History
Inception and Stand Up and Scream (2008–2009)
Asking Alexandria have their roots in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, wherein guitarist Ben Bruce started a band and released one full-length album (titled The Irony of Your Perfection)
with the group under the name Asking Alexandria. The band shortly
afterwards broke-up and Bruce made a statement at a later date that the
band known as Asking Alexandria from Dubai only had the name for about a
month before leading to their disbandment, hence the band never
embarked on a tour.
In 2008, Bruce moved back to the UK, leaving behind his former
bandmates. However, Bruce had no plans on putting his musical career on
hold and not long after the move he started fresh with new members,
though deciding to carry on the name Asking Alexandria. Bruce has stated
that he was the one that created this title, that he still liked it and
the meaning/reason behind the name still remained, and therefore
decided to continue it in the new project.[1], He also made an emphasised statement in the same blog post that the current Asking Alexandria is not the same band that wrote The Irony of Your Perfection, in style nor members,[1]
hence they are two different bands, despite their links. The same
statement has been emphasised in interviews and is known to still be a
confusion to many fans.
Asking Alexandria, since their formation in 2008, has had some member
changes, including going from a six-piece to a five-piece, with the
departure of synthesist Ryan Binns.[2] The last known change was bassist Sam Bettley, who replaced Joe Lancaster in January 2009.[3] Lancaster played his final show at Fibbers in their hometown York on 4 January.[4] The band left for the United States the day after the show to promote their music through shows, as well as to prepare for the recording of their debut album.
After spending 2008 and the first months of 2009 touring, the band recorded their debut studio album between 19 May and 16 June 2009 at The Foundation Recording Studios in Connersville, Indiana, United States with producer Joey Sturgis.[5] They announced their signing with Sumerian Records shortly after finishing the recording and released their debut album, Stand Up and Scream, on 15 September 2009 through their new label. The band spent 2009 focusing on gaining success in the United States, touring with well known bands such as Alesana, Enter Shikari, The Bled and Evergreen Terrace, amongst others.
Reckless & Relentless (2010–2011)
On 22 December 2009, Asking Alexandria announced that they were to
start the works on a second album in January. They informed that they
were to be streaming parts of the writing process through a web cam feed
via the service Stickam. It was also announced that they will be entering the studio on 1 September, again with producer Joey Sturgis.
Then they later announced that they will be able to get into the studio
22 June 2010 on their official twitter. The band has later confirmed
through an interview with Shred News that the album is scheduled for
release in early 2011 and is planned to contain 12 new songs.[6]
In the same interview, the band informed that a title was not yet
established. In a later interview they stated that the album will
probably be able to pre order in November 2010, and available in early
2011. One song, "Breathless" has been played live already and can be
found on YouTube. Danny has also released lyrics from the new album onto
his Twitter account, although he did not state what songs they were
from.
In March, Asking Alexandria are heading out on their first tour of
the new year, yet again making their way through North America, this
time with Attack Attack!, Breathe Carolina, label mates I See Stars, and the up-and-coming British metalcore act Bury Tomorrow. The tour carries through to April, ending ten days before heading off for their debut European tour with Dance Gavin Dance and In Fear and Faith, which includes an appearance at the annual Groezrock
festival. They are however scheduled to discontinue the European tour
two days before it originally ends to make an appearance at The Bamboozle festival in New Jersey.
Asking Alexandria announced their first ever headlining tour on 2 March 2010, taking place in North America through May to the start of June. We Came as Romans, From First to Last, Our Last Night
and A Bullet for Pretty Boy were announced as supporting bands for the
tour. Bruce has also confirmed through an interview with Inside Heavy
that the band will be making an appearance at the Thrash and Burn summer
festival tour as a main support act, though not revealing details on
which other bands that will be participating.[7] It was later revealed that Asking Alexandria would co-headline the Thrash and Burn Tour 2010 alongside Born of Osiris.
Asking Alexandria has since then embarked on The Thrash and Burn Tour
performed a new song entitled "Breathless", which is featured on their
then upcoming second studio album Reckless & Relentless.[8] The band as well recorded a cover of "Right Now (Na Na Na)" by Akon[9] which was released on Punk Goes Pop 3 in November 2010.
