Interview with Acey Slade

It’s definitely a downside to being on tour, as documented in many rock songs. Are you happy on the road at the moment, or would you rather be back home in New York?
Acey: My wife and I are getting divorced, so I don’t have anybody to go home to. There’s my mom, obviously, but I don’t live with her, and she understands. I just miss having someone to go home to, and since I don’t have anyone to miss, I just want to go home! (laughs)

How is the current economic situation affecting life as a musician? Did you have to consider things more carefully while making the album?
Acey: Actually, it was pretty easy since my writing partner is a producer and has his own studio, and we did it all there. It’s interesting, because we’re just trying to figure out how to release it now, and I’ve found that a record company is great for getting money that you don’t have, but also taking money that isn’t theirs. If they’re losing money on another band, I shouldn’t be the one paying for it, so we’ve been self-releasing our stuff and it’s been really nice. It’s been more of a challenge, because we’ve no one to keep track of how many we’ve sold and then we’re like ‘Shit! We’re all out!’ (laughs) There’s been some mistakes along the way, and ones that we didn’t foresee, but it’s been a lot of fun.

What are your plans after the tour?
Acey: We’re playing some shows back in the New York area, and we’ll probably just start to arrange some more business stuff. We have another EP coming out (‘She Brings Down The Moon’) and the album is done. Rather than tour the States, I want to write with my new band, because they’re all just fantastic, brightly-shining human beings. I actually kind’ve want to start writing album number two. Everybody’s second album always kinda sucks, because they don’t take their time doing it, so I want to have it written, maybe play some of the new songs live, and get it out that way.

Do you envision this band being as successful as Trashlight Vision, or is that something you’re indifferent to?
Acey: It’s nice because you get to a point where the finances are and stuff, but given the economy and the career that I’ve had, I don’t care, man. I mean, I want people to get into it and like it, sure, but it’s not on my mind when I’m writing.

Thanks for your time, Acey. There’s just one last question that I think everyone wants to know the answer to… what’s [Acey's former Murderdolls bandmate] Wednesday 13 like in person?
Acey: (laughs) He’s a very scary person! And there’s always the question about the Murderdolls getting back together! The truth is, if I had my way, we’d have got back together years ago, but life is perfect the way that it is just now. It’ll happen when the time is right. I’m always up for it, but whenever Wednesday is free, Joey [Jordison, former Murderdolls guitarist and current Slipknot drummer] has been busy, and vice versa, and I’ve been doing Trashlight Vision too. I’m sure one perfect day it will all come together.

Acey Slade and The Dark Party’s EPs ‘Sex, Murder, Art, Baby!’ and ‘She Brings Down The Moon’ are available now from myspace.com/aceyslademusic.