Rock music is dead. Okay, maybe not dead, but definitely on life-support. When I think of rock, I visualize bands like The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, and Nirvana. Those were bands that had a command of their instruments, and control of any crowd that dared to enter one of their shows. Where are those bands today? Do fans really want to label Panic! At the Disco and Incubus as the proverbial “saviors of rock?” I don’t think so.
I’m sure as you’re reading this you’re shouting at the screen:“You idiot! What about Foo Fighters? U2? Green Day?” Yes, those are great bands, but how often do you see them on MTV, or hear them on the radio? Do they have the same cultural impact as rock bands from the ‘60s, 70s, and early 90s? Bands like U2 and the Foo are the last remnants a forgotten religion.
Thanks to the Internet, however, rock has evolved. One should be hesitant to call it an “underground” movement since modern day bands are able to reach the ears of so many fans. Yet, modern rock cannot be labeled as “mainstream” or popular, since it no longer attracts a great deal of media attention. The sound of rock is faster, edgier, and the voices of many frontmen are gritty and young. These are the sounds preferred by those who have rejected mainstream acts while refusing to be confined by underground subcultures. Today’s rock is an entity powered by chat-rooms, You Tube, and Pure Volume. It’s something that I like to call “Inter-rock,” or rock that is powered by the Internet.
One of the bands leading this movement is The Almost. Fronted by Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie, The Almost were pushed into popularity with Internet assistance. They combine the hard line of a heavy metal band with pop-sensibility, creating a sound that perfectly encompasses what rock has become, and where it is likely going. A little over a year ago, Gillespie took a few moments to reflect on the current state of rock and how his new band will play a role in the genre’s progression.
1) Even though The Almost has experienced a fair amount of success (reviews, sales, etc.) many would still label the group as “underground.” Would you agree with this label, and do you feel that more attention is being directed towards the underground?
I DON’T THINK UNDERGROUND MUSIC EXISTS ANYMORE. EVERYTHING IS MARKETABLE AND FASHIONABLE. BEGINNING IS A BETTER TERM, AND [THE ALMOST] ARE STILL NEW. [WITH THE INTERNET] IT’S THE NORM TO HAVE A BAND, AND IT’S NOT SPECIAL ANYMORE. OBVIOUSLY IT CAN BE. TODAY MOST BANDS PLAY MUSIC JUST TO DO IT BECAUSE THE CHICKS ARE GOOD AND THEY GET TO WEAR TIGHT PANTS. THEY DON’T DO IT FOR A REASON. WHAT RACE, RELIGION OR CREED DO IT FOR A REASON? PEOPLE DO IT BECAUSE IT’S THERE. IT KIND OF TAKES THE PASSION OUT OF THE CRAFT.
2) In an interview with AP magazine you said that the genre The Almost is a part of would eventually be forgotten. Do you think that emo/ rock is dying out? Do you think rock needs to be reinvented?
I DON’T THINK IT WILL BE REINVENTED. WHAT I MEAN IS, LOOK AT ALL OF THESE BANDS THAT WERE HUGE, AND THEY’RE NOTHING NOW. IN THE EARLY ‘90S, WHEN I WAS REALLY GETTING INTO STUFF, HEAVY METAL WAS DYING, AND THEN NIRVANA CAME ALONG AND GAVE THE PROVERBIAL MIDDLE FINGER TO ALL THOSE BANDS. THERE WERE ALL THESE THROW AWAY BANDS.
NOW, THE AUDIENCE GETS YOUNGER AND YOUNGER. THE AVERAGE AGE IS 16. WHICH I GUESS IS GREAT, BUT IT’S MY FEAR ABOUT CREATING A GREAT CRAFT, SO YOU SHOULD TRY YOUR HARDEST TO MAKE SOMETHING REAL.
I REMEMBER GETTING UP AND SEEING THESE GREAT BANDS, BUT KIDS ARE SO IMPRESSIONABLE. YOU CAN MAKE THEM BELIEVE, MAKE THEM THINK, AND IF YOU DON’T DO THAT YOU’RE STAINING THE WORLD. WE’VE BECOME A WASTE OF A GENERATION. THE IMPRESSION WE MAKE ON THE GENERATION COMING UP BEHIND US IS WHAT BANDS NEED TO FOCUS ON, AND NO ONE CARES. THAT’S WHY THE GENRE’S DYING.
