WASTED! Magazine issue #24

CRASHGATE| FLUOURESCENT HEARTS | CHASING CADENCE | THAT NIGHT FORESTS GREW

WASTED! WE CAUGHT UP WITH ASKING ALEXANDRIA... AGAIN!

CRASHGATE GIVE US THE LOWDOWN!

CHECK OUT WHAT C

HRIS FROM

WE INTRODUCE YOU TO WITH SILENT EYES!

HAS GOT TO SAY

FOR HIMSELF!

WE GET OUR HANDS ON HOT NEW ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY ELEMENT!

INTRODUCING | ALT BEAUTIES | INTERVIEWS | REVIEWS | EVENTS

issuu.com/wasted-magazine Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr Editor Zoe Blush Designers Zoe Blush Vicky Webb Writers Chris Chandler Martin Davis Haili Hughs Dan Elcombe Connor Bryan Katie Tarrent Imagery Jake Owens Carl Battams Alan Martin Frances Sales Rod Trussardi Krisztian Sipos Roger Maskell Kevil Golding Grant Appleton Martin Hobby Want to advertise in WASTED? Want us to feature your band?

Are you an aspiring Alt model?

zoe.wasted@gmail.com

Š Wasted! Magazine All Rights Reserved.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that details in this publication are accurate, we cannot accept responsibility for such. Readers are advised to check listings information to avoid disappointment.

Views and opinions expressed by contributors are that of their own and not of the magazine as a whole.

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CONTENTS 05: INTRODUCING

07: INTERVIEW: CRASHGATE 12: ALT BEAUTY: SARAH QUINN 18: MORE ALT BEAUTIES! 20: INTERVIEW: MOTIONLESS IN WHITE 25: INTERVIEW: ASKING ALEXANDRIA 28: ALTERNATIVE MUMS 31: ELEMENT ENTERTAINMENT 32: MORE INTORDUCING! 33: REVIEWS 34: EVENTS

Welcome back WASTED! Readers, it’s nice to see you here again.

We’re bringing back our INTRODUCING section with a range of hot new acts to feast your eyes apon and a two-page spread with WITH SILENT EYES. We got our hands on the ASKING ALEXANDRIA boys once again as well as MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, CRASHGATE and more!

But stop reading this & get your eyes onto the next page right now! GO! Lots of love, Zoe Blush xo

INTRODUCING!

Let me set the scene :- 3 cars , 7 dudes , a windy yet bright day , a car park in the middle of an industrial area , 2 guys in an ambulance being security guards dressed as paramedics , 1 old guy in a minivan and an inquisitive policeman. So we were all set for the promo shoot and interview ……….. Really what could go wrong? well pretty much everything but after many trials and tribulations we got some kickass pic’s and a pretty sweet interview , so here we go this is what happens when 2 guys from wasted get together with 5 guys from with silent eyes. Enjoy!

RIGHT THEN TO KICK THINGS OFF, FOR THOSE WHO DON’T YOU GUYS - WHO ARE YOU? We are “With Silent Eyes” Joe: We formed in 2006 under the name “Chains of Humanity” (Matt interjects) ... That’s wrong, we formed in 2005 but you (pointing at Joe) didn’t join until 2006, we started under a different name and then changed the band name in 2008 because we started out really shit and we have become less shit, we change the band name to make us less shit and have a new start – then kick out every bassist until we got this beautiful bastard so the name change kinda went the change in musical direction.

WHAT ARE YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES? Matt: As a band with our musical

style I would say “The Acacia Strain“, “Meshuggah“

Joe - and we have come along way from doing Metallica covers.

(Sam shouts up) Killswitch Engage are a big influence as well though aren’t they.

YOU RELEASED A MINI ALBUM CALLED “ A FLOOD UPON US “ IN 2011 AND THEN LATE 2012 A 3 TRACK EP CALLED “ DESTROYER OF WORLDS “ WHAT BROUGHT OUT THE CHANGE IN SOUND BECAUSE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 IS QUITE SIGNIFICANT IN STYLE AND SOUND ?

Sam – I know it sounds a little cliché but I think we all got a bit more pissed off and we leaned towards the heavier side

Joe: Killswitch have always been one of the main influences of the band since we started.

Mat: Guitar tuning and song structure seem to go more towards “The Acacia Strain” than your standard metal-core band which is Killswitch in our old direction, which is what we used to be but tastes change a little bit, we have just been writing better songs, they kinda progressed as we got heavier as for a riff structures and Celine Dion (apparently – who knew?)

HOW HAS YOUR MUSIC EVOLVED SINCE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN TOGETHER? Sam: “Basically we started playing in Drop D then went down to Drop C, B, A.” Matt - in a nutshell we started off as your bog standard metal-core band and as tastes change and with ben joining us last year he brought a different kinda musical change, I don’t know whether he knew it or not or it was intentional but he did. As we change members and grew older influences and tastes change, as a band we have just got heavier ……..

Matt – I think it was the change in what we were listening to, that mixed with ben joining.

Ben – I’ve known the band since kinda like 2008-9 so I knew them all when the recorded the album and then when we did the EP, the stuff I didn’t like of the album I kinda said let’s get rid of that and lets not sing ever again much to Joe’s dismay .

Joe – with the lyric structure in “A Flood Upon Us” it was a lot more personal content in the music where as “Destroyer of Worlds” is a lot more the whole bands feeling and how we all feel in a way Ben – some of the songs are a lot more adventurous from other songs that we did, we trying new shit.

Sam – saying that a lot of the big influences are from Dan just writing a lot of the new tracks and experimenting a lot more with the drums and the beats and just getting better Joe – I mean we didn’t usually do much of the writing before but for the last year or so he has been working a lot more on his drums alone and try to bring that in. So we try to work around the drums instead of the drums working around the guitars and stuff , that changed the sound a lot .

