty Work, All Time Low – featuring Gaskarth, Dawson, lead guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist Zack Merrick – teamed up with some of rocks most in-demand producers and studio aces, including Mike Green (Paramore, Boys Like Girls) and Butch Walker (Pink, Dashboard Confessional). The result is their most confident collection of songs yet, including the blistering Time-Bomb and Guts, which features a guest spot from Maja Ivarsson of the Swedish indie-rock group the Sounds.
Despite the good-times vibe of Dirty Work, All Time Low spent a grueling two years making the album – in between brief breaks from their non-stop touring schedule (which has included top slots at Warped Tour in 2007, Bamboozle in 2010, and festival billings with their heroes Blink-182). The majority of the sessions were completed with Green in Los Angeles, but the freewheeling schedule only boosted the bands songwriting spirits. We hate to stop touring, says Gaskarth. Rather than locking ourselves in the studio, were always hopping around and changing environments. It helps refresh everybody and breathes new life into our songs.
All Time Low have come a long way since forming in Baltimore, MD as teenagers playing Blink covers in high-school. Before theyd even graduated, they released two raucous mission statements the 2004 EP The Three Words To Remember In Dealing With The End and the 2005 full-length The Party Scene – and went on to sign with indie stalwart Hopeless Records in 2006. However, it was their 2007 release So Wrong, Its Right that cracked everything wide open. All Time Lows third record, 2009s Nothing Personal, fared even better, debuting at number four on the Billboard chart and earning them positive reviews from outlets as far-reaching as Alternative Press and The Washington Post.
Despite their success, All Time Low have kept their egos in check – even their road crew includes pals whichve toured with the band from their early days playing tiny Maryland clubs like the Recher Theater. Sure, we couldve hired Axl Roses sound guy, but then youre just stuck on the road with this stranger, says Dawson. When you surround yourself with friends, its so much more fun and keeps you from turning into some kind of rock star douche bag.
Still, All Time Low find time for plenty of backstage debauchery – such as a recent gig in New Jersey, where their tour bus erupted into a full-on party. There were all these people Ive never seen before, Dawson recalls with a laugh. The stereo was cranked up really loud, it smelled like something was burning…but thats part of why being in a band is so much fun. When youre surrounded by your friends, its like youre on a permanent vacation.
And I definitely felt that same kind of love and embrace that Rian speaks of during my interview with Alex. I thought that the interview went great and made for some really informative and entertaining media content. I have nothing negative to say about Alex or any of the other members of All Time Low; they, to me at least, appeared very accommodating, hospitable, and down to earth.
So check out the exclusive interview below and leave your comments letting us know what you think. You can also watch All Time Low’s “I Feel Like Dancin” music video and browse over the band’s upcoming tour schedule as well.
Contact All Time Low: Official Site: Facebook: Twitter:
Dirty Work iTunes Buy Link: http://bit.ly/ATLdirtywork
STATIC MULTIMEDIA EXCLUSIVE ALL TIME LOW INTERVIEW:
I FEEL LIKE DANCIN MUSIC VIDEO:
DON’T MISS ALL TIME LOW ON TOUR THIS SUMMER
10/25/11 Huntington, NY Paramount Theater
10/26/11 Stroudsburg, PA The Sherman Theater
10/27/11 Toledo, OH Headliners
10/28/11 Louisville, KY Expo Five
10/29/11 Madison, WI FreakFest
10/30/11 Iowa City, IA Main Lounge (University of Iowa)
11/01/11 Kansas City, MO Beaumont Club
11/02/11 Columbia, MO The Blue Note
11/03/11 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom
11/04/11 Little Rock, AR Juanita’s Cantina
11/05/11 Memphis, TN New Daisy Theatre
11/06/11 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
11/08/11 Jacksonville Beach, FL Freebird Live
11/09/11 Gainesville, FL Florida Theater
11/10/11 Nashville, TN Cannery Ballroom
11/11/11 Asheville, NC The Orange Peel
11/12/11 North Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
11/14/11 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre
11/15/11 Norfolk, VA The Norva
11/17/11 Portland, ME State Theatre
11/18/11 Providence, RI Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
11/19/11 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
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