Who would you say are your influences?
"My biggest influences as a guitarist are Bob Mould,J Mascis,Adam Franklin,and Brian Baker. I would put Mike Kirsch in there as well. I think you can hear all of those bands in the song writing. Husker Du,Swervedriver,Torches to Rome, etc... All of us are big on the 90's post punk-indie sound"
What is the punk scene like in Chicago?
"It's pretty amazing! There are a lot of great clubs,and a lot of great bands. People seem to really care about seeing live music here as well. It's not uncommon to see people that are 17 and people that are in their 40's at the same show. It's awesome"
Describe the song writing process...
"Usually. I'll have an idea for songs,I'll bring it to practice,and then everyone puts in their ideas. All of us have a say in how the songs turn out,and a lot of the time,we will learn a song,strip it back down,and re assemble it. It's a lot of fun. I've always been the main song writer in the bands I've played in,and it's nice for everyone to feel like they can contribute. "
You guys released a self-titled album, tell us about the album...
"The record was a lot of fun to make. We didn't over think anything,or shit like that. I'm a recording engineer at a studio in Chicago called Million Yen,so we just went there. We tracked everything really quick. 1 day for drums and bass,1 day for guitars,1 day for vocals,and 1 day for mixing. So 4 days total! We could have spent more time on things,but we wanted it to have a real live feel to it. I think we were able to capture that! It sounds like what the 3 us playing live sounds like."
What else have you released?
"Just this album, that is all we have released so far. It came out on August 23rd, so it's only a couple months old. We do have a split 7" coming out soon with a band from England called Above Them. It will be on Jump Start Records as well."
Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
"We have been really fortunate to play a lot of shows with a lot of really great bands so far! We have played with Seaweed, Rival Schools, Samiam, Braid, as well as playing with more punk sounding bands like OFF! and Soul Control. That is one of things I think is really cool about our band. We are able to play with all kinds of bands. We are not locked into a certain style."
Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
"Both kinds of shows have their pros and cons. I like the shows were people seem genuinely excited to be there. It doesn't matter if it is 5 or 5000 to me,as long as people are having a good time."
Have you toured?
"Yeah! we have done 5 tours since April. One those was 2 1/2 weeks in the UK. We are trying to tour as much as we can."
Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
"All the bands we have been fortunate to play with have been awesome! I would say my favorite shows have been playing with Seaweed or playing with I Hate Our Freedom. I liked both of those gigs a lot."
Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
"I liked playing in England a lot. I like this venue in Newport KY called the Southgate House. It's my favorite place to play. I like the Beat Kitchen in Chicago a lot. You know we have played NYC 4 times this year,and all of those shows have been fun. NYC has been real good to us this year."
What do you see is the future of All Eyes West?
"Just touring as much as we can, and putting out records. We already have 8 songs written towards our next album. So yeah, just playing and writing."
How can people contact the band?
"You can contact us on Facebook or our website www.alleyeswest.com. There are songs to check out,and that is where you can find out about tour dates as well."
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