Asking Alexandria Talks Touring, Remix EP, and Muscle Cars: Backstage at RIFF Fest 2024

Date: September 28, 2024
Location: Pine Knob Music Theatre

Meltdown: Backstage at RIFF Fest 2024, I’m here with James Cassells and Sam Bettley from Asking Alexandria. You guys are on the All My Friends tour. How’s it going so far?

James Cassells: It’s wonderful! We’re on day four, just getting started.

Meltdown: Are you feeling those pre-show jitters?

James Cassells: Definitely! You know how it is.

Meltdown: How much do you rehearse before a tour like this? Are you constantly practicing?

James Cassells: Not enough! We usually have a few days of rehearsals. After not seeing each other for weeks or even months, it’s more about hanging out than strict practice.

Sam Bettley: Yeah, we all live in different places now. I’m in Nashville, but James is in Texas.

Meltdown: So you guys are all stateside now?

James Cassells: Yes, we’ve been stateside for quite a while. We’ve made Nashville our home base.

Meltdown: It seems like a lot of bands are doing that!

James Cassells: Exactly! It makes it easier for everyone to get together.

Meltdown: You have a remix EP coming out in mid-October. Can you tell me about that?

James Cassells: We did a remix album a long time ago called Stepped Up and Scratched. We’ve always enjoyed collaborating with other artists and reimagining our songs. It felt right to do it again at the end of this album cycle.

Meltdown: What’s it like hearing your songs reimagined by other artists?

Sam Bettley: It’s like hearing a brand-new piece of music. It’s exciting to see things from a fan’s perspective.

James Cassells: Exactly. It’s cool to hear how they interpret something we’ve created. It’s like listening to a brand-new song with familiar elements.

Meltdown: Speaking of music, the cover of your EP really stands out. It has a strong Detroit vibe with the car and barricades. Can you tell me about that?

James Cassells: We’ve always had a connection to American muscle cars. We’ve featured them in our music videos, like in Into the Fire. The cover captures that vibe perfectly, with all the elements of Detroit.

Meltdown: It definitely looks like something you’d see here in Detroit!

James Cassells: Yeah, it has that raw American feel. There’s some deeper meaning behind it too, but cars are just really cool.

Meltdown: You mentioned having a muscle car yourself?

James Cassells: I used to have a Challenger. It was a newer model, but I’ve always loved American muscle.

Meltdown: You guys also talked about your relationship with your former member. How’s that going?

James Cassells: The relationship is great. He’s not touring right now but still contributes to the band in other ways.

Meltdown: That’s understandable, especially with families involved.

James Cassells: Absolutely. It’s a different challenge now that many of us have kids.

Meltdown: Times have really changed for you all!

James Cassells: Definitely. Touring is a different beast these days, but it feels healthier.

Meltdown: I hear you’re a Star Wars fan?

James Cassells: Yes! My wife and I have collectibles, like a TIE Fighter and an X-Wing.

Meltdown: What’s next for you after this tour?

James Cassells: We have about 20 shows left on this tour, then a few weeks off before heading to the UK in December.

Sam Bettley: We’ll be playing at the O2 in London!

Meltdown: That’s exciting! Thank you both for joining me today, and good luck with your show later. The EP drops on October 18th!

James Cassells: Thank you!