By Nicholas Jason Lopez
While none of the members of Slaves To Humanity were around in the 1980’s or 1990’s, the quartet has perhaps been able to capture true rock’s spirit even better than its long-haired predecessors, to the point that their first single “Battleground” was the most played and most requested song in decades on SoCal’s biggest rock station, KLOS.
With a sound dubbed as “Sunset Grunge” – 1980’s Sunset Strip mixed with raw power of the 1990’s grunge movement – the Orange County, Calif. band are back again with the music video for their new single “The Start.”
Slaves To Humanity are vocalist Aidan Amini (15), drummer Shane Ryan (16), lead guitarist Pierce Akers (15), bassist Nathan Johnson (18) and rhythm guitarist Max Hickman (19).
The Music Bugle had the chance to speak with Amini about what they’ve been up to lately and more.
Music Bugle – How did you decide on the band name?
Aidan Amini – The band name was just something coming from my old band. It never really had any sort of meaning. We just never got around to changing it and decided to just keep it!
Music Bugle – Did your music video for “The Start” come out how you hoped?
Aidan Amini – I mean, when it comes to videos, there are three extremes. It either comes out exactly how you imagined, comes out better than you imagined, or comes out worse. In our case, the video came out way better than we could have ever hoped.
Music Bugle – How would you describe Orange County, California to someone who has never been there before?
Aidan Amini – Orange County is either beach, or no beach. There isn’t really a good in-between. It’s only when you go out to LA that you get really anything different that’s gonna keep your attention long enough.
Music Bugle – Do you feel your young ages give you any sort of advantage in today’s music industry?
Aidan Amini – I think our young age helps us in the sense that people just like seeing kids our age appreciating and having a good knowledge in the kind of music that we play.
Music Bugle – What excites you the most about your style of music?
Aidan Amini – Just the fact that it feels like that good old hard rock with its own feel that kind of sets it apart. Nobody is really doing this kind of thing anymore!
Music Bugle – What was it like putting together your debut EP alongside FRAME/WORK?
Aidan Amini – Working with Ryan Schuck and Amir Derakh has been the best thing we’ve been able to do. They really hit all the points with us and understand what we’re trying to do.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Aidan Amini – I’ve been listening to a lot of newer bands recently like Dirty Honey and Palaye Royale. I always love hearing what other new bands are up to!
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Aidan Amini – The COVID pandemic really put a halt on practically everything. We couldn’t play any shows and it just kinda sucked, especially since the show we had played right before was a sold-out show at a 500-person venue in Santa Ana.
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need a break?
Aidan Amini – I just head outside. It’s always so calming and fresh, so when I need a break from anything, I use the outdoors to kinda calm me!
Music Bugle – What’s a quote that motivates you to keep doing what you do?
Aidan Amini – I don’t really have any quotes that keep me going. I really don’t need one. I love what I do. That’s why I do it and that’s all anybody really needs.
