Aeon
By Dave SugdenDave Sugden finds out why Aeon have a problem with drummers!
Aeon are not just another local rock band. In fact Aeon are not just a rock band. Their recent biography update described their sound as "more rock than pop, more prog than metal while proudly acknowledging influences from all four". So, when I interview them at the Royal Park Cellars during setup for the latest "Panama Night" - and in the run up to their re-launch gig there on Saturday December 9th, I ask them where they felt their sound fitted them into the local scene.
"I don't think it really does", says vocalist Daz, "We've always seen ourselves on the edges of the local scene, we don't fit into any particular group". Bassist Bill adds, "I think it's because we don't appeal to those young kids, the skaters, because we don't specialise in that punk thing. At the same time, we don't appeal to the older crowd because we either aren't just a classic rock band or we don't do the alternative or grunge scene. I think by crossing over our influences it's meant we don't really fit in anywhere."
The impression I've always had of Aeon is that anyone who makes the trip to see them will actually come away liking what they have just seen. "We invest a lot - physically and emotionally - into our shows" says Daz "And once people see that, they respond to it". That is how Aeon have built up a following. Even so, by their own admission, it can be a struggle to get people to their gigs. "We cannot advertise ourselves as any particular style" says guitarist John, "so we never get those 'chancers', out at the gig because they want to see a band play a style of music they like. It's a shame, but we're used to it by now".
Drummer Doink is one of the early fans, and has seen the sound evolve over the past couple of years. He's obviously not an original band member, and follows in a long line of drummers, a list now totalling six. "I wanted to be number five", says Doink. Daz continues, "Yeah, but we got Ben in at the time. Doink had been watching us for two years and always wanted to be in the band, but we didn't realise. It was only after Ben left that we found out that Doink wanted to be considered." Now I remember from being in a local band, drummers are the hardest members to find; so how in the world could Aeon possibly have had six drummers in their ranks over the years? There aren't even six drummers available in Leeds (or so the adverts would indicate). "Ha, yeah we've had more drummers than Spinal Tap. None of them have exploded yet though". Doink looks uncomfortable at this point. "We had one who sounded as though he was hitting the skins with a wet kipper, and one who rang us to say 'I'm in Ireland and I'm not coming back so fuck you.' - But I think we've found the one we've been looking for now."
"Seriously though, each time we have had a new drummer, it's been for the good. With each new drummer the band has improved. The overall sound has evolved and improved each time, songs sound completely different and we move off in another direction - we're more aggressive now, with the music, not each other!"
I always watch bands and think, "What would I do there". I guess that Doink, having watched Aeon for a number of years, had his own opinions on the songs. "I think that's what Doink has done", says guitarist John, "The major benefit of having Doink in the band is that he contributes to songwriting and arrangements, which we've never had from our previous drummers". Doink adds, "There was one song that I thought needed an extra chorus, so when I joined I repeatedly made my suggestions to change it. Eventually they decided to listen to the new guy (grins)". Everyone chips in to agree that this song has now improved ten-fold.
Following Bright Young Things at the start of the year, where the band succeeded in getting through to the final but were beaten by Insense at the T&C, Aeon almost came to an end. Collectively they explain, "We had vowed after a bad experience at the Harrogate Arms never to enter any more Battle of the Bands. In fact, since the day we said that we have entered another two. This time it's really final, honest. I don't think they do any good for anyone, except the promoters, bands shouldn't be made to compete against each other. We should all work together". I think this is quite a popular opinion around the local music community; it's certainly one that I agree with. Whilst I will always promote the local scene, and if that includes Battle of the Band's then so be it, but I'll never agree with them. "What BYT2K did to us", they continue, "Is that it almost made us quit. Ben, our previous drummer, didn't take it very well and began to lose interest fast. We'd be playing gigs and our songs would sound completely different, sometimes they be played at twice the speed or be unrecognisable".
The band are altogether more supportive of the new format BYT - which will involve selection of bands for a recording project. "There's nothing wrong with people making judgments about music and deciding whether this band or that are right for a particular gig or project - as long as it isn't putting us in an artificial head-to-head confrontation with other musicians" says Daz.
At one stage during the year that followed the band played Fibbers in York, a gig that was the final straw. "To say it didn't go well is an understatement", they admit. Two weeks later Ben decided to move on. But that was then, getting Doink was the turning point and the band are now back on the right track. "We've got away from throwing songs away now too", says John. "Before Bright Young Things we used to write some good songs, but if they weren't 'Aeon' we didn't use them. We got carried away with trying to be different". "Yeah" adds Daz, "Now we've decided that we've proved ourselves as musicians, we've proved to ourselves we can play, so now we're getting back to dealing with songs on their own terms and not worrying whether they belong to one genre or another."
Nathan adds, "Yeah - if we like a song, we play it, that's the only rule". By 'songs' the band mean Songs with a capital S; tracks like the impressive "Magazine Man" which is a stomping rock track with a huge anthem for a chorus. They also like to cover songs by some of their local heroes - Mama Scuba's "Cool" has only recently left their set, to be replaced by The Scaramanga Six's "The Coward". "We really admire these guys," says Daz, "and it gives us a real buzz when they like our treatment of their material".
I get the impression from talking to them that Aeon are more together as a band now than they have ever been. "There's been some very difficult times - people screaming at each other in rehearsals & walking out & stuff - but it was all because the music wasn't right and we weren't happy, but we've come through it" says John. "Yeah, it feels right now", adds Bill.
Daz continues, "Now we're confident enough to let our influences shape our music. Before, if Nathan wrote a dance keyboard part, we'd have thrown him out of the rehearsal room. Now we work around it, and some of our newer songs sound nothing like the Aeon of old."
At this point, Steve Kind comes over to call the interview to a halt - Aeon double as the Panama crew - "It's payment in kind for being their manager" he points out - "It's the only pay I get!"
To close, they still like to rock: The Aeon brand is dark, loud and very empowering. Check them out on December 9th - you might like them.
