Alter Bridge explain their label separation from Wind Up in interview

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Ex Creed/Alter Bridge explain their label separation from Wind Up in interview

Answered by Mark Temonti

1. Out of the ashes of Creed, what was primary reason for the

transition to Alter Bridge?

We started Alter Bridge primarily because we could no longer work with

Scott Stapp. The machine was broken and we needed to move on.

2. With Wind Up, were you still under contract? If not, how did you

get released? I would imagine that would be a hard thing to do.

Yes, we were still under contract with Wind-up. We did not get released

from our contract. We had to buy our way out with our own personal

funds. It was a long and arduous process.

3. While using personal funds to create the album, what was the

initial reasoning to sign with Universal? It seems Nine Inch Nails Trent

Reznor is going it alone.

We felt that, for Alter Bridge, it would make the most sense to sign

with a major label like Universal. They have the power to deliver our

music to the masses. Plus, out of all the labels that we talked to, they

were the biggest fans and the most excited. Trent can go at it alone

because he already has a huge fan base. With Alter Bridge, we are still

trying to cultivate our fan base. Universal is the perfect home to help

us achieve our goal.

4. Are you happy with the press reviews thus far of the new album,

Blackbird? Is the mainstream paying attention to your satisfaction?

Yes we are extremely happy thus far. In fact, it has surpassed our

expectations. We finally seem to be moving past the Creed stigma and we

feel the critics are letting the music of Alter Bridge stand on its own

merit.

5. Are people getting the real reason behind the song:”Rise Today”?

Has anyone thought it is still a political tune?

Initially people thought the song had a political stance. But through

press, media and other avenues we think the point has gotten across that

the song is simply asking a question… Can the world be a better place?

6. Is there any way you can explain the inspiration behind the

album name “Blackbird’? What are the specifics to it?

The lyrics to the song Blackbird were written about a close friend that

passed away recently. He actually taught me (Myles) how to play the

Beatles version of Blackbird on guitar so I always equated that song

with him. The song is about my hope that he finds a better place after

much suffering with a long illness. We used Blackbird as the album title

because we wanted to draw attention to that song because we feel that it

is our finest achievement to date.

7. IN today’s internet days, is playing live still the most

important aspect of the band?

For Alter Bridge it is. We play live because it is what we love to do

above all else. We make an album so that we can hit the road and connect

with the fans.

8. Where do the internet tools lie in terms of priority of the

band’s voice and promotion potential?

Very high. You Tube, for example, has been an invaluable tool. MySpace

and all of our fan generated sites, as well as alterbridge.com, have

helped us immeasurably. When we were between labels and management

companies our fan sites kept us alive and relevant. Without them, we

would have dropped off the face of the earth. And now we are back!

Tags: alter+bridge, interview, wind+up

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