Audiences are set to expect “a fun rock and roll show” when The Amity Affliction kick off one hell of a tour around the country this October.
Speaking to bassist Ahren Stringer, the Australian leg of the Brothers In Arms tour won’t be quite as hectic as Warped Tour in the US, which the band were honoured to be a part of this year.
“It was long,” Stringer said. “two months, 40-something shows… it was easy, but it was just draining physically and emotionally.”
The tour is in support of Chasing Ghosts, the band’s third record released last year, surprising many when it topped the ARIA charts – an Australian-first for a band with such a heavy sound.
It certainly left its impression; an indication of the growth and flow of heavy music into the mainstream, and it seems the band owes it to lead vocalist Joel Birch.“Each album’s got to be better than the last.”
“A lot of it is to do with Joel’s lyrics,” Stringer said. “They’re open and honest. A lot of people struggle with depression, and I really think Joel speaks to them in a way that other people can’t.”
Joining the band on the tour are punks Stick To Your Guns, Byron Bay’s In Hearts Wake and deathcore band Chelsea Grin – who were in the country earlier this year for Soundwave. Stringer said the bands were selected for a good reason, forming a “good solid package.”
“They [Chelsea Grin] played at the same time as us and Metallica so they didn’t really get to play to a big audience. It’ll be good to get them back out here again to hang out.”
Stringer also revealed that the he and his band mates have been working on some new material – setting themselves up for what’s been described as a “semi-stress-free time” when they record in January next year.
“At the end of the day our fans are our employers. You know – you gotta keep the boss happy.”“We’ve got about five songs, and we’re not going to stop writing until we’ve got about 15,” he said. “We’ll fine tune the best ones and keep the others as b-sides. I think it will be better [than Chasing Ghosts], each album’s got to be better than the last.”
It’s been ten years since The Amity Affliction began in Gympie, Queensland. Growing up listening to punk bands, it was when heavier artists like Atreyu started emerging that the band knew they wanted to make this kind of music, and as Stringer described.
“You just listened to their music and thought, ‘Wow, this is so emotional’.”
One would think keeping a band going for a decade would be difficult – but that’s not how it works for these guys.
“It hasn’t been challenging – just fun, really. Challenging was when we had to balance jobs and our music,” Stringer said.
“I was a scaffholder for about seven years up until about three years ago. My boss let me come and go – I think not many people have that luxury. I was lucky.”
Ultimately, the fans are the driving force keeping the band afloat, and are set to for years to come.
“Our fans are our employers. You know – you gotta keep the boss happy. We’re thankful for what they give us. They let us do this as a job and we give them this music back – it’s like a two-way street.”
“At the end of the day, they’re our employers and we have to keep them happy as much as we keep ourselves. We’d never sell out.”
Watch the video for ‘Open Letter’ below.
The Amity Affliction ‘Brothers In Arms’ Tour 2013
TICKETS ON SALE 9AM JUNE 27
Friday October 18 – Riverstage, Brisbane (Lic/AA)
Tix from ticketmaster.com.au on 136 100 and Kill The Music
Saturday October 19 – Panthers, Newcastle (Lic/AA)
Tix from destroyalllines.oztix.com.au, moshtix.com.au 1300 762 545 or the Venue
Sunday October 20 – Big Top Luna Park, Sydney (Lic/AA)
Tix from Oztix on 1300 762 545 destroyalllines.oztix.com.au, Ticketek on 132 849 or ticketek.com.au or 1300 BIG TOP or bigtopsydney.com
Tuesday October 22 – Palace, Melbourne (U18)
Tix from destroyalllines.oztix.com.au 1300 762 54 or ticketek.com.au on 132 849
Wednesday October 23 – Palace, Melbourne (18+)
Tix from destroyalllines.oztix.com.au 1300 762 54 or ticketek.com.au on 132 849
Friday October 25 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (Lic/AA)
Tix from Venuetix on (08) 8225 8888 or venuetix.com.au
Saturday October 26 – Metro, Perth (18+)
Tix from Heatseeker on 1300 762 545 destroyalllines.oztix.com.au, 78′s, Mills, Planet Video or Star Surf
Sunday October 27- Metro, Fremantle (U18)
Tix from Heatseeker on 1300 762 545 destroyalllines.oztix.com.au, 78′s, Mills, Planet Video or Star Surf
