From the land of post-punk/grunge giants, comes a band that
sounds more like AFI and My Chemical Romance than Nirvana
or Pearl Jam. However, Wil Francis, Aiden’s metrosexual lead
singer, claims that Kurt Cobain was one of the people that
drove him to music and away from other distractions (i.e.
drugs and violence). After a State Theatre show where 14-
year-old girls ruled the day (and ripped out a handful of his
hair), Wil sat down with me for a little one on one about the
freedom of headlining and longevity in the music business. Still
dripping with sweat, but now having removed his black button-
up, he offers up a seat next to him on a wooden bench that
barely looks sturdy enough to support his meager frame.
NS: I know that you’ve done a lot of tours, but this is your
first real headlining tour. What’s it like, is it much different?
Wil Francis: Well, it’s fucking cooler. You know? You don’t
have to deal with anybody else’s bullshit rules. We can do
whatever the fuck we want.
sounds more like AFI and My Chemical Romance than Nirvana
or Pearl Jam. However, Wil Francis, Aiden’s metrosexual lead
singer, claims that Kurt Cobain was one of the people that
drove him to music and away from other distractions (i.e.
drugs and violence). After a State Theatre show where 14-
year-old girls ruled the day (and ripped out a handful of his
hair), Wil sat down with me for a little one on one about the
freedom of headlining and longevity in the music business. Still
dripping with sweat, but now having removed his black button-
up, he offers up a seat next to him on a wooden bench that
barely looks sturdy enough to support his meager frame.
NS: I know that you’ve done a lot of tours, but this is your
first real headlining tour. What’s it like, is it much different?
Wil Francis: Well, it’s fucking cooler. You know? You don’t
have to deal with anybody else’s bullshit rules. We can do
whatever the fuck we want.
NS: One of my favorite songs you did was your cover of
“Drain You” by Nirvana. Growing up in Seattle, did
Nirvana influence you?
WF: Yeah, they rock. They were one of the bands that
really got me to start playing music.
NS: Speaking of your music, Conviction was very different
from your previous albums. Was anybody in the band
opposed to this change?
WF: It was a pretty collective decision. We made two
albums where we just kept playing the same stuff. I didn’t
want to be another fuckin’ cookie cutter band. I could
have easily made another Nightmare Conviction,
but I really wanted to make something that
stands the test of time. I kinda wanted to
progress a little more.
“Drain You” by Nirvana. Growing up in Seattle, did
Nirvana influence you?
WF: Yeah, they rock. They were one of the bands that
really got me to start playing music.
NS: Speaking of your music, Conviction was very different
from your previous albums. Was anybody in the band
opposed to this change?
WF: It was a pretty collective decision. We made two
albums where we just kept playing the same stuff. I didn’t
want to be another fuckin’ cookie cutter band. I could
have easily made another Nightmare Conviction,
but I really wanted to make something that
stands the test of time. I kinda wanted to
progress a little more.
| | Home | Contents | Got Issues? | Calendar | Staff | Contact | Employment | |