Here we go again… Last year we covered every band on the Hobgoblin New Blood and Jagermeister stages in the run-up to Bloodstock 2015. This year, we’re going one better and aim to have interviews from all the bands on those two stages as well as all of those on the SOPHIE stage prior to the event kicking off on August 11th. That’s almost 100 interviews to get online for you lucky people over the course of the next couple of weeks. I bloody love this job, but you lot owe me a beer at Catton Hall, right?
Thanks to all the bands who’ve taken the time to respond!
Broken – Jagermeister stage, Saturday
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
A few places from around Yorkshire but we class ourselves as a Wakefield based band as that’s where things started.
How did you meet?
Neil and Fraser started things when they were both looking for new bands. Mark ed when we d for a drummer after our first one left as he knew Neil from playing in local bands years ago. When we wanted a second guitarist we knew Damian as he had partied with us at and was a friend of Marks and Pudge was sent from heaven after our second singer up and left!
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Neil and Fraser started the original Broken back in 2010 but the current line up with Pudge started back in 2014 (I think!).
Where does the name of the band come from?
Ha ha. That’s the hardest thing we ever did! Back in 2010 the singer was into hard rock more than metal and agreeing on a name almost ended up in big fall outs. Broken was basically all we agreed on at the time and still pretty much sums up the state we are all in!
What are your influences – individually or as a band?
We have quite a few diverse and eclectic range of influences but Lamb of God, Slipknot, Gojira, Tool, Pantera, Mudvayne, Rob Zombie, Slayer, 36 Crazfists, Heart of a Coward, Deftones, Architects and Parkway Drive probably cover it.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Our age and range of influences mixed with the range of styles Pudge has in his vocals gives our sound which we try and keep unique but familiar enough for people to just enjoy the songs.
What’s your live show like – why should the baying hordes troop over to the stage you’re playing on to watch you?
We keep things tight and loud but the big melodies get people bouncing. Our energy and the fact we love being on stage so much will make sure anyone that comes to see us will have a great time!
When/how did you find out you’d been selected to play at Bloodstock?
We received an e-mail in April time, I think, saying we had a slot. We had a big double take. Then many beers!
What sort of setlist can we expect?
We released our second EP with this line up in June, Leaving In Silence, so we will concentrate on that but might throw a cover into the set so people can have a sing along!
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
So many to choose from again at Bloodstock but I think we will all like to see Gojira! And Twisted Sister of course who will be bringing the Party!
What are you working on at the moment?
As we said our EP has literally just landed so we are pushing that and trying to get as much exposure as possible. This slot at Bloodstock couldn’t have come at a better time. We never sit still for long though and new tracks are already being worked on.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
Wow. That’s a tough one. There was one time, on tour, when we drove all the way back to Yorkshire from the Midlands with no toilet stops. And we had at least two cups of tea! Each!
What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?
Get a game plan. Know where you want to get to and by when and work hard and never give in. Every empty gig is an opportunity to get your stage act together and tighten up your sounds. But most importantly is make sure you’ve got the songs. If you have great songs you’re winning.
If you could be part of any 3-band line-up who else would you have on the bill? One band above you and one below – a chance to plug a smaller, unsigned act!
That’s tough! So many bands we love that we would love to play with. But right now I think a line-up of great bands from this country would be awesome. I think we would love to get Heart of a Coward on the headline slot and bring The B*stard Sons along. That would be an awesome show.
What stage / time are you playing at Bloodstock (if you have your slot yet!)
We are on the Jagermeister Stage on Saturday but I’m not sure we can release the time slot yet. But we are very happy with it. People should get over to watch us, they won’t be disappointed!
