In a few short months, All Time Low have departed from their virtually unheard of status in Australia, to become one of the most anticipated additions to the Soundwave festival in February. They will be arriving in this country as part of the all star Soundwave line-up including The Offspring, Incubus, Killswitch Engage and Motion City Soundtrack. Here to grace us with their pop-punk tunes in the wake of their first Australian release “So Right, It’s Wrong,” their live show is sure to bring their quirky humour and catchy tunes, proving their potential as the up and coming lovable band of this generation.
Lead Singer and guitarist Alex Gaskarth is ‘stoked’ for his first trip to the other side of the world with fellow band members Zack Merrick on bass, Rian Dawson banging the drums and Jack Barakat, with his role as guitarist. ‘We want to do the stereotypical thing like see kangaroos. We’re really excited to just go over there. It’s a really crazy feeling exploring the world; we just wanna go…drink some beer.’
Just next month they will land in Brisbane to begin a couple of weeks of festival appearances and sideshows. To prepare for the trip Alex ensures they will be, ‘mediating a lot and wrestling with badgers, I hear that’s what you do over there. OK I just made all that up, we’re not really doing anything. We’re stoked about playing with Incubus, it’ll be fun to get over there and play with a familiar friend.’
All Time Low, known for there humour, love of meeting the fans and willingness to know the people that allow them to travel to around the world, can’t wait to see what the Australian people are all about. ‘We don’t know if we will be doing official signings, but we’ll be walking around meeting new people all day long, you can count on it! We’ve only toured Canada, the U.K and America…we’re just gonna say Australia’s our favourite country.’
Despite the recent announcement of side shows in Sydney and Melbourne, where they will play alongside The Starting Line, Plain White T’s and Socratic, it was never initially in the cards, with Alex enthusing they ‘have a few days off to explore…but we really want to just take full advantage and take the opportunity to play for the kids over there.’ All Time Low are no strangers to festivals, spending three months in ’07 on Warped Tour. They state that Australia’s Soundwave will be, ‘a lot more relaxed.’
When asked if All Time Low prefer performing at festivals or sideshows, Alex admits there’s no preference because, ‘both are really different, [festivals give] a chance for people who don’t know you to be introduced.’
As one of the bands whose music has just begun to reach the ears of Australians, there surely must be a pressure to prove themselves to our audiences. ‘Yeah, there is a pressure to prove ourselves, but if we get up there and play our best the fans will get it, than if we were to get up there and try too hard.’
For all those people who have missed out on a Soundwave ticket, or if you are one of the states missing out on a sideshow, Alex confesses that plans for shows in the next year or two haven’t been made. However, don’t get too disappointed because he quickly assures that, ‘hopefully we’ll be back sometime.’
With a departing note Alex reaches out to the punters giving the stern warning to ‘stay hydrated and watch out for Jack…he’ll come up behind you and take your pants off.’ In all seriousness, this band is dedicated to their art and gives a big, ‘Thank-you for listening to our music, we had no idea that we were even heard of over there so thanks we can’t wait to play for you guys.’ Festival goers are surely in for one heck of an entertaining treat this February.
All Time Low play Soundwave:
Saturday 23 Feb – Brisbane, Riverstage & Parklands
Sunday 24 Feb – Sydney Park
Friday 29 Feb – Melbourne Showgrounds
Saturday 1 March – Adelaide, Bonython Park
Monday 3 March – Steel Blue Oval, Perth
All Time Low sideshows with The Starting Line, Plain White T’s and Socratic:
Wednesday 27 February Gaelic Club, Sydney – Licensed All Ages
Thursday 28 February Prince of Wales, Melbourne – 18+
