Better Left Alone Interview

Better Left Alone Interview via email:-

Better Left Alone Formed Back In:- 2007.

Genre:- Pop Punk

Home Town:- Preston

Nick Else (guitars) from band Better Left Alone has happly accepted to do an interview via email with me on behalf of his band Better Left Alone.
Here's How It Went......

Hey guys how are you?

Hey, It's just Nick... But I am good :)

And thanks for agreeing to do this interview with me!

No problem!

First of all tell us a little bit about yourselves?

Well my name is Nick Else, I am the guitarist and occasional backing vocalist in the Pop Punk band Better Left Alone. I am a Scorpio, I enjoy long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners.

How would you go about describing each band member?

Well I will try to be as nice as possible... Dann is the egotistical member who is always looking in the mirror, Josh is the shy type who you have to get to know before he is loud and obnoxious, Eddy is the caring and considerate one and Mik well... Mik is Mik

When did each member start taking an interest in music and more specifically starting up a band?

Well I have been playing since around 2002 ish. Everyone except Josh started around 2002. Me and Eddy started a band called “Better Left Alone” but we never actually did anything and lost touch after uni. Eddy started a band with Mik and they needed a guitarist and ironically I answered an advert from Mik so it must have been destiny. We recruited Dann after being mates for years and knowing him from a couple of other local bands and Josh... We found on myspace!! haha.

What have you got planed for the future gig wise?

We have some very exciting offers just come in for gigs, so it's looking great. I can't really reveal too much but there is some potentially massive shows.

What makes you different from other bands out there?

I think we have found our niche in a way. We interact daily with fans and we really connect with them on a personal and emotional level. Since we settled down with the current line up and decided who we wanted to be as a band we have stuck to that task and not changed any of our direction, dedication and morals.

What connection does your band have with your fan base?

It's amazing, I have been sent presents from fans as far as Switzerland! We make an effort to always speak to, interact and do special things for our fans. Our next tour in May/June we're actually sleeping in fans' houses to save money! It must be love.

And how did B-L-Army come about?

It's one of those names I came up with when I was building our website, just something completely of the top of my head.

Where did you get your motto In Pop Punk WE Trust? And what does it mean to you as a band?

As I make all our merchandise and control the general kind of promotional direction the band takes  I had a hard time coming up with something. I must of wrote about 30 different slogans down on paper and nothing seemed to fit, Again it just came to me and it seemed really catchy so we rolled with it. It means basically we're a pop punk band and we will always be a pop punk band, we're not going to become a dubstep band just because dubstep is cool or in, we stay true to who we are! This is our life moral.

How’d you feel about having your bands’ music video “Move Forward” featuring on TV music channels such as Kerrang? Have you seen it yourselves being played on Kerrang yet?

Insane! I have always dreamed of being on Kerrang and I couldn't believe it when we got on. I have seen the video maybe a 100 times on TV and it still kind of surreal to be honest.

Can you tell me the meanings behind some on your songs from your previous EP?

There are many meanings and they all come from the heart! 99% of the time a song will be Eddy's feelings, thoughts or observations in life with me, Dann or Mik chipping in to help from time to time. This Road is about playing shows, travelling and being a touring band, Move Forward is all about living your life for you and not caring what anyone thinks, We Will Never Know was a sly dig at people putting us down and the others well I will leave that up to you to decide as that's half the fun!

Where do you get the majority of your ideas from? Like your Merch, videos, song etc?

Merchandise wise it's all me normally, I will come up with a design or and idea I like and then show the other 4 for approval, Nothing gets made until we all agree on a design. Video wise is a joint thing were we will all sit down decide on a theme and a direction and work from there. Songs are a tough one, it usually involves me or Dann coming up with a riff or a lead part and just seeing what fits and working from them with each member having their own influence on the song, it's a complete 5 way effort.

Who came up with the idea of Streaming the live acoustic gig to TwitterCam?

This was Mik's idea and credit to him it worked amazingly well. It is something we are looking at doing again in June potentially.

