By: Angela Villand
Allele (pronounced Uh leel) is Wally Wood (vocals), Mason Romaine (guitar), Giancarlo Autenzio (drums), Tim Tobin (bass), and Kelly Hayes (guitar). All of these musicians, formerly known only to each other as “local boys” that once played in various bands around the Jacksonville, Florida area, comprise a group of incredibly sharp, talented musicians that deliver a clear message that rock n roll is not a joke, nor is it dead. After their first CD, Point of Origin, there were tours, followed by Wally’s departure, then a regrouping of the lineup with Wally’s return and Lane’s departure.
Now Allele is back and stronger than ever, with a new guitarist (Mason) in tow as well, bringing a “fresh coat of paint” to the house, so to speak. Their new CD, Next To Parallel, with a final release date pegged for August 16, 201l, is 13 tracks of straightforward, enjoyable rock music, adequately seasoned with impressive guitar intro’s, dense and hypnotic bass music, guitar solos and vocal melodies that you’ll find yourself singing along to in no time. Allele’s singer-songwriter, Wally, says we can expect “pure, intelligent, fun, well-structured, bad-ass hard rock music.”
With the first single “What I Get” expected around the 21st of June, the CD is available right now for Pre-Order on www.allele.bigcartel.com and you’ll find various packages to choose from, some including the CD with a poster or a t-shirt or both for a modest price that’s an actual savings if you were to buy the items separately.
What is an Allele, you ask?
If you didn’t skip biology class, you may have some memory of what an allele is and how it relates to DNA & Genes. Frankly, I was in hiding for the duration of the biology class in the back of the gym, behind the risers, with friends, or quite possibly I was actively truant while listening to the radio, and so, naturally, I had to do some research on what an allele actually is. It appears it’s our DNA that makes up our genes; one of these genes might code for us to have hair but, interestingly, it is the Allele which indeed specifies what color our hair will be, and so on. Even more interesting, if not shameful, is that this is my first discovery of the meaning of the band’s name.
Guitarist Kelly Hayes graciously spent some time sharing a bit of background information on his musical career and a bit about his personal life. His disclosure on why he left one band (Cold) seven years ago and subsequently joined another (Allele) is unequivocal and candid, as is the man himself.
He’s an educated chef, guitarist, songwriter, father, husband, and friend with a genuine love and drive for music and performing. We were pleased to also learn exciting new details about his very own signature KMFH guitar from Roberts Custom Guitars in FL. And of course, he reveals some cool news about the aforementioned strongly anticipated sophomore album, Next To Parallel.
Kelly Hayes Photo: JW Lee Photography
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Angela Villand: Some people know Kelly Hayes is the “former guitarist” for Cold. Could you share the circumstances surrounding your departure from that band for those that don’t know what happened? Also, how did your new involvement with the band Allele, at that particular time, play a part in your decision to move on from your career with Cold?
Kelly Hayes: Cold was on tour with Evanescence at the time (2004), and the stress and drama of extensive touring was just getting to all of us; some of us more than others. We decided to come home after that tour and take a long, deserved break. While we were home on the so-called “break,” I was really bored. Wally Wood called and asked if I would come do a show with his band Allele. I had never heard any of their stuff, and I was real wary about even doing it. But, as I said, I was fucking going out of my mind with boredom so I said I’d come check out their practice.
I went and I was blown away; these guys were good! So, I told them not only will I play the show with them, but I’ll start writing a record with them and help them get signed. I was still in Cold at that time, and the band (Cold) started practicing (after about 2 weeks of being home) for a tour with Sevendust. Now this already pissed me off because one of us was supposed to be on this “long” break to go to rehab. Anyhow, I show up at practice and learn that Terry decided to jump ship and join Evanescence. Then I learn the guys brought in another guitar player without even discussing it with me. We started practicing for the tour with Sevendust and in the meantime, I continued to write music and play shows with Allele.
One day at practice, with Cold, I was looking at everything going on and thought “This isn’t for me anymore.” The next day I quit and began playing with Allele full time. The music that Allele was writing was more the direction I wanted to go. To be honest, Cold was getting too “whiney” for me. Plus, Terry, the only guy I really hung out with anymore, had already left. So from then on the rest is pretty much history.
Angela: Looking back, what are your best memories from your days on the road touring as well as when you were writing music with Cold? Are you and Terry still friends?
Kelly Hayes: I enjoyed every second with Cold and honestly, I wouldn’t change what it was or what it became for anything. For me, personally, it ran its course and then it was time to move on. Each tour was always a different adventure and they were completely different from one another; we never knew what was gonna happen. Terry and I are still friends and we do speak occasionally but both of us have moved on to bigger and better things.
