Bullet For My Valentine
We caught up with Jay to ask him about one of most eagerly awaited albums of the year...
After having sent him to an exclusive album playback, to get the lowdown on the new Bullet For My Valentine album, Rocklouder dispatched Richie Evans to have a chat to the band about their thoughts on it.
He caught up with Jay as the guys were leaving for Germany on their whirlwind promo tour...
Richie: Firstly, congratulations, the new album is great, it's very different too. The first 2 songs are overwhelmingly aggressive, who decided to go down this route?
Jay: Thank you, it was a joint decision really. We all sort of went with what came to us. 'Scream Aim Fire' was the first track we wrote and it all sort of worked out from there.
R: The 2 most noticable differences from 'The Poison' are the vocal style and the tempo of the songs, was this deliberate?
J: Nothing we do is to try and be something we aren't, it's all natural, when we get together to write songs... it just happens. Matt's vocals took some battering, he's had some problems with his throat and had to have his tonsils out so had to hold back on the screaming on this album a bit. We had to find other ways to get some aggression there, so the tempo and sound were generated.
R: Have you had the opportunity to play many of the new songs live? What's the reaction been like so far?
J: We haven't had the chance to play much live, 'Scream Aim Fire' has had a good response though.
R: Are you worried that with this change of style you may upset some of the fanbase?
J: I think its just a progression from the last, we didn't want it to sound the same as our 1st album, we still have the big ballads in their and it's still us, it has our stamp. I don't think any of us worried about it.
R: Things have been pretty hectic for you guys, you've had a huge success in America, dubbed one of the best bands to come out of the UK for a long time, and with a 1st Album like the Poison, Scream Aim Fire had a lot to live up to, Are you guys still as tight as ever?
J: Well obviously with Matt's throat and all the problems from that we all got pretty worried, we stuck together though and found new ways to do things. We had to cancel shows because Matt's voice just wasn't working, it was a scary time. We've been to busy to fall out anyway.
R: When you finally get some free time what will you be doing?
J: Spending it at home with my daughter.
R: How old is she?
J: 17 months
R: Wow, so she came along during possibly the busiest moments of your life!
J: I know, I know, we've just had so much on over the last 3 years, we have been just non stop. It's still sinking in, we are so pleased with the response.
R: Before you guys were signed you must have sat around talking about what you would do with the money, is there still anything on your wish lists to get or do?
J: All I wanted to do before we were signed was to get signed and for people to hear my music, get it out there to the world, I got what I wanted, I haven't ever been one to plan what I would spend money on, the other guys like their cars, that's one thing that's been on a wish list I suppose for them, cars.
R: What's been your best moment of your music career so far?
J: Meeting Metallica, I got a little star struck, trying to keep it cool, these guys are the reason we are here, they are where we get our influences, it was an incredible experience.
R: What moment in music stands out for you? Something you weren't involved with as a band playing?
J: I went to see Metalica in 1996, the show was amazing, I got a lot of inspiration from it. A real, proper show, amazing.
Rocklouder and Richie wish the guys the best of luck with this album, and we know the 28th of January might seem like a long way off but it's definitely worth the wait. Once you finally get the chance to get the new record, you wont be disappointed, turn it up loud, piss off the neighbours, frighten your granny and scare off any unwanted visitors.
If you're planning to go and see them on the tour for this album expect to be going home with a bruise or two and completely satisfied having seen one of the best bands in the business.
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