| ALL TIME LOW are doing great; nothing personal. |
| Written by Shahlin Graves |
| Tuesday, 17 November 2009 08:55 |
 ALEX GASKARTH. International man of Summer songs, twitter-famous hair (5,293 followers and counting), world domination... and sex tapes. This is a boy who does not believe in absence making the heart grow fonder; "I think it makes the heart grow wings and fly away". But don't mistake Gaskarth and his boys of ALL TIME LOW for kiss-and-tell-er's; "Hell no girl!". There's a strict boy-band code of honour which all members adhere to, Gaskarth explaining that "we're in the trust-tree on this bus. Nobody snitches on anyone. Tonnes of debauchery, but no-one will admit it." Third album 'Nothing Personal' featuring breakout single 'Weightless', certainly evidences the banded fraternity's penchant for 'Stella', girls... and more girls. From 'Lost In Stereo'- "a boy meets girl that he can't have story", to the punchy 'Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)'- "a Summer song about a fling. There's always that person out there that you feel like you're cornered in that room with them... and you're saying to yourself; 'well, this is not a good idea. I really shouldn't do this. But god damnit maybe I should.' Everyone's been there I think". All Time Low also proffer less sunny seasoning in the the plaintiff 'Walls', chastising female-kind for that ad nauseam of a fall-back; 'just friends'. "It's definitely a slap in the face. You don't want to hear it all the time." But the Baltimore quartet's party-weather has eyes for more, than just the fairer sex. Heart-hugger 'Sick Little Games', explores the ugly face of popular culture. "It's just about people in general being sucker-punched into that mentality, that pop-culture tells-all. It's my call-out to that. We all fall victim to it, but at the same time we should all realise that it's not something we should let govern our lives." COUP DE MAIN caught up with ALL TIME LOW's frontman ALEX GASKARTH, while he was not surprisingly; on the move. "I'm on our bus, we're actually driving to our hotel. We played in Boston tonight, it was a great time. We're doing the VMA tour, which is the Video Music Awards over here in the United States. We're headlining that tour right now, so we're just cruising back to our hotel"... and for those aspiring to become the future-Mrs. Gaskarth? You may want to take note that Alex is "a playlist kinda guy on the iPod. Send me a playlist via e-mail and I'll jam that shit. I might even touch myself to it, if it's good enough".  COUP DE MAIN: Your new album 'Nothing Personal' debuted at #4 on the U.S. Billboard albums chart! Camp All Time Low is very stoked; yes? ALL TIME LOW- ALEX GASKARTH: It was so crazy. Amazing and completely out of the blue! It says a lot about our fans in America and about our fans in general. It's insane that there's that much backing for this band. CDM: What was it like working with genre heavy-weights Butch Walker and Matt Squire, on producing 'Nothing Personal'? ALEX: Phenomenal. Both of those dudes are geniuses. Matt Squire did 'So Wrong, It's Right'. He produced the whole record. So, it was like going back to some-one we knew really well- working with a best friend. Butch Walker, is just a musical genius. Him and I, had chemistry straight off the bat. Both experiences were exceptional. In fact, every producer on this record was phenomenal. Everyone did a great job. CDM: With Butch Walker being such a recognised songwriter in his own right, did he contribute at all to the actual song-writing of the album? ALEX: Absolutely. Him and I sat down and wrote both of those songs [ 'Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)' and 'Sick Little Games' ] together. He was in the room the whole time. That isn't to say that he handed me any ideas or spoon-fed me a song, because I'm not that kind of writer. I have to write for myself. But it was really nice having a view with some experience of writing, to just point me in the right direction sometimes if I'd get lost. It's kind of like painting a picture with Picasso sitting over your shoulder, I would say. CDM: Once upon a time, you hated Blink-182... instead preferring the likes of Bob Marley and Incubus. How did guitarist Jack Barakat succeed, in cajoling you into covering Blink-182 songs in the early days of your band? ALEX: It's definitely ironic, in the sense of that when I said those things I was like twelve years old. I had no idea about the idea of selling out, or what that even meant. It really means nothing, when it boils down to it. I was just a kid following a trend and saying what other people were saying. But when I actually figured myself out, I learnt that I loved that band whole-heartedly. They are a primary example of why we are a band today. He [ Jack ] showed me their DVD's which I'd never seen before. And I fell in love with their attitude. I really appreciated the sorta carelessness that went into the band. It seemed like just a bunch of guys on vacation, the entire time that they made a career out of it. Which was phenomenal. That jumped out to me, as being what I wanted to do. CDM: