About Saving Abel:
Saving Abel has emerged in recent years as one of the most successful rock bands in the United States. The band is widely known via multi-format hits at radio, and has taken the stage at hundreds of venues across the U.S. Like many of their rock brethren, a true picture of who they really are individually and collectively is just beginning to take shape as critical mass builds. When that picture comes in to focus, the colorful, yet truly down home, altruistic, and sincere personalities of these five men will emerge.
In looking forward towards their second studio album Miss America, the band is optimistic that their evolution and experience will serve them well. Guitarist Bartlett observes, "We are creating the new Southern Rock. Not to say we are pioneers, but it is very exciting. We are five unique individuals with five dominant personalities. This is typically an ingredient for disaster, but we make it work and wouldn't have it any other way." Drummer Dixon continues, "We've become better writers and musicians. You go from working a 9 to 5 to playing music all day every day, and you get better." Bassist Taylor adds, "The heavy's are definitely heavier, but this album shows how much we have improved as writers and musicians." As guitarist Null sees it, "We are evolving into our own as a band, and picking up where Addicted left off. Singer Weeks adds, "The second album is definitely going to bring more of an in-depth Southern Rock sound, and it is going to show more of who we are as a band. Totally excited about this one!"
Saving Abel formed in Corinth, Mississippi in 2004. Four years later on March 11, 2008, the quintet's major label debut was released by EMI. One year and five days later on March 16, 2009, it was certified gold by the RIAA. As the mere existence of artist development is under attack, this story of establishing a career remains a bright spot within a landscape littered by casualties of a changing music industry and deep worldwide recession
Amongst the new repertoire on Miss America, Bartlett reveals, "we all contributed to the songwriting process which means we could showcase our individual talents as well as how we play off each other." When asked which songs stand out to them individually, "Hell of a Ride" is mentioned specifically by Taylor, Dixon, and Bartlett. Taylor shared, "It has been one 'hell of a ride' the last couple of years for the five of us. This song puts it in perspective." Dixon continued, "The name alone describes where we are from and how far we've come. We may not always see eye to eye but we have seen the country together and soon the world." Weeks offers, "My favorite is 'I'm still Alive' because to me it speaks about being on the road and dealing with all the problems with facing another day as hard as it is to live this life." Null mentions the ballad "Angel Without Wings," in sharing, "It was just good to hear that song come to life. It was the very first song I had ever written and just never finished it."
The songs on Miss America tackle some heavy themes, alongside others which are more lighthearted. Referencing the song "Secrets," Null shares, "I began writing that song from a life experience having being involved in a relationship that was kept as a secret from the beginning. I'm also a fan of JFK, and 32nd degree Mason, and was aware of the speech the President had given. Just thought it would be a cool addition to the song." In discussing the track's message Bartlett adds, "The road teaches you a lot about relationships and love and loss. We are all hypocrites to a certain degree. The song is about everyone." The band recorded a cover of CCR's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain," and amongst the many reasons why that selection was chosen, Bartlett's is most poignant, "We knew Jared's vocal would shine, and I knew I wanted to play pedal steel. Ultimately, it is the only song that CCR wrote together."
As Saving Abel looks towards the future, the years of collaboration has prepared the quintet for continued success largely fueled by the inherent ability of this collective to write music that connects with an exponentially growing fan base. As they continue heading down this road, two things are for certain - success will come on their terms, and no matter how great it will be, these five men will be one in the same as the individuals who began this journey together back in 2004. |
