Alex Varkatzas Interview I

FES: What went through your mind when you found out Atreyu was going to play the main stage on this year's Family Values Tour?

Alex: We were really stoked. It was kind of a shock I don’t think we expected something like that growing up as a punk and hardcore band from north L.A., we really thought that wouldn’t happen so we were really down for it.

FES: It’s a well deserved honor.

Alex: We’re so excited. We’ve done Ozzfest and stuff like that, but this is a really cool slot and I feel really gratified about it.

FES: How long will Atreyu's set will be?

Alex: I think around 45 minutes long.

FES: Will Atreyu be playing mostly songs from "Lead Sails Paper Anchor" or will it be a mixture of old and new Atreyu songs?

Alex: We’re going to keep it pretty balanced. I think we’re going to play 3 songs from each record something like ten (10) songs.

FES: How does the band decide which of those songs will be played on the Family Values Tour?

Alex: I think we just pick the songs that are fun for us to play and that the kids like.

FES: Do you have any personal favorites to perform live?

Alex: I like to play the new songs they are always fun because they are hard, but I really like to play “Creature,” it’s a fun song and it feels good in my throat.

FES: "Lead Sails Paper Anchor" is scheduled for release on August 28, 2007 on Hollywood Records. In your opinion how is this record different from previous Atreyu records?

Alex: New art work, new CD layout no just kidding. [Laughs] We got laser focused on this record but still had a fun relaxed time making it. Does that make sense?

FES: Yes it does.

Alex: The machine was running good. The start wasn’t like hesitant but we had all these ideas and they covered such a broad spectrum of music, how is this going to work out? Some of the songs are so different which I think is a good thing I want to make a diversified record. In the past we were always like probably not a good idea.

FES: I think as a band matures change is going to happen.

Alex: Definitely. Working with John Feldmann [Good Charlotte, The Used, Lost Prophets] who produced our record. John has all these crazy ideas. I think we’re definitely the heaviest band by far he’s ever worked with. I think he had all these ideas in his head and he got to throw them out with us.

FES: How long did it take to record the album?

Alex: I want to say maybe two months. It was pretty spread out. We would take whatever song we were working on just break it down play it on acoustic guitars come up with a chorus or verse and if I had lyrics already for the song see what we had change words here and there change parts of it. It would work like that for every song on the record. We would go downstairs and play it a bunch of times electrically while they were doing that I was working on the lyrics more. As they’re playing it over and over they’re doing different drum beats and timings here and there just getting dialed in to what’s going to sound the best. That’s something we had never done. John taught us how to make a real record. Which was very cool.

FES: "Becoming the Bull" is the first single scheduled to be released. How did the band decide this would be the first single?

Alex: We just felt like it was a real powerful song. It’s about empowerment too; taking control of your life even though shit kind of crazy around you. It just seemed like that’s what this record feels like a little. It just felt right. It was the first song we wrote or the first song we jammed out. John liked the riffs.

FES: What other songs will be released as singles?

Alex: I don’t really know yet, I don’t think we have gotten that far down the line.

FES: What was it like to work with Josh Todd on "Blow?"

Alex: It was great, I wasn’t there. [Laughs] I mean that in a nice way. I had a good day that day where ever I was. I heard he was cool. He took his short off and banged out some vocals.

FES: Are there plans for Atreyu to release a live DVD of performances from this year's Family Values Tour?

Alex: No that I know of.

FES: Do you think Atreyu will do a live album or DVD in the future?

Alex: I don’t think it’s out of the question but I’m not super into live records. I don’t think they sound that great. In my opinion playing live is about something a little different than playing your record. When you listen to that record you’re not seeing the band running around going crazy. Your just hearing what your hearing that’s not the whole cohesive thing. I would much rather consider doing a live DVD. It’s this day and age let’s step it up and do a cool live DVD. Who likes live CD’s their boring. Why not just go listen to a real CD it sounds way better.

FES: Do you think online sites that sell music now will mean the end of the CD?

Alex: I think it’s hard to say. The record industry is a tough son of a bitch that doesn’t want to go away. If you want a CD you’re going to buy one.

FES : Do you have anything to say to Atreyu fans who read this interview?

Alex: Thank you for your support, past, present and hopefully future. We work really hard at this and its gratifying to know everything I am allowed to do in my life is because of the band. It’s real humbling I can do this. I have good days and bad days like anybody else but I have a rad job.

FES : Alex, thank you for your time I wish Atreyu much success.