From Autumn To Ashes
Daniel Powell talks with Long Island post-hardcore band From Autumn To Ashes when they play as part of Live At Leeds 2007
As a way of celebrating the 800th birthday of our fair city, someone had the frankly genius idea of having a full day, spread across many of the city's finest venues, dedicated solely to rocking out and having a good time. Not wanting to miss out, I gladly accepted the opportunity to visit Joseph's Well and get in on the action. I was also given the chance to interview a personal hero of mine, guitarist Brian Deneeve from Long Island post-hardcore band From Autumn to Ashes, who were headlining at the venue. After liaising with the band's tour manager and finding a quiet spot, I sat down with Brian to find out where his head was at.
Brian, the first and most obvious question I have to ask, what was it like recording an album [this year's 'Holding A Wolf by the Ears'] without your vocalist, Ben [who departed as the band were tracking the album]?
Well, we were kinda prepared for it this time, since Ben pretty much didn't show up for the last record [2005's 'Abandon Your Friends'], so we really saw it coming y'know? Fran [Mark, original drummer, now vocalist] had already written lyrics in case we got a repeat of last time, so it wasn't particularly difficult for us.
And how is Fran adapting to his new role as frontman?
He had already come up front for a few songs before so it was pretty easy for him, and like I say we were prepared, we freaked out for like 20 minutes but after that I guess we just dealt with it and carried on as usual.
Tell me about your new drummer, how is he fitting in to things?
Our new drummer is a guy called Jeff Gretz, he's an awesome dude, and he used to be in the band Zao, so he knows what it's all about.
And how has the tour been going for you?
This tour has been great, we're with some awesome bands, and it's just good because we were itching to get back out there y'know? We had so much time off we just wanted to get back out on the road.
What about from here, what are your plans after this?
After this tour is done, we have Download, then Europe, then when that's done we have like 3 days before we head out with Senses Fail in the States, then we're back home for like a week, then we head out in Japan, I think with Aiden, then we're back here doing Reading and Leeds, maybe some other stuff. I love it, if we can stay out on the road till Christmas that would be great.
Awesome! Tell me, are there any new bands out there lately that you're into, any tips for the future?
To be honest, we don't really listen to that much stuff within the scene y'know? Like when you're out all day playing and listening to people screaming their head off, you kinda don't wanna be then going back to the bus and listening to heavy music.
Although saying that, the band we're currently on tour with, Cry for Silence, are an excellent new British band, they're great.
Are there any other British artists you're into?
Like I said, we all listen to pretty mellow stuff, but British stuff, we like The Smiths, Joy Division, stuff like that, we're all pretty big Smiths fans!
And with that, the tape recorder clicks signalling the end of the interview. Walking back to the venue, Brian remarks that this will be his band's first appearance at this particular venue. I tell him it's basically just a pub, and still he says "we don't really care, it will be fun wherever it is". Good Stuff.
