Arika Koasa Gets the 411 from
of ASKING ALEXANDRIA
Asking Alexandria has become one of the more recent underground metal bands to hit the mainstream. The group started in 2008 and released their debut album, "Stand Up and Scream", in 2009. The band has become a touring force throughout the world and is preparing to release a new record early next year. I had the chance to speak with guitarist Ben Bruce a few weeks ago about everything going on with the band.
Punk Globe: I know in the next few days you’ll be touring with All That Remains and Born of Osiris, who you co-headlined the Thrash and Burn tour with. Have you ever played with All That Remains before or is this your first time out with them?
BB: This is actually our first time out with them and we’re all really excited about it because they’re legends, you know?
Punk Globe: I know you were recording a new album. Did you finish and is that going to be released next year? What’s the plan with that?
BB: Our new album is called, “Reckless and Relentless”, and it’s pretty much finished. We recorded all of the music in terms of the instruments and all the backing stuff. There’s around five songs that are done with vocals so five are completely finished. After we finish this All That Remains run we go back to the studio to finish the vocals up and then it will be ready for release in early 2011.
Punk Globe: Is the group using the same producer or is it someone new coming in?
BB: It’s the same producer. We’re using Joey Stones again who did the first album because we have a really great relationship with him. He’s a great guy and he’s really, really clever.
Punk Globe: I had the opportunity to speak with Kevin Lyman, founder of Warped Tour, this summer. He said the three most popular shirts that he would see at all the venues were August Burns Red, The Devil Wears Prada, and your band Asking Alexandria. His exact words to me were, “I’d be stupid if I didn’t get these bands for the tour next year.” Now, would the band be up to doing that if your schedule allows?
BB: Oh yeah, I’m pretty sure we’ll be doing Warped Tour next year. Given the opportunity we’d take it in a heartbeat. It’s something that everyone wants to do and it’s something that everyone should do at least once in their life. It’s Warped Tour, you know! So, it’s definitely something we would want to do.
Punk Globe: Do you see the band being on tour and preparing for the new record for the rest of the year or do you have another outline for the rest of 2010?
BB: We’re fully booked until the end of the year completely. After this tour we fly back to England and do a full UK tour which takes us until the end of the year. Come January, we’re going everywhere. We’re going to Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Europe. We’re doing everything next year.