Dan – and I stopped listening to limp biscuit and started listening to “The Acacia Strain”, you know limp biscuit to acacia strain was a big BIG thing for me ( said with his tongue firmly rammed in his cheek ) Sam – Ill Nino got crossed off the influences list too Dan – And then “After the Burial” came in I went …. Ahhh we though, that’s how you right music is it !!!

Ben - it was more like a collective effort and everyone was a bit more , I mean I don’t know about “A Flood Upon Us “ but I mean everyone was more open about what they did like and what they didn’t like with the new songs Dan – You’re right there, it was quite simply before it was very much like there were a few people that we focus

but thei

Joe – that

Ben on t the n them toge the o song olde flood reco like

Dan A Flo Dest can the d now our next wan

WH ACH DAT Sam city the ti AMA

Joe – play mot impr well

Matt

In a band? Want to be featured as part of next month’s ‘INTRODUCING’ article? Contact us at ‘zoe_stewart@hotmail. com’, subject header ‘WASTED! Magazine - INTRODUCING’ now!

know it seems like everyone has ir own part in it

– I think the other major thing is t we all got better musicians

AND SO MUCH MORE!

CHASING CADENCE

FLUORESCENT HEARTS open for “ The Acacia Strain” was big , ok it didn’t happen due to some complications with the promoter at the last minute but we got put on that bill .

– its weird kinda looking back the older songs compared to newer songs, when we play m live you can kinda fit them all ether a bit better which give us option to pick and choose what gs we would rather do of the er stuff, some of the songs off “a d upon us “have at least some ognition of YouTube and stuff that .

Joe - that is by far the highlight so far, I didn’t happen but it still is a highlight that we got put on that bill.

(Sam – I have still got the screen grab on my computer)

n – I think if you listen to “ ood Upon Us “ and then “ troyer of Worlds “ I think you tell that we are starting to hit direction we wanna be going w and we feel like we have found niche and were hoping that our t release is gonna be where we nt to be .

Sam – we turned up and it looked like it was gonna THE shittest gig cause it was literally in a stone built chapel probably the size of a normal persons living room , it was absolutely mental – some kid was bleeding from his face .

AT IS YOUR BIGGEST HIEVEMENT AS A BAND TO TE? m – for me playing a gig a rock was a highlight for me, at time it was like ITS FUCKING AZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

– playing with bigger bands, we yed a couple of gigs with “sacred ther tongue” which was quite ressive, “ bury tomorrow “ as l.

tt – I suppose as well the gig to

Ben – obviously I have only been in the band for just over a year, when I first joined we played the chapel in chesterfield which was pretty fucking mental.

our biggest accomplishment.

How can Joe Public gain access to your music/merch?

Anywhere on the internet, Big Cartel, YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, Facebook ,at our gigs – we are always giving away our EP, mediafire.com , come to our houses, just ask us for our addresses, give us a bell , send us an email , come stay over we will cook ya dinner , YouTube …. Has anyone mentioned YouTube, check out our Facebook page for the links to our free downloadable EP.

What have “with silent eyes got planned for 2013?

FOREVER AFTER

Sam – Recording, playing as many shows/weekenders as possible.

Joe – another achievement is getting people around the world ordering cd’s, there’s a kid in Sweden that’s bought everything we have released, it means a lot to us.

Dan – looking to record one song properly and get a video done for that, see how that goes down.

Ben – we have played some shows to quite small crowds, we played Middlesbrough it was a pretty big venue and there wasn’t that many people there but the fact the people did give some kind of a shit, and then getting people asking for the EP even though we were giving it away for free and getting feedback on it was great. Basically people giving a shit is

Dan – play some shows, do some shit, have a wank, argue …… the usual .

Joe – releasing a single if all goes well

Have “With Silent Eyes” got any last words for the wasted readers ?

Matt: “If you have been bothered to read all this then cheers and come to a show if you like us or not, either way you can still kick Sam’s teeth in

THAT NIGHT FORESTS GREW

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, WHO ARE YOU? “[We are] Crashgate for those who don’t know us, ‘welcome’ and to those that do ‘woop magazine feature’. We come from a small town called Deal in the South East and love what we do from writing, performing and getting the amazing feedback we do from fans. Craig our lead singer is a well established solo artist but this defiantly brings his more bad, aggressive and energetic side out. As for the rest of the band there is Keeler, our drummer, who has been with the band since the very early days with myself and Craig and we have worked endlessly keeping the rhythm part of the songs as tight, catchy and interesting as possible.

Myself, Shaun being the Bass player again working very closely with Keeler for that tight rhythm that ties songs together. Brian and Toby who are the guitarists, who it took a little while at the very beginning but we found two committed and amazing lads to fill the slots of guitarist and are now both well into being in the band over a year and will continue with us on our journey together. There is no specific lead or rhythm guitarist as they both share these jobs in the writing and split everything for who would work that part of the song in a better or more interesting way. All in all we’ve been going as a band for 2 years in March and this is what its all been towards and working

for, an album that we can all be proud of that gets music into everyone’s ears to appreciate and in general be happier.”

DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND TO A FIRST TIME LISTENER? “We generally tell people our genre is Heavy Rock similar to Nickleback but at times can be seen to take influence from bands such as Godsmack, A Perfect Circle, Staind and Seether and Black Stone Cherry with our own twists on vocals, melodic guitar riffs and pounding drum and bass combinations.”

WE HEAR YOU’VE RECENTLY RELEASED AN E.P, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THAT? “We recently released our debut E.P at the beginning of October which has received great review from fans, its been played on a lot of local and regional radio stations also a couple of international stations. It was quite a long process for our first E.P but we got there and it is now available on most digital retail outlets so go check it out or have a listen at reverbnation. com/crash gate . We also recorded and released our Debut Music Video for our song B.O.B. off the E.P which we are all very happy with and is available to view on our Youtube.

