We're All Aliens talk about everything from their debut album to lockdown.
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR US WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOUR MUSIC AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
We’re All Aliens are a rock band with a tough exterior and a groovy and melodic centre. We’re All Aliens are based on the outskirts of Merseyside where three rivers meet. Our first single ‘I Am An Alien’ was released in January 2019 and our debut album ‘Get A Life’ came out in February, 2020 just prior to lockdown.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
The ‘Get A Life’ album was recorded in between treatment for a cancer condition I had last year which threatened my ability to sing. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case and the band rallied round and got it over the line.
WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM OR SINGLE?
The album opens with the title track which is about a positive mindset and living your best life in the face of adversity and closes with ‘Second Chances’ which is in essence about the opportunity to start again. Everything in between is connected in some way to the themes of humanity and the truth.
CAN YOU SUM UP THE ALBUM IN A FEW WORDS?
It’s the sound of our record collection when we were 15.
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
This is a difficult question to ask someone who owns about 10000 records! The first record I was ever given was at Christmas and it was ‘The Beatles Live At The Hollywood Bowl’ which is a strange one when you think about it but it certainly prompted a lifelong love of the fab four. After that, I was weaned on the rock records of my older brother who liked Led Zeppelin, ACDC and Rush. The first artist I truly discovered for myself was almost certainly Adam Ant, so ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’ would have to be in there.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER ARTIST?
I really like the ‘Second Chances’ video which intertwines some live footage of the band with the story of two people kept apart during lockdown waiting for their second chance to be reunited. I love the fact that it has baffled plenty of people, including members of the band and those close to us, which appeals to my sense of humour. In terms of videos by other artists, I like videos that stretch the art form from a creative point of view but enjoy a performance video of a band looking cool for cool’s sake. Either works for me, and I do think with social distancing, the power of the pop video is going to be more prevalent than it has been for a number of years because people won’t be as keen to go to gigs until Coronavirus is fully under control.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
Currently, it’s doing home improvements and homeschooling the kids which is so rock’n’roll. Basically spending time with my wife and children and walking our two dogs, Sergeant and Pepper.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
I think a little nervousness is natural if its just the build up of nervous energy. I don’t get sick or anything like that. I really love performing and look forward to the time when we can do it again.
HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?
That was basically myself (JJ vocals) and Biff (guitars) deciding we want to form our favourite band. We wanted to make the music we loved growing up with guys that we know and care about. That's it really.
HOW DO YOU WRITE? - DO YOU HAVE A KEY SONGWRITER, OR DO YOU ALL WORK TOGETHER?
It tends to start with Biff coming up with an idea, throwing it over to me for lyrics, melodies and a stab at the arrangement, then bash into shape for the Adi and Laurent to start adding some bottom.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Inspiration comes in many forms and you need to be lightning quick to react and harness it’s energy. We’re very lucky as a band to gain inspiration from each other and of loving families as a support network.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Well, lockdown has really harmed our live output but it has meant that we have accelerated planning for the second album. Expect the first single to drop before the end of the summer.
PLEASE TELL US ANY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS SO WE CAN SHARE.