Interviews: Atomic Agent

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Hard Rock/Gothic Rock band Atomic Agent from Finland. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that? 

There is a song by that name, Atomic Agent, which is yet unreleased. I just thought, “Hey, why not take that one. It’s quite catchy, a bit secretive, and dangerous sounding.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I wanted to make music I’d want to listen to myself. I hardly know anyone else doing this kind of stuff. Sure, there are a million Goth Rock bands, who sound exactly like The Sisters Of Mercy and so on, but not many combine all these different elements that Atomic Agent does.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

At first Atomic Agent was a solo effort, and in a sense it still is. I, as in Al Aston, still make all the music and play everything myself for the recordings, but we do have an active line-up for future live purposes. The drummer, Count Jan Woods, and the bassist, Neville van der Smith, are both familiar to me from my metal band, but the rhythm guitarist I recruited from a popular Finnish musicians’ site. Time will tell if this also becomes a recording line-up. We’re still going to add a lead guitarist at some point.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Ouch, that’s a tough one as I have so many. Let’s say At The Gates today.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Things that happen to me or my close ones, good melodies and riffs, nice lines in some movie or a TV show… Anything, literally.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Atomic Agent hasn’t had any yet as we are still rehearsing our live set. But hopefully later this year we’ll perform live too.

7. Where would you like to perform? 

Tavastia Club, Helsinki, and The Underworld, London. The Tavastia Club is legendary, and I’ve always loved Camden Town so much.

8. Whom would you like to perform with? 

Tribulation, Candlemass, and Paradise Lost, to name a few.

9. Whom not? 

Pushy people with disgustingly extreme, narrow-minded views, people who treat other people with disrespect.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I have, but it’s pretty much passed with experience. I know, alcohol can ease that a bit, but I would never recommend it for obvious reasons as you can form a bad habit. Besides I like how a little bit of nervousness can give you this certain type of edge on stage. If you’re too relaxed, it’s always a bad thing in my experience. I’d just recommend you try and enjoy what you’re doing there. Performing live can be intoxicating and thrilling itself.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Love Like Blood, The Sisters Of Mercy, Rosetta Stone, Fields Of The Nephilim, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Billy Idol, Danzig, Paradise Lost, and Type O Negative, to name a few.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

Never understood why an adult would ask for an autograph, hehe.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Best in the world, of course.

14. What do you think of our site? 

Good work, keep it up!

15. Something to add?

Thanks for featuring Atomic Agent, love ‘ya!