A Dirty Dozen with ALEC KOSSOFF from WINGS DENIED – SEPTEMBER 2024

According to a recent press release: “WINGS DENIED’s new album Just the Basics will be released on September 20th, 2024. the Washington, D.C.-based band has carved out a unique niche in the rock scene, blending metal and alternative influences with inspiration from Deftones, Alice in Chains, and 70s progressive rock. Just The Basics is set to redefine progressive rock as a groundbreaking project showcasing the band’s versatility with nine tracks spanning nine distinct genres. Produced by industry veteran Joel Hamilton (Highly Suspect, Bonobo), the album represents WINGS DENIED’s most ambitious work to date. The album challenges traditional genre boundaries, offering listeners a diverse sonic journey. From the hard-hitting “Black Legend” to the emotive “Pariah” and the introspective “Saudade,” each single released so far hints at the album’s eclectic nature. This bold approach highlights the band’s musical prowess and commitment to pushing.” We get drummer Alec to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our latest release Just The Basics was recorded with Joel Hamilton at Studio G in Brooklyn back in 2019. We are so excited to finally get this thing out that we’ve had completed since pre-covid. There are a few things on the album that you might not hear on the first or second listen. Conceptually, there’s no singular lyrical thread throughout the record. However, the new single we just put out “Saudade” is the lyrical continuation of a song from our first record called “Six Years and a Day,” one of our favorite songs we’ve ever written. Overall, the goal of this record was to try to capture all of the different sounds and influences that make us the band we are, which lead to a very diverse set of sounds and styles which vary from one song to the next.  There are also several diverse instruments on the record. For example, in the chorus of “Traces” I played a xylophone, and we hired a guest violinist for “Saudade.” There are also a lot of unique percussive instruments that were played in the bridge of “Mr. Nice Guy”, and if you listen very closely in almost every song there’s an egg shaker or tambourine.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I honestly don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a musician. Growing up in the 90’s, I was obsessed with Michael Jackson and would dance in front of the TV watching VH1 (I know I’m old). I grew up playing the piano and eventually became a drummer, but music has ALWAYS had a really important place in my life and the way I express myself.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

There are a few people / bands / artists that really inspired me. Firstly, as mentioned above Michael Jackson was very influential when I was young. As I got older, I became very close with my older half-brother who played guitar and needed a drummer for his metal band. That was my introduction into heavy music and also my real start as a drummer. While I was playing with that band I got a chance to meet so many artists, but the one that I remember most fondly was randomly meeting Chris Barretto (Periphery, Monuments) in a random practice room in New York City. He introduced me to his band at the time, Periphery, which I credit hugely to my style of drumming and also my introduction to progressive style music. However, no band has influenced me more than Killswitch Engage — easily my favorite band of all time and also some of my favorite concerts ever.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I think it would be really special to do something with Adam D from Killswitch Engage. Not only is he the guitarist in my favorite band of all time, but he also is responsible for so many great records in the mid-late 2000s. It would be incredible to watch him work and see how he thinks about music.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I fortunately or unfortunately am a man of many hobbies. I’m a cocktail bartender in NYC, I work as a SAG-AFTRA Stunt Performer in movies and TV shows, I’m a circus performer, and a touring musician. I say all that to say that I don’t really have a lot of time. When I do, I’m kind of a nerd. I love playing games on my computer – specifically World of Warcraft.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Wings Denied for me fits in the genre of progressive rock/metal, but it is important to us that the music lives above the necessity for difficulty. We try to cultivate songs that both keep us interested, but also land in an accessible way. We realized very early on that none of us were “the best” musicians in the world and that freed us up to find some joy and stop trying so hard to write the most technically difficult stuff. One time a Facebook commenter told us we sounded like cats being thrown down a staircase and aborted. That guy nailed it.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Zach (guitar) and Wes (bass) I would say are the two “cookers” in the band. They both make really, really good food. I’m terrible at cooking, but I love drinking so I’m usually the lush. Luka (vocalist) would be the guy to break out the acoustic guitar and sing.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I have a couple stories of me being starstruck, but by far the funniest one was when Stevie Wonder walked by me at NAMM (a music conference in Cali). It was my first time there and I had met so many of my idols, but as Stevie Wonder walked by I couldn’t find words to tell him how important his music was. So instead, I said nothing and waved at him – and if you can’t figure out why that’s so funny… Stevie Wonder is blind. Very obviously he didn’t see my stupid face waving at him.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Touring is the best part of being a musician. It’s also the hardest. Being on the road, seeing all these incredible places, meeting people who love our music, and spending time with some of my best friends. What could be better? I have a few jobs I love and I’m grateful to kind of do my dream jobs and also be a musician.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

That’s a good question, I’ve never really thought about interviewing myself haha. The things I usually get asked about the most in these types of interviews are usually about my being a circus/performer stunt man and by far the worst questions are have you ever been injured, and can you do a backflip? A question I’ve always want asked I think has to do with why I’m so passionate about what I do. The answer for that starts a much longer conversation, but ultimately I’m so grateful to have been put in opportunities to live a dream, and part of that means a complete unwillingness to compromise on the pathway. You have to be all in to do these things and it motivates me beyond words to be given these opportunities.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

The label/management search is such a strange part of the business side of a musician. Early on, I think we got in bed with the wrong people, and it hurt us. I think being impatient with the business side of things ultimately would be something I would do over.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Alive Or Just Breathing by Killswitch Engage. This record defined an entire genre. I can’t imagine a better session to be a part of.

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Category: Interviews