We returned to the studio at the end of November 2012 to start recording on our Album with the amazing Olly Craggs of Hidden

Track Studios in Folkestone. We would say we have defiantly grown as a band more although still keeping it fun and are more like an organic entity, growing and adapting to new things and learning constantly. The album is now ready and will be released at our Album Launch on the 15/03/2013 at The Astor Community Theatre in Deal, Kent. We have chosen the name ’Crude Jokes, Death Notes and Unicorns’ which in the simplest way is us describing our lives up till recent in which a lot of things can be or look like a fairy tale and amazing but in reality its full of a lot of foul play and underhand occurrences. We have a lot of promotion going out for this including an Album Teaser Video on our Youtube and we have released the single of the Album ‘As One’ to a few Radio Stations to get the ball rolling.

Keep an eye out.”

YOU’RE RUNNING A HUGE SUMMER FESTIVAL OF YOUR OWN, WHO WOULD BE PLAYING & WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED? “With there being such a variety of taste between us as a band we chose three each as a line-up which included The Offspring, In Flames, Nightwish, Godsmack, The Original Guns and Roses, Nickleback, Led Zeppelin, Alterbridge, Van Halen, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Rammstein and Five Finger Death Punch and just as a pun to

ourselves we’d call it Crashgate Festival with a similar running to that of Download Festival who we are all big fans of and enjoy going every year.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST EVER GIG? “As our current line-up we let Toby have the floor as the newest member of Crashgate in which his first show was at Blue Sky Pie Battle of the Bands in Folkestone, Kent in which we played against a few other local bands and unfortunately didn’t win but gave us a real boost in pushing harder then ever to do what we enjoy. Not that anything embarrassing happened but the feedback from people there was all positive and we all felt like we had put on an amazing show although all of us being physically knackered after.”

HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY HORRIFICALLY EMBARRASSING MOMENTS ON STAGE? “Not quite sure if we ever found them embarrassing but there have been plenty of times things haven’t quite went to plan including times when cables have come loose during shows, strings snapping, being so drunk that you forgot the opening part to one of your own songs and shared kit not quite being what you were hoping for instance a highhat stand that would not stand up. Even with these things happening we still pulled off some

awesome shows and got amazing reviews and reactions from the crowd.”

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT AS A BAND TO DATE? “As a band we would say Headlining Capel Rock festival earlier this year. It was an amazing vibe from the crowd especially a couple of guys at the front who did not stop banging their heads as well as a lass who decided that it was warm enough to get her top off (being it was 10pm and freezing). The shout for an encore at the end also filled us with so much warmth just for how much the crowd loved what we did, it really means a lot to hear that for any band I’m sure but for us that was like a personal thank you from every fan there.

Also our Album is a massive achievement to us, being that of how much it cost us in total with all the added extras and that it is us as we are with no gimmicks.”

YOU’VE OBVIOUSLY SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER, HAVE THERE EVER BEEN ANY SCRAPS BETWEEN BAND MEMBERS? “Not that I’m aware of to date but its been close on occasions, I think were more like a family in regards to disagreements and arguments in the way that we will shout and abuse the hell out of each other but all it takes

is one of us to crack a joke or take the piss and were laughing our heads off about it. Like siblings having digs at each other and then hugging and making up after, definitely a give and take relationship always bouncing back.”

IF YOU HAD TO GO INTO THE DRAGON’S DEN & SELL YOUR BAND, HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT IT? “‘Get my Cock out and slap Theo Paphitis in the face’ joking aside, seriously we would turn up play our best and loud as we could giving it our all and if they didn’t like us then we would probably take a leaf out of the book of bands like The Who, Rolling Stones or Sex Pistols.”

THEY SAY YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY. TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE, MOST USELESS FACT? “After much thought we decided to simply go with ‘Honey Jack Daniels makes a great mouthwash’ although ’The sole of your foot is the same in length to that of your inside forearm’ came a close second.”

WE’RE NOT GRACED WITH MANY OF THEM, BUT WHICH LADY IN MUSIC ARE YOU CRUSHING ON? “A majority vote between us came out with Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies being top of the pile with talk also of Hayley Williams of

“

WE MAY , L U F I T U A E B E B T O N BUT BY FUCK, WE ROCK Paramore, Amy Lee of Evanesence and Christina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil. All of them being amazing women but something about a female bassist being an added twist to her.”

WHAT IS THE MOST LISTENED TO TRACKS ON YOUR IPOD’S AT THE MOMENT? “After much searching each of us came up with our individual song with Craig being Deep by Pearl Jam, Toby- Rebel Love Song by Black Veil Brides, ShaunBurn it to the Ground by Nickleback, RichardThe Story so Far by Quicksand and Brian- New Beginnings by Finch.”

IF YOU COULD BE ANY OTHER BAND FOR THE DAY, WHO WOULD YOU BE & WHY? “As a band we would have to stay local and go with our friends in Feed The Rhino who have worked so hard to get where they are and enjoy everything they do. Being where they are as a band would be an amazing achievement for us and this is why we would have to be them for the day. Especially

”

as our album will be being recorded by the Bassist Oz Craggs who is a good friend of ours and a well respected musician from our area.”

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE BAND TO PLAY WITH SO FAR? “I think we would have to go with a show we played at Margate’s Westcoast Bar in which we supported two amazing bands called Orestas from Guildford and Callous who were both amazing bands and really friendly as well, also supporting Unearth and Malefice again at the same venue was an awesome show. Sometimes its very hard to pick out a singular show that was our favourite and even harder to pick a singular band.”

SO GUYS AFTER ALL THAT, WHAT’S NEXT ON THE AGENDA? “Well over the next couple of months we have plans of playing as many shows as possible after our album launch to get it out there to as many people as possible, this will probably be our next year taken

up to be honest as well as being confirmed to play the new upcoming festival Alt-Fest in 2014 and in talks with a few other festivals at the moment.

There is the potential for a summer E.P but that is as and when we can find the time as yet, so it’s a maybe.”

