Founded on 2017 by Al Aston, a singer-songwriter (the sole member of the actual band for the time being).
For live purposes, the line-up for 2024 has been supplemented with bassist Neville van der Smith, drummer Count Jan Woods and rhythm guitarist Nicholas de Sin.
The songs are often played quite heavy-handedly in the vein of Hard Rock, but the gloom and doom and the dark atmosphere of classic 80’s and 90’s Goth Rock is strongly ever-present, much thanks to Al’s dark voice.
As important as the instrumental side of the music is, so are the lyrics. Stories are often very strong, and deal with heavier and darker issues.
The first official single, Breathe Fire, was released digitally on all notable streaming platforms November 2023, and similarly the debut album, Secret Society, was released on December 2023.
* Introduce us to the band! What are your names and what do you do in the band?
Hi, I’m Al Aston, singer and multi-instrumentalist of Hard Goth Rock band Atomic Agent. I’ve sung and played everything myself for studio recordings, but only recently we’ve added drummer Count Jan Woods, bass artist Neville van der Smith and rhythm guitarist Nicholas de Sin to our live line-up.
*Where do you call home?
Hämeenlinna, Finland, for the time being.
*How long have you been together as a band and how did you find each other?
Atomic Agent has existed more or less since 2017, but at first it was just making songs for myself. A bit later it started becoming more serious as I progressed as a musician. This year we’ve come up with an actual line-up. The drummer and the bassist are my old trustees from my metal band, but the rhythm guitarist Nicholas de Sin has just been added to the ranks. I found Nicholas simply by posting a Wanted ad on a popular site for musicians.
*Do you have a special songwriting recipe you follow?
Not really, I have several ways of writing songs. They can start from a guitar or vocal melody, a bass pattern or a certain drum beat… some nice lyrical line, or an ambient type sound, even. If I just get a good start and I get into “The Zone” while jamming, it all comes together sooner or later.
*How would members of your family describe your music to someone that hasn’t heard it?
Well my gf would probably describe it as it is, Hard Goth Rock.
*What do you have on your(Spotify) playlists you would be embarrassed for others to see?
I don’t do Spotify or any sort of playlists at all, but there’s an Ace Of Base album in my record collection, some might find that extremely questionable.* Do you have any pre-show rituals?
None other than just trying to stay focused and determined to do a good show. Not much alcohol, because it makes you too relaxed and loose, and besides a little bit of excitement gives you a good edge on stage.
*Who have you met that has left you starstruck?
When I started doing interviewing bands for music media years ago, my first interview was with Napalm Death. I was inexperienced then, and in such an awe of getting to meet the guys, my hand that I held the recorder with, was visibly shaking as I interviewed their guitarist Mitch Harris. They were all such great, laid-back guys, Mitch, Shane Embury, Jesse Pintado (RIP) and the others. After that first experience interviewing artists was much easier as I noticed, that they were just like any of us, really.
*What do you consider your greatest achievement as far as a band?
Were still in the beginning of the journey, really, so the bigger achievements are still ahead of us.
*What key elements do you believe makes up a successful song?
Depends on what type of music it is, but in my world, it would be something that makes the song memorable in a good way. It needs hooks and catchiness, either in a way that it sticks in your head immediately or secretly grows on you.
*When writing, how do you know when it is finally done?
Haha, I really can’t say other than “I just feel it”, so it’s basically a gut feeling. “Nailed the bugger!”
*What song of yours are you most proud of?
Shelter. It’s a new song that will be released soon, and every time I sing it, I get goosebumps. It gets me to that same “Zone” I mentioned earlier. It has delicateness, a healthy amount of despair and cathartic relief in it. It will also introduce a whole new tone in my voice.
*is it possible to be on the road and not eat junk food? How do you keep it leveled out?
If you just ate junk food, you’d start feeling very shitty pretty soon, so at least you have to keep it somewhat balanced. I know my body and it tells me, when it’s time to go salad, so to speak.
*Are you able to write while on the road or do you need a calm familiar space like home?
Home, absolutely. I don’t think it’s possible to write anything on the road, except rough ideas, tops.
*What’s the most embarrassing thing to happen on stage or on tour?
Nothing with this band yet, but I’ve had knickers thrown at me on stage a couple of times, so pretty lame, sorry.
*What can BleachBANGS do to help you in any way?
If you can get the name Atomic Agent on everybody’s lips, that’d be fantastic. 😉
*How can everyone keep up with everything you have going on? Where can they get albums/merch?
Just follow us on our Facebook or Instagram.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atomicagent666
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicagentband
A physical release of the debut album will be available later this year, and the same goes with merchandise. Until then, the best way to support Atomic Agent is buying the album on our Bandcamp: https://atomicagent.bandcamp.com