Angela: How has the writing for this second record been different and/or the same from the first album you made with Allele?
Kelly Hayes: Well, it had been a while since the first record before we began any writing for this one, and all of us, I think, matured a bit musically and personally; families will do that to you. This record still has all the elements of the last one just musically more mature, if you know what I mean. We also added a new guitar player, Mason Romaine, and he adds a newer “feel” to the music. We went into this record not worrying about anything but the music so it took a lot of pressure off of us and allowed us to be more free and experimental.
Angela: Do all the members contribute on the lyrics or do you have certain members that do most of it?
Kelly Hayes: Usually it’s myself and Wally, but on this record it was mostly him. He really killed on this record and there really wasn’t a lot to change or mess with.
Angela: Where did the recording/tracking of the music and vocals take place? Who is handling the final stages (mastering)?
Kelly Hayes: We recorded the drums and bass at A1A Studios here in Jacksonville, FL.; the place is amazing! We originally wanted to do everything there, but unfortunately time and money didn’t permit that. The guitars were recorded at several different places, mainly at my boy Steve Miller’s Turnaround Studio. We actually recorded the rest in our living rooms and practice room.
You can pretty much record anywhere these days if you know what you’re doing. The vocals were done in L.A with engineer Pete Carrell (Trapt bassist) engineering at Dexter Dog Studios. The mixing and mastering are being done at MyPlatinumSound by Paul Lapinski (Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Alicia Keys, Evergreen Terrace, Inspection 12, Yellowcard, Indorphine).
Angela: The production on this second album is a little novel for you guys, isn’t it? You’ve had complete creative control with everything from the music to the artwork, and no one breathing down your neck.
Kelly Hayes: Yes, we produced this record ourselves. Thank god for our friends that have helped us out being our “outside ears” and giving suggestions, but all and all we are at the helm with production for this album.
Angela: The Next To Parallel album cover and artwork is pretty damn neat; who’s behind it and where it can be seen?
Kelly Hayes: The album cover, designed by our boy Brent Simmons is done and we are currently working on the “inset” art. He is an amazing graphic artist, among other things. We really didn’t have a direction at first, but as soon as I saw this cover art design, I said, “That’s it, we can stop looking!” I feel it really envelopes the band and our music as a whole; kind of like “Stargate” meets “The Perfect Storm.” The cover art can be seen on our ReverbNation.com page, our official Facebook, and also at our online merch shop.
Kelly Hayes Photo: JW Lee
Angela: I ask many artists this next question but with good reason. I’m a fan of the old school, tangible art of music on a Vinyl album. Has the band contemplated or at any time discussed putting your music on this particular format? I was at a show just last month at a local venue and the headliner was selling their most recent album on CD, but they were making more sales with the Vinyl version of the music. Is this something you would take into serious consideration now that bands such as the Deftones and others have done this recently for “record store” day?
Kelly Hayes: You know, we were actually talking about that the other day and I think it’s a great idea. I think a lot of people are buying them just for the novelty and in all honesty CDs are headed that direction very quickly. There are a lot of people (like me) that still buy CDs for the artwork and everything else but it’s more of a collectible item now. But yes we will be doing something like that in the future.
Angela: I’m certain there are readers wondering what Allele sounds like, or would like to know how YOU guys define yourselves, and perhaps some will go to your ReverbNation.com or your Facebook page once they’ve read this story and give some songs a listen. (Hint hint nudge nudge) For those that have no clue at all, please describe your sound as best you can. (Metal, melodic? Both? Rock, hard rock? Heavy metal?)
Kelly Hayes: The great thing about this record is every song takes on its own identity. There really is no music that hasn’t already been done so it really comes down to the way you do it that gives it life. The best way I’ve heard our music described is we’re not trying to re-invent the wheel but we’re damn sure adding a spoke or two. This record has a little bit of everything in it.
Angela: What can we expect from a live Allele performance when you come to town on the tour this year?
Kelly Hayes: An Allele show is very high energy; we are not one of those bands that just stands there and let the music do the talking, although that does work for some bands. We jump around like idiots, make funny faces, and bleed all over the place – only sometimes. We just really like to have fun with it, and at the same time we make sure that the music is at 110%.
Angela: Tell me about your most recent music acquisitions; any new songs on your mp3 player?
Kelly Hayes: The last CD I bought was Skid Row’s Slave to the Grind on Zune. Awesome record!
Angela: This is your chance to plug away for one or more bands that you want people to know about; whom do you support 200% and wish got more attention from music lovers and just in general?
Kelly Hayes: Gotta plug my boys in nuERA and the guys in Eye Empire, Both great bands and deserve a lot of attention.
