Ahead of their forthcoming UK jaunt, Planet Loud had a chat to Attack!Attack! to find out what it’s like to get your song on Guitar Hero..
Planet Loud – So, how’s things with Attack!Attack!?
Attack!Attack! – Things are totally awesome thanks.
Planet Loud – What have you been upto recently?
Attack!Attack! – We just got back from SXSW in Austin, Texas. We played a few shows out there which were really cool, got to see loads of bands, met some really nice people and got pretty drunk everyday. Good times!
Planet Loud – You’re back in the UK in May for a tour, looking forward to it?
Attack!Attack! – We cant wait! Touring is our favorite part of being in band! It seems like with every tour we do we get crazier crowds and more and more people singing the lyrics back at us which is an amazing feeling!
Planet Loud – As a band you’ve only been together a short time but things are picking up quite nicely for you. Are you surprised at what you’ve achieved so far?
Attack!Attack! – To be honest we didnt think for 1 second that things would have gone so good for us so soon. We were just 4 guys bored at home and decided to have a jam one day, 2 years later we have loads of gigs under our belts, released an album, have some amazing fans and are on the next Guitar Hero! It’s been a rollercoaster ride that we just don’t want to ever end!
Planet Loud – You’ve got a track appearing on an upcoming Guitar Hero game, how did that come about?
Attack!Attack! – Yes, a track called You And Me will be on the next game. We are over the moon. We won a listening session at the Midem Music convention which Guitar Hero/Activition hosted. It is flattering because we were up against so many great bands and the people who chose us are very experienced music industry guys and girls. It’s a game we all love as well so it’s a real honour for us.
Planet Loud – Are you big video games fans?
Attack!Attack! – Yes we are. To be honest I am a gaming geek. At home I have so many old school consoles and games. I have the Sega Master system and Megadrive, the NES, SNES and Nintendo 64. I think my favorite game is Super Mario Kart on the SNES, although the Wii version is pretty awesome too. I often race Attack!Attack! fans online, usually get beaten though.
Planet Loud – You also signed to Rock Ridge Music, how did that come about?
Attack!Attack! – Once we had finished the record our producer, Stuart, mailed someone he knew who happened to work for Rock Ridge Music. He told her that he had a great album he wanted her to hear. He sent it to her, she and the rest of the team there loved it and they offered us the deal.
Planet Loud – What are your plans in terms of going to America to tour?
Attack!Attack! – We did a few shows at SXSW in Texas last week and that has really given us the urge to want to go back to the US! We need to be patient though, our label have said it will happen but we need the time to be right. The tracks are being well received at US radio right now so it’s all looking positive for a speedy return.
Planet Loud – A couple of you had been in fairly successful bands before A!A!, any apprehentions about forming a new band?
Attack!Attack! – No not really. We all had good and bad times in those bands, just like we will in A!A!, none of us expect a smooth ride. We toured many territories of the world with those bands and met some really great people. What we learned from those bands has been invaluable to us and has helped us out big time so far.
Planet Loud – What were/are your goals for this band?
Attack!Attack! – To keep having fun, to keep building our fanbase here in the UK and Europe but to also extend further out to the US, Japan, Australia etc. To write songs that people can really relate to and enjoy. That’s basically it. It’s all about 4 guys from Wales enjoying life and trying to share that enjoyment with as many people as possible
Planet Loud – What inspires you lyrically?
Attack!Attack! – Experiences I/we go through, either as individuals or as band. Experiences from being in our old bands. Things that happen in our own and friends lives/relationships. Sometimes stories you here on the news inspires you to write too.
Planet Loud – What about musically, what bands do you draw influence from?
Attack!Attack! – Well we try and write as diversely as possible using dynamics and varying tempo’s. Bands/Artists that have influenced us include Kings Of Leon, Nirvana, AC/DC, Stevie Wonder, Thrice, Foo Fighters, Prince, Pearl Jam, The Police.
Planet Loud – What important lessons did you learn from your previous bands?
Attack!Attack! – Don’t give up, but enjoy what you do. The second you no longer enjoy it anymore it’s time to move on. We also learned the importance of having a good team behind you – manager / booking agent / press people.
Planet Loud – You’re part of the ever-growing Welsh scene that has spawned a number of successful bands. What is it in the water down there that makes so many successful bands?
Attack!Attack! – Well that would be telling. The simple answer is I dont know. It’s crazy how many great, successful bands have come out of Wales in the last 10 years and they all live within a 20 mile radius of each other! Personally speaking, I think it has given me belief and inspiration seeing other bands (many of whom we were good personal friends with before they became famous) becoming worldwide success stories. Seeing all their hard work pay off for them kind of does inspire you into believing that, with the same determination, you too can be a success! You also often find that Welsh bands will try to take up and coming bands from Wales out on tour with them whenever possible too, giving the smaller bands invaluable exposure. That helps too.
Planet Loud – People see the success of bands like Lostprophets, FFAF, The Blackout etc but what is the scene actually like down in Wales?
Attack!Attack! – It’s thriving! As I mentioned earlier, young bands growing up in the local area can only gain motivation and inspiration from seeing local guys and girls doing well! There is just a big friendship that goes on in the local scene. Everyone goes to shows to represent and hang out with each other. It’s really cool to be part of it!
Planet Loud – You worked with Stuart from Lostprophets, what was that like?
Attack!Attack! – 5% stress, 95% awesome! Stuart is a friend of mine personally going back many many years before his Lostprophets days. It was cool to experience the recording of our first ever record with him. He is so enthusiastic and positive and it rubs off on you as an artist. He also had some great ideas of where he wanted to take the songs. He managed to convince us to go to LA to record even though at that time we were self funding everything. It was an amazing month and the best decision we ever made as a band!
Planet Loud – Did he give you any advice?
Attack!Attack! – He did and still continues to. Not just him though. Mike from Lostprophets helped out too on the record along with an engineer/producer we met in LA and since become great friends with called Justin. To be honest all the bands from Wales are super friendly and approachable, if you need any advice or help you know you can call someone up and talk to them about it. Stuart in particular has been full help and advice. From structuring the songs (or getting rid of the fat as he puts it) to putting us in touch with the label, he has been there every step of the way and no one is more proud of what we do than him.
Planet Loud – Have the rest of the Welsh scene been supportive of you?
Attack!Attack! – kind of just answered that I guess. Yeah there is a big friendship between all bands and everyone has each others back. Last year for example we were lucky enough to do shows with Lostprophets, FFAF and the Blackout, all of which were great opportunities to play to big crowds.
Planet Loud – Who would your ideal tour be with?
Attack!Attack! – I think musically and because we love them so much the Foo Fighters. Obviously the exposure would be second to none but we would also get to share a stage with our idols and hopefully get to meet them.
Planet Loud – What are your plans for after the UK tour? Any festival dates lined-up?
Attack!Attack! – Yeah we are getting confirmed on festivals right now, fingers crossed we will be on some of the big ones! Reading/Leeds festival was a highlight for us last year, it would be amazing to play there again in 2009.
Planet Loud – Okay, Limp Bizkit and Blink 182 reforming, discuss?
Attack!Attack! – Will our bassist is a massive Limp Bizkit fan so he is over the moon. Likewise Ryan and Mike are both massive Blink fans so the vibe in our band is generally positive about these re-unions! Fingers crossed we get to see them at a show!
Planet Loud – Thanks for your time, anything else you want to say?
Attack!Attack! – Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, means the world to us that you care about our band. Hope to see you at a show soon.
Interview by Graham Finney
