Avalon Drive Interview

Avalon Drive Interview

Having originally formed in 2005 under the guise of Avalon Drive and having disband in November 2008 the four-piece carved their way in to the Australian rock scene having built an impressive fan base, and playing high energy live shows and festivals.

In August 2005, the band independently released their self-titled debut EP spawning the singles 'This Simple Life' and radio favourite, 'Outside Alone'. 2006 saw one of Australia's hardest working bands tour the country six times over having supported Yellowcard, The Veronicas, The All American Rejects and INXS whilst also headlining three of their own tours in support of their second EP release 'The City Of Burnt Out Lights'.

It didn't stop there! In 2007, Avalon Drive released the single 'Make Your Move' before supporting Californian rockers, Hoobastank and US punk-rockers Fall Out Boy on their national arena tour.

Moving in to 2008, the band signed a recording deal with SonyBMG which gave Avalon Drive their third EP release in the form of "The View From Afar" featuring the single "Last One Standing" which was released on 4 October 2008 before the band's split in November of that year.

Avalon Drive One Show Only
Saturday, February 5th, 2011
The Hi-Fi, Brisbane (18+)
Tickets $15 presale $20 at the door
www.thehifi.com.au

Interview with Wil Morris

Question: Can you talk about why you guys decided to split?

Wil Morris: Well I left the band about a year before the rest of the band decided to part ways. At the time when I left, I worked about four meters away from Damion every day, and he didn't speak to me for two weeks. Haha. I did some traveling and played other styles of music for a while, but I couldn't tell you why the rest of them disbanded. Probably missed me too much. Haha.


Question: Why have you decided to get together for this one show?

Wil Morris: Well apparently just over six months ago there was talk of the boys doing a similar show, but the timing mustn't have been right. Recently, I temporarily played in another band with Damion and went over his house for a writing session when he got a call from our old manager suggesting the reunion show. With the original line up it just made more sense to do it and we were all in the frame of mind to give it another crack. And I suppose we've all missed it so much that it just felt right to agree to do it this time.


Question: Are there any plans to play more shows, in the future?

Wil Morris: Not as of yet. We're not going down that path yet. We are just focusing on this one and making it the best performance and show that Avalon Drive has ever done. Lots of surprises in store...even for us.


Question: Do you miss playing festivals and live shows?

Wil Morris: That's gotta be a rhetorical question, right? Live shows were what I lived for up to two years ago, nothing else mattered to us. And festivals, dear me, they are the icing on the cake for a band that focuses on a live show so much. You get to sell your product to new people and gain new fans and friends. The best times of my life were spent at music festivals...both performing and supporting. Nothing equates to the atmosphere at festivals. I'm going to be that old bald dude limping around still going to festivals when I'm older...as long as I can afford it on my pension.


Question: How does it feel to hear your songs still played all over the airwaves?

Wil Morris: It's quite a surreal thing. I remember the first time when "Make Your Move" got played on the radio and it was like the whole world just stopped. Although, each other time you hear your song played it's not as memorable and special as the first time, but it is still an extremely fulfilling achievement.


Question: Are any of the former band members embarking on a solo career?

Wil Morris: Yes, I've been playing in band called "The Garrison City" and also working on a solo acoustic project. Hopefully I'll start gigging next year. Damion has been doing shows with his acoustic duo "Words Versing Versus" and is releasing a single at the Hi Fi show. Shane has done some session work and toured with Liz Hodgins around Australia. That's about it out of us that have continued beyond AD.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Wil Morris: I have extremely varied taste in music, as long as it is good, real and honest. It helps when the songwriters are actually in the band/group. I listen to stuff from Laura Marling to The Chariot to Manchester Orchestra to Wu Tang Clan. All over the shop. Well that's what's in my CD stacker in my car at the moment.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Wil Morris: My first two concerts were Green Day in 94' and Silverchair in 95', so obviously Billy Joe Armstrong and Daniel Johns were a great inspiration to me. Singer/Songwriters is where it's at. They always come up with the greatest pieces of music and I can only aspire to be as good as those guys. There are so many more but I'm not writing a biography so I'll leave it at that.


Question: What was the original idea behind the bands name?

Wil Morris: Well I know there are a couple of stories going around, and to be honest, I don't really know. The other boys already had the name before I met up with them. This one will have to stay mystery...even to me. Haha


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

<Wil Morris: www.avalondrive.com