After Two Decades, Alesana Have (Finally) Answered The Philippines’ Call

For two decades, Alesana have carved their place within the American post-hardcore landscape — weaving theatrical narratives with a sound that is both ferocious and fragile. 

Having emerged from North Carolina in 2004, the band — currently comprised of members Shawn Milke, Dennis Lee, Patrick Thompson, Shane Crump, and Jake Campbell — quickly distinguished itself through its fusion of screamo intensity, melodic ambition, and literary concept-driven albums. While many of their peers cycled through an abundance of musical trends, Alesana felt content in building a sonic world of their own — one where soaring hooks, dual vocals, and dramatic storytelling coexisted in a way that simultaneously felt raw and romantic — connecting them with a growing fanbase drawn to the emotional vividness of records like On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax, Where Myth Fades to Legends, and The Emptiness.

Even as the 2010s unfolded, the group further deepened their creative daring, embracing sprawling concept arcs, sharpening their technical musicianship, while continuing to challenge genre boundaries. It’s no secret that longevity in the post-hardcore scene is rare, but longevity while constantly innovating is even rarer. Still, Alesana managed both — surviving lineup changes, industry shifts, and even the evolution of rock itself. Yet what makes their journey even more remarkable is how their music traveled far beyond the confines of the United States to establish deep roots in unexpected corners of the world, most notably here in the Philippines. 

Here, Alesana’s dramatic lyricism and cathartic intensity eventually resonated with a generation of Filipino rock fans who found the band’s emotional candor to be a voice for their own stories. Long before the concept of “emo revival” had entered the global lexicon, local scenes across the country had already begun covering Alesana songs, shaping their own identities around the band’s signature blend of sentiment and scream.

Today, as Alesana stand at the twenty-year mark, with their legacy and influence stretching across continents and communities — finally bringing them to the Philippines for the first time ever. It’s one of those rare shows that has been decades in the making, with the palpable tension and anticipation evidently at an all-time high just outside the North EDSA Skydome concert venue.​​

Just a few hours before the commencement of their sold-out show in Manila, Billboard Philippines sat down with the group’s frontmen, Shawn Milke and Dennis Lee, to talk about their trademark ethos as a group, their long-standing connection with their devoted Filipino fanbase, what keeps them creatively inspired, and their astute observations as artists in an ever-evolving industry after all this time.

Billboard Philippines: Welcome to Manila! This show has been a long time coming. Given that this is your first show here in the Philippines, what are your expectations for the show, and what do you hope to bring tonight for your Filipino fans? 

Shawn: All I know is we’ve been being requested to come here for a very, very long time. This has been on our bucket list to do for years and years. So, we are absolutely thrilled to be here. 

Dennis: Yeah, I remember as early as, I think, 2006, my roommates sent me a video of a Filipino Alesana cover band. It has been a long dream to come here. I’m glad that we were finally able to put it together. I think there’s going to be, you know, two decades of emotions and energy under one roof, and that it’s going to be a really fun time for everybody.

I’ll say that I don’t think there’s been a single tour we’ve announced in nearly 20 years where somebody from the Philippines has not said, ‘Please come to the Philippines.’ So, it’s pretty cool to finally be here! 

Well, it’s so exciting that this is a dream come true — not just for the audience, but for you guys as well. It’s been two years of build-up and anticipation, and it’s going to be so cathartic, so I’m pretty sure that everyone’s energy is going to be so insane. 

Dennis: That’s a great word for it, cathartic is right. I’m already trying to keep my adrenaline down, and we don’t play for like six hours. *laughs*

Considering that you guys mentioned that you’ve been active in the music scene for over 20 years, how does it feel looking back, thinking on just how much the band has evolved, artistically and even personally as individual members? 

Dennis: I’ve been in this band over half my life. And I think part of the reason that we’ve been able to stay this long is that, I mean, we love each other. We’re like brothers.

There are so many bands that will get into music for the wrong reasons, and they can’t mesh and everything. But when we met, I mean, we came from different genres. I was a metal head, Shawn’s a pop-punk kid, and we just liked each other so much. And I said, let’s make some music. And as we’ve grown and learned each other more and more, I feel like that’s where the sound continues to evolve, but it’s still us. It’s still that same core principle of just making music with your friends.

Shawn: Yeah, I think the biggest thing is just we’ve always been what we wanted to be, regardless of any outside noise. And I think that’s a reason we’ve sustained for as long as we have, because we’re very genuine to what it is we’re trying to be. 

Just by seeing how you guys are with your live performances, you could see that there’s really a shared passion between each of you. So, to bear witness to the way that it translates both on and off the stage — it’s insane. And it’s not something that is easily replicated by anyone. 

But over the years, the band has also honed in on a sound that’s been described as kind of unique because it kind of melds pop-punk and metal, together with elements of post-hardcore, screamo, and all that. How do you feel about the way that your music has kind of influenced, you know, all those genres and even a new generation of musical acts? 

Shawn: I mean, I think that’s the biggest compliment possible, right, is if somebody’s using you as an influence. I know the bands and artists that I use as an influence, and to be that for somebody else never truly feels real to me. And I was like, you use our band as, like, inspiration? Like, that’s wild to me because I know how much I care about the artists that do that for me. So to be that for other people is just incredibly humbling. 