What was it like co-writing your song with Mark Hoppus of Blink-182? ALEX: It was awesome! I mean, collaborating with Mark was a dream come true. It was a DREAM to work with that dude... and to even meet that guy, was insane. Mark is a really good friend these days and really supportive. It's a shame that the song was written so far in advance of the rest of the record that it didn't actually make the record. But it's cool that we got to open that door and I'm sure you'll see something happen between the two of us together, in the future. Maybe a sex tape. CDM: Will you be releasing the song in the future? ALEX: No. But we are going to release a sex tape. CDM: Track two 'Break Your Little Heart' from 'Nothing Personal', seems to be a shout-out to Scene Queens... ALEX: I was actually talking about our merch guy Vinny Vegas, because I did break his little heart. Seriously! Talk to him, he'll tell you. VINNY VEGAS: Hi, this is Vinny. CDM: Apparently Alex broke your heart and you're going to tell me the story of what he did to you... VINNY: Me and Alex had a huge plan. We were going to get a place together. We had this whole ideal; this guys bitchin' bachelor pad. Then he went against his word and has got this long-term serious girl. And he's got a dog without me, named it something else; we had it planned. And he's dressing differently. I just want my friend back. But we're still tight. We're still boys. He @ replies me on Twitter here and there, so that makes up for it. ALEX: See, I told you. He is very upset. And that is what that song's about. I broke his little heart right in two. CDM: Do you dedicate it to him every time you play the song live? ALEX: I do. And I kiss him on the cheek. CDM: What are your thoughts on the youth drinking culture? Especially in light of the lyrics of your song 'Stella'... ALEX: To be completely honest, I completely disagree with the standpoint that America takes on drinking. I think that twenty-one is far too old. I think it puts a terrible impression on the youth, that drinking is this faux pas thing and that it's kinda despicable. And I think for that reason, people lash out. Every other country in the world has it right, with the age of eighteen. To not make it seem so criminal. That way, people don't think of it as such a big deal and they do it much more responsibly. CDM: All Time Low were crowned 'Band Of The Year 2008' by Alternative Press magazine... That was not your first time gracing AP's cover; correct? ALEX: I think that was my third cover! It was personally, my favourite cover. Being band of the year, was amazing. That's voted on by the readers of the magazine, and it's phenomenal that the magazine supports us. But it's also phenomenal that the readers of the magazine have that much heart behind this band. It goes back to our first week numbers and debuting in the top four. It says a lot about the way the people stand behind this band, and really back it up. It's a very genuine, phenomenal kind of feeling. It's really, really cool. CDM: Reflecting on the current plight of the publishing industry, do you think that music magazines have lessons to learn by taking a page out of the artists they write about? In that- bands who treats their fans as 'friends', are more likely to retain the monetary-earning perks of this fan-friend-lationship in the long-run. I think there's a lesson to be learnt somewhere there for music magazines; who like bands, require public support to survive. ALEX: Absolutely! I think the problem with music writers is that they don't listen to the people that they actually write to. I think it's the same in the sense that a lot of bands don't listen to their fans, and the demand for the kind of music they want to hear. There's a lot of bands that put out a record and have a huge amount of success, and then their next record comes out and they completely throw their fans to the curb. I think it goes hand in hand. If you have a following of people that like what you're saying, don't suddenly throw them a curve-ball. I think that kills the entire mood. CDM: Published writers need to remember they are writing not only for themselves... ALEX: Absolutely. I think that the bands that say they 100% only write for themselves, are foolish. And I think they're destined to not really have that much success. Because, to write for yourself is to be selfish with your art. Anybody that has an understanding of art, realises that it's being put out there to be observed. You have to cater to your audience. Anybody that writes plays, or operas, songs, or paints paintings, or writes books; they cater to a certain need. If you throw off that audience, they're going to lash out at you.  