Anberlin rocks and rolls in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - PULP Live Productions presents another rock ’n roll spectacle as Anberlin, one of the most exciting international modern rock bands, is set to perform at the A.Venue Hall in Makati Avenue on March 9, 2011 and open the year with a blast.

PULP columnist Lex Adarme caught the band live at the Islington Academy in London, and got the chance of a lifetime to do an exclusive one-on-one interview with rhythm guitarist Christian McAlhaney, who talked about the band’s new album, life on the road and expectations for the band’s one-night-only performance in Manila.

Was the approach in writing the new record Dark is the Way, Light is a Place different from the other previous records?

It was more focused, more concise, I guess, as a band/collective having ideas and goals, because sometimes you just write and write without that in mind.

 I’m still guilty of doing that but there was a clear vision and it was more of a collaboration this time around. (Drummer) Nate (Young) has a song that he basically wrote and we took it and turned it into a song, and (vocalist) Stephen (Christian)’s got a song, (lead guitarist) Joey (Milligan)’s got songs and I got songs, you know? We wanted a positive, very open and free-flowing work ethic.

Is there a particular song in the new record that is most meaningful to the band?

I think Pray Tell. For us, it’s one of the most unique songs we’ve ever done: It kind of has a Latin beat, a reggae beat with a bunch of heavy percussion and Nate’s playing bongos on one part, which was hilarious because in the studio we were soloing stuff and Nate’s like, playing bongos… (laughs) We were like “uhm, we’re recording an Anberlin album now?” and it was just cool trying something different as a band.

Anberlin is labeled a Christian band, and since you’re signed to a label like Tooth and Nail, it’s pretty obvious.

What has been your attitude toward your audience labeling you like this? Do you feel there are certain expectations from them?

I don’t mind people calling us whatever but you’ll never hear us call ourselves “a Christian band.” I heard a good quote from another musician saying he didn’t like the idea of labeling something that might create a box around the band that will keep people out… ultimately — as a band — you want most people to be able to listen to your songs, and to be able to connect and speak to everybody. But in our personal lives, we have our own beliefs, and there are a lot of Christians in this band. We just try to do what any good Christian would, and try to live the best way we can. We all make mistakes, and just because I’m in a band, that doesn’t change anything.

The band is also known for being active in non-profit work. What motivates Anberlin to do this?

I’ve always wanted it to be that if we ever got to a place where we were big enough, that we could take a few days off our tour and we could set and get kids involved (in non-profit work). Because kids don’t realize that though there are a lot of charities where you give money, you could — instead— simply give time and help in your local area, not just in India or Haiti.

Could you describe Anberlin’s set list dynamic and how it changes now that you have five records to choose from?

It’s tough… five records is a lot to choose from. Other bands, when they have a new record, they just play all of their new songs and I’m like “They’re great but I don’t know any of their new songs…” We don’t want to do that. I’d love to take requests from fans of what songs we should play every time before we’d go on tour, but that’s also pretty tough to do. It’s a guessing game, really. 

What is Anberlin’s impression of the Philippines? Any expectations?

I’ve never been there, so our current impression is… excitement. As for expectations, I think it’s going to be great; the band is excited to go to new places, it’s always a pleasant surprise and I’ve never been there so it’s so exciting to realize that we’re going to meet people who basically learned of us and followed us on the Internet. I can’t wait to get out of the cold and get to Manila!

VIP tickets are now available for P1,500 at all TicketNet, TicketWorld, SM Tickets and Odyssey Music and Video Stores nationwide. Get a 10 percent discount if you buy before Dec. 20