Brighter Tomorrow - Aiden

“Hey Bob, what did you think of us when you first saw our pictures? ...You thought we we’re ****s right?" Queries Aiden guitarist Jake Wambold to their now tour manager Bob Bicknell “Oh those guys like death!” retorts Bob. “I even look in the mirror sometimes and think ‘you asshole’” continues Jake. Yep Aiden can certainly give themselves as much stick as the cruellest of critics. But this humour and grounded attitude has formed the perfect combative defence to the slating and abuse often thrown at the Seattle goth-punks. “You know image is image” reflects Jake “But you can ask bands that tour with us and they say we saw pictures of you guys and thought you would be ****s or gay-lords. But after they tour with us they are like, ‘actually you guys are cool and an awesome laugh.’ That’s what matters to us - not the opinions of people who know nothing about us.”

In truth, even this Gigwise hack was a tad apprehensive of how the dark, eerie poster boys may act in person. But the only mood the lads are in tonight is a jovial one. The Aiden boys are as hospitable and friendly as they come, as they joke and natter to Gigwise backstage at Newcastle Academy. Jake is joined by guitarist Angel Ibarra and bassist Nic Wiggins. Nic is clutching a large Starbucks coffee desperate for the heat and caffeine boost that keeps his worn out body ticking over. “Man it’s cold up here” Nic exclaims.  But Aiden have been warming the hearts of thousands every night of the Taste of Chaos 07 tour. “It’s been awesome” Nic continues. “We are like one big family. We’ve been sharing a tour bus with The Blackout! man those guys are mental”. Jake interjects: “The Welsh are ****ed up!” But tour pranks have been kept to a minimum, as Jake explains: “You know what they say, you shouldn’t kiss your sister!” indeed Jake, indeed.

The original ‘black parade’, Aiden shot to fame thanks to furious goth-punk anthems and the most striking of images that scared many a parent while thrilling their offspring. In wiL Francis they have one of the most intriguing front-men. He has transpired into a role model for tortured teens that find refuge and inspiration from a young man who has been to hell and back. Thus, their story is already and interesting one, but their next chapter promises to exceed all that’s gone before.

‘Change’ and ‘evolve’ are words prevalent in nearly all reviews of Aiden’s latest album ‘Conviction’. Gone are the jet black clothes and constant fixations with death - and all that goes with it. Hell, they were recently snapped wearing sparkling white attire that would pass the ‘Daz doorstep challenge’ no problem. Their sound has also drastically undergone a make-over. The screams and stagnant formula of their first two LPs was well and truly ditched in favour of soaring melodies and positive lyrics. All evidence that points to the fact Aiden are consciously breaking free from the stigma and restraints the screamo scene had once imposed. “We don’t really want to be in them as we don’t do the screaming thing anymore,” explains Nic. “We don’t want to be known or categorised in with other bands. We just want to do what we do and to be judged just as Aiden.”

But why fix something that ain’t broke? This dilemma may have worried the lad’s record bosses, but the answer was simple for Aiden. “We can’t make the same record over and over again. It’s not fun for us as a band and it’s not fun for the fans” claims Nic with an obvious burning belief. Jake is also convinced they have changed because they wanted to - and not for any publicity stunt or to pursue an alternative market. “If you take how people may react into consideration the whole time. Then what are you really doing it for? You do it for yourself and you do it for the fans.” Jake explains “We didn’t write what we wrote previously to please the fans. It’s what we wanted to play. But now this is what we enjoy playing”. Jake and Nic then gaze over at a rather distant Angel in hope of inciting his opinions on the matter, but nobody seems to be home.

A few ‘anybody there?’s later Angel stirs: “What? Sorry, I was actually reading that sign over there.” He may not be as visibly focused as Jake and Nic, but there’s a reason. “Man, I am so tired” reveals Angel. His exhaustion is understandable as 2007 has been a non-stop affair. In which Aiden recorded and released their best album to date, ‘Conviction’ and thus toured the world on the back of it. They have been Taste of Chaos stalwarts, touring all US, Australia, Japan, Europe and UK dates. But their humour and gratitude for every moment still shines through this gruelling experience. Touring for almost two solid years could break many bands, and leave in-house relationships in ruins. But Aiden are ultimately united in their mission. “With every family you get your arguments and what not, but the end of the day we are brothers and we are in this together” reflects Nic “We have the same goals,” adds Jake.