What was it like Live Streaming a video knowing that BLA fans would be watching at home?

Not really sure what to think as it was kind of a new experience and to be honest I forgot about the camera once we started playing as I have to concentrate on not making a fool out of myself.

Being an unsigned band like yourselves , without a Record label or Manager how much harder do you have to work to get yourselves out there?

It's a million times harder just because you have to network yourself in the correct professional manner but without any contacts. We're doing a great job and have just hired a PR manager to help our work load. My general rule is “If it was easy, everyone would be doing it” and that's so true in this scenario, yeah it's difficult but it's also very manageable if you're well organised and have a clear strategy going in to any tour or release.

Are you looking for a record deal or are you happy at the level your band is at the moment, do you plan on getting a record deal in the future?

We would be utter idiots if we didn't consider any offer we have. At the moment we're quite happy doing what we're doing but obviously an excellent and natural progression would be for a label to help with a release.

You’ve recently been in the recording studio recording your 2nd EP “Vegas Rules”

Let’s talk about that!

What was it like recording again?

It was an amazing experience. Take away the recording side and it's great to be able to live with your 4 best mates for a week, working on something you're so passionate about. I would be lying if I said it wasn't hard work as we ended up have to do a 14 hour straight recording day on the last day of recording just to finish it!

Have you learnt anything from your last EP that you’ve put towards this one?

Yeah a lot! We have learnt a lot about studio preparation and about making sure we know each and every song inside and out. The 1^st EP basically set us up to be more efficient and for what to expect when recording “Vegas Rules”.

What direction has your new EP “Vegas Rules” taken?

It's like Pop Punk with a more mature edge. It is still very much a Better Left Alone record as songs like Going For The Oscar and Ambition (A Vision) will show but there is also a more mature side with more meaningful lyrics. Songs like Chinese Whispers has such a great edge to it while songs like In The Crowd is more meaningful. You will just have to see for yourselves, but we believe this is the best material we have produced so far.

Why “Vegas Rules”?

Basically “Vegas Rules” is code for what happens on tour stays on tour and unfortunately I am sworn to secrecy on details.

Check out what Better Left Alone got up to in the Studio here:-

Better Left Alone just finish shooting their 1st single from “Vegas Rules” (Going For The Oscar)

out on the 4th of june. 

Thank you very much.

Bethx

Better Left Alone have a tour starting on 18th May, Check it out on Better Left Alone's Band Page 
Then next stop “Vegas Rules” EP coming out on 4th June!
BLA xXx

Find The Members On Twitter	Eddy Robinson - Vocals - @BetterLeftEddy Nick Else - Guitars/Backing Vocals - @betterleftanick Dann Walling - Guitars/Backing Vocals - @BetterLeftDann Mik Connor - Drums - @betterleftmik Josh Harrison - Bass - @betterleftjosh
Find Better Left Alone On Facebook  Better Left Alone Facebook Page

Band Review-Little Eye

Hey, I'm writing into you about unsigned bands...


Recently I've been getting into more and more unsigned bands & support acts..and have found/seen so many Amazing bands.
I think it's a shame that they don't get more recognition for what they do and for how hard they work..
I also think that magazines like yourself don't have an area or bigger area in your magazine for unsigned or upcoming acts...(dates for gigs & links on how to find them etc)
When there are so many awesome unsigned bands out there. I think it's time to stop sweeping them under the carpet and notice them more....! ;D


(As I'm homeschooled and have a big interest in bands and the band industry my homeschooling Welfare/home educator officer has said that I need to get out there and learn more about it by gigging and getting up and asking stuff,I've been to soundchecks talked to bands, producers,photographers and interviewers.It's Amazing how much I've learnt from it all and have taught people...my homeschooling officer also said I need to write it up and what better way to do that then to write off to you!)
Over the time that I've been giging and watching unsigned/support acts I've seen to be honest some not so good bands and some truly amazingly awesome bands...

And I'd love to share them With you!