HAVE YOU GOT ANYTHING TO SAY TO THE W! READERS? “Anyone new to us give us a listen and hit us up at www.crashgateofficial.com, facebook. com/crashgateofficial, youtube.com/crashgate, reverbnation.com/crash gate, www.crashgate. bigcartel.com and give us as much feedback as you can, have a chat with us and share us with your friends and family. Don’t forget go check out our new album and no matter where you are we will be coming to find you. ‘We might not be beautiful but by fuck we rock’. Many Thanks and much love from the Crash boys - Shezz \m/, Roche xD, Toby, B-ry and Kee

Images by: Photolion

SARAH Q UINN

TELL US THE WEIRDEST FACT ABOUT YOURSELF? “Only pick one!?

I guess, being able to put my foot behind my head is a good one.”

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INTO ALTERNATIVE MODELLING & HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT IT? “A lot of people told me I wasn’t pretty enough, that I’d never be able to do it, so I wanted to prove them wrong. I joined a few websites and got in touch with a lot of people, it’s pure dedication.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

“I work at GAME, I’m a massive nerd and proud!

I play my Xbox the majority of the time that I’m not working or booking shoots, at the moment, I’m mad on Bioshock.”

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FAVOURITE BAND/STYLE OF MUSIC? “Billy Talent, always Billy Talent, their lyrics are so powerful and meaningful to me.”

WHAT WAS THE BEST LIVE SHOW YOU’VE BEEN TO & WHY? “That’s tough, I wanna say Billy Talent, but Motley Crue were insane.”

WE FIND YOU PASSED OUT IN YOUR

BEEN

TOWN CENTRE, DRUNK OUT OF YOUR TROLLEY ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN & WHAT HAVE YOU

DRINKING? “House party, standard Friday night and I was on either JD or Malibu or cocktails, actually, most likely cocktails, those delicious bastards.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FUNNIEST DRUNKEN MOMENT? “Honestly, I don’t remember anything when I’m drunk, all I remember is trying to grab the stars

out of the night sky… Yeah.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY UNUSUAL HABITS OR HOBBIES? “What’s usual to me

is probably unusual to others, however, things I like to eat are weird, like Grapes and ketchup, don’t care how gross it sounds, it’s great, that or peas and salt, matter of fact, anything with salt.

HOTTEST PERSON IN MUSIC? Now that’s a bastard of a question.

Rob Damiani is gorgeous, however, Synyster Gates is pretty perfect, but then there is Cristina Scabbia,

God damn.

WHAT IS YOUR CLAIM TO FAME? Lead singer of Cancer Bats punched me in the face, it wasn’t awesome.

GIVE US YOUR BEST CHAT UP LINE? Roses are red Violets are blue I have a knife Get in the van.

IF YOU WERE A FLAVOUR OF ICE

CREAM, WHAT WOULD YOU BE & WHY? Coconut, exotic, soft… haha nah I’m kidding, I’d be coconut so I could eat myself, that really is the only reason I have.

Images by: Photolion

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS TIME? Probably still gaming like a top nerd hopefully writing gaming reviews, ch’yeah.

“I USED TO HAVE A PHOBIA OF CRISPS!” when people do the ‘I’ve got your nose’ thing, like genuine terror. I always push it back into place because otherwise, I feel wonky.”

ELYE ANNE SOPHIA DISGRACE

DO YOU HAVE ANY UNUSUAL HABITS OR HOBBIES? “I go fucking nuts

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FAVOURITE BAND/STYLE OF MUSIC? “I normally love hardcore and metal but right now I’m obsessed with Die Antwoord!”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FUNNIEST DRUNKEN MOMENT? When I was in the binge drinking days I got thrown (literally), out of a local gig by a lady dwarf bouncer.

TELL US THE WEIRDEST FACT ABOUT YOURSELF? “I’m crazy flexible and my elbows are double jointed!”

WHAT WAS THE BEST LIVE SHOW YOU’VE BEEN TO & WHY? “Alice Coopers Halloween 2012 London show-i was an ‘Official Zombie for Alice’ at the show and got to meet him before the gig!”

WE FIND YOU PASSED OUT IN YOUR TOWN CENTRE, DRUNK OUT OF YOUR TROLLEY ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN & WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DRINKING? “Jack Daniels and copious amounts of red wine.”

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR INK? “I’m always adding to my ink. I love each bit individually - which is lucky as I’m kind of stuck with it now! My artist is Brad at Sims Tattoos, SE London.

He’s very talented and would never go to any other artist now I’ve found him.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY UNUSUAL HABITS OR HOBBIES? “Honing my circus skills for my performance routines, y’know, a bit of fire eating, walking on broken glass the usual shit!”

Visit our Tumblr to catch the full interviews with the girls!

CHRmIS fro

“

I’d love h t i w r u o to t d n a t o n ipk l S e k i l d ’ e w t u bands h, b t l i F f o so , m e Cradle h t r o f g n i n to be ope m e h t eg b t s u j I’d r. u o t n o take us

“

EVEN WITH THE METALCORE/ HARDCORE BASE, THE NEWER RELEASE DEFINITELY SOUNDS MUCH MORE INDUSTRIAL INFLUENCED, REASONS FOR THAT? Its pretty much just more so what we wanted to do, with Creatures it was experimenting with the scarier, darker stuff with some industrial stuff mixed in there too, but not as much as we really wanted to do. I think its mostly because we didn’t really know how to write that stuff, where as now we’re way more experienced and much more knowledgeable of how to do that sorta stuff. This is just a product of experience and wanting to put more of this kinda stuff out there, trying to incorporate so many of our influences into one record.

DO YOU GUYS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE PLAYING THE NEW STUFF LIVE, OR DO YOU STILL HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR CREATURES? Yeah, were totally over the old stuff now, there are some stuff off Creatures that I still enjoy playing, mostly like, the crowd favourites, just because the crowd makes it. But yeah, I think its kinda just for any band, getting sick of playing your old shit and all you wanna do is play your new songs.

