1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Shane- We wrapped recording and art for the new album at the beginning of the year. So we're talking about the last several months here!
Since then we have been on a slow simmer as we await the release date. We played a couple of local shows, most notably opening the second night of Neurosis's 30th anniversary shows in San Francisco. A music video for the song "Adore" has been in the works and will be released soon. We are booking a tour. And we've kept busy with other projects in the meantime. Needless to say we've been very active. But it's Alaric time now.
2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The music is epic, dark, and electric.
As far as how it is different, I would say it is a continuation and expansion on the themes we started on our earlier records. It is more open and psychedelic now.
3.The music on the album brings in a lot of post punk and death rock elements, 2 styles that are very rarely heard these days, do you feel these 2 styles are making a comeback?
There are certainly more bands playing with these sounds than when we started. I believe many of them have been working on these ideas for a long time and are only now being noticed.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Urban alienation, bad times and worse times. And love. And the urge to burn it all down.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Alaric'?
This is the name of a friend of the band who passed before we formed. Brion "Deadboy" Alaric was close to Jason and Rick. He was a huge fan of the kind of dark music we ended up making and a big inspiration to his friends. In some ways the band is a tribute to his spirit.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
The show we played at the Regency recently as a part of Neurosis's 30th anniversary celebration was a recent highlight. We were able to add visuals in the form of projections by Andy Puls and bring the synth player Thomas Dimuzio who we featured on the new album into the live setting.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
We have an album release party scheduled for May 13 at the Metro in Oakland. There will be a couple more local shows and a tour in the US this June. More performances will come later. Watch Neurot's website and our Facebook page for more announcements along those lines.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your recordings by fans of dark and underground music?
So far it's been very gratifying.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Jason recorded and went on tour with his projects Hedersleben and Nik Turner. Russ did a Japanese tour with his band Noothgrush. I recorded vocals for a recording project called Eerie that will be released by Teepee in July and earlier this year released an album by my band Pins of Light.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Right now we're all about the live performance of these songs. We have some early ideas for the next record but that will have to wait until it is time.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
With influences that stuff has been internalized to a great degree. We just play and see what comes out. As far as current playlists it's all over the map. We're voracious listeners when it comes to music. This week I listened to newer stuff like Orannsi Pazuzu, Pinkish Black, and Bell Witch as well as old favorites like Bauhaus, Mighty Sphincter, Sabbath, Can, Leonard Cohen, Motörhead, Laughing Hyenas...
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Rick and I have children so that's of constant interest to us.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for your interest.
Shane- We wrapped recording and art for the new album at the beginning of the year. So we're talking about the last several months here!
Since then we have been on a slow simmer as we await the release date. We played a couple of local shows, most notably opening the second night of Neurosis's 30th anniversary shows in San Francisco. A music video for the song "Adore" has been in the works and will be released soon. We are booking a tour. And we've kept busy with other projects in the meantime. Needless to say we've been very active. But it's Alaric time now.
2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The music is epic, dark, and electric.
As far as how it is different, I would say it is a continuation and expansion on the themes we started on our earlier records. It is more open and psychedelic now.
3.The music on the album brings in a lot of post punk and death rock elements, 2 styles that are very rarely heard these days, do you feel these 2 styles are making a comeback?
There are certainly more bands playing with these sounds than when we started. I believe many of them have been working on these ideas for a long time and are only now being noticed.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Urban alienation, bad times and worse times. And love. And the urge to burn it all down.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Alaric'?
This is the name of a friend of the band who passed before we formed. Brion "Deadboy" Alaric was close to Jason and Rick. He was a huge fan of the kind of dark music we ended up making and a big inspiration to his friends. In some ways the band is a tribute to his spirit.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
The show we played at the Regency recently as a part of Neurosis's 30th anniversary celebration was a recent highlight. We were able to add visuals in the form of projections by Andy Puls and bring the synth player Thomas Dimuzio who we featured on the new album into the live setting.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
We have an album release party scheduled for May 13 at the Metro in Oakland. There will be a couple more local shows and a tour in the US this June. More performances will come later. Watch Neurot's website and our Facebook page for more announcements along those lines.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your recordings by fans of dark and underground music?
So far it's been very gratifying.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Jason recorded and went on tour with his projects Hedersleben and Nik Turner. Russ did a Japanese tour with his band Noothgrush. I recorded vocals for a recording project called Eerie that will be released by Teepee in July and earlier this year released an album by my band Pins of Light.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Right now we're all about the live performance of these songs. We have some early ideas for the next record but that will have to wait until it is time.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
With influences that stuff has been internalized to a great degree. We just play and see what comes out. As far as current playlists it's all over the map. We're voracious listeners when it comes to music. This week I listened to newer stuff like Orannsi Pazuzu, Pinkish Black, and Bell Witch as well as old favorites like Bauhaus, Mighty Sphincter, Sabbath, Can, Leonard Cohen, Motörhead, Laughing Hyenas...
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Rick and I have children so that's of constant interest to us.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for your interest.
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