Awol On The Wild Side
He had it all but conspired to throw it away. Now Aaron Bruno is at last enjoying sustained success with his new band Awolnation.
Anne Sexton, 31 Aug 2012
Down and out, Bruno rediscovered the punk rock ethos that had originally driven Home Town Hero.
“I got lost along the way – the idea of major labels and making money, and MTV and being a rock star. I was disgusted with myself. This time around I was, ‘Fuck that!’ I’ll do my own thing and express myself truly.’ When I wrote those songs I just wanted to make a record I could feel proud of.”
These days, he says, he’s “very anti-rock star.” He lives in the suburbs north of Hollywood but avoids the party scene.
“I’m pretty good at not going to the cool parties, you know that Kanye West and Jamie Foxx are at with the cast of some horrible reality show like The Hills. I would have loved that when I was younger. I was insecure. It made me want to have worthless relationships with multiple girls, and drink and do different drugs. I felt that because of my failure that if I lived the rock star lifestyle it validated me. It’s not my proudest moment.
“Somebody asked me what it was like to eat off a golden spoon and be able to hang out with models and actors and politicians. I don’t do that. I think it’s interesting that musicians hang out with politicians and world leaders. I’d never do that. Politics are disgraceful.”
So no Bono antics in future?
“Don’t get me started on Bono! I loved U2 but now when they come on the radio I change the station. I can’t even listen to their old music. Sorry about that – Ireland is going to hate me now!”
Anne Sexton
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