After Midnight Project
Interview with lead guitarist claims band will "bring back the rock."

What makes a rock band special these days? A passion for the music? The ability to be innovative with their music? The love of the fans that support them? The After Midnight Project has all three.

The After Midnight Project is an alternative rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2004. The band consists of Jason Evigan (Singer/songwriter), Spencer Bastian (Lead Guitar), Christian Meadows (Rhythm Guitar), Dan Morris (Drums) and TJ Armstrong (Bass).

A wide array of musical influences and a general love of music contribute to AMP’s unique sound. Critics add “classical rock,” “soul,” “pop” and even “punk” to AMP’s alternative rock style to describe this bands style.

Though they formed more than five years ago, AMP has only just released their first full length album. What were they doing for all that time? The band was touring the country, building a fan base from the ground up and perfecting their live performances. After Midnight Project does it all for the fans, even encouraging fans to call them. If you leave a message, they’ll call back.

I asked AMP for an interview, and Spencer Bastian was more than willing to answer my questions.

Q: How did forming in LA affect the band?
A: I think there is easier access to the industry as a whole in LA. Every other show we played we would meet people in the industry from record exec’s to other more successful band members. However, this also makes it a much more competitive scene to be in. You have to do something unique and work really hard to stand out and build a following there.

Q: Do you feel there's a common theme in your lyrics?
A: Somewhat. Jason does write a lot about relationships, but there are a few like "The Criminal" or "Scream for You" that have entirely separate themes.

Q: How does the song writing process go? Do you all work together?
A: Jason has written almost all of the songs and typically he would bring in a song that's about 80% done lyrically and played on acoustic guitar. Then the entire band comes up with parts to enhance the song and make it into an AMP song.

Q: How different was it working with Universal Motown on the newest CD? What effects did it have?
A: The main difference is there is an actual budget so we were able to pick a producer. We vibed really well with John Feldmann (The Used, Story of the Year, Escape the Fate, etc). At the end of the day the songs still came from the band but John brought SO much to the table.

Q: Is the band seeing a big difference in popularity since the new release?
A: Naturally the band is gaining popularity right now because we have a song on the radio ("Take Me Home") that has peaked at #26 on the alt-rock charts, an album in stores, more press online and in print, and killer tours with Chevelle, Papa Roach, etc.

Q: What is the band’s favorite song from your current discography?
A: I think our current favorite song on our album is "The Criminal". That song encompasses most of the styles of our band. Our other favorite is "Keep My Feet on the Ground" which has not been released but keep an eye out for it!

Q: How would you like to be viewed years down the road?
A: As a band that wrote songs people love and will remember and also as very approachable and humble individuals. We work hard everyday to try to build the band more and more but we stay committed to the fans throughout.

Shortly after my interview with Spencer, After Midnight Project broke the top 10 on AOL music videos with their single “Take Me Home.” They were also featured on iTunes “Rock on the Rise.” AMP will be at every stop on Warped Tour this year. They’re a quick rising band that’s going to make a big impact. Even John Feldmann (AMP’s producer and Goldfinger’s lead singer) has said that AMP is the band that will “bring back the rock.” But don’t take it from me or him; go check them out for yourself. If you like rock, you won’t be disappointed.

The Mainstream is a student publication of Umpqua Community College.