DO YOU THINK THERE’S GOING TO BE A NATURAL PROGRESSION FOR YOU GUYS, TO MOVE MORE AND MORE AWAY FROM METALCORE, OR IS IT STILL INTEGRAL? I don’t really think we’ll move away from our style of metalcore, I mean were really heavily influenced by the early 2000’s scene of metalcore, rather than like the newer stuff, so we’re always gonna incorporate that into our songs, but we’re just trying to do bigger and better things and if that means pulling that style a little bit to write a bigger, better song well, that’s what we’re about, to try and show what we can do rather than just playing the same shit over and over.

WITH DUAL INFLUENCE FROM JASON

SUECOF AND TIM SKOLD TO HELP PRODUCE INFAMOUS, HOW DID THEIR INVOLVEMENT SHAPE THE SOUND OF THE ALBUM? Tim, very heavily, the sound of the songs that he helped produce were very Tim Skold, he definitely bought this whole new aesthetic and just shaped the sound overall, just how the songs worked out.

Jason, not as strongly because, his sound is more from what we were used to, in the metalcore sound so it wasn’t really as much of a collaborative record as it was with Tim, Jason was more; why don’t we try this and why don’t we do this.”

NOW YOU’RE ON THIS WITH ASKING ALEXANDRIA, HAS THE RESPONSE OF THE BEEN TO THE NEW STUFF

TOUR HOW FANS LIVE?

Yeah, its been good so far, I mean we’ve only played, like, 3 or 4 shows and all of them have been great, so not a lot of people now the newer songs yet and there’s only one or two people like, know. I mean the records still new, and its our first time over here with it, so I’ll give it some time.

HOW IS IT TO BE BACK IN THE UK AGAIN? Yeah, we did a headliner in September and that was amazing but I was so sick that it kinda just ruined it for me, the shows were great and it was awesome to see sold out shows for our headliner but I was just so fucking sick that I couldn’t really just enjoy it so to be back here without having any problems, is just awesome.

JUST HARPING BACK QUICKLY TO THE DAYS OF THE “IMMACULATE CONCEPTION” VIDEO, ARE YOU STILL GETTING THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN HATE YOU DID BACK THEN? Not so much any more really, there’s always gonna be those people that write us off for whatever reason, there hasn’t been a lot since the video came out, it

EVEN WITH THE METALCORE/ HARDCORE BASE, THE NEWER RELEASE DEFINITELY SOUNDS MUCH MORE INDUSTRIAL INFLUENCED, REASONS FOR THAT? Its pretty much just more so what we wanted to do, with Creatures it was experimenting with the scarier, darker stuff with some industrial stuff mixed in there too, but not as much as we really wanted to do. I think its mostly because we didn’t really know how to write that stuff, where as now we’re way more experienced and much more knowledgeable of how to do that sorta stuff. This is just a product of experience and wanting to put more of this kinda stuff out there, trying to incorporate so many of our influences into one record.

DO YOU GUYS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE PLAYING THE NEW STUFF LIVE, OR DO YOU STILL HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR CREATURES?

“

...everyth ing I hear is just the sam eo recycled ld shit o over from ver and band to band...

“

Pictures by Jake Owens Words by Chris Chandler

Yeah, were totally over the old stuff now, there are some stuff off Creatures that I still enjoy playing, mostly like, the crowd favourites, just because the crowd makes it. But yeah, I think its kinda just for any band, getting sick of playing your old shit and all you wanna do is play your new songs.

DO YOU THINK THERE’S GOING TO BE A NATURAL PROGRESSION FOR YOU GUYS, TO MOVE MORE AND MORE AWAY FROM METALCORE, OR IS IT STILL INTEGRAL? I don’t really think we’ll move away from our style of metalcore, I mean were really heavily influenced by the early 2000’s scene of metalcore, rather than like the newer stuff, so we’re always gonna incorporate that into our songs, but we’re just trying to do bigger and better things and if that means pulling that style a little bit to write a bigger, better song well, that’s what we’re about, to try and show what we can do rather than just playing the same shit over and over.

T REL TO BE OUT TH SAID IT CAL BAB CRÜE A That’s n song ha genre an ble to Som t

C No mea song the in chorus None of

WITH THIS NEW LEASE DUE E COMING HIS YEAR, YOU T WAS THE MUSIBY OF MÖTLEY AND SLIPKNOT? not true anymore. Every as a completely different nd style, so its impossidescribe how it sounds. me real blues songs on there, some more rock and roll songs, some metal songs, some metalcore songs.

core music, so you won’t really hear that come into it.

YOU GUYS REALLY LOVE YOUR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL AND YOUR CLASSIC METAL, SO HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DID THAT SORT OF MUSIC HAVE ON YOUR WRITING? THE SINGLE YOU Yeah, 100%, I mean, however RELEASED A WHILE BACK, RUN FREE, SAW much we don’t play the music that we’re inspired by, it is still YOU MOVING AWAY what inspires us, we just kinda do FROM WHAT IS A our own thing with it.

MORE TYPICAL STYLE OF METALCORE, MAYBE SO YOU RELEASED YOUR WITH A BIT OF HARDSHORT FILM LAST YEAR “SIN CORE INFLUENCE? AND SELF-DESTRUCTION” TRYo, not at all. Its more, I ING TO PROJECT THE LIFE OF an structurally its how gs should be written, with A NEW-AGE ROCK STAR, WHAT ntro, verse, chorus, verse, WAS YOUR REASONING BEs, bridge, outro structure. HIND IT? That was just, what our life was, f us really listen to hard-

what we were doing and what we were going through. It was a honed rendition of what was going on in our real lives, baring in mind that it was all “Hollywoodised” and it switched around parts of the story, but yeah.

HOW HEALTHY DO YOU GUYS FEEL THE BRITISH METALCORE AND HARDCORE SCENE IS? I mean, this is our third full UK headline tour and we just sold out the Brixton Academy, not anyone can achieve that.

