Alex Gaskarth

Alex Gaskarth
Gaskarth performing with All Time Low in 2012
Background information
Birth name Alexander William Gaskarth
Born (1987-12-14) December 14, 1987
Essex, England, United Kingdom
Origin Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
  • musician
  • actor
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • harmonica
Years active 2002–present
Labels
Associated acts All Time Low
Website alltimelow.com

Alexander William "Alex" Gaskarth (born December 14, 1987) is an English-American singer, songwriter, guitarist, musician and actor. He is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter for the American rock band All Time Low since its formation in 2003. Alex also hosted the 2015 and 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards along with bandmate Jack Barakat.[1]

Career

Crew Fighters (2002–2003)

During his teens, Gaskarth was part of a band performing cover songs called Crew Fighters. Soon after, he met Jack Barakat, who persuaded him to form and join All Time Low. All Time Low started doing cover songs of Blink-182 and Green Day. Subsequently, the formation of the band was completed by Zack Merrick (bass, backing vocals) and Rian Dawson (drums, percussion), who left Crew Fighters to join All Time Low.[2]

All Time Low (2003–present)

All Time Low performing in 2015

Gaskarth started playing music with bandmate Jack Barakat in eighth grade. In ninth grade, they acquired Zack Merrick and Rian Dawson, forming All Time Low in 2003.[3] They signed to Emerald Moon Records in 2004 while still in high school 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. This album also held an iconic song: "Sticks Stones And Techno".

In 2006 the band signed with Hopeless Records.[4] In 2007, they released a Platinum single "Dear Maria, Count Me In"[5] and in 2008 it was certified 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.[6] In 2010 the band released two CD/DVD packages, MTV Unplugged and the documentary/live concert Straight to DVD.[7]

In 2011, the band signed with Interscope Records[8] and released their fourth studio album Dirty Work.[7] In early 2012, the band re-signed with Hopeless Records and released their fifth studio album Don't Panic.[9] 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, and number 1 in the U.K official Album Charts with 19,400 copies being sold.[6] In 2016, Straight to DVD 2: Past Present and Future Hearts was released. This is a sequel to Straight to DVD, documenting the past four years of the band as well as another live concert.[10] In 2017, the band released a new song entitled "Dirty Laundry" and also reveals that they had left Hopeless Records and has signed with Fueled by Ramen one year prior.[11] On 2 June, 2017 the band released its seventh studio album Last Young Renegade. In the summer of 2018, the band released two new singles, Everything Is Fine and Birthday.

Gaskarth has written songs for/with other bands such as 5 Seconds of Summer,[12] McBusted,[13] and Simple Plan.[14] He has also been a host of the podcast Full Frontal with bandmate Jack Barakat since 2013.[15]

Instruments

During 2004-2008, Gaskarth used a variety of Gibson SG-X's. 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 Mustang 90 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.[16]

Personal life

Gaskarth graduated from Dulaney High School in 2006. Gaskarth has two older half-sisters, Jillian and Helen, and had a half-brother, Tom. Tom passed away when Gaskarth was 12 due to alcohol poisoning. In memory of him, Gaskarth got a rose tattoo on his left hand and wrote the song "Lullabies" in memory of him.

Gaskarth married his longtime girlfriend Lisa Ruocco on 9 April 2016.[17][18]

Vocal style

Gaskarth has a tenor vocal style. His vocal range is from A2 to C#5.[19]

Discography

All Time Low

References

  1. ↑ http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/announcing_the_2015_journeys_ap_music_awards_hosted_by_alex_jack_of_all_tim
  2. ↑ https://vimeo.com/12840504
  3. ↑ Allison Thompson (2014-08-17), All Time Low Documentary Part 1, retrieved 2016-11-25
  4. ↑ "Hopeless signs All Time Low; band touring with Transition - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  5. ↑ "All Time Low's "Dear Maria, Count Me In" Goes Platinum – Infectious Magazine". infectiousmagazine.com. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  6. 1 2 "All Time Low Logs Third No. 1 on Top Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  7. 1 2 "All Time Low | Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  8. ↑ "All Time Low Part Ways With Interscope; Set To Reveal New Single On Friday? - News - Rock Sound Magazine". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  9. ↑ "Interview: All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth on re-signing with Hopeless - Features - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  10. ↑ "Straight To DVD II: Past, Present, and Future Hearts - Preorder Now! | All Time Low". alltimelow.com. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  11. ↑ "All Time Low: "It's About Leaving The Past Where It Belongs"". rocksound.tv.
  12. ↑ "All Time Low on Touring, Songwriting and Social Media - Page 2 of 4 - Music Connection Magazine". www.musicconnection.com. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  13. ↑ "Mark Hoppus, Rivers Cuomo And Alex Gaskarth On McBusted Album - Kerrang!". Kerrang!. 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  14. ↑ "Simple Plan writing new song with Blink-182's Mark Hoppus and All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  15. ↑ "Full Frontal Radio Show". fullfrontalradio.com. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  16. ↑ Equipboard Inc. "Alex Gaskarth". Equipboard. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  17. ↑ Chiu, Melody (April 23, 2016). "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth Marries His High School Sweetheart Lisa Ruocco". People. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  18. ↑ "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth marries longtime girlfriend Lisa Ruocco". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  19. ↑ Alex Gaskarth Vocal Range (A2-C#5). October 11, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2016 – via YouTube.

Further reading

  • "Zoo zoo zoo zoo zoo zooooo zooooo". Spin. December 2007. p. 98. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  • 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.
  • "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.
  • 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.
  • Whitt, Cassie (April 11, 2016). "Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat to run for president of the 2016 APMAs". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.