Alex Westaway
Alex Westaway | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alexander Derek Westaway |
| Born | 2 February 1983 |
| Origin | Northamptonshire, England |
| Genres | Post-hardcore, alternative rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, guitarist |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Gut, Deep Elm, Island |
Alex Westaway is the co-lead vocalist and guitarist in post-hardcore band Fightstar alongside Charlie Simpson, Omar Abidi and Dan Haigh.[1]
Early life
Westaway was born and raised in Northamptonshire and attended Rugby School where he met future bandmate Dan Haigh.[2][3] He said that the first guitar he ever bought was "A £20 Spanish guitar I got when I was eight and starting guitar lessons. When I got into it more it was an Ibanez RX, which was a good low-end guitar. I’d play my Nirvana covers on that."[4]
Fightstar
While he was at university he attended a party in 2003 with mutual friend Omar Abidi and the two met Charlie Simpson. The three then agreed to get together and jam. They played the Rage Against The Machine song Killing in the Name on repeat and after several jams, agreed to start playing shows. They recruited a school friend of Alex's called Dan Haigh to play bass and Fightstar was formed.[1] Alex then dropped out of university and moved in with Charlie so they could write songs together.[5]
During the early years of Fightstar. Charlie was still an active member of the successful pop-rock band Busted whose sound differed greatly from Fightstar's. However when Charlie left Busted in January 2005. Fightstar had their first official UK tour and released their first EP They Liked You Better When You Were Dead in February 2005.
Fightstar have since had a successful career and have since released three albums; Grand Unification, One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours and Be Human. Fightstar announced a hiatus in 2010, but reformed in 2015 and have announced the release of their new studio album, Behind The Devil's Back.
Vocal ability
His lighter, falsetto and tenor style vocals in Fightstar are usually used to contrast Simpson's deeper voice and screams to give Fightstar a more versatile range.[1] Alex only sings solo on a few Fightstar songs such as 'Shinji Ikari', 'We Left The Tracks of Fire', 'Drown', 'More Human Than Human' and sings as part of a duet in songs such as 'Dark Star', 'Tonight We Burn', 'Amethyst', 'Cross Out All The Stars', 'Speak Up', 'It's Blood Is Black', 'I Am The Message', 'Paint Your Target', 'Hazy Eyes','Gracious' and their cover of 'Hurt'.
Other projects
During the hiatus Charlie Simpson has released a solo album which debuted at number 6 on the Uk Album Charts[6] and Alex and Dan Haigh have completed the score for Grzegorz Jonkajtys short film The 3rd Letter along with Audrey Riley. The film has picked up several awards from various film festivals across the world.[7] Alex and Dan have also directed a film they have been working on for several years called 'In God We Trust' which they have released a trailer for and also features all the members of Fightstar[8] Al and Dan have also started a new musical side-project called 'Gunship'.[9]
Equipment
Westaway's most commonly used guitars are:
- Fender Telecaster American Standard customized with single active EMG pickups.
- Fender Stratocaster American Standard
- Gibson SG New Century
- Gibson SG Special with EMG pickups
Amps:
- Peavey 5150
- VHT Pitbull head
Pedals:
- Boss TU-2
- Boss TR-2
- MXR Smart-Gate
- Boss RV-5
- Boss DD-7
References
- ^ a b c "Who is Alex Westaway". Definition-of.net. 2 February 1983. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ "Alex Westaway - eNotes.com Reference". Enotes.com. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ "Warwick Basses Amps & Rock'n Roll". Warwick.de. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ "52 famous players on their first guitars | Myles Kennedy". MusicRadar.com. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ http://www.webcitation.org/5je2VrCJR
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Young Pilgrim (Deluxe Edition) by Charlie Simpson". Itunes.apple.com. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ "Horsie in the Hedge". Horsieinthehedge.com. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ .http://www.nme.com/news/charlie-simpson/63227
- ^ "Gunship". Gunshipmusic.com. Retrieved 17 August 2012.