One of

the bigger venues in the rock world, so it can’t be hurting so much.

YOU GUYS ARE FILMING A LIVE DVD HERE TONIGHT, AT

Images: Jake Owens Interview: Chris Chandler

BRIXTON, WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HERE? I mean, its just an incredible venue. Its just beautiful and the sound that you get here is incredible, we got good support, so it sorta made sense and plus we got pyro with us!

HOW MUCH DOES IT MEAN TO YOU GUYS TO BE PLAYING DOWNLOAD AGAIN THIS YEAR? It’s awesome. I mean we played there a few years ago which was intense with just thousands and thousands of people but this time were taking on the main stage I mean, that’s 40,000 to 80,000 people compared to how many people there were in the tent, so yeah it’s gonna be a lot of fun, gonna see some people we haven’t seen in a while.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM ASKING ALEXANDRIA GOING FROM THIS NEW ALBUM? Well, obviously this albums going to come out, then theres just gonna be more touring, there really is nothing else for us to do. Its all tour and record, tour and record.

“

HOWEVER MUCH WE D ON’T PLAY THE MUSIC T HAT WE’RE INSPIRED BY , IT IS STILL WHAT INSPI RES US, WE JUST KIND OF DO OUR OWN THING WITH IT

”

ALTERNATIVE MUMS Having a child can be a nerve-wracking and whirlwind experience. By the time you have got your head around nappies, child-birth and the mind bending array of equipment you need, thinking about how your lifestyle choices and the way you look might have an impact on your child, is probably the last thing on your mind.

well-adjusted five year old, it seems many of the adults we regularly come into contact with have degenerated into playground bullies. It seems I am not the only one. Alternative parents everywhere are feeling this discrimination. I talked to a range of parents who for many reasons, do not conform to society’s view of normal parents to find out what their experiences have However this is just the situ- been. ation I found myself in four years ago when I had my son Hendrix. Even from the very moments I gave birth on the Labour Ward, it was clear that I was very different from the other Mums. With THE my pastel hair colour, facial piercings and very tattooed skin I tend to stand out from a crowd. But I never expected adults to be so judgemental and rude just because of the way I looked.

On a euphoric high after the miracle of childbirth, I tried not to let the blatant funny looks and hushed voices affect me but it really put a dampener on the whole experience and that overnight stay in hospital was the loneliest of my life.

It is an experience which has continued in the last five years. While my son has grown into a beautiful,

TOTALLY TATTOOED MUM – SAMANTHA SORCI I think being an “alternative” mum has made no major difference to me. As Loki is my first I didn’t know what to expect at all and having tattoos hasn’t had a bearing on anything.

While I was still pregnant I got the usual disbelief from the nurses taking my blood when I didn’t want to see the needle go in.... “Ooh, but you’re covered in tattoos, how can you be bothered by needles?” But I’ve never been tattooed with a bigass needle that drains my blood so it’s really not comparable!

After Loki popped (!) out I was concerned that I might not “fit in” at baby groups but I’ve since realised no-one really looks at the mums, it’s all about the babies, so that was more in my head than in reality.

In some instances it has been a handy thing, looking a little different, as it seems that I’m quite easy to strike conversation up

THE FUNKY DRESS DESIGNER – CLARE LOLA CHERRY For starters, I should probably get

it out there that I don’t really consider myself “alternative.” I don’t like the whole labelling thing but I know I tick all the boxes and it is just easier sometimes. When you look different, people seem to think

with, people just talk tattoos!

This is a bonus for me as I’m quite shy when meeting new people and if they make the first move to chat I find it much easier to handle.

Being alternative has also had no impact on daily mum life.... I still feed my baby, clean his poop, wear his vomit and change his clothes about 19,000 times a day!

I do wish I could buy more alternative outfits for the boy but I have been able to kit his buggy out with some cool skull and crossbones accessories so at least he travels in style.

I guess the only difference it has made is on where I take him. His first big away day was to a tattoo convention, and I’m sure he’ll be going to many more as the years go by. But I can’t wait until he’s old enough for Legoland and Disney World, and you can’t get more traditional than that!

that it gives them the right to comment on your appearance far more freely than they might do normally. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been told I’d be “pretty if it wasn’t for all the crap in my face” or asked if I think I’ll regret my tattoos when I’m old (how bored is everyone with tattoos of that question?) by complete strangers. The negative experiences I’ve had based on my appearance as a parent though tend to be more subtle.

I was a child of an alternative parent myself. My mum was the front woman in a punk band. She had spiked coloured hair and wore miniskirts and fishnets to pick me up from school. A lot of the mums were downright rude and offensive to her and I was hounded constantly by kids

saying “your mum is a punk rocker” as if it was an insult.

I didn’t really get it. But one of the children once said that my mum was a prostitute. I went home and asked my Nan what that meant. I doubt very much any seven year old knew the real meaning of the word and suspect it far more likely it was something they’d heard from a parent.

Knowing that it had been an issue for me at school I was nervous that how I looked would have a negative effect on my little girl when she started school but I didn’t think changing who I was would be sending the right message either. Fairly recently we moved house to what is considered a nicer area and the school is higher up in the league tables. In the first few months only one of the parents actually spoke to me. No one said anything but the disapproving looks were very thinly veiled. I thought perhaps I was being paranoid. I tried making eye contact and smiling which resulted in eyes quickly being cast to the floor.

One mum in particular seems to have taken a special dislike to me. On one occasion as my daughter and I were waiting in line to hand in some goods for a charity stall at the school she was coming in the opposite direction.

She literally pushed her way through the middle of us and kept going. No “excuse me”, nothing, just pushed us out of the way like we weren’t there. I was too shocked to say or do anything. I couldn’t believe anybody could be that rude. The sad fact is that she obviously genuinely believes that because of the way I look that behaviour was acceptable.

It’s coming up for three years since she started this school now and over time most people seem to have accepted that I don’t eat babies or will be trying to sneak their children bottles of vodka at the gate, but that one particular mum has never yet made eye contact with me.

