Catching up with CAPTAIN WADE MacNeil from Alexis on FIRE

So, besides hitting the casino and losing 40 bux within 10 minutes, shopping, chillin with an old friend, watching some great movies such as, American Beauty,40 Year Old Virgin, SAW 1, SAW 2 who did I catch up with on my weekend to Windsor over the phone?
I scored an interview with Wade MacNeil from Alexis on Fire!

The featured artist of the month is Alexis on Fire. Their new album ‘Crisis’, which is already released in your nearest record store is a must hear. The 5 deviant boys who hail from the small town of St. Catherines, Ontario includes Dallas Green, George Pettit, Wade MacNeil, Chris Steele and Jordan Hastings. Critics as well as music worshippers are impressed with Alexis on Fire because the music they convey is an innovative style of rock to the existing generic music world. The band has won themselves a few MMVA’s and a Juno. If you like rock then this might be your band. Alexis on Fire’s music style is a collision of hard-hitting sounds and unique melodious vocals. I first met the boys in the summer at the Much Music Video Awards and they were really down to earth.

I chatted with guitarist and back up vocalist Wade MacNeil recently as they finished a long sound check preparing for a performance in Calgary, Alberta, here is what he had to say:

Michele: Good afternoon, is this ‘Captain’ Wade MacNeil?
Wade: [laughs] … Yes it is I!
Michele: [laughs] … Now I don’t know if you remember me, but I briefly met you guys at the MMVA’s when you brought my buddy Rick “The Temp” as your date … you know the tall brown girl?
Wade: Ohh … yea yea yea, I remember.
Michele: Ohh … so you guys like to party eh? So, how important is the party aspect to a rock stars life?
Wade: Yea, we like to party, a little too much partying [laughs] … but hey, everybody does!
Michele: You guys are the most talked about band on campus, everyone is loving the single ‘This Could Be Anywhere In The World’, what else can we expect from the new album ‘Crisis’?
Wade: We were very dedicated and focused on this album, we worked very hard on it. It’s much more intense then our past albums. We are in the process of filming our next music video.
Michele: Oh yea? What single is it?
Wade: ‘Boiled Frogs’
Michele: That’s a great song! Now, coming from a small town like St. Catherines, did you ever think that you would have been able to accomplish 4 albums?
Wade: Ugh, you know what? We weren’t expecting it, when the first album came out most of us were still in high school. We just got out there and played shows and it started spiraling from there, by travelling we got exposure.
Michele: That’s amazing and inspiring. Ryerson is very passionate when it comes to music and the love of art in general. What advice do you have for the Ryerson students and the future rock stars trying to chase after their dreams?
Wade: Um … I dunno, that’s a hard one … Drop outta school and start a band [laughs] no, no, just kidding … just work hard, there’s no telling of how things will go, we worked our asses off 24/7 writing music we care about and whether it’s in your basement or garage …
Michele: Or even a school assembly …
Wade: Yea, just work hard on what you love to do.
Michele: Exactly, good advice! I love how you guys have fallen into the ‘My Space’ craze, are you addicted? Or is it a way to keep connected with your fans?
Wade: Nooo, I just go on it to read what the fans are saying, it’s a crazy way to get your music out there … it’s very weird though.
Michele: Why?
Wade: It’s weird because people think they know every detail about our lives, and they don’t.
Michele: Oh yea it’s crazy. So your doing a few Alberta dates, then you are going to the US, then the UK? WOW! You guys are doing some big things.
Wade: Yea, we did some festivals and tours in Europe and the US before, like 7 or 8 times now.
Michele: Bands who started out in the underground scene make it outside the border and get all egotistical and forget their true fans, they get into the ‘rock star’ mode and let the fame get to their heads. When you make it outside the country, the industry, record company and others will try to influence you to try to change your music, style and personality. Therefore my question is will Alexis on Fire stay the same? Or will fans expect a change in anything?
Wade: Yes, of course we are going to change because we are not interested in repeating ourselves, we have always had different labels and indie labels.
Michele: Oh really? So do you guys feel like you grew musically and personally?
Wade: When you are touring, you grow up quicker.
Michele: I know you fellas are genuine people and I hope that you never forget Canada and the ‘little people’ at Ryerson University. Thank you so much for taking time outta your hectic schedule, hope you guys rock out really hard tonight and get wasted later!
Wade: [laughs] …thanks.
Michele: When are you planning to come back to the T-Dot? Because we would love to have you guys at one of our open mic nights?
Wade: You never know! … We are doing some Christmas shows in early December.
Michele: Thank you so much Wade! Have a great show!
Wade: Thanks, bye!