In today’s A-Z challenge, Atomic Agent’s Alston tells us all about the band!
A song that made you want to make music?
Metallica – Fight Fire with Fire. That guitar work was really something for a young Al Aston!
Best rider you’ve had?
I’ve never demanded anything fancy, really. Food, drink and snacks is good enough for me. But outside of the rider with my other band, we’ve had a sauna bath at a certain venue a few times, and that’s some real luxury to have after a sweaty performance. You know, the real Finnish sauna is not for the faint-hearted.
Craziest moment you’ve had in the band?
Nothing crazy with this one yet as we’re just forming a full line-up, but with my other band this girl crashed in our private cabin weekend during some studio sessions. At first it was all quite calm and basic hanging around, having some food, drink and a sauna. Then as the band members had sat down for having food, the girl stormed in from her sauna bath butt-naked, jumped on top of the dining table, and started dancing wildly. But that’s not all, as she then took some of the sausages on the table, and started inserting them between her legs. We were all stunned, amused and not believing our eyes at the same time. To this day I still don’t what her deal was, even though we knew she had a bit of a wild reputation, ha-ha.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
Many of Atomic Agent’s songs have deep lyrics, but today I’d go with No Higher Force. That’s a strong statement how much you can love someone.
Easiest song you wrote?
Probably a song called Long, Long Gone. Just a simple melody and lyrics, that were written in say, 15 minutes maybe. But very effective, sometimes a little is all it takes.
Favourite song in your set?
Irene. Strong vocal lines and melodies, a powerful topic. And a groove to make your butt shake.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
David Gilmour could pop up and play a few emotive, singing solos of his. I’d die a happy man. Not many people can make a guitar sing, actually.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Scheduling. Especially, when you have families, more bands and other engagements.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
One of us is working on jet engines.
Jokes you have in the band?
How Count Jan Woods keeps on breaking drum sticks at an alarming rate. I don’t have to buy firewood for my fireplace anymore.
Key to writing a song?
A strong enough idea, that carries through.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
Not sure, really, but 300-400 kilometers, I guess. It was with a punk band I used to play in, and we had travel back driving though a blizzard in a izzy-bizzy little car with five blokes and a couple guitar cabinets inside, plus the guitars and bass, naturally. I was driving and it was hell.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Regina Spektor or Nick Cave. On top of all that exceptional musical talent, they both possess such a charisma, only one in a million can have.
New band you’d recommend?
Let’s say Abandon All, if you into some nice melodic/gothic metal.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Tribulation, Candlemass, Fields Of The Nephilim, NFD, to name a few.
Place you’d most like to tour?
UK and Ireland. I love the people there.
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
I never forget a face – but in your case, I’ll be glad to make an exception.
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
There is an EP in the works. Partially it contains songs, that were dropped from the debut album, but also a new song called Dolly’s Not Alone, which also makes the EP title. It’s about a person, who is losing her memory and can’t recognize people anymore.
See us live at?
No news on that front yet, we have to get our shit together as a live line-up first and we’re still a lead guitarist short, so any live shows would be possible next summer, or autumn, at earliest.
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
To a degree, yes. I think today’s music isn’t that memorable, really, but it is true that there is so much of music available, you’d just have to find the good stuff amongst all the generic crap.
Unusual merchandise?
No merch at all as of yet. But don’t you worry, there will be something special too when we’re ready. I craft steampunk lamps etc. when I have time, so I’ll probably whip up a unique, partially handcrafted merchandise pack which will be an only piece ever made. Would make a nice prize for some contest, don’t you think?
Besides I think Ghost already did the unusual with their butt-plug/dildo combo. 😀
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
There is this brand-new song in the making, called Give in to Sin. In my head I’ve always heard it having a feeling like Billy Idol’s Sweet Sixteen has, but seems it’s completely turning into something else. I may have to make another version of it later to see if I could catch some of that same feeling Billy and his great band did.
What do your fans mean to you?
If there weren’t any, I’d be playing this stuff to myself.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
Not during this band, but during one cabin weekend the drummer was chilling outside of sauna in the winter, and busted his foot while slipping on ice and getting his foot stuck under a car. Needed a year-long sabbatical from drumming. The guitarist broke his rib as he fell on the floor inside the cabin. These were alcohol-related incidents, amazingly so.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Mine and mine only.
Zoo animal that next describes the personality of your band?
Chameleon.