With their brilliant second Brainwashed now out, While She Sleeps decided to celebrate with their fans at a free launch party at the House Of Vans in London. Offering fans plenty of unique opportunities to interact with members of the band this was a great way for them to promote the album. The highlight of the day was certainly an acoustic set but before then guitarist Sean Long and bassist Aaran Mckenzie were offering guitar lessons and jam sessions. The band had lots of their gear and awards on display as well as several photos of them on tour which fans could buy including the shot of Loz Taylor climbing the sound tower at Download, one which is sure to become iconic for the band.
One thing that has always been very important to the band is the art and imagery created by guitarist Mat Welsh. A lot of this has always been the basis for their merch and today Mat was designing exclusive lyric prints and skate decks for fans. These activities helped show how good a connection While She Sleeps have with their fans and even when they weren’t doing these, the members were just walking around getting to know their fans. As previously mentioned the band did a short acoustic set, something the band briefly experimented with the deluxe edition of This Is The Six. Today was their first time ever doing this live and it worked brilliantly (despite the band admitting the set was put together two days ago). The band reworked the songs entirely so they would fit the acoustic sound, focusing heavily on the gang vocals the band frequently use. Focusing mostly on new tracks off of Brainwashed including a cool mash up of Four Walls and Our Legacy the band seemed very comfortable in this acoustic setting and it would be something it would be good to hear more of.
Finally they wrapped up the day with a signing for all the fans who stuck around, instead of rushing through this they spent ages talking to every fan. The day definitely had a very DIY feel to it with plenty of it being thrown together at the last minute but this just fitted in with a lot of what the band have done over the years, overall this was just a great day for the band and their fans.
Brainwashed is available now and While She Sleeps hit the road with Cancer Bats in April.