Angela: Now, about your new signature Kelly Hayes guitar, KMFH, I can guess what the MF stands for between your initials KH. How did this come about? (The guitar, not the initials) and how involved are you with the manufacturing of these guitars?
Kelly Hayes: Yes, the MF stands for what you think it does. [Laughing[ I was actually taken down to this local guitar company, Roberts Custom Guitars, in Jacksonville, FL, by a mutual friend. I sat down and played one of Dale Robert’s guitars, and I immediately said, “These are the guitars I’m gonna play for the rest of my life.”
I wanted to do something in a signature series fashion that was kind of different, using exotic wood and what-not, so we began to design a few guitars. One of our friends said, “You should call the line the Kelly Mother Fucking Hayes series!” So we went with the initials KMFH. We are currently working on a couple more designs and will have them available to the public by January 2012. I am hands-on with every guitar that is built so it’s pretty cool to be making my own guitars.
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KMFH Signature Guitar
Model 1
Model 2
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Angela: What’s something about Kelly Hayes that not too many people already know?
Kelly Hayes: I’ve actually always been kind of an open book. [Laughing] There’s not much about me that everyone doesn’t already know. I guess, though, not everyone knows that I am actually a schooled Chef and love to cook almost as much as I love music. The only problem is I cook so much that I end up eating a lot and the metabolism is slowing down in my old age. [Laughing]
Angela: Closing thoughts – anything you would like to share with the world.
Kelly Hayes: I would just like to thank all the fans that have stuck in there all these years! I hope you enjoy this new record as much as we enjoyed writing it, and please help us to recruit new fans and make this thing huge! [Laughing] Thank you and god bless.
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Angela Villand
Penning the description “unapologetic music enthusiast,” Angela (or “Ang”) has spent most of her adult life involved in the music scene in one fashion or another. It all started with shooting bands as a teen with a borrowed SLR Canon, sneaking backstage (dressed as the pizza delivery chic) in order to photograph a band & tell them how much their music meant to her. Not afraid to ask, not taking no for an answer, politely building a network of contacts and having fun; she only shot the bands she enjoyed, which kept things fun and exciting, never boring. In 2000, with a resume of live concert photographs & networking contacts in tow, she embarked on her own live photography business.
In 2004, after a whirlwind of summer festivals, indoor/outdoor concerts & music conventions, she laid the photog business down and chose another path. She began working with Madison Wisconsin’s Maximum Ink Music Magazine, the Midwest’s largest print magazine after a frustrating 1.5 yrs in graphic design classes. What started out as a hobby (scanning photos, helping occasionally with the calendar, etc,) became full time copy and layout editing. Eventually, she began writing cd/dvd/book reviews and that graduated to interviews with singers, songwriters, drummers, guitarists, bassists, and more. Using the network she’d created and maintained over the years as a photographer, Ang began scheduling interviews with some of the artists she’d photographed and branched off from that point to a full time job.
Her cover stories such as Alter Bridge, Zakk Wylde, and Travis Meeks of the Days of the New can be seen both in print and online.
She’s spent more time in the past years interviewing artists that are both unsigned and not in the mainstream. With her website, Hard-Rock-Reviews.com, she has created a platform where, on a weekly basis, she can tout the talents of unsigned, un-sponsored artists from all over the U.S.A. On occasion, you can find her also speaking with tour managers, booking agents, guitar and drum techs, producers, distributors and more “behind the curtain” staff & putting these interviews on her website. Dissecting the “big picture,” she maintains that interviewing more than JUST the front-man & sometimes interviewing more than one member of a band gives the fans of the entire band a real feel for how the music machine works.
In addition to supporting and promoting these artists, she’s interviewed Elias Soriano and Robb Rivera (Nonpoint), John Conolly, Morgan Rose & Clint Lowery (Sevendust), Brad Kochmit (Switched, Eye Empire), Otep Shamaya (Otep), Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage, Times of Grace), Brian Marshall (Creed, Alter Bridge), Corey Lowery (Stuck Mojo, Dark New Day, Eye Empire), Brandon Sammons (Chasing Avalanche), Will Hunt (Black Label Society, Evanescence, Dark New Day, Eye Empire), DJ Ashba (Guns N Roses, Sixx A.M.), Mike Froedge (doubleDrive, Speed X, Black Label Society), and many more.
Whether it’s behind the camera, the pen or the laptop, Angela’s main enjoyment is the music itself. While she enjoys many genres of music, her heart belongs to heavy metal, hard rock, and progressive metal. She is currently crossing names off her “interview bucket list” every 6 months like clockwork “just because it’s so much fun.”
“When I die, bury me deep
Put 2 speakers ‘tween my feet
Put my headphones on my head
Rock n Roll me when I’m dead”
ASA (12 years ago)
Great interview…. can’t wait for new record