When the guys in Gaslight Anthem were working on their new album, American Slang, guitarist Alex Rosamilia says, the initial goal was to try to come up with their own ideas rather than borrowing. "This record is us trying to stand out on our own." While American Slang is a big leap forward for the New Jersey-based group, there's still a fair amount of the grit, grease and hooks that have helped Gaslight Anthem's fan base grow considerably since the 2008 release of The '59 Sound. We spoke with Rosamilia about the band's progress over the year.
Westword: When you guys formed about five years ago, you had each been in bands, and you kind of lost hope in those bands. What happened when Gaslight originally got together? What was it that clicked between you that didn't work in the other groups?
Alex Rosamilia: I can't really explain. When we got together, our idea of the band was like, this is our last shot at trying to do this. If this one doesn't work out, we'll go back to school or something. But as far as clicking, I don't know — I've never been able to play with other people, and it's just been that easy.
We don't even have to talk. It's going to sound so pretentious, but we don't even talk to each other when we're writing stuff. We just kind of play it, and it settles in as it is. I've never been able to experience that — maybe with one other person I've been playing with, but never with an entire band.
I've heard that two of you were homeless and the other two were living with their parents when you guys first started, right?
Yeah, that's how it was. But all we wanted to do was play music. If that's how we had to save money, that's how we had to save money.
How would you say you've changed over the past five years?
You know, I'd like to think we have changed. We're obviously better off in some aspects, like financially. But as people, I don't think we've changed at all. If anything, we're more mature.
What about musically?
I'd say the same thing. Our approach to it hasn't changed at all; what we've been listening to has changed. Obviously, the more you play the better you get.
What do you think it is about your music that resonates with so many fans?
It's the same thing that makes me freak out about bands that I freak about: It's just that you connect to it somehow. It's an awesome thing to have that band that will see you through all the bullshit. I mean, what it is specifically about us, I couldn't tell you. It's awesome to know that people — and by "awesome," I mean in the actual sense of the word, not in the surfer-dude version of the word — I think it's awesome that people have that connection to my music now.
