- Mon, 2004-03-01 09:27
Breed 77 relocated to London from Gibraltar in 1997 and won Kerrang!'s 'Best Unsigned Band' readers' poll in 1998. After several years of mis-management and the odd line-up change, they signed a five album deal with Albert Productions UK in 2001, the guys who found and nurtured Violent Delight.
For years, Breed 77 were dubbed the UK's best unsigned band and, now signed, they’re certainly proving their worth, with their glorious collision between bristling, Alice In Chains-esque atmospherics and nu metallic grooves and music laced with flamenco guitar flurries, ballsy rocking ditties and plenty of pop sensibilities.
I Like Music caught up with Breed 77, in the middle of their UK tour, as they release their new single and album.
"I Like Music because...without it I'm empty." Danny, Breed 77
ILM: So first up, did you have a good Easter, and what did you get up to?
Danny: Drinking in Camden town.
ILM: Your album Cultura, and single, The River, are out soon, can you tell me a bit about the album, and tell me which track you had the most fun making? And which track means the most to you?
Danny: The album is a mix of Gibraltan, Spanish and British cuture - Flamenco, metal guitar solos and great songs. As a guitarist I love all the songs with solos !! - Individuo, Matter of Time and Ressurection.
ILM: You make brilliant videos, as well as great music, can you tell us a funny story from a Breed 77 video shoot?
Danny: Yep! - it was 46 degrees celsius, half way up a mountain outside Seville, it was hotter than hell, we were fried and I had to jump into a river of red chemical shit! .. I nearly threw up after swallowing a mouthful of water!
ILM: How’s the tour going? And what track do you enjoy playing live the most?
Danny: The tour is great, lots of people, great reactions and there is nothing to beat playing live.
ILM: What’s the craziest thing that’s happened on your headline tour?
Danny: Stuart had a bad knee and ended up playing a metal set with a crutch in one hand and a bass in the other!
ILM: Gibraltar is TINY but ACE! Describe your favourite place in Gibraltar and your favourite place in the UK?
Danny: Top of the peak in Gibralter is unbeatable - Epping Forest in the UK because i had a great shag there once.
ILM: You’ve been known as UK's best unsigned band, now signed, what are your plans and what are you most looking forward to?
Danny: Our plans are to tour and sell as many damned albums as possible, I am looking forward to that challenge.
ILM: Your sound has been described as “melding north African rhythms with bowel-loosening metal” and “a fusion of acoustic flamenco guitar, heavy metal riffs and raging energy”, how would you describe it and any tips for budding flamenco guitar players?
Danny: I would use all of the above, that about sums us up, we think it is unique and it helps to have a brilliant Flamenco player in the band (Pedro).
ILM: Can you describe the Breed 77 process of making music?
Danny: Myself and Pedro work on riffs in the programming room, then we rehearse the ideas as a band and put bits in and out, then Paul will work out the lyric and melody and from there we are all involved in developing the final sound and directions. Our label and publisher work closely with us in the process and give us advice and guidance.
ILM: You started back in 1996 and have clearly worked hard playing the circuit and building up a great fanbase – what advice do you have for unsigned acts looking to succeed in the industry?
Danny: keep believing because anything is possible in this business, no never means no, it just means not now ... and work your bollocks off!
ILM: How did the Black Sabbath Farewell gig support come about? Did that fulfil some kind of childhood ambition? Do you have any comical Ozzy stories you can share?
Danny: It was a dream, all of the band were side stage watching us and we were in dreamland. No Ozzie stories, he's the guv'nor.
ILM: What are your favourite tracks to chill out and unwind to?
Danny: Pink Floyd - The Wall and Shine on you Crazy Diamond.
ILM: Your favourite tracks that make you smile?
Danny: Maiden, Sabbath or Metallica.
ILM: Your favourite tracks that make you boogie?
Danny: I don't boogie ... I mosh!
ILM: Your favourite current song and album?
Danny: Tirana, a great flamenco Spanish band!
ILM: In 2004 what do you think is good about the music industry, and crap about it?
Danny: New bands and small labels getting bands seen and heard ... The rest of it is crap and always will be ... I'm a musician and I just want people to listen to my music!
ILM: Tell me a bit about your background. How did you meet?
Danny: I have know Stuart (bass) since i was 8. We all came from Gibraltar and moved to join a band together, Pedro joined two years ago, he is from Barcelona and when he joined something in our direction just clicked and the new material started to flow.
ILM: What was your first musical memory?
Danny: Iron Maiden and big stage sets.
