Alex Gaskarth
Alex Gaskarth | |
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| Gaskarth performing with All Time Low in 2012 Gaskarth performing with All Time Low in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alexander William Gaskarth |
| Born | December 14, 1987 Essex, United Kingdom |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | |
Alexander William "Alex" Gaskarth (born December 14, 1987), is an English-American musician, singer, songwriter and podcast host, best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter of the pop punk band All Time Low.
Early life
Gaskarth was born in Essex, United Kingdom to Peter and Isobel Gaskarth. He moved to Baltimore, Maryland, United States when he was seven years old. He has two half-sisters and one half-brother who passed away when Alex was 12 years old.
Career
All Time Low (2003-present)
Gaskarth start playing music in 2002 with bandmate Jack Barakat. They later founded the band All Time Low in 2003 alongside bandmates Zack Merrick and Rian Dawson. They later signed to Emerald Moon Records in 2004 and released their debut EP, "The Three Words to Remember in Dealing With the End". In 2005, they released their debut studio album "The Party Scene". In 2007-08, they released a Platinum single "Dear Maria, Count Me In" in 2008, and was certificated 4x Platinum by Billboard. They also released their second studio album "So Wrong, It's Right" in 2007. In 2009, All Time Low released their third studio album Nothing Personal which debuted number 4 in Billboard 200. In 2011, the band signed with Interscope Records and released their fourth studio album Dirty Work. In early 2012, the band re-signed with Hopeless Records and released their fifth studio album Don't Panic. On 7 April 2015, All Time Low released their sixth studio album Future Hearts which reached number 2 on Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart with 75,000 copies sold in its first week. Gaskarth has written songs for other bands such as 5 Seconds of Summer, McBusted, Simple Plan, and other pop-punk bands.[citation needed]
He has also been a host of the podcast Full Frontal with bandmate Jack Barakat since 2013.
Instruments
Up until around mid-2013, Gaskarth used a variety of custom-made Paul Reed Smith guitars, most notable the Mira. He stated in a Reddit AMA that he abandoned the instruments due to difficulties replacing parts while overseas. Gaskarth currently uses Fender guitars, most notable the Telecaster Deluxe models, although he has been seen using a Starcaster, as well as some of their acoustic models. Gaskarth has also been seen using Gibson electric guitars.[1]
Personal life
Gaskarth married his long-term girlfriend Lisa Ruocco on 9 April 2016.[2][3] He has stated that he is a resident alien, meaning that he must possess a green card in order to enter the country. Gaskarth also stated on Twitter that he is a Christian, he tweeted: "Happy Easter, Christ is Risen. Seems like a bad English though."
Vocal style
Gaskarth has a tenor vocal style. His vocal range is from A2 to C#5.[4]
Influences
Gaskarth has been influenced by many other pop-punk\punk rock bands such as Jedward, Peter Andre, The Jonas Brothers, Blink-182, Green Day, NOFX, New Found Glory, Linkin Park, Creed, Sum 41, U2,[5] Limp Bizkit[5] and The All-American Rejects.
Tattoos
Gaskarth has various tattoos. His first tattoo was a skeleton wearing a "trick-or-treat" outfit on his left arm. He also has a red rose tattoo covering his right hand. Gaskarth has previously stated that this tattoo is a tribute to his older half-brother, Tom, who passed away when he was 12. Gaskarth also has the All Time Low skull logo on his neck, as do the rest of the band.
Controversy
Six Flags Incident
During the Bamboozle Roadshow of 2010, controversy arose over the use of pepper spray at a concert. A show at a Six Flags park in Arlington, Texas, according to a Six Flags spokesperson, became rowdy, and park staff used pepper spray on the crowd. Six Flags took the band off the bill on Sunday night. Gaskarth reported on Twitter that they had been "banned" from the park; according to Six Flags, the band chose to drop off the bill.
All Time Low was later banned from playing the rest of the Six Flags venue dates on the Bamboozle Roadshow. Gaskarth posted on their official Myspace page via a blog: "I know there have been a lot of questions floating around, so I just wanted to reach out and let you guys know what's going on with the remaining Six Flags shows on the Bamboozle Roadshow tour. We'd really love to be there, but unfortunately we're not allowed to play the shows in Eureka, MO and Jackson, NJ. I promise that we'll make it all up to you very soon."
Maced fans on the 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow
In 30 May 2010, a show at the Bamboozle Roadshow, Gaskarth and Boys Like Girls lead singer Martin Johnson defends their fans because of the security macing the fans. Gaskarth says "any fucking sick flags that maces in the face of a fucking kid, that is fucking bullshit" while the security trying to mace the fans[6]. Gaskarth tweeted, “I don’t care how rowdy a crowd of kids are, there is absolutely no excuse for the police at SIX FLAGS to spray mace in our fans faces.” He went onto say, “That kind of protocol is insane for an all ages show at a theme park. A girl who looked to be about 15 walked up to me and said she was removed from the crowd after being maced. Are you fucking kidding me? That being said, you were an absolutely incredible crowd, and that may have been one of the best shows we’ve ever had the chance to play.” All Time Low bassist Zack Merrick added, “Kids safety is the number one priority at shows and when they compromise that I draw the line.”[7]
Discography
- The Party Scene (2005)
- So Wrong It's Right (2007)
- Nothing Personal (2009)
- Dirty Work (2011)
- Don't Panic (2012)
- Future Hearts (2015)
References
- ^ Equipboard Inc. "Alex Gaskarth". Equipboard. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ^ Chiu, Melody (April 23, 2016). "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth Marries His High School Sweetheart Lisa Ruocco". People. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ^ "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth marries longtime girlfriend Lisa Ruocco". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ^ Alex Gaskarth Vocal Range (A2-C#5). October 11, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Interview All Time Low: Cewek Indonesia Cantik-Cantik". KapanLagi.com. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LwOeXsyyto
- ^ http://travisfaulk.com/fans-maced-at-bamboozle-roadshow-dallas#.VzsD00eVk3g
Further reading
- "Zoo zoo zoo zoo zoo zooooo zooooo". Spin. December 2007. p. 98. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Weatherby, Taylor (April 6, 2015). "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth talks 'Future Hearts': 'We wanted to tell a story'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - "All Time Low lead singer Alex Gaskarth said Larry Flynt tried to send cease-and-desist letters". The Washington Times. October 10, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- Chew, Cohan. "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth and friends record Christmas charity song". Gigwise. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Hall, Mackenzie (October 9, 2015). ""It was rad to be a part of." Alex Gaskarth talks "Fan Girl" movie". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Whitt, Cassie (April 11, 2016). "Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat to run for president of the 2016 APMAs". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 24, 2016.