Alex Riddell – Interview – Thanks for Asking

Alex Riddell – Interview – Thanks for Asking – by Liam Sweeny.

We’ve been reaching out to area musicians, and Alex Riddell answered the call. Enjoy the conversation.

RRX: Every comic book hero has an origin story. What is the origin story for the band? (points if you tell it like a comic book origin.)

AR: Like the story of superman finding out he had a blast of power, that was my feeling behind the drums which led to so much more. From the power and feeling of that first beat and beating the challenge of not knowing a thing, each song and every practice after that was the fight to learn everything I could and eventually getting comfortable in my ability to play. And after 16 years doing that with drums I wanted the same fight on guitar and tuning my vocals. There is always room for growth and every challenge makes you stronger! Mess up in front of people, take notes, take advice, and number one, believe in yourself no matter what!

RRX: Every band’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

AR: My first song I ever recorded was for a personal project of mine layering guitar, vocals, bass, drums, and keys into cheap software and the second there was sound to me it was “near complete”. I came to learn it takes much more than that. In my band Ginger Geezus we just got done with a live demo that we put a ton of work into with Tim Lynch.  There is a reason the first song we tracked is called “Freight Train” we came to rock and rolled in with heat! Be on the lookout on our page for the release date!

RRX: Like songs, every band has a unique feeling about their first show. What was your first show like? Was it your best show? If not, what was your best show like?

AR: My first show I played was in 2012 at Trick shots in Clifton Park called Resurrection Fest with my old metal band called “Locknine” , my good friend Steve Hughes from “Stronger than all” the Pantera tribute band was in it as well it was the first real band I was ever in. It was so much different than playing in my basement which I did for years and I think that was the most still I ever was behind the kit! I would have to say the best show I played so far was Battle of the bands at the Palladium in Worcester Massachusetts with my band “Before the Betrayer” it was a huge show with alot at stake to get on the metal fest. Although we did not take victory it was such a big moment for us and it tought us alot!

RRX: Music genres are difficult for some bands. Some strictly adhere; others not so much. What is your perspective on the genre you play, or the genres you hover around?

AR: So in my younger days, metal, death metal, and classic rock was my go to. As I got older I found that every Genre has something to offer. I really dug the Reggae Dub and Hiphop feel which is alot of what I write for my Original Solo music. And even slower jazz feels, jam-band feels, blues/ heavy blues I have played with a bit of all of the above and no matter what genre it is there is always something to take away that will help you with your current projects, so even if its not your taste, check it out and see what its about you may feel a different way!

RRX: It’s a lot of fun living in the present, but we all collect memories and give birth to dreams. We’re talking dreams here. Where you see yourself next year? In the next five years?

AR: This year will be busy, by the end of this year I foresee my music career becoming more of a full time role, between Solo acts that have been stacking up to hitting the road with my band Ginger Geezus we have a ton in store this year and are hoping to be starting to move to more places and start our full album by the end of summer. In five years I see things to be way different, we are all very strong in learning, writing and networking I have no doubt we will be in our tour van giving everyone the heavy blues they need along with working with more and more musicians and venues, its going to be a hell of a ride!

RRX: We all get a little support from those around us. And we also can be impressed by our fellow bands. Who do you admire in your community, and why?

AR: There are so many people to put in this first and foremost my girlfriend Vicky listening to me talk about music and playing 24/7 every minute of every day… she supports me a ton and I love her for that. For drums my teachers Jason Bittner and “Sippio” were a huge motivation for me to keep persuing and learning, that was a big part of my musical career I will never forget, alot of family and bandmates who supported and kept me going on the hardest days. It takes a village it really does, there is alot of fun in music but there is also pressure to be the best you can so sometimes you need that extra push and remember what you do it for. For My Solo projects and shows my hat goes off to my close friends that got me fired up for it, Matty D, Ky Mcclinton, Dillon Rivers, Frank Murray, Brian Kane, Johny Morse, and tons more. It was after hanging and watching them do there crafts it really got me interested. Ive been singing longer than I have been drumming so putting guitar in there to adapt to full songs was such an awesome leap to take and now its becoming easier and easier and much more enjoyable so much appreciation boy!

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