On the whole I haven’t had a lot of bad experiences as a parent based on how I look. Some people do still seem to think that if you have tattoos or green hair then you are obviously far too wild to possibly have children, and that if you do then you are a terrible parent.

These people are just ignorant and narrow minded and I try not to waste my time with them but I do think it’s a shame that 30 years on some of the attitudes that affected my mum are still alive and kicking.

THE MAGAZINE EDI-

TOR MUM OF FIVE –NESS HAY Being an alt mum is hard to comment on, as in all honesty I have never really considered myself alternative, more “not quite normal.”

I never wanted to be described as normal, even from a small age. Generally I disliked the usual fashion and very often just dressed my way. I shopped in charity shops just so no one would have the same, and it was cheaper. I just wear what I like and always have. My family has many tales from when I have tried out a new image, hair style, colour of hair and they usually results in my Mum saying “You have always been bloody odd!”

Being a parent to five sons, I am aware that at school events, I do look a little different. My older sons have been known to say “Will you dress a bit normal for

Parent’s Evening.” I have to admit I do have an edgy style. With both arms adorned with tattoo sleeves and nine visible head area piercings.

Being a very positive person I always find happiness and fun in anything that is said about my tattoos. Even if it is said in a negative way I usually get a laugh out of it. My college tutor used to say that I cheered people up as I often dress in a profusion of colours!

My experiences have mostly been positive. Possibly the only negative thing could be that my work is not viewed by some as a “proper job”. I love every minute of it and love the people I work with so again, why worry about words?

To my sons I am just Mum, they never tell their friends what job I do as who wants to brag about their mum? They just say I am a funny odd mum and a bit nuts but cool. I can’t ask for more than that.

THE ALTERNATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER – BEKAH ‘TWISTED PIX’ BAKER

THE MAGAZINE EDITOR MUM OF FIVE –NESS HAY Being an alt mum is hard to comment on, as in all honesty I have never really considered myself alternative, more “not quite normal.”

I never wanted to be described as normal, even from a small age. Generally I disliked the usual fashion and very often just dressed my way. I shopped in charity shops just so no one would have the same, and it was cheaper. I just wear what I like and always have. My family has many tales from when I have tried out a new image, hair style, colour of hair and they usually

Since my daughter hit about eight years old, she has been bullied because of the way I look. “Your mum is a Goth. Why does she look like that?” General teasing etc…Kids will always find something to be cruel about, but she’s proud to have someone alternative as her mum.

She loves my crazy hair colours, my tattoos and piercings and my quite unconventional style. Trying to ‘defend’ me just makes it worse and she finds it very hard to deal with.

My son also loves the fact I’m not mainstream!

My partner has had issues because of how he looks. When his daughter was small he fell down stairs while carrying her, breaking her leg. At the hospital the doctors treated him with contempt because of his appearance; despite being an obviously doting

father, beside himself because of the injury. The doctors basically accused him of abuse. It’s a horrible thing to experience!

Our kids are

pretty laid back about our lifestyle. My stepson is completely indifferent: I don’t think he even notices! My stepdaughter tends to cringe and berate her dad every time she sees him in New Rocks, or with a new piercing. Apparently parents are meant to be grownups, ha, ha.

results in my Mum saying “You have always been bloody odd!”

Being a parent to five sons, I am aware that at school events, I do look a little different. My older sons have been known to say “Will you dress a bit normal for Parent’s Evening.” I have to admit I do have an edgy style. With both arms adorned with tattoo sleeves and nine visible head area piercings.

Being a very positive person I always find happiness and fun in anything that is said about my tattoos. Even if it is said in a negative way I usually get a laugh out of it. My college tutor used to say that I cheered people up as I often dress in a profusion of colours!

THE ATHEIST VEGETARIANS WHO ONLY WANT THE ONE – GILL HOFFS I remember when we were on the point of checking out of the maternity ward after having our son, the nurses mentioned that they’d steered clear and been a bit frightened of me. Why? Because while I was breastfeeding my son, the dozens of tattoos I have were on show.

My experiences have mostly been positive. Possibly the only negative thing could be that my work is not viewed by some as a “proper job”.

I love every minute of it and love the people I work with so again, why worry about words?

To my sons I am just Mum, they never tell their friends what job I do as who wants to brag about their mum? They just say I am a funny odd mum and a bit nuts but cool. I can’t ask for more than that.

Never mind that I was shell-shocked, exhausted, shy at the best of times, to them I was marked as different and different is never good.

We are quiet, hardworking, affectionate parents who dote on our five year old. We don’t swear in front of our child, smack him, or ever let him feel less than adored. Apparently, because we are vegetarian atheists who only ever wanted the one, it’s okay to pull faces and make comments. Apparently, it’s okay to openly judge.

A mum at the local children’s centre ‘found out’ we were atheist and raising our son as such. “I wouldn’t have thought that of you, Gill.” I felt like replying, “Sorry, I combed my hair over my horns that day - it makes it harder to tell, doesn’t it?”

Our families flat-out disagree with us raising our son as a vegetarian. “It’s not natural” “You’re not being fair to him” - “He’ll only eat meat when he’s older all the more, there’s no point you stopping him doing it now” - “You’re depriving him” - “He’ll feel dif-

ferent from all his friends and that’s not fair for him, I feel really sorry for him” - “If he has some ‘by mistake’ it won’t kill him” - “When he comes to stay with me, I’ll feed him bacon. I’ll make sure he gets the meat he needs” Are just some of the comments we have had. Supportive much?

As for our decision to ‘only’ have the one, a decision we had arrived at before we even met each other, according to family members and strangers we’re being “selfish”, “cruel”, and will surely change our minds on the matter. We do not go out of our way to pass comment on other people’s procreative habits, certainly not to their faces and in front of their children and have never asked strangers if they plan on having unprotected sex in the future. But because we rejoice in our son and have no desire for more, we attract insults. What is important is that we love our son to bits; that’s all that really matters.

