William Francis of Aiden has released a lengthy statement about what to expect from him this year. In the statement, he confirms that there will be a new record from Aiden (the band has been on hiatus since 2012) and a possible tour from the group. You can read the statement below.
Darlings,
I walk through the insanity of this beautiful world that surrounds me and I fall madly in love with it, as if I have just arrived in a foreign place I’ve never travelled to. I’m in awe of its grandeur and the wondrous complexity it exudes, yet I’m still slightly terrified that I don’t know which direction I am headed. Other times I don’t even understand why I wake up in the morning or have a clue as to what the fuck I’m actually doing out here.
I started writing this the day I left the gloriously filth filled streets of London Town to journey back towards the fatherland so that I can finish a tour that started back on October 1st. Sitting now in the warmth of my living room next to trembling flames in the fireplace I’m overjoyed at the experiences I have gathered throughout the fall of 2014, but I am certainly glad to be home. Three months isn’t a very long time to be on tour but when you’re on the home stretch it feels like a century. Three minutes ago it seems I was sitting in a hotel near a venue in Warsaw Poland for the start of the European leg. Three minutes/three months/three years. What’s the difference really? A nap and a coffee. Tomorrow I’ll be in someplace dark, someplace cold and it’s a good thing I brought my long johns.
2014 has been an incredible year. Revelator book two came out, the Neuromancer before that, I made an acoustic album to drop at Christmas and spent most of our days on the road being treated really well by the lads in Combichrist. What a lovely bunch they are. Sincere, talented, hilarious and…. sometimes drunk. But very rarely, that I can assure you. They have dragged us all over the United States and Europe to play in front of their audience, most of whom were quite open minded and didn’t object to watching a band that wasn’t an industrial/neon art project screaming in their faces, playing garbage cans, and wearing black tactical gear with LED lights.
As a free and independent artist, could I ask for anything more? Music, travel, adventure, and the roar of an audience? It doesn’t get much better. I have you all to thank for that. In all sincerity I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t buy my music, merchandise or come to the shows wearing vinyl boots and garter belts. I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t request to see me at your local venue or festival, I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t show up screaming the lyrics in my fucking face.
I feel lucky that I have been given the chance to breathe oxygen from the atmosphere and share these experiences with other bright human beings, forming lasting relationships that will go on until the end of time. To Andy, Joe, Z-mar, Eric13, Brent, Elliot, Chris, Steve, Howie, maxi, fischi, Jessica, Jan, Benny, Ian and Kenneth Fletcher…. Thank you for making my time out here mean something special and for showing me that there are people in this world that I can count on.
Now let’s get down to business.
2015 is going to be a very busy year.
First I’d like to announce that I am opening my own screen printing shop. I know it’s frustrating waiting so long for the t-shirts and booty shorts you order to arrive. I’m going to try and streamline this process. Order-Print-Ship. I’ve rented a warehouse and will be spending the first part of January setting it all up. Thanks again for your patience.
Second… I am going to be playing a few acoustic shows at the end of January/Beginning of February down the west coast. More details on that soon.
Third… We are going to head out on “The Punishment Tour US” in April. Dates, tickets, support bands will be announced very soon. This will probably be my last tour for a while as William Control. I have already begun working on the next Aiden record.
Lastly… Yes you heard that right. There will be an Aiden record and most likely a tour. Aiden has been on hiatus for a while now but it’s time for me to answer your requests.
Aiden was my life for a long time. We spent years on the road playing shows and releasing records, making friends and creating lasting memories. Towards the end it was clear that punk rock wasn’t going to pay the bills, which is why both Angel and Jake left the band initially. Nick stayed on for a while but after his whole t-shirt printing debacle he’s decided that he couldn’t continue playing bass for Aiden. He states “I didn’t want to play without jake or angel rocking by our side.”
I want you all to know that going forward I have a very reliable merch girl that will get whatever you order, to you, in a reasonable amount of time. If you paid nick some cash and still haven’t received anything, please contact him. Either his twitter or his instagram is the best method, as he does not have a phone to call. I’m sorry that he did this but it in no way reflects on the business of Aiden moving forward.
So the question begs an answer. As the only original member, would you still like to see Aiden come to your town and play these songs you love so much? I have a lot of love for this little punk band that gave me so many incredible experiences and would be honored to come play these songs for you one last time. It’s something to think about over the next few months. We can address that question again soon.
For now I need to go sign this lease and get it notarized. There are submit shorts to produce and packages to ship out.
2015 here we come.
All my love
William Control
