Larkhall bass guitarist signs record deal with Warner Bros

Dec 24 2009 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

IF you told Larkhall’s Alan Williamson last Christmas that he would soon be signed to Warner Bros Records in the US, he would have found it hard to believe.

But that’s exactly what happened to the 23-year-old only two weeks after he took up bass duties with Derbyshire rock band LostAlone earlier this year.

The former Larkhall Academy pupil auditioned to replace departing bassist Tom Kitchen in May after supporting the group years ago on their UK tour with his old band Castro.

Alan managed to impress singer/guitarist Steven Battelle and drummer Mark Gibson and was offered the job on the spot.

“They told me later that day that I had got it and I literally had to move down south there and then,” said Alan.

“LostAlone had already built a huge fanbase, particularly in Europe, and had been nominated by Kerrang magazine for the best newcomer award two years ago before I joined.

“I had been following them, so when I got the audition I thought, I really need to nail this – and luckily I did.”

Two weeks after he joined, the band were approached by major label Warner Bros, based in Los Angeles, about a record deal. Six months of legal negotiations later and the deal was signed.

Alan said: “Unfortunately I can’t give too much detail about the contract away at the moment, and I’m not allowed to say how many albums we’ve been signed on for, but I can say that it is a long-term deal.

“We head back over to LA in the new year to meet some of our producers and get to know the people we’re going to be working with over there.

“We’ve already been over a few months ago to support My Chemical Romance.

“They are a massive band and have a big following. They are our good mates now.

“I know a lot of people say this about fellow musicians, but they are actually incredibly down-to-earth. They’re just like us, just into their music. They made us feel welcome.”

Alan continued: “If someone told me this time last year that I’d be in this position, I’d find it hard to believe.”

Alan first got into music when he was 13 and his father bought him a guitar.

“My dad played it and tried to get me interested in music,” he said, “but I was pretty much self-taught.

“He used to really wind me up when he tried to teach me and I had to do my own thing.

“I’ve always wanted to make music and to take it seriously. Like most, I’ve been in a few bands, but most people consider it a hobby.

“I want to make a living out of it.”