Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: What type of artist are you?
Jack – Broken Calling are a metalcore(ish) kind of band. We draw inspo from a lot of different places so not easily pigeon holed
Martin – We are a contemporary take on cubism with added dashes from the surrealism movement.
Connor – The one that throws S*** at a wall and play whatever sticks.
Callum – heavy and very energetic.
PD: Tell us the brief history of yourself.
Jack – We’ve been a band for around 18 months now. We’ve released an EP to great feedback and played some sick shows before Covid hit.
Martin – I was born in 92 to a metal head named after a Stephen King novel. Raised on a strange amalgamation of musical tastes and books I stand before you, a creative being incapable of humaning.
Connor – I’ve been screaming since i was a baby, singing came just after that. Been in bands since ‘09 and the rest is Drunk History. Oh yeah and i’m in a band with my best mates, can’t complain.
James – I’m one of the youngest (1998 i came into existence), and my life has been completely dominated by music; Surrounded by people who either play or do technical stuff. I went to secondary school with Callum, and together we built up our skills on our respective instruments. Fast-forward to today and now i have a Music Degree and hold the record for highest theory test grade at my uni (92/100 because i’m a nerrrrrd)
PD: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
Jack – Musical influences include Chris Adler and Eric Moore. I don’t really have any non musical influences.
Martin – Music wise it’s a mixed bag, Foo fighters, Eden, slipknot, beartooth, Depeche mode, placebo. Anything that makes me feel. Non-musical, my family and the space x programme
Connor – Linkin Park, Slipknot, Myspace Metalcore, My mum, Dad, and Jack Daniels Honey.
Callum – Musical influences include Bury Tomorrow and Killswitch Engage. Non-musical influences are whatever gets me angry.
James – musical; Karnivool, Beyond Creation, Fields Of The Nephilim. Non-musical; the desire to be big and powerful… because i’m smol and insignificant lmao
PD: What are your dreams and goals?
Jack – to live off music, whether it be with a shit load of money or enough to pay the bills, I’m not fussed. Fame isn’t essential but it helps to sell records!
Martin – To make a living doing what I love and hopefully retire early to open a pub/restaurant combo.
Connor – Quit my job and do this full time. Even if I have to do all the admin.
Callum – to play big shows, festivals and tours and to be able to live off of that.
PD: Who writes your songs, what are they about?
Jack – Martin, Callum and James do the main writing then I lay the grooves and connor lays the words.
It’s a well-oiled machine.
Martin – Our songs are written by the spirit realm and we are just conduits to allow 4th dimensional messages to transcend to our plane of existence. For real though we all tend to write separately then get together and hash through the ideas to come out with the best of them.
Connor – Some noise, Some screaming, the odd melody or two, and pure dumb luck.
Callum – we come up with various ideas and end up bouncing it around between us until we’re all happy.
PD: How do you promote your band and shows?
Jack – pretty much just social media
Martin – I am that irritance that will tell anybody who listens about the band and what we’ve got going on. Mostly because I’m terrible at playing the social media game.
Connor – Bug people until they pay attention, 60% of the time it works…every time.
Callum – Try to show people some of the music until they’re hooked and follow the band on social media.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online?
Jack – it’s really useful but it doesn’t pay enough. This really needs to be regulated better as musicians get mugged off with prices per stream they make in revenue.
Martin – It’s a means to an end. People need music, it’s inbuilt in us but people will always go for the cheapest option. Personally, the best way to consume though is in live music.
Connor – It’s great but I wish we people made more money off it.
Callum – It’s the most portable form of music but I still prefer having a CD collection.
James – Idea; excellent! Execution; Criminal and sly
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
Jack – Lamb Of God – Hourglass
Martin – Nothing more – Ballast (this is the time) because my god that song hits so hard in so many ways.
Connor – Right now, Kingslayer by Bring me the Horizon ft BABYMETAL
Callum – Gojira – Flying Whales cos it’s so heavy and fun to play.
PD: What are some of your pet peeves?
Jack – Connors snoring. We did download last year and I ended up having to wear headphones with whale music on just to drown him out.
Martin – Stupid people. Not people with mental health problems or just having a dumb moment but them obnoxiously, fanatically stupid people… Trump supporters.
Connor – Jack’s moaning about my snoring. I do it to drown out his crying.
Callum – people who can’t drive properly but somehow are allowed on the road, I’d happily deal with Connor’s snoring if it meant people knew how to drive.
James – musicians not knowing even basic theory… IT’S NOT DIFFICULT TO GRASP THE CONCEPT OF MODES AND CHORD BUILDING AND FFS STOP USING THE SAME GENERIC CHANGES
PD: What is your proudest moment in music?
Jack – I’ve had a lot of proud moments but none really stand out, specifically with Broken Calling it was playing our first show with samples and a click. It went so flawlessly I was so gassed!!
Martin – Every time we finish a set honestly the look on everyone’s faces makes me so proud of this band. Genuine joy on every face in the room makes me all teary.
Connor – Meeting these guys. Starting this band. It got me out of a dark place and our best shows have come from it. Including Facedown London’s Halloween Ball. That show was mental.
Callum – Just seeing how much people love our music at every show or release, each time hooks in more people and it’s just amazing to see it.
PD: So what are you working on at the moment?
Jack – that would be telling wouldn’t it? Lol we got some naughty stuff coming….
Martin – Getting through this year without killing someone mostly. Just prepping mostly so once we’re set free again, we can fire on all cylinders.
Callum – Surviving the long wait until shows are back.
Connor – If i told you, I would have to kill you.
PD: What music have you available online and where can we buy it from?
Jack – we have an EP and two singles all available on every streaming site going. Just search Broken Calling and look us up!
Connor – LITERALLY GOOGLE BROKEN CALLING. IT’S THAT EASY. Our music is great! Promise!
Broken Calling links:
Band/Artist location – London//Canterbury//Dover England
Facebook – You Tube – Merch – Instagram –
Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer
Check our page for Broken Calling
