Does rock n roll still matter? Do people still have heroes?
As Far as THE BREAKDOWNS are concerned, rock n roll matters. A lot. It's what makes their world go around.
And heroes...? Well rock n roll has four new heroes.......!
THE BREAKDOWNS are re-claiming rock n roll for the disillusioned masses. They're your band, and they are determined to make sure that you understand that.
Hailing from somewhere in the UK (rumours are that their home is Nottingham, although only one was born there and only one lives there...), THE BREAKDOWNS formed in late 2005 and proceeded to trample over the local music scene, laying down a beat that hadn't been heard for a long while.
New Wave? Forget it!
Haircuts? What for?
Fashion? Leave that to the glossy magazines and the NME 'cool' list.
Hooks and melody? Check.
Four on the floor rhythm? In spades, dear.
Harmony vocals? Now that's interesting...they're here too.
ATTITUDE? It's all true. No pretending, THE BREAKDOWNS truely are the REAL DEAL!
THE BREAKDOWNS sound snaps, crackles and power pops(!) along, drawing on all the classic rock n roll sounds. Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, The Stones, The Kinks, The Beatles..all big influences. How about some blitzkrieg pop too? THE BREAKDOWNS love Cheap Trick, Big Star, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Sweet, T Rex, The Knack, Mott The Hoople....and then there's the volume...LOUD!!...The Ramones, The Wildhearts, Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, The Faces...trashy rock n roll. It all adds up to a unique sound. Not originators, but original in the day and age of carbon copy boy bands and public school educated 'attitude' guitar rock. Do we need any more of this? THE BREAKDOWNS don't care, they're not listening anyway....
It's all from the heart......
The heart beat starts at the back. The back of the stage that is. OWEN BREAKDOWN claims that he still listens to AC/DC every day, and why shouldn't he? His solid rhythm, tight fills, 'boom boom' kick beats and his ability to drink virtually every wannabe rock star not just under the table, but out of the door and into the gutter, make him the perfect rock from which THE BREAKDOWNS can build their sound.
Helping drive the sound is ADAM 'LIPS' BREAKDOWN on bass guitar. Not only is Lips the only Breakdown with a nickname, he's also a musical genius, in rock n roll terms...A bass player who plays more lead riffs than most lead guitarists, Adam's bass drives the sound, creating a groove, making you move, never missing a beat. He sings sugar sweet harmonies and screams at the top of his voice. On stage, he lurches back and forth, stomping his foot to every beat of Owen's kick drum.
Then stage right, there's the Guitar God, Mr MATT BREAKDOWN. With his tobacco burst strat (just like his hero, Buddy Holly), his motorcyle jacket and his intensely focused stage stance, Matt is every inch the 'classic' cool' rock star. With an attack as intense as Johnny Ramone, cut with the looseness and effortless lead/rhythm style of Keith Richards, Matt, by his own admission, is an 'unique' guitarist. And what about his ear for a tune? Matt writes hooks that already sound like classics. No wonder legions of guitar playing kids already worship at the alter of Matt Breakdown. You wanna play guitar like him? You better get your hands on his record collection first!
Completing the line up, stage centre is front man JOE BREAKDOWN. Joe already knows he's a rock n roll star. he's known all his life. Born to entertain, Joe takes on lead vocal duties with the effortless power of a Faces era Rod Stewart, Steve Marriott and dare I say, David Ruffin? Maybe he's not that good, but he's good enough. Whether swinging his guitar, strutting and pouting, shaking his ass, or joining the audience for the encore, Joe loves every minute of what he does. Take your eyes off him for a moment and he'll let you know that he knows...if you know what I mean?!
Together, they are unstoppable. As the crowd chant goes; 'WE WANT THE BREAKDOWNS!'...
Breakdowns Rule! OK!!
Meet The Breakdowns... meet them NOW!
DONNY STAAR, 2006.