And the one I've picked first is a
band called Little eye from glasgow!
Genre:Alternative / Rock / Power-pop
Members:
Allan Sieczkowski - Vocals
Euan Malloch - leads Guitarist /Backing Vocals
Jay Hepburn - Drums
Ross Saunders - Bass
Jamie Duffin - Rhythm Guitarist/Backing Vocals

(The band was formed last year by Glasgow singer/front man Allan Sieczkowski. Since then, they have been writing and recording their debut album soon to be released summer 2012. Burgundy Sky is the first of two singles to be released from the album. The band have also filmed various session music videos All receiving thousands of hits on YouTube)


Allan Sieczkowski - (Vocals) has recently said to me that" Euan,Jay and myself are the face of Little Eye ...you'll always find us at the gigs" but When they need other band members they use people they know and trust...like James Duffin ( rhythms guitarist) who your also find does the mixing on most bands tracks in glasgow!
All the members are amazingly in 2 or more bands! These guys are truly talented if you ask me..

I've been following/supporting them since march last year and we are now regulars to their gigs..as we(me and my mum) travel up for Shropshire to see them in Glasgow which is a 8 to 9 hour journey on the train.. But they are so worth the journey! We've been to see them play in Stereo, Glasgow which was the first of many gigs and it was Amazing . We've also seen them play an acoustic set up in Kirkcaldy ....I'd never seen an acoustic set before and was shocked by the pure beauty of the sound...that was also the gig where I learnt what a cajon (acoustic drum box) was! and Euan the bands lead guitarist showed me how it works "there's a hole in the back which a microphone goes in and it picks up what Jay (the bands drummer) plays...!"

In the time we've been following/supporting them they've
Won the likes of "The Young Scott Awards" which got them picked up
By their Co-manager Malcolm Blair. And "Clyde 1 In Demand Band Of The Year". and have recently been nominated for Best Rock/Metal alternative at SAMA and voting starts as of next week!
And the awards take place/announced 1st March 2012.To which I have been invited (with my Mum) to attend by the events organiser. (we have standard tickets,but my mum is trying to get VIP so we can meet these bands)

On the 26th of January 2012 we went up to see them play their first headline show in KingTuts which was a sellout gig!
They blasted the show off with their new and unheard before song called PANIC! Which was an instant hit with the fans.. But is very different from most their songs! They quickly moved on to play,Potential future adventures ...& Ever better..
The next song was just mind-blowingly good...as Jamie D (Rhythms guitarist) sits down on a fold up chair with an electric guitar strapped over his shoulder and tuning in an acoustic guitar on his lap...you know your in of a treat!

As the first cords of the acoustic guitar fill up the room fans quickly grab their cameras to capture the first time "I can't relax" had ever be played LIVE...as the last of the acoustic cords ring to an end Jamie D (Rhythms guitarist) quickly makes the SWITCH by whipping off the acoustic guitar and jumping back into the song as, (the drums kick off) on an electric guitar..truly stunning!
They went onto play , "The fate of us,Cold Warrior" and started to slow it down with a sad song but with an up tempo beat "First flight" then finally playing a truly beautiful tear welling "Remember yesterday" which left some fans Very closes to tears!

The band finished the song noticeably short and running of the stage....leave fans wanting more as the chants started off for them to " sing one more" the band re entered with (vocalist) Allan Sieczkowski saying "we just knew 8 songs wasn't enough for you guys" They kicked back off with a new song called "Choked Up" And finally finishing their 60 min act/set with a well know song "Distort the sky"where all the fans joined in singing as Allan (vocalist) pointed the mic to the crowd....

As the cheers died down Allan bids everyone a final get home safe as the band waves the fans off as they leave the stage...

It was a night to remember it truly was!

The most liked and filmed ,with fans commenting "this songs their best song you better film this one.were " I can't relax" and "remember yesterday!"


Their set lasted 60 mins
Set list
Panic
Potential future adventures
Ever better
I can't relax
The fate of us
Cold worrier
First flight
Remember yesterday......
Choked up
Distort the sky