Soundwave Festival

Biography

Forming while they were still in high school Baltimore’s All Time Low started out playing covers from Green Day and Blink–182. Seven years later they are one of the world’s best known American Pop Punk exports! With three high energy explosive, full length studio albums under their belt, All Time Low have grown musically and climbed the charts to success! The bands most recent album ‘Nothing Personal’ gained them worldwide media attention and debut on the American Billboard charts at #4, selling more than 63,000 copies, an amazing feat in an age where most people seem more comfortable illegally downloading albums. With tracks like ‘Lost in Stereo’, ‘Damned if I do ya’ and ‘Walls’ it’s easy to see just why All Time Low’s latest album ‘Nothing Personal’ has exploded in such a positive way!

Last year All Time Low was approached by MTV and asked if they would be interested in recording an unplugged session, an offer that the band had no intensions of ever turning down. All Times Low’s MTV Unplugged is now set to be released next month. The Cd/Dvd set comprises of six All Time Low tracks like you have never heard them before, the Dvd also features some great outtakes and band interviews which will no doubt have fans across the globe jumping with joy! In a few short weeks the band will be returning to Australia once again, this time they will be partaking in the Soundwave festivals as well as Headlining sideshows with The Almost and Dance Gavin Dance!

This week I had the pleasure of catching up with All Time Low vocalist Alex Gaskarth to discuss the bands return to Australia for the Soundwave festivals, the upcoming MTV Unplugged release, dealing with chart success and much more! Kick back as we get ‘Lost in the Stereo’ playing ‘Sick Little Games’ with Alex Gaskarth!

Soundwave: Hey Alex, thanks for putting some time aside to speak with us… how ya doin mate?

Alex Gaskarth: I’m doing well my man, about to head out to Europe for the Kerrang tour then come over your way for Soundwave. Stoked to get back on the road!

Soundwave: That’s great! Before we discuss the upcoming Australian tour I firstly wanted to speak to you about the upcoming MTV unplugged album! WOW dude, it’s amazing, tell us how you guys came to do it... were you approached by MTV or vice versa?

Alex Gaskarth: MTV has always been super nice and backed the band so when they came forward and mentioned the idea clearly we were down!

Soundwave: I have long been a fan of the MTV Unplugged sessions, is the Unplugged something you have wanted to do for a while now?

Alex Gaskarth: Clearly it is such a huge honor being able to be a part of MTV unplugged, growing up watching Nirvana and so on performing. It's still crazy to think we were a part of it all.

Soundwave: Tell us about the track listing for the album… you guys only released six songs; was there any reason for only releasing the six tracks?

Alex Gaskarth: It just seems like a solid number for the release and we were able to pull out some new tracks as well as some oldies to make it a fun time.

Soundwave: Alex, you guys have plenty of material to choose from… why did you decide to go with the six songs that made the album?

Alex Gaskarth: While deciding which tracks we wanted to use we wanted to go for what we thought our fans would enjoy the most, and have the best reactions live as well as what we love to play. We're real happy with the final track listing.

Soundwave: For those friends, family and fans that have already had a sneak peek of the Unplugged, how have the responses been?

Alex Gaskarth: People seem to really dig it or they are just being nice to us [laughs], it's hard to tell!

Soundwave: [Laughs] I have to be honest… the first time I actually heard about All Time Low was a few years back when you took part in the Punk Goes Acoustic compilation and I was immediately hooked, now with doing the Unplugged also, can we expect to see more acoustic work from you in the future?

Alex Gaskarth: We're always into getting down with the acoustics! Nothing really is on the horizon but if it comes up we are typically all about being a part of it.

Soundwave: Mate whilst we’re talking about All Time Low’s music, let’s speak briefly about studio album #3 ‘Nothing Personal’, now that you have had so much time to digest it, looking back over the recording process is there anything you would have changed?

Alex Gaskarth: Honestly not at all, we were able to work with some amazing people for ‘Nothing Personal’ and we couldn't be happier with the final product.

Soundwave: The album charted amazingly well, especially in America where it entered the Billboard Charts at #4, no doubt you were stoked about that! Do you guys get caught up in that whole side of it though... the chart success etc

Alex Gaskarth: Yeah it was a pleasant surprise and extremely shocking. We couldn't have been happier seeing our names so high up on a Billboard chart with all these big names but we try to keep our heads straight and never let all that stuff take over. We have amazing, loyal fans....couldn't be luckier.

Soundwave: I noticed you had used four different producers on the album including Matt Squire and Butch Walker. Why did you guys decide to work with so many different producers rather than sticking with just one?

Alex Gaskarth: We are bad at making final decisions [laughs] but we love the opportunity to work with a handful of producers to get a different vibe from each of them. They're all a pleasure to work with and help us add a little something different to make the record unique as a whole.

Soundwave: Alex, Australian All Time Low fans were thrilled to find out that you would be returning to our shores next month for the Soundwave Festivals, when you travel half way across the world to do something like this, besides playing the actual shows what do you most look forward to?

Alex Gaskarth: Awesome, we are just as stoked! Soundwave will be a blast, being with a bunch of our friends at the festival but also just being able to eat different food, check out Australia once again and especially enjoy the summer over there since it's freezing back here!

Soundwave: It doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago that you were last playing here, what fond memories do you have from your last Australian visit?

Alex Gaskarth: Just everything about Australia rules, the girls are beautiful, the people are super nice and we had a blast hanging out in each city.

Soundwave: You guys are billed with many great bands for the Soundwave Festival! Will you be putting anytime aside to check out the other bands... if so what bands do you have your eye on?

Alex Gaskarth: Yeah the Soundwave lineup rules.... definitely stoked to hang/check out Paramore, Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, You Me At Six and clearly Faith no More. The lineup is amazing, we will definitely be checking out as many bands as we can.