3) How would you describe the current state of music?
I THINK PARTS OF IT ARE SUPER ECLECTIC AND SOME ARE SUPER COOKIE CUTTER. YOU HAVE BANDS THAT ARE MAKING GREAT QUALITY MUSIC. THEY MAKE THINGS THAT THEY KNOW ARE CORRECT. THEN THERE IS MUSIC THAT IS MADE TO MAKE MONEY. MUSIC SHOULD BE THERAPUTIC, AND SHOULDN’T ALWAYS AIM FOR THE CATCHIEST CHORUS.
IN THE ‘80S WE HAD ALL THESE BANDS THAT SOUNDED THE SAME, NOW EVERYONE’S TRYING TO SOUND THE SAME AGAIN.
3a) Do you think The Almost can be the band that saves rock in the fashion of Nirvana?
I DON’T KNOW IF WE CAN BE THAT BAND, I’D LIKE TO SAY YES, BUT I DON’T KNOW IF WE’RE THERE YET.
I DON’T KNOW WHERE MUSIC IS GOING BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY BANDS ON THE INTERNET AND EVERYONE’S DOWNLOADING. UNLESS WE START DOING SOMETHING FOR A REASON, UNLESS WE START BELIEVING IN SOMETHING, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, NOT BECAUSE IT’S COOL.
IT’S A WASTE [TO MAKE MUSIC WITHOUT THAT GOAL]. THE WORLD KNOWS THAT [BANDS] MEAN IT WHEN [THEY HAVE A MESSAGE]. WHEN YOU SEE THEM LIVE YOU CAN FEEL IT. YOU’RE INSPIRED. IF I CAN’T DO THAT, THEN I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE. I’D RATHER WORK AT SUBWAY.
4) It’s widely known that you’re a religious individual, and the music circuit doesn’t exactly reflect religious values. Can you describe the struggles, if any, that come with touring and trying to remain true to your values?
I’M NOT RELIGIOUS. RELIGION TO ME IS WHAT MAN HAS MADE OUT OF SPIRTIUALITY. THOSE ARE ALL DIFFERENT SECTS OF THE CHURCH. BUT I DON’T BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN’T HAVE LONG HAIR, WATCH RATED-R MOVIES, GET TATTOOS, AND DRINK. IF YOU’RE AN ADULT AND YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE AND YOU KNOW YOUR LIMITS, THEN THOSE THINGS ARE FINE.
IF YOU READ THE BIBLE, CHRIST WAS IN THE STREETS HANGING OUT WITH BUMS AND WHORES. I’M AFRAID PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LUMP ME UP WITH A PERSON WHO VOTED FOR GEORGE BUSH. AND THAT’S NOT TRUE. CHRISTIANS DON’T HANG OUT WITH ONLY CHRISTIANS, WE DON’T SLEEP IN THE CHURCH.
IT’S LIKE ANYTHING ELSE: LIFE IS ALWAYS HARD. IT’S A DAILY BATTLE TO KEEP THOSE THINGS REAL. IT’S CONSTANT WORK, YOU’RE ALWAYS TRYING
[CHRISTIANS] HAVE A LOT OF APOLOGIZING TO DO. WE HAVE TO BE HONEST. WE DO A LOT OF DUMB THINGS. PEOPLE THINK THAT WE THINK THAT WE’RE PERFECT, WE SHOULD STRIVE TO BE, BUT ONLY JESUS WAS PERFECT.
5) Now the only other drummers, who I can remember anyway, who were able to make successful transitions to the front of the stage were Phil Collins and David Grohl. Has the transition been difficult at all? How is being the frontman different from being the drummer?
IT’S AWKWARD AT FIRST, I SING A LOT IN UNDEROATH. SO IT’S EASIER FOR ME. BUT UP FRONT THERE’S [NO DRUM KIT] TO HIDE BEHIND.
6) Does The Almost have a different type of audience than Underoath?
YEAH, DEFINITELY. AT UNDEROATH SHOWS AMUBLANCES ARE EVERYWHERE. AT ALMOST SHOWS EVERYONE SINGS ALONG. I GUESS IT’S LIKE IF YOU WENT TO SEE SLAYER AND THEN YOU WENT TO SEE FOO FIGHTERS. THEY’RE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPES OF BANDS, BUT I LOVE BOTH EQUALLY.
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