ASA Action Sports World Tour | Richmond 2006 >> Recaps

Alien Ant Farm Plays the Action Sports World Tour

Keith Allen Caught up With the Band Before the Show

By Keith Allen

Richmond VA, approaching sunset, as the sky melts through shades of red, and the thundering sounds of a freight train roll past us, the scene is set. About an hour before they hit the stage for the June 17th performance at the Action Sports World Tour, I spent time talking with one of the most resilient bands around today, Alien Ant Farm.

We talked about everything from the tour bus crash in Spain 2002, which killed their driver, and left lead singer Dryden Mitchell with a fractured C2, the same injury that paralyzed Christopher Reeve, to persisting through such tragedy to find fuel and influence from the earmark of their lifestyle.

Dryden was passionate to clarify, letting us know that music, and the living breathing life of this band, is what defines him. Moreover, it helps him define the ever-evolving process of life, and how to better grow with it.

The whole band had an energy about them that told a story without words. They were humble yet driven, passionate while remaining light-hearted and comical at times. As someone interviewing them, I couldn’t help but think that these characteristics are only a few which inspire the diversity of their sound. This was only confirmed a short while later.

I caught the whole show that followed shortly after our time together. It was then easy to see how time and life-experience had served them well. Their set was mixed with tracks from their new album “Up In The Attic,” being released in late July of this year, to a few of their favorites from the journey, such as “Smooth Criminal” and “Movies.” They had a genuine connection with the audience. Dryden talked briefly between songs about his gratitude for just being there, and the band’s appreciation for the fans.

Later that night, we headed over to an event sponsored party, where I observed the whole band just hanging out in the bar talking with different fans, having a few drinks and just being regular guys.

This is worth mentioning for the simple fact that, unlike most bands that had their moment in the spotlight and faded away, Alien Ant Farm had theirs ripped from the grasp of a serious upswing in their career with the accident. The difference is that now they have a different attitude about success, and that is what I believe will make the rest of their journey more rewarding than would have ever been had a single tragic moment not struck.