Interview by: Robert Cavuoto
Photos Credit: Myles Erfurth
Recharged and redefined, the band delivers their most inspired work yet, as a testament to their undeniable chemistry, musicianship, and vast musical influences. This multi-platinum Juno Award-winning group, featuring Scott Anderson (vocals), James Black (lead guitar, backing vocals), Rick Jackett (rhythm guitar), Sean Anderson (bass), and Steve Molella (drums), continues to prove they are a no-nonsense band carrying the torch for Rock n’ Roll! If Rock n’ Roll is dead, nobody told Finger Eleven!
A relentless guitar onslaught fuels every moment of The Last Night On Earth, courtesy of Rick and James. Songs like the first single Adrenaline,” and “Blue Sky Mystery” (featuring Filter’s Richard Patrick) doubled down on their signature mix of tightly wound riffs, rhythmic intensity, and pushed-to-the-edge vocals.
But amid the musical storm, the band also reveals their dynamic range, with powerful and emotional acoustic songs like the title track and “Body and Mind.” Their ability to craft songs that leave an indelible mark on listeners’ souls is a evidence to their status as true musical trailblazers, redefining the boundaries of the rock genre and connecting with their audience in a way few other acts can match.
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It was a pleasure to interview Rick Jackett, who shared that, while it appears they were dormant creatively, the truth is they’d been writing and creating for years, collecting fragments of songs that slowly evolved into a cohesive album. Without a record label setting deadlines, they had the luxury of time to sit with ideas, let them breathe, and see which ones felt meaningful years later.
For Rick and the band, this album is a reaffirmation of their identity. He said their only goal was to make a “true Finger Eleven album,” one that stayed authentic to who they are, rather than chasing trends. He went on to describe their music as the natural result of five musicians combining their quirks and instincts, sometimes messy, always human, and unmistakably theirs.
Much of the album’s heavy, riff-driven energy comes from Rick and James’s love of distortion. He laughed that, with two guitarists in the band, “we outvote everyone right away, it’s gonna have distorted guitars.” Still, the new album balances aggression with melody, and songs like “The Mountain” and “Perfect Effigy” showcase what he feels is some of his best guitar work to date, the former for its intricate interplay between guitars, the latter for a riff he calls one of his all-time favorites.
The album’s title track, which is an acoustic song, also holds special significance. What started as a simple acoustic idea turned into a spontaneous studio performance that captured the song’s intimacy and emotional weight. The decision to name the album Last Night on Earth came by accident; someone accidentally referred to it by that name, and it instantly felt right. Guitarist James Black, who designs the band’s artwork, was immediately inspired by the imagery and shaped the visual concept around it.
Looking ahead, Rick said the creative spark is alive again. The band’s enthusiasm for making music has returned, and while he didn’t make promises, he hinted that fans won’t have to wait another ten years for the next album. “The machine has started up again,” he said, “the hunger’s there, the excitement’s there.” Last Night on Earth stands as both a comeback and a celebration — a record that captures Finger Eleven rediscovering who they are and doing what they do best.
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