The history of the band's formation seems quite complex and is spread across at least three locations (Dubai, the US and York, UK). What's the story?
Ha ha yeah, it's been quite a trip! I basically lived in Dubai for quite a few years as a child and formed many bands whilst I lived there. The last band I formed there was called Asking Alexandria. The band didn't last long and we broke up when I moved back to England. I knew Danny already and moved in with him in York. We started up a band on our own and kept the name Asking Alexandria. Danny actually knew all the other guys from college and other local bands in the area which is how we recruited them to join our band.
So am I right in thinking that 'Asking Alexandria' as it exists today (2008-present), is (despite the fact that the name of the band is the same) in no way (line up or genre) the same band as it was back in Dubai?
That is correct, this band is in fact, in no way the same band as the Asking Alexandria I formed in Dubai.
Why did you decide to keep the name?
The main reason I kept the name is due to the fact that it is really hard to think of a band name in the first place. I came up with the Name Asking Alexandria in Dubai and I really liked it so I decided to keep using it.
Who would you cite as being your main influences? Which bands inspired you to become musicians?
In all honesty I don't think there is a real answer to that question, simply due to the fact that there are jsut SO many different artists, in different genres that have inspired myself, and the rest of the band members to play music and want to be a musician. In terms of influencing Asking Alexandria's musical direction, We all listen to a very wide variety of bands whilst writing our debut album Stand up and Scream, including; Vanna, Enter Shikari, Mayday Parade, Bring me The Horizon, The Devil Wears Prada, Emmure, Blink 182, A Day to Remember etc etc...
Describe the band's sound in three words.
Happy Sexy Times!!!! haha, that's actually a hard one...so I'm sticking with that!!!
York seems to be a bit of a hot spot for decent metalcore acts... which other York bands should people keep an eye out for?
In actual fact, there are very few, if any, metalcore bands coming out of York at the moment. But one of the better bands in York to watch out for are called 'With One Last Breath'.
You released 'Stand Up and Scream' in September last year. How have people reacted to the record?
Yeah, Stand up and Scream has done so much better than any of us could have expected. We have sold so many copies, and it's done really well for a debut album. We are extremely proud of it. Once our album was released it was amazing, the amount of people that started coming to our shows, singing all of our words was incredible.
When can we expect to be able to get our hands on a second album and does it have a name yet?
We are actually in the process of writing our second album. We are entering the studio with Joey Sturgis in August this year. The new songs are coming out really well, we are spending a lot more time on each song on this album and really putting everything we have got into it. As of yet we are unsure of the name of the album.
Lots of tattoos in the band... which is your favourite tattoo and what's the story behind it?
Ha ha yeah, we are all really into tattoos. We are actually endorsed by an award winning tattoo artist called Sean Zee. My favourite tattoo has to be my chest piece. The artwork involved is phenomenal and the colours really pop. The tattoo is of two swallows on my chest, with the words 'Family First' written above the birds. Basically the swallows represent that no matter how far away from home I may venture/'fly' each year I will always return home to see my family at the end of it all. Which is what swallows do each year. Sailors also used to use swallows to guide them home, so it is all inter-linked and means a lot to me due to the fact that I am away from my family for so much of the year touring and everything.
You're playing Groezrock festival in Belgium this year. Are you looking forward to it?
We are really excited to be playing Groezrock. We have had so many people messaging us on myspace telling us how excited they are to see us at the festival which really means a lot to us. We are getting the opportunity to play with some of our favourite bands such as Parkway Drive etc...and also hang out with some of our best friends who we won't have seen in a while, (Alesana!!!).
Which other bands on the bill are you eager to check out?
Definitely can't wait to see Parkway Drive, we are all really excited about that. I think seeing AFI is gunna be really amazing aswell...
What are the three things you cannot go without when attending a festival? (i.e. what are your survival items?!)
Beer, cigarettes and toilet roll!!!!! Ha ha....oh and a secret fourth survival item...Dry Shampoo (keeps your hair sexy!!!)
What type of shows do you prefer to play and why: small venues, larger indoor stages, outdoor festivals..
We just love playing shows in general, playing huge shows, indoor or outdoors really can take your breath away just due to the amount of people infront of you. But the smaller, intimate shows are so much fun. You really get up close and personal with your fans and end up having a great time. [Suzy - the York show definitely turned out like this - check out our review!]
You have played a lot of shows in the US and are due to go back there soon for another tour (with Attack Attack!, Breathe Carolina, I See Stars and Bury Tomorrow). How does touring in the US compare to the UK?
Touring in the US is amazing. It's just so much bigger than the UK so you can tour in the US for a lot longer than you can tour in the UK, which is great.
Where's your favourite place to tour and why?
In all honesty, we are a very new band and have only toured the US. We are going across to Europe in April of this year though and are really looking forward to it.
The York Fibbers show (23rd Jan) sold out. The gig was a kind of one off date in the UK...can we expect to see a longer headline UK tour later in the year?
Yeah it sold out a few days before the show which was really great. We are actually planning on doing a full UK tour later this year, details will be announced via our myspace page.
