Dayton, Ohio, pop-punk quartet Life After Liftoff look like they’re destined for big things. Having played last year’s Warped Tour, appeared on numerous websites and magazines and even gained support from Blink-182’s Tom Delonge and Hayley Williams of Paramore.
Their latest release ‘Brand New Life’ is a collection of ambitious pop-rock songs with anthemic melodies and bright, positive lyrics that give the band plenty of potential.
Guitarist Ryan Chatterton, vocalist Lee Weiss and drummer Dan Malloy recently spoke to Already Heard to take part in our regular “If I…” feature.
If I could re-record one song it would be…
Ryan Chatterton: This wouldn’t be a LAL song, I recorded my first song when I was 14 with my little brother and let’s just say it wasn’t the highest quality but it was fun.
Lee Weiss: ‘Memory of You.’
If I could re-live one tour/show it would be…
RC: Warped Tour last year. It was just amazing to be on the same stages that many of my favourite bands have played.
LW: Warped Tour 2011
Dan Malloy: Warped Tour 2011
If I had the chance to play one venue it would be…
RC: Bogart’s in Cincinnati. It was where I went as a kid to see shows. I actually still go there for concerts.
DM: Wembley Stadium. I don’t think an explanation is needed here.
LW: Wembley Arena, London, England
If I could play with one band it would be…
RC: Bon Jovi!
DM: Foo Fighters, no question!
LW: Blink-182
If I play with any person living or dead it would be…
RC: I would love to sit down and jam with Buddy Rich (jazz drummer). He was just about the coolest drummers who has ever lived, talent and personality wise.
DM: Definitely have to go with Charlie Parker on this one. His recordings in my early days play jazz and bebop totally influenced my playing and listening when it comes to music.
LW: Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong
If I could bring back any band that have split up, it would be…
RC: They are still a band but I would love to see the original line-up of Reel Big Fish again.
DM: I think it’s hard to beat the line up for the band Flickerstick when they won the Bands on the Run competition on VH1.
LW: Midtown/Fall Out Boy, Fugazi or Operation Ivy.
If I wasn’t playing music, I would be…
RC: I would be a music teacher.
DM: It’s really really sad, but probably doing more with my graphic design degree.
LW: In school, Which I still am…?
If I could play a different genre it would be…
RC: I have always wanted to be in a full out ska band. Horns and everything! Like Less than Jake or Big D and the Kids Table.
DM: Down and dirty rock and roll! Nashville style rock like the Sons of William, Griffin House, or the Hotpipes!
LW: I wouldn’t. I love Punk Rock too much!
If I could have written any song it would be…RC: ‘Living on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi. It’s one of the greatest songs of all time!
DM: I think I would have to go with the Foo Fighters song ‘Generator.’ Great changes and awesome dynamic contrast.
LW: Either ‘Not Now’ or ‘What’s My Age Again’ by Blink-182.
If I could have written any album it would be…
RC: Dookie by Green Day. They made pop-punk a mainstream genre instead of an underground thing.
DM: The Crash Kings album. It is a musically diverse and incredibly well written album. Lyrically and musically, it fired me up from the first time I heard it.
LW: Either ‘American Idiot’ or ‘Dookie’ by Green Day.
If I could headline any festival, it would be…
RC: Warped Tour doesn’t have a “headliner” so I’ll say Woodstock! Seriously it would be awesome to headline Bamboozle.
DM: Warped Tour would be a fun festival to headline!
LW: Leeds Festival
If I could organise my own festival, the bands playing would be…
RC: It would be a strange line-up for sure! Van Halen, Foo Fighters, Atreyu, Goldfinger, Bon Jovi, New Found Glory, just every band I like would be on the bill.
DM: Thrice, Muse, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, The Afters, Sanctus Real, Killswitch Engage, Damien Rice, The Frames, Crash Kings, and this list could get out of control quickly if I went on.
LW: Blink-182, Greenday, Jimmy Eat World, Motion City Soundtrack, New Found Glory, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, NOFX, Bad Religion, Decedents, Less Than Jake, The Gaslight Anthem, Alkaline Trio, Butch Walker, The Cure, U2, Fall Out Boy, Midtown, Dr. Dre, The Format, H20, Kut U Up, Matisyahu, The Matches, The Offspring, Rancid, The Starting Line and Life After Liftoff.
If I could play any other instrument, it would be…
RC: I already play most instruments but I wish I was better at the piano.
DM: I already play a lot of instruments, but I’ve always wanted to know how to play the cello. It’s so versatile and has such a rich tonal quality.
LW: Piano
If I could give one piece of advice to a new band, it would be…
RC: Practice! Learn how to play your instruments well and how to write songs. Don’t just copy what other bands are doing, try to find your own voice and do something different!
DM: Could give one piece of advice to a new band, it would be: Don’t let anything slow you down or lessen your passion. Even when times get rough, keep after the things you love about music!
LW: Plan out everything you do, make sure you have a plan that is thought out and don’t give up, keep fighting
‘Brand New Life’ by Life After Liftoff is available now on iTunes.
Life After Liftoff links: Official Website|Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp
