Double Page Spread Article

Sam Avery, the bassist of the popular rock/ funk/ blues/ alternative band Infected definitely doesn't fade in to the background like most bassists. His loud personality is reflected on stage by jumping around and getting the whole crowd on their feet.

'Let's get this show on the road' he says, immediately bringing a strong presence to the room as soon as he enters 5 minutes early telling us his Dad always told him 'to be early is on time, to be on time is late and to be late is unacceptable.' He goes directly over to the wardrobe of clothes we'd chosen for him and picked out a simple outfit of dark skinny jeans, a dark green round neck jumper and the doc martens he came in saying that 'I'd rather people concentrated about what I have to say than what I'm wearing; like the good old saying don't judge a book by it's cover right?' he laughs. After taking a great deal of pictures and looking at them on the computer he announces 'they look empty, I think they'd look better with my bass.' He rushes off down to his car and returns with a beautiful Ibanez sr500 of which he immediately amazes us with his skills. Now looking much more comfortable with his 'curvy woman' as he calls it he's much happier with the results of the photographs. With all the pictures up on the screen he assertively chooses the ones he thinks he looks best in which are the ones that we have used.

He lounges back and overtakes the 3 seater sofa and starts jamming on his bass casually asking 'So, what is it you want to know about me?' We all sit stunned, still amazed by his skills until I blurt out asking what age did he start playing to become so talented? 'Well, I always wanted to play an instrument from always being mesmerised by musicians and when I was 12 I finally decided it was time to learn something, but I didn't have a clue what. I'd already found a passion for music and listened to artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Foo Fighters, Seasick Steve and loads more and so wanted to either sing, play drums, guitar, bass, keyboard or something different like the harmonica. After realising I couldn't sing, had nowhere to put drums, not many bands wanted someone who could play harmonica and loads of people played guitar I quickly decided I was going to take up bass. Proudly I can say that my first bass was pink, which most men wouldn't tell you' he says with a large grin assuring us still that he is straight. 'My parents paid for my bass lessons which I'm thankful for as I seemed to pick up on them quickly and before I knew it I was in a band with some of my mates.'

So is this still the first band or is this a following one? 'As I said, I started playing when I was 12 and got in a band quickly with some of my close mates who had all been playing since they were young so were all pretty skilled. We played heavy rock in a band called Save the Sunrise and it wasn't really my thing, but I stuck it out cause people seemed to like what we were making and were getting loads of local gigs. But then, when I was 18 we were playing a gig in Gravesend and someone came up to me after and asked whether I'd like to be in another band with them to see how it goes cause he liked me style. I thought I might as well as I liked the genre of music they were planning to play. I spent a couple of months jamming with them and it was all going really well and I loved the music we were making. I was still in Save the Sunrise but was much more dedicated and interested in Infected. At this point I was in two bands playing live and practicing and it was getting a bit much and I could tell Frank, Bill and Chris from Save the Sunrise were getting pretty p***ed but then my big break came along. Well what happened right was that we'd managed to get a gig up in Camden in a bar, this is with Infected, so we thought it was a start at least getting up in London but then after a record producer came up to us and asked whether we'd be interested in getting signed. Obviously we were all well chuffed but I felt really bad about Save the Sunrise and didn't know what to do about it at first. I realised I kinda had to leave their band as I couldn't just let this record deal go to waste. They seemed pretty peeved when I told them at first but understood that they'd have done the same and we're still mates now. You've probably heard about them before as when we go on our tours we always include them in our support.'

We've heard you've had some problems with Pete Wentz from the famous band Fall Out Boy but what is it all about? 'Well, basically I just don't think they should have got as big as they have, as yeah I'll give it to them they make some good tunes, but they all just sound the same to me and Pete doesn't do anything experimental just keeps it all basic and boring. I haven't got anything against them guys personally, I mean everyone wants to get big and they were just lucky enough to get noticed.' Inquisitively I asked if the band knew about this? 'I don't know, and to be honest, I don't really care. I'm not gonna go behind their back and purposefully talk s**t about them, but if I get asked a question I'll answer it truthfully.' he calmly answers. Are there any other bands you don't like or have grudges against then? "Like I said I don't like to talk s**t, so no is what you need to hear." he replies with a sly smile obviously revealing there are some other bands he disagrees with.

Quickly changing the subject, as Sam clearly felt uncomfortable talking about other bands, I ask how the new album was to make? He seems more interested in the conversation and looks up to tell us "It was such a laugh. We wrote all the tracks together before, like I'd write down a bass line and then the rest would slowly build it up, it's the best way to do it. In the end we spent just 2 days in the recording studio to get them all done and dusted. Some of the stuff's a bit different but we haven't greatly changed as we've seen what's happened before when bands with lots of fans have totally changed and left them pretty f**ked off. So get out there and buy a copy man."

I bet you're wondering when it comes out now aren't you? Well it comes on sale on the 11th June so get your pre-orders in now!

As Sam would say, "Peace out man."