Q&A: All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth talks new album ahead of Pittsburgh show

The latest tour for veteran pop-punk band All Time Low got off to an admittedly “wonky” start when lead singer/guitarist Alex Gaskarth got laryngitis, forcing the cancellation of a few shows.

“It’s always so devastating when your body fails you on tour,” Gaskarth said last week. “When a guitar breaks you can get it fixed, but when you get sick, it’s just a waiting and recovery game at that point. That said, we’ve been back to playing shows for bit now, and these crowds have been something else. The energy on this tour is incredible and all the bands are on their A game.”

The Maryland band, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, released its 10th studio album “Everyone’s Talking!” on Oct. 17 through the band’s Basement Noise imprint. Their tour visits UPMC Events Center in Moon Township on Nov. 19, with Mayday Parade, Four Year Strong and The Paradox opening.

Known for songs like “Dear Maria, Count Me In” and “Monsters” featuring Blackbear, All Time Low is still going strong, including a September appearance on NBC’s “Today,” where they performed “The Weather” off the new album.

In an email interview, Gaskarth spoke with TribLive about the new album, hitting the 10-album milestone, Pittsburgh shows and more. Find a transcript of the conversation, edited for clarity and length, below.

Have you been pleased with the response to the “Everyone’s Talking” album so far?

The response has been amazing. There’s a tangible excitement about the new music, and we’re feeling that at the shows for sure. With new music it sometimes takes the audiences a while to digest the record and know them by heart at the gigs, but this time around it feels like everyone’s done their homework and the new songs are popping off maybe more than we expected.

How did you handle the independence of making this album on your own Basement Noise label?

It certainly adds a little pressure to the whole thing. We wanted to deliver something really special for the fans, but that said, we’ve been doing this a long time now and we feel we know what works and doesn’t work for our band, which is an important place to be creatively when we’re the ones kind of driving the ship.

Is there anything you’d do differently next time?

I don’t think so. The record making process should be fun, and we kept it that way working with trusted friends and collaborators. Sometimes I think the most special songs come from not overthinking it.

Does reaching the milestone of 10 albums feel like a big accomplishment?

In the context of longevity, yes. When we started this band back in 2003 as high schoolers, we never imagined that we’d achieve some of the milestones we have now. The opportunity to put out 10 albums worth of music is a testament to the fans who keep showing up for us, for giving us a reason.

How important has it been for the band to consistently release new music every two years or so? That would seemingly be a hard pace to maintain.

We’ve tried to maintain a consistent approach because I think it keeps people engaged and it’s kept our name in the conversation over the years. That said, I don’t think it’s ever been about forcing an album out just to do it. We’ve only gone and worked on a record when the timing felt right to us.

Can you see a through-line from all those older albums into “Everyone’s Talking”?

Yes, I think there are flavors of past albums sprinkled throughout this one and that nostalgic tinge helped shape the new music a whole.

What stood out about “Suckerpunch” to make that the first single?

It felt like kicking the door down on a new era. The song has a lot of punch (no pun intended) and felt notably anthemic, something that was a statement piece and a cornerstone on the album that was really going to set the tone for the body of work.

With over 20 shows through the years in the Pittsburgh area, can you share any highlights/lowlights that stand out?

Pittsburgh has always been a highlight for us on tour. It’s a great city with a lot of heart and soul, and people always show up for us. The crowds get rowdy, the vibes are always right.

Related

• Top Pittsburgh concerts for November: Paul McCartney, Billy Strings and more
• Q&A: Jenna Fournier on Kid Tigrrr project, One Night Live, touring with Billy Corgan
• 2025-26 Pittsburgh area concert calendar

Do you have any memories of your first show here in the region at the Charleroi VFW on July 23, 2005?

Wow, what a throwback. Was this with Valencia? I have some VAGUE memories of that show but they’re fleeting … mostly being in the van, loading our gear in, hoping nothing broke.

How much different are shows now compared to those days?

Well, the crowds got bigger for sure! But the ethos I think has pretty much remained the same. We’re just trying to create an environment where people can come and be free to be themselves, let loose, connect with like-minded people and leave their troubles at the door. It’s always been about that for us.

Now that the band celebrated its 20th anniversary, what are you hoping for the next 20 years of the band? Is it possible to even think that far ahead?

Haha, I’m not sure we’ve ever thought that far ahead, but the future is bright. There are still ambitions we have for the band, and it feels like there’s still room to grow, so we’re going to keep chasing that for the foreseeable future.