I got to spend a few minutes chatting with wiL Francis of Aiden backstage at Warped Tour '09. Read our conversation after the jump!
Aiden is wiL Francis (vocals), Angel Ibarra (guitar), Nick Wiggins (bass), and Jake Davison (drums).
Tell me about the new record, Knives.
wiL Francis: The new record is kind of a back to basics, punk rock album for us. You know, we started out as a band who didn't have backing for it, a financial millionaire or some major label, and it was kind of DIY, getting shit together ourselves. As we've progressed and sold more and more records on our label, our budgets for records have increased. On this album we tried to take it all back and to do everything DIY. So we recorded it in my studio at home and I produced it instead of hiring some engineer/producer. I did the shit myself and we made a punk rock album
Well I gotta say I love it. I was a fan of Our Gang's Dark Oath and Nightmare Anatomy. Then you changed your sound on Conviction but even then I was impressed. When I heard this one, I was amazed by the back to basics and back to punk sound. How have fans responded to that?
wiL: It's been really good, man. The kids have been responding awesome. What more can I really say? They are really glad we're screaming and going fast again.
Nice! Any plans for a Wall of Death tonight?
wiL: Oh yeah it's on. Believe it.
How has Warped Tour been so far?
wiL: It's hot, man. It's fucking like being in the belly of hell. Your state is too hot.
I lived in Phoenix for 2 years so I'm happy to be back here actually.
wiL: Ugh fuck both places. It's too hot.
Click on the album cover to purchase Aiden's new album, Knives.
HEAD OVER TO THE PHOTO GALLERY TO SEE LIVE PHOTOS OF AIDEN AT WARPED TOUR!
Check back tomorrow to read my third Warped Tour '09 interview, Nathan Leone of Madina Lake.