Dennis: That’s it. I mean, and it’s incredible that, especially as we said, we wrote just music as friends, and it’s been labeled as emo, post-hardcore, everything, which is fine, you know. But to see the next generation pick up the torch and keep it going and say, like, this is, you know, what matters, it’s incredibly humbling. 

Shawn: I think the interesting thing about those labels, too, is not that we don’t refute them and we’re fine with them, but we’ve never put them on ourselves. We’re not like, oh, we need to write a screamo song. Like, we just write what we like to write. We’re influenced by what we are and by each other, and so whatever people want to call it, we’re like, that’s fine. As long as you’re listening, we’ll call it whatever you want.

Where do you guys often channel those creative influences? What makes you think, “This is what we’re going to do for this song or for this record?“

Shawn: To give you an example, the other day we were waiting for a bullet train in Japan, and the rhythmic repetition of the train pulling in, we started creating a song based on that rhythmic repetition. And it’s just like, whatever’s in front of us is kind of what inspires us.

Dennis: From a lyrical standpoint, I’ve always been a big fan of letting the guys write music, and as you listen, it tells you what the song’s going to be about. It’s not like we’re writing some catchphrase and then building a song around it. Just let the music be what it needs to be.

Yeah, so the story kind of writes itself.

Shawn: Absolutely. And the story needs to be whatever the listener or the reader wants it to be. We can write it how we want. We like to leave it open to interpretation, because art is for everyone, not just for yourself. 

That’s very well said. But having played all over the world, especially since you guys just came from Japan, what made you guys realize that it’s high time that you perform on this side of the world? 

Dennis: [Well it’s been] long, long, long overdue. I’m glad that the production team here was able to help us facilitate [this show], because there are a lot of moving parts to bring a band from halfway across the world over. I’m just happy that the stars finally aligned, and that we can finally give every one of those kids who’ve been asking for 20 years the show they deserve.

Shawn: It’s never for lack of want. We’re never like, oh, we wanted to come here. It’s just like you said, the piece has got to fall into place. The right people have to be bringing you. To travel this far from home, you have to feel like you’re trusting the folks bringing you over, and we finally found that. 

Dennis: And for the record, this has been fantastic. This might be the easiest, because kids don’t realize, when you’re coming through airports and customs and immigration with a ton of equipment and a ton of people, it is a long process. But the production company had talked to the airport ahead of time, and we just rolled with it. It was fantastic.

Shawn: It’s the little things to make life easier for us, and we really appreciate that. 

Given that this is a moment that’s been decades in the making, and then everything’s just kind of falling into place, I can’t wait to see how that’s going to turn out for tonight’s show. 

Dennis: It helps, man. When you’re not stressed, and you’re ready to focus on the show, not panicking because something got stuck at customs. 

Shawn: Are you kidding me? We’ll 100% show up on stage tonight. That relaxed feeling we get from being taken such good care of.

That’s so great. But, you know, right now outside, there is a ton of fans already waiting for you guys. I actually think they’ve been there since 12 PM or earlier, which is crazy! But with that fan base that you guys have developed and kind of cultivated over the years, what are the things that you’ve observed most about their shared passions through your music? 

Dennis: It’s easy for kids to forget, but we are them. You know, I was also an awkward teenager who hadn’t found my place, and then I went to my first live concert, and I was in there in the shared energy of a bunch of misfits under the same roof.

And that’s why I write music for those kids in black t-shirts with eyeliner. Because you and I are the same, bro. We’re here. You’ve found your place. This is where we belong together. I don’t view them as our shows. These are their shows. I’m here for you, but this is your experience.

It means the world to me. I’m able to continue to pay it forward. What the bands, in my experience, when I was in high school, and I was having a hard time, gave to me, and just continue to give it now. And the next generation of musicians is doing the same. 

Shawn: This is something we’ve said before, but it bears repeating. Our rule is five or 5,000, right? If five people show up tonight, they’ll get the same performance from us as if 5,000 people showed up. Because you never know when that one person in the crowd needs that. And so we promise ourselves we will always give no matter what.

Do you think there is any particular song or record in Alesana’s discography that you guys think is really going to stick out to Filipino audiences tonight? 

Shawn: That’s going to stick out tonight? I just love Confessions (2015). I know we’re both big Confessions artists. *laughs*

Dennis:  I feel like if you ask that question to any artist, their last record will always be the one they say. I know that On Frail Wings Of Vanity and Wax’ (2007), means a lot to the audience here, too. And I do love that record because that was the real first experience of Alesana figuring out what we really were, especially when we started to bring Shawn, and I’s shared love of literature, and meld it into the songs. So that holds a special place for us too. But yeah, if you haven’t listened to Confessions, you’re missing out. 

I think what’s fascinating about those little bits of literature that you guys integrate into the lyricism become little Easter eggs for the fans to dissect and find out, which shows how meticulous your songwriting process is.