Late in 2012 Element entertainment were born. Consisting of originally four members they have now expanded to a five piece group Maryanne Hall (Gothicarnie Wink), Laura Brock (Gemini), Charlotte Horne (Jinx), Sam Roche (Spitfire) and Simon Cochran (Sinister). The team doesn’t look to be stopping at 5 though! Sometimes collaborating with outside performers and more than willing to recruit members with a unique or freaky talent (though you’re gonna need more than the ability to touch your nose with your tongue).

Elements acts range from the twisted the hot and the raunchy including acts such as diverse fire shows, classical circus and freak shows, pole/cage/chair dancing. Classical and neo-burlesque shows and are learning new skills to bring to the table. The group

also offer their audience’s themed events like scare nights on Halloween for example.

All of the group have previously worked within similar groups in the past giving the members a good sense of what they’ve got, what they’re doing and where they wish to take it down the road. Past ventures within the members past groups have taught Element that having everyone on equal grounds with creative input and communicating and compromising is important and with all the team being good friends beforehand such fundamentals shouldn’t be hard to adhere to.

When asked what they believed would give them the edge over the other groups out there their response was

“We have a very wide range of skills between the 5 of us, however what makes us unique is the format of our shows. We don’t just put on a performance, we put on a visual experience. We have collaborated all of our skills into one big show, which includes a story line, characters and some daring stunts. To really appreciate the nature of our shows, you need to come see us in action!”

By the time this month’s magazine is out Element Entertainment would have performed alongside dubstep juggernauts modestep at koko in Camden and Planet Angel.

In addition, Silent Descent are releasing their latest music video very soon “Breaking the Space” which features Gothicarnie Wink and Gemini. Future performances so far will include the natives bike club in the summer and they

are the main attraction at New Ash Greens village day and with more enquiries being pencilled in already 2013 looks to be a very busy and exciting year which is great news for the team.

The group are looking forward to what the future holds hoping to get some good connections to take them futher while performing the way they’ve been wanting to for years. They all have one goal in mind “To develop even more daring skills and unique shows for all audiences and to continue working with other great performers across the country and maybe even the world!” and with such enthusiasm and heart like that I think it would be safe to say Element Entertainment will soon be everywhere before we know it.

Image: Martin Hobby Dan Elcombe

Elemen t Entertainment

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REVIEWS! Exist Immortal - Dream Sequence This is a concept record based on themes of violence, destruction and doom, as well as ideas surrounding a potential impending apocalypse. Cheery stuff. As well as spreading merriment and cheer like a tech-metal Father Christmas, these guys also like to make really solid fucking songs. Although keen to show off their impressive technical competence throughout the release, they vitally remember to forge memorable hooks and massive choruses wherever possible.

‘A Timeless Voyage’, gets things started with an intro that sounds like ‘Tubular Bells’ with a rocket stuffed up its arse.

Haunting synth creeps in slowly and is soon joined by an atmospheric string section and vocals. Intricate layers build constantly until it bursts into a giant, melodic wall of riff. This sets the tone for the rest of the mini-album in terms of its ultra-polished production and hugely technical musicianship.

The record continues to evolve with

Spawned from the heart of Bexley in 2010, post hardcore/punk quartet The Nameless are finally granting their fans with their currently unnamed debut EP. With an enticing introduction supported by the hollow thunder of tom-heavy drums and a hellraising guitar tone, you instinctively enter the album with one foot already tapping. But, introduction over, second track ‘Doubt Your Lies’ arouses some confusion as the chord progression appears nearidentical to the one executed in its predecessor. Vocally, ‘Doubt Your Lies’ is less pleasing with melodies that are more of a contrast than a compliment, but that bug bear is soon buried beneath the catchy guitar-work executed in the chorus.

tracks like ‘Grabbity Gravity’ providing a slick alternation between rabid growls and a smoother singing style, which achieves a sound similar to Bury Tomorrow. The drumming is fast-paced and enriched with double bass to follow suit with the aggressive intro, which then merges fluidly into the chorus with a more rhythmic feel.

‘Initiate’ offers more of a melodic approach entirely with focus shifting towards a prominent clean vocal. This track has all the makings of a single. It’s got a huge riff, gang backing vocals, and even a cheeky key change towards the end.

The final three tracks don’t falter in quality or brutality. Exist Immortal appear to discover Drop Z tuning in songs like ‘The Fracture’ and ‘Terminate’ as they reach new heights of heaviness, whilst final track ‘The Silence’ experiments more readily with emotive piano parts, synth and solos to create an epic outro which sounds like it really could be the soundtrack to the end of the world.

(8/10) - Connor Bryan

‘Exist’ is a great example of how the West London five-piece combine perfect ratios of sharp, erratic riffing with clean vocal melodies in arrangements not too dissimilar to bands like Monuments and Textures. It’s always a pleasant surprise to hear tuneful choruses shine through, even when placed over a groundwork of bafflingly complex guitars and double-kick.

The screams are executed comfortably; however it would be good to hear more variation with some vicious highs and deep guttural lows.

Third track ‘I Can’t Forgive’ initiates the construction of some muchneeded tension with a beefy introduction that truly pulls the heart of the EP out for show. It is just unfortunate that the rest of the songs seem to lack the vivacity and drive necessary to fuel that heart from start to finish. Although, other post hardcore bands need take note as The Nameless become one of the few to write a break down not dependent on open chord chugging. Diversely, as progressions continue, Track 4 is discovered to be the life of the EP which, structurally, is a little disappointing as it draws to a close just as you wish for it to continue.

Overall, all negativities must be cast aside when you acknowledge the

evident drive and commitment that exists in the veins of what this punk quartet currently have to offer.

There is a raw attitude supporting this EP that shows these boys aren’t shadowing who they are in order to please their listeners. It’s hard-hitting and straight forward; laid forth for you to either love or hate it, and nothing else.

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