THEIR STORY...
Alien8 is comprised of frontman James Dean, lead guitarist JJ Nold, rhythm guitarist Owen McLain, bassist Layne Bouche and drummer Kevin Hollinger.
Less than a year and a half from it's original inception, they've shaped Alien8 into a solid display of hooks, harmonies and hammer-ons, choosing to focus first on developing good songs and then deliver them with a high energy punch on stage. "People pay good money to see bands play. Money they could've used on a million other things," says Dean. "If they don't feel like they got their money's worth for a good show, then we didn't do our jobs... and it's coolest job in the world."
With the addition of their new rhythm section, found in bassist Layne Bouche and drummer Kevin Hollinger, Alien8 has also found new best friends. "When we were searching for a bassist who could tour with us, we felt a little overwhelmed that Lane offered to play. He's sick. Plays everything in the room. He also happens to be a tremendously cool guy. We thought we were done. Two weeks later, our drummer, Drew, [Cranmer], said he wanted to finish school and we were right back to "PANIC". Lane just called up Kevin Hollinger and he was in the band, three days later," recalls McLain. 24-year-old Hollinger hits like a truck and comes from a family chocked full of rock stars, having older brothers who toured with bands like Crazytown and Shuvel. "I just want to play, " he says. "I couldn't imagine life without music. It's easy to get jealous when you're older brother calls you from some foreign country where he's on tour."
At the same time, music needs to be meaningful. Alien8 now has fans around the world that agree their music is about a lot more than the status quo of sex, drugs & rock'n'roll, due to several songs being written about the troops and individual stories they've told. "Down In Flames", an emotional rock roller coaster, is about former Air Force Firefighter, Christian Farrow, who was serving as a firefighter in Afghanistan when he saved a six year old girl from a fire... even after a roof beam collapsed and broke his back. When Christian was dug out from the rubble by fellow firefighters, they found the girl safely protected underneath his coat. Miraculously, Farrow, a husband and father of two little girls, himself, was rehabilitated and went back to continue what he started. Stated Nold, "We dedicated our first E.P. to our troops, firefighters and emergency workers, because no one really sees what they go through on a daily basis unless they've been there." May our heroes always make it home to their loved ones and the lives they left behind to serve us all.
Recently signed by Roachpit Records, Ltd, Alien8 is currently in the studio recording their first full-length album, due out in late Spring.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:
MILES MUSIC STORES
DAMM MUSIC CENTER
SKATEWELL CLOTHING CO.
ALIEN8 ARE PROUD USERS OF:
GIBSON LES PAUL GUITARS
MESA BOOGIE AMPLIFICATION
LINE 6 / ROCKTRON EFFECTS
TAMA STAR CLASSIC DRUMS
PEARL JOEY JORDINSON SNARE
SABIAN CYMBALS
EV MICROPHONES
... and lots of red duct tape.
