Ben Bruce founder/lead guitarist of the England born band Asking Alexandria has recently started his own record label called KBB Records alongside with Asking Alexandria’s manager, Kyle Borman. They recently signed a metal/hip hop band called Scare Don’t Fear who will be on performing on the 2014 Vans Warped Tour. Meanwhile Asking Alexandria will be touring across North America, and playing the Toronto Mayhem Festival. We had the opportunity to talk to Bruce on his new project and how he manages his time with his band and record label.
First off, congrats on the record label! What’s the biggest change from being in a band as great as “Asking Alexandria” to managing a record label? Thank you very much. Honestly, it’s a learning curve. It’s very fulfilling and a lot of fun being part of helping another band that I believe in grow and take the next steps in their careers.
You’re also going on tour and coming back to Toronto for Mayhem Festival. How do you balance both touring and managing a label?
Whilst I’m on tour I have my set and a few hours worth of press. The rest of my day is free to concentrate on KBB. I also have a great team at KBB at our office in LA that help run everything. We are a well oiled machine at this point.
What can we expect from Scare Don’t Fear? What do you think will make them stand out from all the other bands out there?
It’s extremely rare to find a band as hard working and dedicated as SDF. They put all of themselves into their band and won’t stop until they reach the top. Not only do they work hard but they are musically an incredible band. The rock scene has become very monotonous over recent years and SDF are breathing new life into the scene that a lot of these younger bands seem to be incapable of, it’s really refreshing and very exciting.
Do you ever feel you need to go the Xtra Mile for people to understand where your music is coming from? I always go the extra mile, no matter what it is I’m doing. That’s how you stand out and stay one step ahead of the game.
Check out Scare Don’t Fear’s new single “City of Skeletons”
And if you aren’t familiar with Ben Bruce of Asking Alexandria, listen to their hit “The Death of Me” below!