Soundwave: Mate is there any plans to record or film any of the upcoming Australian shows for a possible future live Cd / Dvd release?

Alex Gaskarth: Nothing is really in the works but that is a great idea! Maybe someone will be filming some of the set to check out later on.

Soundwave: Alex, are you a fan of playing on the larger festival bills or would you much prefer the smaller more intimate venues, no doubt both have their advantages!

Alex Gaskarth: Yeah both most certainly have their advantages....having the opportunity to play large shows/fests rules because your sharing your music with larger crowds who may not be familiar with your band or would ever even take a chance to listen. Smaller shows are my personal favorite, just for the opportunity to be so close with our fans and feeding off their energy during the show.

Soundwave: For the Soundwave punters who are interested in checking out All Time Low, how would you describe the band live and what can the Aussie fans expect this time around when you hit the stage?

Alex Gaskarth: A dance party for sure! Get prepared to get down and party and be aware of flying bras going towards the stage!

Soundwave: Whilst we’re on the subject of touring and life on the road… going back to when the band first formed, can you recall the worst time you had as an opening act?

Alex Gaskarth: Oh man we have had plenty of awful experiences opening back in the day but they were all part of the ride. I can't recall one that is good enough for a story but we used to tour regionally for awhile and played so many shows where not many people cared in the least bit for our band.

Soundwave: As the years have gone by you have certainly played alongside some amazing bands, whilst on the road, who has given you the best advice and what was it?

Alex Gaskarth: Having the opportunity to tour with the Fall Out Boy guys was amazing, we have always looked up to them and been fans...they definitely showed us a lot and we were able to learn quite a bit on that tour, not to mention playing the largest shows to date.

Soundwave: Being a vocalist unfortunately you draw the shortest straw when it comes to any partying on the road, having to keep your voice in top shape! Do you do anything specific to warm-up and prepare for a show or do you prefer to just hit the stage running?

Alex Gaskarth: Yeah I do a few vocal warm ups prior to going onstage, some can get pretty annoying to anyone backstage [laughs]. I have to watch how much sleep i get and be easy on the vocal chords but i still am able to have a good time just have to be careful at times.

Soundwave: What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you whilst you’ve been performing?

Alex Gaskarth: Nothing as wild as some people may think, I’ve seen plenty of boobs and make out sessions....just another ATL show [laughs].

Soundwave: [Laughs] Most people would be well aware that the band formed while you guys were still in high school… growing up did you always envision yourself as someone that would have a career in music or were your goals different?

Alex Gaskarth: I mean we all dreamed of that happening but i guess assumed that we would end up going to college and working in an office like everyone else. We were lucky enough to have our dreams come true.

Soundwave: Alex, what was the first concert you attended and how much of an impact did that have on you musically?

Alex Gaskarth: The first concert I ever saw was a festival called the HFStival. The headliners that year were Staind and Limp Bizkit. Let’s just say that didn’t have too much of an effect on me... [Laughs]! But no seriously, I just realized I wanted to be the guy up on the stage. As much fun as I had in the crowd that day, I couldn't imagine what it would be like on stage in front of 60,000 people. Hopefully we get there someday.

Soundwave: Going right back… what was the first song you ever wrote called and what was it about?

Alex Gaskarth: We wrote a song called "My Paradise". It was your typical teenager, angst Green Day rip off song. It didn’t really have any meaning. Half the song was about being a rebel teenager and the other half was about blue skies and this perfect place. Really it made no sense at all! [Laughs]

Soundwave: [Laughs] Sometimes they are the songs that turn out to be classics [laughs]! Already there have been many highlights in your career, what would you say have been your greatest achievements to date?

Alex Gaskarth: It almost seems like every day we are achieving more of our dreams, charting at #4 was amazing as well as touring all over the world. Having the ability to write a song with Mark Hoppus would have to take the prize....we are clearly influenced by Blink 182 and they're one of the reasons we started playing in a band.

Soundwave: How about rumours… what are the craziest rumours you’ve heard about yourself and or the band?

Alex Gaskarth: That we all make out with each other? But that could be true... [Laughs]

Soundwave: [Laughs] Who have you been surprised to learn is a fan of the band?

Alex Gaskarth: We've become pretty tight with the Madden brothers [Good Charlotte], we grew up in Maryland so we had that connection and they're great dudes.

Soundwave: Alex, just before we wrap it up… with the MTV unplugged set for release next month as well as the Australian shows… what other immediate plans are in place for All Time Low?

Alex Gaskarth: We are hitting the road on the Kerrang tour in Europe then obviously Soundwave, then it's a mystery...we have a few things in the works but nothing we can announce quite yet.

Soundwave: Alex thanx again for your time today, we look forward to seeing you guys here in Australia for Soundwave next month! Do you have any last words for our readers?

Alex Gaskarth: Thanks so much man! We couldn't be more stoked to come over and hang out with all you Aussies once again at Soundwave. Be ready to bring the party!

© Cameron Edney Jan 2010
Not to be used without permission.

Since their EP debut, Put Up Or Shut Up, Maryland pop-punkers ALL TIME LOW have been creating music filled with catchy hooks and choruses, and this was no different on their debut album, So Wrong, It’s Right... "Their newest masterpiece is catchy, vibrant and upbeat.”

Building on 2007s critically acclaimed So Wrong, It's Right, ALL TIME LOW have upped their game in nearly all ways, with their brand new offering Nothing Personal. “All Time Low isn't reinventing the wheel on ‘Nothing Personal,’ but if there was a category for 'Perfecting the Wheel' ALL TIME LOW is the front-runner, winner, champion and no one is anywhere near them.” – Digmag Online

Whilst in high school, All Time Low started out covering pop punk bands such as Green Day and Blink-182.