Interview: All Time Low

Screaming fans? Check. Celebrity guests? Check. Swanky after party? Check.

All Time Low, consisting of vocalist Alex Gaskarth, guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist Zack Merrick and drummer Rian Dawson, hit yet another all time high as they celebrate the release of Straight To DVD, the band’s documentary/live concert film at the legendary Music Box on Hollywood Blvd.

Because of commercially successful albums So Wrong, It’s Right and Nothing Personal, the band has been featured on MTV, inked a major label deal with Interscope and is included in the Alice In Wonderland movie soundtrack.

Cameras are flasing left and right as Zack Merrick walks the red carpet. “I love this because it’s not very often I get to come out here and have people stare at me and ask questions,” he humbly says, likely leaving press to his more outspoken bandmates since he’s “usually surfing down south [in Huntington Beach]” and hasn’t quite gotten his mind around the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown.

Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, who co-wrote with All Time Low, came to lend support as well as twins Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy.

Benji Madden, who spent the morning rehearsing for The Bamboozle Roadshow, will soon embark on a nationwide tour alongside All Time Low. “I’m proud of them,” he says. “I’m psyched to be here tonight because I love these guys!”

Madden’s long-time band, Good Charlotte, is currently gearing up for their fifth studio released album Cardiology, truly believing it is “the best Good Charlotte record ever.”

“It’s a real feel good record—very positive and classic Good Charlotte with catchy choruses. We love catchy songs, so that’s not changing, but we dug a little deeper on the lyrics. I think kids will like it!”

Madden recently wowed fans and critics alike, reigning supreme in a Las Vegas amateur celebrity boxing match, knocking out MTV host Riki Rachtman.

“Me and Benji connected because Benji does MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and likes to work out,” Merrick says. “So Benji and I will be like brothers on this tour. We’re gonna wake up every day and work out. I’m stoked for it because I get to learn how to box!”

Consequently, Pete Wentz soon took the stage to introduce the film, taking that opportunity to crack lighthearted jokes at the band and calling Merrick “The Matthew McConaughey of pop-punk” due to his impeccable abs.

Wentz continues, “I was stoked because my publicist said I get to introduce the biggest band from Baltimore, Maryland and I was like, ‘F*** yeah, Good Charlotte! That’s easy!'”

“[My publicist] was like, ‘Nah, it’s gonna be All Time Low.’ So I thought in order to do that, I’m going to have to do some research on this band: Can you tell me the other guys’ names in the band besides Jack and Alex?”

“…People ask me about All Time Low all the time. They ask me if I get royalties on their haircuts…I do not!”

Wentz’s comedic commentary was a taste to what was to come of the screening. Straight To DVD vividly showcases All Time Low’s lively demeanor. It’s a worthwhile collection of antics and mischief filmed while on the road. However, the highlights are the DVD’s live performances. With standout tracks like “Jasey Rae” and “Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t),” along with the band’s passion, energy and stage presence, it’s no wonder the band has garnered such a loyal fan base.

A Q&A session with fans followed the screening, and All Time Low hosted an open-bar, rooftop after party overlooking the Los Angeles cityscape.

The event was sponsored by Hot Topic and proceeds benefited Invisible Children, a global movement seeking to end the conflict in Uganda and stop the abduction of children for use as child soldiers.

All Time Low’s Straight To DVD hits stores May 25th. Catch them on The Bamboozle Roadshow with Good Charlotte, Third Eye Blind, LMFAO, Hanson, Boys Like Girls and more.

www.MySpace.com/AllTimeLow
www.AllTimeLow.com

Interview by Jeanette Nguyen