Dennis: It’s the best. And especially when someone connects the dots or realizes a reference and comes up, and tells us, “Hey, I read Dante’s Inferno because of you guys.” It’s amazing. And being able to make everyone aware that these classical pieces of literature have staying power, and they’re still relevant in a modern age. And that’s there for you. It’s been just the thrill of mine as a huge book nerd to know, even Shawn too, that we’re able to bring that to the audience. 

Shawn: I had a Cameo recently, where it was his dad requesting it for his daughter’s birthday. He said that she found a passion in reading and writing because of our records, leading her to classic literature. And that is the ultimate compliment you can give us. Because that was the goal behind it.

Artists and lyricists have, not a power, but there’s a responsibility there. The things you sing about and put out there are going to be received in a certain way. Why not put out, ‘hey go read books’. Go experience literature. Why not have that be the influencing factor in what we’re trying to get across?

Yet aside from the literature, there’s also a lot of vulnerability and emotional experiences that come off in the narrative of your work. How do you maintain the balance of integrating all those elements that keep it true to the Alesana sound? 

Dennis: I think that there is, if you’re talking about someone who’s truly strong, that is the vulnerability. I think there’s too much, especially in this day and age of trying to put on that tough guy act and thinking that’s how you’re strong.

I think the person who’s able to admit, to cry, to say something’s not okay. I think being able to admit that to yourself and share that for other people who need to hear that, is the real strength. When I talk to people, especially as a vocalist who screams, I laugh when people say, I just don’t like screaming.

I’m like, well, I’m glad you haven’t needed it yet. Because that’s the reality. Because when you do, that’s what we’re here for. When you hit that time where nothing seems to be going right, and you just want to let it out. 

Shawn: Which is exactly why we do the ‘Passion’ thing on stage every single night, too. We want people to be able to connect the way they came here to connect.

It’s impressive how you guys are so in touch with how your music really resonates with all these people worldwide — even in corners like the Philippines, the little countries like this.

Dennis: That’s my favorite part of the job. I encourage anyone at any opportunity you get, the younger the better. Go travel. Go see another place. Go see another completely different country that will give you culture shock. You’re going to see all these new things that are incredible. You’re going to realize we’re all doing the same thing. We all have this shared human experience.

Everyone has the same issues with school, work, and family. It reminds you of shared humanity. I feel like, especially in this day and age, everyone could use that reminder.

I’m pretty sure that a lot of people are going to be taking those experiences away from you guys here tonight. But if there’s one thing that you guys would want the audience to really remember from such a big show as this, what would it be? 

Shawn: For me, I actually want it to be like chase your dreams. Pat and I were talking as we were driving because we’re on a huge billboard here. It’s a first for us in all of these years. We were talking about how we started this band, and we used to rehearse in a storage unit that was 10×10 with gym mats on the walls.

Now, we’re on a giant billboard in Manila and the Philippines. If you can’t step back and appreciate those moments even all these years later, that’s one thing. We were just a bunch of dudes who were like, we should try this thing. Let’s work as hard as we can. So anybody in this crowd tonight can chase something like that and accomplish it. 

Dennis: I come from a visual arts background. I’ve always considered myself, first and foremost, a performer when I’m on stage, more so than anything else. But I did the art for the advertising and everything. Thinking about me in high school with my little sketch pad, drawing something. Now, it’s a giant billboard of some art that I made as a special. You never realize that, oh my god, that’s happening too. 

Shawn: Sometimes you don’t take that step back to realize just how unbelievably cool it is.

Dennis: I hope one of the Alessandra mantras is a phrase called PMA, which means Positive Mental Attitude. It’s funny because people read our lyrics or see our aesthetic or our music and think it’s all very dark and sad. Yet really, it’s all about positivity.

It’s about dealing with those emotions in a healthy way so you can be happy. I hope everyone in here comes and brings their troubles. Like, get in here and forget who’s watching and just let it go.

Shawn: I love that you say that. Everybody always assumes we are dark music. PMA, positivity, is not about ignoring hard things and ignoring the bad. It’s about embracing them and finding a way through them. That’s the whole idea of PMA. 

Dennis: Exactly, what we were talking about vulnerability before. I think that’s the same thing. It’s facing it and being honest with yourself about it. 

So tonight’s going to be a very cathartic night for everyone involved. 

Shawn: I’m so ready. *laughs*

For my last question, given that you guys have reached 20 years as a band, what’s on the radar for the next 20 years of Alesana? Are there any exciting projects or records to look forward to?

Shawn: Raising our kids. *laughs*

Dennis: That has been one of my favorite things, especially thinking about starting that storage unit. I’ve seen Sean’s family, all of his boys playing baseball. I have a daughter. It’s great to be at the point in our career where we can be humans and then still come out and share our music with people on the other side of the world and still have that experience.

Being able to have a family and a life and still perform, because I need that. It’s never about coming out here for a paycheck or anything. I need to be on stage in front of people. That’s part of who I am now. And having that release and having a fan base that allows us to do that is a blessing. 

Shawn: Absolutely, that’s it. We wouldn’t change anything in the world.

Revisit Alesana’s 2010 record, The Emptiness, in its entirety below: