Rockbeast.com Alter Bridge Fri 4 Mar 2005 A sold out Astoria goes wild Alter Bridge Myles Kennedy – Vocals/Guitar Mart Tremonti – Guitar/Vocals Brian Marshall – Bass Scott Phillips – Drums Alter Bridge Strolling onto the stage Alter Bridge received a rapturous applause as they picked up their instruments and got ready to rock. As the crowd surged forward Myles’ let loose with his powerful and emotional vocals that moved the Astoria and saw them singing every line at the top of their lungs. The passion, power and presence of every member of Alter Bridge hits you right in the face as they commanded every single person in the sold out Astoria with just a few words. You can’t get away from comparing Alter Bridge to Creed, they sound slightly similar but tonight Alter Bridge stepped up to the next level and showing the fans just how grateful they were for the outstanding response as Myles walked down towards the crowd and leaning into shake as many hands as possible within the first song. Alter Bridge Alter Bridge leave you feeling good after every track as their sound and stage show brings you to your feet to applaud every number. Leaving the stage for the first time the thunderous chants for more started roar through the Astoria before three stools were positioned at the front of the stage ready for the band to return and play ‘In Loving Memory’ which saw the crowd singing their hearts out along with the band. The band seemed so overwhelmed by this that Myles dropped his guitar at the end of the track and went to hug those pressed against the barrier. An Alter Bridge set cannot be complete without ‘Open Your Eyes’ and of course that’s what they delivered to the screaming Astoria. Alter Bridge tonight proved that they are one of the best in the world and deserve everything they get. Tonight Alter Bridge were another band to announce their slot at this year’s Download Festival, YES!!!! Interview www.rockbeast.com Alter Bridge Fri 4 Mar 2005 Songs, Festivals and fans Alter Bridge After being lead to the very top floor of the Astoria Rockbeast was lead into the dressing room I was greeted by a very sleeping looking Myles and Scott with Brain sitting away in the corner eating cookies. After Myles and Scott huddled round the Dictaphone the interview began. RB – Nice to see you back in the country, but why only two shows? Scott – Um, that would be a question not directed at us. I know were coming back in the Summer for some festivals. We going to come back for another two and a half weeks but were going through Europe, do Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria so I’m not quite sure why only the two shows but I can promise there will be more throughout the rest of this year. RB – Are any of you festival dates in the UK? Scott – I expect so, it’s not really up to us, so we let the higher powers at be sort all that out but we definitely want to play a UK festival. (We later find out from Myles they are playing this year’s Download Festival. Alter Bridge RB – So how was the show in Manchester last night? Scott – It was awesome (pause) Myles? Myles – Fantastic, yeah the crowd was great, rabid is the best way to describe it, the minute we walked out there, there was an energy that was undeniable. RB – From reading you biography on your website, you say that you are a very close band. Does this affect the writing of material and your performances? Scott – Yeah, I’m sure for any band where you have all the members who are relatively close the song writing process should become relatively easier. Also I think your live shows seem to reflect your friendships together (phone rings) GOD DAMN IT! I think people can pick up on the fact that everyone is having a lot of fun together where as with other bands who are put together to perform you can definitely see a difference and they don’t really form a friendship so the live shows are affected. RB – So what are the main inspirations behind your lyrics? Myles – Hmm I don’t know, a lot of it is a lot of day to day living, human conditions and how your feeling at that moment. I know a lot of lyrics on this record Mark wrote and a lot of the lyrics were based around his loses. His mother being the main one ‘In Loving Memory’, there are other tracks on the album which are his mantra so to speak one day remains is very a positive song and a reminder to live every day to the fullest and not F Up. Alter Bridge RB – We know you got your name from a bridge in Mark’s hometown in Detroit and it symbolizes the unknown and uncharted territory, what uncharted territory will Alter Bridge being going towards this year? Scott – Um Myles is sort of into cross dressing. Myles – Yeah Scott – Which is something he hasn’t done before. Brian is really excited about that, not sure about the rest of us. Brian – You will be supportive. Scott – What? Brian – YOU WILL BE SUPPORTIVE Scott – Yeah we will be supportive what ever he does. No I’m just kidding. I think with Alter Bridge is something very personal to Mark as none of us grew up in Detroit. That was the border for him where he could play up to but never cross Alter Bridge (phone makes a noise, pause…) We are kind of stepping into the unknown we’re leaving the world of Creed which was kind of cushy and comfortable and we knew there was a long term career there but we wanted to know what was on the other side of that bridge and wanting to cross over into the unknown and taking a chance and being happier than we ever were in our previous incarnation. Not speaking on behalf of Myles but this is sort of uncharted territory for all of us. So we are going to embrace it as much as we can. RB – So do you think having been in such a successful band before Alter Bridge you already had your first step on the ladder? Scott – Probably yeah, I’m sure there were relationships made that have been carried over into this band and people that we met along the way have been helpful. I think we learned a lot of good things to do and all the mistakes and hope not to make them again this time round. RB – Do you have any advice for young bands who are trying to make it? Scott – Duck tape, crowbar. Myles – Leather chaps Scott – Yeah Myles – Especially if you want to play here. Scott – Leather tassels for your bike, they tend to be really popular. Alter Bridge RB – So does this mean you are staying on after tonight’s show? Alter Bridge RB – So does this mean you are staying on after tonight’s show? Scott – No, we have to dodge, we’re off to Amsterdam. Myles – Mark was crying because he found out we had to leave. He just got so excited when he found out what was going on after the show. He thought he was going to get to do some dancing with the boys. Scott – It’s raining men is his favourite song. Myles – I was like Mark we have to leave, he was heart broken. Scott – All kidding aside, for up and coming bands I think you, A – believing in yourself B – good representation always helps and C – a good recording even if it was home made, something someone can take, pop it on the CD player and listen to it and it’s not just recorded with a single microphone stuck in the middle of the room. You don’t have to spend a million dollars on it, just find a buddy whose got a studio and can cut you a good rate and just knock out a few songs real quick so you have a CD you can hand to people. People come up to us all the time and give us demos, some of them are good, some of them are great and offers where you can tell they were really eager to get something out there but the quality of what your listening to you really have to have an open mind, if they had the right studio they could be good but it actually sounds like shit at that moment. Myles – At the end of the day it’s all about the songs, you could have the best recording in the world but if the songs aren’t then no one is going to pay any attention. The songs are the key. RB – Having travelled the world do you have any favourite places to play? Scott – Australia, I’ve been their a few times and it’s always been really cool. RB – Any reasons why? Scott – I love the water and every city in Australia seems to be focused on a harbour or on the ocean. The past couple of times I’ve been there is been summer time, so it was always nice to go to the beach and hang out. Nothing against the UK but it’s always cold and wet so it’s not that amazing. Alter Bridge RB – Your album has been out since September are you getting round to writing new material? Scott – Yeah as a matter of fact we were working on stuff today. We got probably another twelve or thirteen songs that are sort of being worked on at the end of ‘One Day Remains’ and I think a lot of those will get worked on and will probably get included in the new album. I know Mark and Myles are constantly writing. We will definitely be working on new stuff. RB – Will we be hearing any of it tonight? Scott – Not tonight, maybe next time through. RB – Is there anything you would like to add or plug before I leave you to it? Myles – I think there is a lot of things Scott would like to plug. All – Laughs Scott – Ah I knew that was coming, you fuck. Not really, were very happy to be coming over we are watching this thing grow and we want to nurture it for as long as possible.,