Area 11 began in Nottingham in 2010, and relocated to Bristol in 2012. Their sound is that of modern rock, and yet they do not hesitate to incorporate elements from other genres, cultures and time periods into their work.
The band have dubbed their unique genre and style of music “Gaijin-Rock”, a tongue-in-cheek phrase that translates from Japanese to English as “foreigner-rock”. Their songs are based around Western rock and pop traditions, however they take influence from East Asian culture; in particular, they heavily reference popular Japanese anime and manga in their lyrics.
They have released an album ‘All The Lights In The Sky’ in 2013 and EPs ‘Blackline’ in 2011 and ‘Underline’ in 2014 along with a host of singles and music videos. They have toured the UK and have capacity audiences. Their music has already permeated alternative and popular culture, which is reflected their chart success and loyal fanbase of over 100,000+ worldwide.
Area 11 are:
Vocals/Synth – Sparkles*
Guitar – Alex Parvis – aka Parv
Bass – Jonathan Kogan – aka Kogie
Drums – Leo Taylor
You can watch there lyrical video ‘Are You Listening?’ here and below is there answers to the A-Z Questionnaire.
A SONG WHICH MADE YOU WANT TO MAKE MUSIC:
Sparkles*: Genesis – Invisible Touch
Leo: Pink Floyd – The Great Gig In The Sky
BEST RIDER YOU HAVE EVER HAD:
This one gig we managed to blag over £200 of booze. It was in the very, very early days of the band too and we certainly didn’t deserve it!
CRAZIEST MOMENT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN THE BAND:
It was probably the period of time when we did a huge UK headline tour, then went to Japan, then went to Italy to write our second album. We didn’t go home for half a year – it was one huge party for 6 months!
DEEPEST LYRICS ONE OF YOUR SONGS FEATURES:
Woah oh oh woah oh oh / Are you listening? Are you listening?
EASIEST SONG YOU WROTE:
Euphemia, from our debut EP Blackline
FAVOURITE SONG IN YOUR SET:
Right now, it has to be In The Blind.
GUEST YOU’D MOST LIKE TO FEATURE ON YOUR RECORD:
Kim Jong-un
HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING IN A BAND:
Remembering to have fun. When everything is busy-busy and deadlines are looming and you haven’t slept in weeks it’s important to remember your job is literally having fun.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS:
Our bassist Jonathan Kogan is actually an illegitimate son of George Harrison.
JOKES YOU HAVE IN THE BAND:
The bassist and guitarist
KEY TO WRITING A SONG:
A# minor
LONGEST DISTANCE YOU’VE TRAVELLED TO PLAY A SHOW:
We did Edinburgh to London once in a day, that’s 414 miles apparently! We once drunkenly did a set in a bar in Japan, which requires 5,936 miles of travel if that counts!
MOST INSPIRING MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED:
Cedric from Antemasque. He’s the greatest frontman in the world right now.
NEW BAND YOU’D RECOMMEND:
Vukovi, they’re mint and Scottish!
OPENING FOR THIS BAND WOULD BE IDEAL:
Fall Out Boy
PLACE YOU’D MOST LIKE TO TOUR:
The United States of America
QUOTE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON TO READERS:
“Listen. You listen to me. You see that city over there? That’s where I’m supposed to be. Not down here with the dogs, and the garbage, and the fucking last month’s newspapers blowing back and forth! I’ve had it with them, I’ve had it with you, I’ve had it with all this! I want room service! I want the club sandwich, I want the cold Mexican beer, I want a $10,000 a night hooker! I want my shirts laundered like they do at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.” – Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
REASON FOR THE TITLE OF YOUR RECENT/FORTHCOMING RELEASE:
We haven’t released the title yet! The reason, however, is that it really sums up the record in a concise and lyrical manner
SEE US LIVE AT:
Many places across the UK including London, Brighton, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol! Tickets are available here:
THE OLD DAYS OF MUSIC WERE BETTER THAN THOSE CURRENT, DO YOU AGREE:
Not at all! We have all that music now still, and also more music!
UNUSUAL MERCHANDISE:
Like, which we sell? Probably mugs, but that’s not that crazy. Here’s a piece of merch which is crazy: Area 11 Brand Washing Lines. That IS unusual!
VARIATIONS YOU’D LIKE TO DO ON ANY OF YOUR SONGS:
I’d love to have ATLITS re-recorded using only animal sounds.
WHAT DO YOUR FANS MEAN TO YOU:
They brought us into this world. They clothed us, they provided shelter. They encouraged us to follow our dreams. We would literally be nothing without them. We love you, Mum and Dad. Sorry, “The Fan Club” (they insist we say that).
X-RAYS OR ANY OTHER TREATMENTS NEEDED FOR BAND RELATED INJURIES:
Leo once fucked up his foot a bit playing American football in a carpark of a Travelodge in Scotland.
YOU’RE LATE FOR A SHOW, WHO’S FAULT IS IT:
Either a) Sparkles* needs to have a shower or b) Kogie is putting on his shoes or c) Parv forgot a part of his footswitch (either a midi cable or power supply).
ZOO ANIMAL THAT BEST DESCRIBES THE PERSONALITY OF YOUR BAND:
The Giant Panda: it’s bad at sex, doesn’t do much, eats too much, and yet people want to look at it and stop it from going extinct, for some reason.
You can find Area 11 here:
Website: http://www.area11.band
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/area11
Facebook: area11band
Twitter: @area11band
Instagram: @area11