PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
AvaGrace serve up an explosive fusion of heavy alt-rock, complete with delectable hooks and colossal riffs. The quintet have an original but hugely accessible sound, the guys release their debut album, The Witching Hours, on Friday 30th August. Prior to this, the band have just revealed a brand new single and video for the album’s namesake, The Witching Hours – https://youtu.be/3PeZjC2iUnE , out now. We had the band over for a chat to find out more about their background:
What is the full band line-up, who sings and who plays which instrument?
Chris Horton – Vocals, Ben Goodey – Guitar/Vocals, Craig Matthews – Guitar/Vocals, Bass – Will Evans, Drums – Ashlee Green.
When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying?
The band basically formed when Craig and Bens hardcore bands had disbanded. Craig started writing new music and demoed a track playing and singing everything and only a select few people heard it, one of them being Ben who said that’s exactly the direction he was wanting to go in and the genre of music he wanted to be playing and the band was born at that moment and the pair started writing music for AvaGrace. Chris joined soon after and the guys went into the studio and began demoing and exploring their sound and the other two members gradually joined. The band were formed in Medway Towns in Kent , South East of England. With Ben and Craig being school friends and Chris being a member in a popular local band at the time turning his hand to lead vocals from previously being a guitarist and backing vocals in other bands. Will then joined us on bass just before the release of our second EP “Earth, Wind & Liars” back in 2015, The band had been through various member changes up until last year when our longest standing drummer Alby (who plays drums on the album) decided to step down and then Ashlee joined shortly after. It’s given the band a new sense of hope and lease of life and we are very excited right now to be releasing our debut album at last.
Who are your musical influences?
We have a range of musical influences personally from the mid noughties rise records scene, pop punk, metal, post hardcore, the modern UK rock scene, even things like funk and soul and beyond. As a band we are influenced by bands such as Sasoin, Underoath, Dance Gavin Dance to name a few but there’s too many really to list.
Where did the name of the band come from?
It was so long ago now we honestly can’t remember, I think we collectively decided an actual name would be cool and for a while top of the list was AvaRose until we realised Ava Rose was a famous porn star, so we thought that might cause some awkward situations if people ever tried to search for us online so in the end went for AvaGace, which we thought had a nice ring to it!
Where have you played or toured?
We have been lucky to have had some great support slots over the years playing with the likes of Lower Than Atlantis, Black Peaks, Mallory Knox, Dream State, Dance Gavin Dance, Closure in Moscow, Broadway and many more
We’ve enjoyed playing some great festivals like Camden Rocks and had a headline run up and down the UK as well as loads of shows in the south region. One of our greatest memories is headlining Camden Barfly (Camden Assembly) for our EP launch show and walking out to a packed house of fired up people, nothing beats that feeling.
In your opinion, how is your band different from all the other bands out there?
We pride ourselves on keeping that raw, original rock sound which is far and few between these days. We feel we have the perfect mix of heavy riffy rock blended with great melodies and harmonies, creating a unique sound. We are often told we have a sound of our own but we’ll let you be the judge of that.
If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how would you describe it?
A perfect mix of melodic and heavy, powerful and energetic rock music with hard hitting emotional lyrical content and great harmonies.
Do you have a tour on the horizon?
We are hoping to have a tour planned by end of year for another run up and down the UK and hopefully some great support slots.
Where can we find your social media sites?
You can find all our social media links from going to our official website www.avagrace.co.uk