During a show in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on the Short But Sweet Tour that took place in early October,[10]
Asking Alexandria was asked about the release of their upcoming album
and future music videos. Bruce responded with great detail about their
plans. Reckless & Relentless will be available for pre-order
in December and will be released in February. He also stated that in
November 2010 they will be releasing a reissue of Stand Up and Scream, the reissue album is said to contain more of a "dubstep
feel" to the content. Bruce also mentioned that it will contain a bonus
DVD that will have a live music video of "If You Can't Ride Two Horses
at Once... Then You Should Get Out of the Circus." They are also
preparing a music video for "A Prophecy" that will be included on the
bonus DVD if finished in time.
On 23 November 2010, Asking Alexandria added a new EP entitled Life Gone Wild for pre-order, set to be released on 21 December 2010.[11]
The EP contained the new song "Breathless", dubstep remixes of "A
Single Moment of Sincerity" and "Not the American Average," two Skid Row covers of "18 and Life" and "Youth Gone Wild", and an unreleased demo version of "I Was Once, Possibly, Maybe, Perhaps a Cowboy King".
It has been announced that the reissue album of Stand Up and Scream,
that was originally supposed to be released on 16 November then 21
December then 22 March has been pushed back to sometime in the summer of
2011 and will be titled Stepped Up and Scratched. It will be a completely remixed electro/dubstep
version of their debut album including all the songs, new artwork, and
new packaging. It has been announced at most UK tour shows in December
that support for the UK April shows will come from Of Mice & Men and Chelsea Grin.[12]
On 5 April 2011, Reckless & Relentless
was released as planned. On 11 April 2011, the band made their national
TV debut, while performing the songs "Someone, Somewhere", and
"Closure" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[13]
On 5 July 2011, the band released the music video for "Closure", the first single off Reckless & Relentless, directed by Thunder Down Country.[14] On 15 July 2011, the band released a music video for the second single "To the Stage", directed by Frankie Nasso.[15] On 4 September 2011, vocalist Danny Worsnop has announced in a video on his personal YouTube channel that he will be recording a solo album in the near future, with the album being more of a rock record, rather than Asking Alexandria's heavy metal style. He released a preview of a new solo song he recorded, entitled "Photograph."[16]
Asking Alexandria released the music video for Not The American Average
on VIA Facebook on 10/17/11 which was a song on their debut album Stand
Up And Scream. On 17 November 2011, the band was selected as sole
direct support to Guns N' Roses at the Izod Center.
The band also announced on their Facebook on 22 December 2011 that
they are shooting a prequel video to their song "To the Stage" the music
video will be for their song "Reckless & Relentless". They also
announced the sequel to the video will be for the song "Dear Insanity".
Both are currently in post-production. Fans can go to the Sumerian
Records Facebook wall and tell them which video they would prefer the
band release first.[17]
Short film and new album (2012-present)
Asking Alexandria is currently writing material for a third album, which is scheduled to be released in September 2012. Revolver Magazine
has included the album on their list of the Most Anticipated Albums of
2012. Commenting on the sound of the album, Worsnop has said it is "a
musical baby of Mötley Crüe and Slipknot."[18]
On May 1st, 2012, Asking Alexandria released a trailer for a new "shocking" short film entitled, Through Sin + Self Destruction.
The release date was set for May 15th. The film promises a
“controversial, uncensored look into the real lives of a new era of
rockstars for today’s generation".[19] The film contains a trilogy of three music videos from the band's second album, Reckless and Relentless. The songs are Reckless and Relentless, To the Stage, and Dear Insanity. The film is available now exclusively on iTunes.
Band members
- Current members
- Ben Bruce – lead guitar, programming, backing vocals (since 2008)
- James Cassells – drums (since 2008)
- Cameron Liddell – rhythm guitar (since 2008)
- Danny Worsnop – lead vocals, keyboards, programming (since 2008)
- Sam Bettley – bass guitar (since 2009)
- Former members
- Ryan Binns – keyboards, synthesizers, programming (2008)
- Joe Lancaster – bass guitar (2008–2009)
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