Aiden aren't all make up and screams

17 October 2008

Aiden

Aiden have been touring their socks off this year and are keen to prove that they are still on top form since the departure of their guitarist Jake. I caught up with the guys at Manchester Academy to find out about their favourite bands, seeing the world and their new album.

How has 2008 been for you so far?

Its been a great year, we did a couple of headlining tours and then we came over here and did a big headlining tour in March and April and then we went back to the States and started a tour over there where we actually kicked out on of our guitar players so that was kind of shitty but after that we had the summer off so we’ve been hanging out and writing new songs for the new record as well as practicing for this tour.

This is your first tour since the departure of Jake, is it strange without him?

Yeah, it’s a little weird but it’s for the best. It’s strange not to have a second guitar on some songs but we make do and it sounds alright.

You have been gigging loads this year, what has been your favourite show so far?

Actually I think the last time we played in Manchester which was at academy 2 and it was awesome. There kids were going crazy and there were about 90 kids who were sweaty and really going for it and so hopefully tonight will be even better than that!

If you could play anywhere in the world, where would it be?

The UK, Australia and Japan. [FF: Have you been to Japan yet?] yeah, it was awesome, the people over there were really respectful; they don’t really do anything or say anything between songs and afterwards they would come over and ask for a picture and then they would bow and it was really cool.

So would you say that’s the best place you’ve seen through your job?

Not really, there have been so many awesome places. I really like Australia and the UK but Japan has the most respectful people.

Are you going to be releasing a new album anytime soon?

Yeah, we’re going to go home and record it because we have a lot of it written already but we’re going to finish writing and start recording in December and hopefully it will be out in March of next year.

Any clues as to what it’s going to be like and what its going to be called?

Its going to be a lot different but we don’t have a name yet. The sound is going to go back to old-skool Aiden so it will be a little faster and more pumped up with the same old conviction style melodies.

Who do you look up to within the music industry?

Oh man, I love bands like the Foo Fighters and Bob Dylan and I also like the Cute as well as many others.

Is there anyone you don’t particularly like?

There is a few but no body we really hate.

If you could tour with any band in the world who would it be?

I would say Rise Against or the Foo Fighters although that will probably never happen.

What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t in a band?

I would be a paramedic I’ve always wanted to do that. I like science and biology and I’m not grossed out by blood and stuff. I heard they make a lot of money too. I also wanted to be a ninja turtle.

What do you think of the state of the music industry at the moment?

Scary. [FF: why?] Because kids don’t buy records anymore.

Do you think that the influx of downloading songs is having a negative effect on the music industry?

It is and it isn’t. a lot of kids who can’t afford music get the chance to listen to music and spend their money on coming to a show.

Do you feel at all threatened by all the new bands who are coming onto the scene and wanting to be just like you?

I feel sorry for them if they’re trying to copy a band like us, they should copy a good band! But nevertheless, we’re not intimidated. Never.

What do you think sets you apart from everyone else?

We are really, really terrible.

Can you tell me a bit about the side project, William Control?

It’s a electro-dance-pop-rock thing which is pretty cool and sounds kind of like Depeche Mode but a little bit more evil.

Who would make up your super group?

I would have the singer from Coldplay, Chris Martin. John Anthony Frusciante; the guitarist from Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Sting from The Police on Bass and doing backing vocals. Davel Ghrol on drums.

Sharleen Spiteri wants to know if you get loads of offers for sex and if you abstain?

No we don’t get many offers. Our fans are really young, they’re like 12 [FF: Ah, you could get into trouble for that…] although Rick is another story…