The Hotseat – Ahren Stringer of The Amity Affliction
on March 3rd, 2013As they wrap up their run on Soundwave Festival, The Amity Affliction have the upcoming all ages Push Over Festival next in their sights. They will headline the event playing the Blue Stage at 7:10pm – 8:00pm on Monday March 11th at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. Tickets are still available from Ticketmaster. This week in The Hotseat, we catch up with bass player Ahren Stringer to answer our questions. Expand this post to take a read of his answers.
THE BASICS
Name :Ahren Stringer
Band : The Amity Affliction
Job In Band : Bass and clean vocals
Website Address : facebook.com/theamityaffliction
Hometown : Gympie
Hometown is best known for : Bogans, Footbal, Violence, Pubs, and gold!, “The town that saved Queensland!”
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? We had a few different bands in High school, mostly just fun meaningless punk. After the death of a close friend and band member, Troy and I decided to start a new band, more serious, dedicated to him.
How long has the band been going? 10 years this year!
Any particular story behind the name? As I said before, “The Amity Afflicton” kind of an oxymoron, ‘Amity’ meaning friendship and ‘Affliction’ meaning pain. The pain of losing a friend in other words.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… ‘Chasing Ghosts’ Our 3rd full-length album, released October last year, our best work to date by far, much heavier and more melodic than our old stuff. Just better in general, even my mother likes it!
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Our latest album hit number 1 on the ARIA charts when it was released, that was a huge moment for us.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? I think when I was about 12 and started discovering bands like Pennywise and NOFX and Guttermouth and thought, “I could play that!”
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Definitely Atreyu. I think it’s fairly obvious still, so many years on. They were the first band alongside ‘From Autumn To Ashes’ and ‘Poison the Well’ that really struck a chord with me. Just the whole screaming and singing and chugging breakdowns, and soft pretty parts all in the same song, I loved it! and I still do.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? “Strike 4″ Filthy 14 yr old loser pop punk.
Most prized music related item you own? I have an original pressing on vinyl of 100 of ‘Circle Takes The Square – As The Roots Undo’.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? Painting Tattoo flash and mercy designs. I hope to be a tattooer one day.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… Meeting back up with old friends, Making new friends, and generally just getting fucked up every night with friends!
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… Knowing how sore I’ll be after day one, the bang-over from hell!
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? East coast of the US. I just love the beautiful cities, like New York, Philadelphia, and (not so beautiful, but cool as shit ) Baltimore.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? The first Palace show in Melbourne on our recent album tour. We all came off the stage and agreed it was our best show yet. The reaction was incredible and we were just all really proud of our performance as a band.
Got a favourite song to play live? Anything new haha.
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? About 6 or 7 years ago, when noone gave a fuck about us, I was so wasted that I passed out on stage into the drum kit.
Any pre-show rituals? Not, really, we don’t mind a couple of drinks before we hit the stage.
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? The amount of time you spend in a van driving. It drives you fucking crazy! Especially in America, pretty much drive for 6-10 hrs a day.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Defeater- No kind of home.
Last album you acquired? Defeater – Empty Days and Sleepless Nights.
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Defeater – Empty Days and Sleepless Nights.
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? Flood of Red. They are the most underrated band of the decade, one of my favourite bands ever. Check out their latest album ‘Leaving Everything Behind’.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? We’ve got a lot of festivals coming up, Push Over, Groovin’ The Moo, Breath of Life and Warped Tour.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Lana Del Rey’s Born To Die. We already did a cover of Born To Die which we were very happy with. I’m just obsessed with her, and there’s so many good songs on that record that are begging to be made heavy!
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? The Ghost Inside, I would love to hear how heavy they would make it hahaha
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? AC/DC when Bon Scott was still around, a true legend.
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? Madison Square Garden?
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? The Ghost Inside, because they have a great party ethic and I’ve always wanted to be in a hardcore band.
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. Deez Nuts and The Ghost Inside. They’re both touring Europe right now and I’m so sad I’m not there!
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? If you haven’t already, pick up our new Album ‘Chasing Ghosts’
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THE AMITY AFFLICTION - Chasing Ghosts
Instores Now via Roadrunner Records.
Purchase your copy on CD or Vinyl online now [Here].
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Catch The Amity Affliction at the Push Over Festival on Monday March 11th, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Playing the Blue Stage at 7:10pm – 8:00pm
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