SCENEzine
Do you think the sentiment behind “I will buy you a New Life” is what connected the song to so many people worldwide?
Art Alexakis
I don’t know. I think it connected with a lot of people. I think one of the things people like about my music and Everclear is the fact that it’s not really fancy. I’m not the best singer in the world or the best guitar player but when you put it all together it has an original sound. It’s honest I have an honest voice. It’s not the best voice in the world but it’s an honest voice. I think the songs are honest in both the way they sound and what they are saying. I think that’s what’s connected to people the honesty and the passion.
SCENEzine
Do you have any memories of playing Woodstock 1999?
Art Alexakis
Yeah it’s so funny I remember playing it seeing 250,000 people literally as far back as we could see and they were all singing “Santa Monica”. That was a trip. That was a real exciting bucket list moment for me.
SCENEzine
It’s not long until you’re back in Australia touring. Do you feel a special connection to Australia?
Art Alexakis
I think Australian’s as a whole really enjoy American rock especially 90’s alternative and grunge. You guys really connected with that. I think there’s honesty and passion with Australian’s that’s the thing I’ve always felt connected to. If I wasn’t married or had a child I would live in Australia I love Australia. There’s an honesty and a passion for life that you guys have. I think that’s the reason we’ve connected so well down there.
SCENEzine
The Australian version of So Much for The Afterglow had the bonus track “Local God” is there any chance you will play that when you’re down here?
Art Alexakis
Oh we are definitely going to play “Local God” for sure. We are going to do the whole album then we will do some Sparkle and Fade songs with some hits like “Santa Monica” and “Wonderful” and maybe a couple of other surprises.
SCENEzine
I really like your version of “Don’t Change” by INXS. Were you a big INXS fan is that how that came about?
Art Alexakis
Well I was a ok fan of them but I was a huge fan of that song. That was like their second single here and I loved it. I just loved that song that way they do it. When we were covering songs I wanted to cover that and I had to teach it to the other two guys they didn’t know that song. I really enjoyed doing that song it was fun.
SCENEzine
Lastly can you give us some insight into what happens at the Everclear VIP experience?
Art Alexakis
Yeah the VIP experience we try to give as much value for the money as possible. We come out and play a song acoustic for everybody that they wont hear in the show. Then we walk around and meet everybody and if they want things signed or to take pictures or just want to talk that’s cool too. You get a one on one experience with everybody in the band. We try to make it fun and affordable. I think it’s pretty cool.
(interview by Christian Ross)