CDM: Who came up with the concept behind the 'Weightless' music video? ALEX: It was a joint effort between myself and the director/producer. We decided it would be really fun to call out the obvious... I wouldn't say flaws; but the obvious nuances within the show scenario. Especially an All Time Low show. We thought it would be fun to make fun of everybody and that's what we did. We pointed a finger at everything that people wanted to say, but were afraid to say. CDM: And Mark Hoppus and Pete Wentz (of Fall Out Boy), were really supportive of it all? ALEX: Yeah, they were! We were super lucky in that sense. Those dudes have a really good understanding of how to support younger bands. And we were very, very lucky that they got behind us on that video, and donated their bodies to us for scientific experimentation. CDM: Speaking of bodies, All Time Low contributed a song to the 'Jennifer's Body' soundtrack. What are your thoughts on the film's lead; Megan Fox? ALEX: Nice. I like what you did there. Did you know I was going to give that answer? Or are you just that professional? CDM: I have magical powers. ALEX: That's phenomenal. CDM: So, Megan Fox... ALEX: She's a gorgeous hunk of man-meat. I would love to kiss her face. CDM: Only her face? ALEX: Yeah, only her face. I don't go to second base before the first date. CDM: How did the Warped Tour extravaganza treat All Time Low this year? ALEX: It was AMAZING. It was a really good time. We made friends with a lot of bands that I never thought we'd make friends with. Such as Underoath and Less Than Jake- which was SO much fun. Just to hang out with a bunch of dudes that would never usually hang out with our band; so it was a really good time. CDM: Top tips for young bands working their way up, through the ranks of Warped? ALEX: Stay hydrated, stay humble, stay unique. And don't be a dick to anyone. Make as many friends as you can. Warped Tour is all about being friends. It's like Summer Camp. CDM: Is Warped Tour as tough as urban legend makes it out to be? ALEX: No, no way. it's tough for the working people; the people in the crew, the people who sell merch. It depends what level you're at, as a band. We had to go through the trenches in our first year. We had to sell the merch, we had to flyer for our performance so people would actually come watch us. We got a taste of that. So, it really depends where you are in the ranks. It's tough for some people. But when bands complain who have a full crew and a full assortment of people behind them, it always pisses me off when they bitch and moan. 'Cuz it's like two hours out of your day that it actually takes. CDM: All Time Low proudly endorse the clothing label 'Glamour Kills'. How hand in hand, do you think music and fashion go together? ALEX: Fashion and music go hand in hand completely. With every new music style, there comes a new fashion trend; in my opinion. Somehow they always get lumped together. I think they grow together, they exist together. It's like a symbiotic relationship. When screamo was big, it was kids in white belts with black jeans, and black t-shirts and black hair that covered their eyes. When pop-punk was in, it was Dickies shorts and Chucks, and studded belts and a t-shirt with a wristband. When emo came in, it was kids with polos and trackies, and all kinds of things. So I think they go hand in hand, you know. I really do. CDM: I noticed that All Time Low collaborated with Hurley, to run a t-shirt designing competition. How much of an actual hand do All Time Low band members have in designing band merchandise? ALEX: We always have final say over our merchandise. Which for better or for worse, is something that we're really proud of. Sometimes we come up with completely shit designs. But other times, I think the ones that we pick are really, really cool. And I appreciate the fact that we're given a chance to pick our own; the designs that represent the band. Especially with Glamour Kills, it's one of those things where Marky [ Capicotto ] the owner of Glamour Kills and ourselves, work really, really close together on those projects. CDM: How difficult is it to maintain control over every All Time Low project, as the bands profile grows bigger and bigger with more success? ALEX: We maintain a really, really huge role in all of the decisions made behind this band. We don't really let anything go out of our grasp. This band is very, very sensitive to the things that we feel could harm our band. That isn't to say that we're sitting there denying everything that comes our way. We actually accept most of the things that come our way. But if there's ever something that really truly compromises what this band stands for, we definitely have the last say. We've never been told to sound a certain way, or act a certain way, or look a certain way. Everything you see, is what you get, from the members. CDM: Has it helped having the independent team at Hopeless Records working relentlessly, rather than relying on the measured time of a major record label? ALEX: It definitely helps. We had a small condensed team that is really dedicated to seeing this band have as much success as possible. For any young band; that really, really helps. I can't complain. Everybody at Hopeless did a phenomenal job of making this band everything it is now. CDM: Have you considered the inevitable move to a major label? ALEX: We haven't switched, but we have signed a deal with Interscope Records on this new record. We're in the process of merging between the two. This new record is still a part of Hopeless, but the next record will transition over to Interscope. Basically the way we figured the deal was, to keep both parties involved. We felt like we needed a major label to tackle certain areas that we haven't tackled before- which is pull a bigger crowd internationally, and also try to help us get to radio. Which we've never done before. But Hopeless and the whole team are still very supportive, with what it is that they have supported us with from the get-go. We're not stranded out at sea, but at the same time we have a big ship to sail. CDM: Is it difficult to break radio in the States? ALEX: It's relatively difficult. There's a lot of competition.  CDM: Tell me about the All Time Low remixes uploaded on your personal Myspace profile... ALEX: They're remixes that have been done for us in the past, by other parties. Those aren't my personal remixes. They're just remixes that I didn't think would get the showcase, as much as they should. So I threw them up, just for entertainment purposes. CDM: Is it more important to you while on-stage, to be an entertainer? Or to hit each note pitch-perfect? ALEX: In my opinion, that's one and the same. Between songs, my focus is to be an entertainer. During a song, it's my focus not to sound like shit. So! I try my best to do both. CDM: Do you ever wish you were just a frontman-vocalist, instead of rhythm guitarist as well? ALEX: There are definitely times that I wish I was just a singer. But to be honest, I think it sets me apart from some of the others; which makes us a little bit more unique. I really enjoy having a guitar in my arms and still getting to be the one that coaxes the crowd into enjoying themselves. I really enjoy it a lot. CDM: Auto-tune. Vocoders. Hate them? Love them? ALEX: There is not one single record these days, besides the records that do it intentionally; that don't have some degree of auto-tune. I wouldn't necessarily call it auto-tune, but most records use pitch correction- just because it's what the trained ear is now used to hearing. If people have a slight off-note in a song, people don't want to hear that these days; it throws them off. So, most producers will correct that. But then again, it spans a whole wide range of things. There's the Kanye West who uses the vocoder almost as an instrument, which although it pisses a lot of people off, I can admire it. Although it's a hated thing- to use your voice in a way that a lot of people haven't, obviously shared it at first. But I think that whole keyboard sound is kinda cool. But we've never really dabbled in that, and we don't use any of that sort of thing live. There's definitely pitch correction on our record, but not to the degree that a lot of people think. Most people who claim to know what pitch correction and auto-tune is, have no idea what they're talking about. CDM: Explain the controversy that boiled over earlier this year, surrounding an article that James Montgomery wrote for MTV... ALEX: It wasn't so much James Montgomery; what he wrote. It was more people misinterpreting what he said. The way that he portrayed the beginning of that interview, led people to believe that I was talking shit on bands like Fall Out Boy and Paramore. Where in actuality, I was giving credit to bands like Paramore and Fall out Boy. What I was saying was, is that those bands have earned their way to the spotlight. They've worked so hard to get where they are. The statement I was making; is that I felt like bands like that who have toured in vans and come from the bottom up, it's old news. The bands that are now appearing at the top of the ladder, are bands that have NOT earned their way. That's the message I was trying to say. But unfortunately the interview got skewed. It's understandable. Him and I on the phone, talked for about an hour. It's hard to condense that into one cohesive piece of writing. So, it's not that I was calling him out or blaming him. But it was definitely something that I had to clarify, 'cuz people were hating on me a lot. And that was never my intention. CDM: Do these new bands that haven't 'paid their dues', frustrate you? Especially when watching bands you personally love, still struggle to attract the attention they deserve, despite having put in the hard yards... ALEX: No, it doesn't frustrate me at all. I think every band deserves their chance, no matter what. If you're handed that plate, no matter how long you've worked for it, I will never disrespect a band for having that opportunity. I just think that, the bands that don't deserve it will fall first. And they'll fall harder. CDM: All Time Low have already toured Australia twice. Your third visit is scheduled in for next year at Soundwave Festival 2010... But still no New Zealand dates! Why must you break the hearts of your New Zealand fans so? ALEX: Man! I'm trying!! I'm trying hard. Next time we come to Australia, I would really love to come to New Zealand. It sucks that we haven't been there yet. We've been in the neighbourhood you know... and it's a shame that we've missed it every time. We definitely know that there's people out there that want to see us, and we really want to try and make it happen.  |
