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Interview with Ryan Collins of Broken by Chris Lee
1. What is the Broken lineup?Currently it is Troy Bryant on Drums, Kevin Combs on Bass, and me, Ryan Collins, on Lead Guitar and Vocals.
2. How did the band form?In the summer of 1998, some friends of mine got together and were discussing what kind of music we'd like to play and we all pretty much came to the conclusion that we wanted to do something different, something that none of us had ever done before. You see, we had all been in bands before but they were all the old, "three-chords-thirty-seconds-and-you're-done" type and we all wanted to play more technical, intricate types of songs. So we got together, flirted with some new things and started forming songs. We had three songs written before we even considered a name. Actually, before we considered ourselves a band.
3. How would you describe the music?Well, even though it kind of fits into the hardcore/punk genre, that was never my intention. I listen to all different sorts of things. To be honest, there isn't much I don't like, music wise, and I try to incorporate all of the things I like about music into the music that I write. I have a lot of built-up rage about certain things, and if those things are on my mind when I write a song, I end up with a song like "Missionary" which is a very hard, angry song. But, if . . . other things are on my mind, you get a song like "Sarah" which is an incredibly emotional song with a hard edge. We mix lots of different things together when we write songs and in the end, come up with something that, in my opinion, is very unique. If I had to make a comparison, however: imagine if Bad Religion got crossed in a Quantum flux with Hatebreed and out of that grew an aberrant mutation called Broken.
4. Plans for the next year?By next year, I hope we will be playing all kinds of shows around the Tri-State Area with the local bands around here. For as much as people complain in Cincinnati about the music scene, there really are a lot of great local bands and some pretty decent clubs, too. Right now, we are working with a good friend of mine, Jason Marcum, and getting him settled in as a second guitar. So, be expecting to see him very soon at our shows. Also, we've been talking about going back into the studio and doing a full-length album. We've actually been talking about that for quite some time and we're all really excited about doing such. So, it's only a matter of time (and money) before we see the first Broken LP.
5. Any last words?Yes, actually. These days, it seems that punkrock has grown too serious and too full of itself. People seem to quick to criticize others and judge and shun those who try to be different. I think this is sad seeming how "punkrock" was started by the misfits that we're shunned by the members of popular society because they wanted to be different. So, now, it's evolved to the point where "punkrock" is the popular society and is spawning its own, new brand of misfits. Sure, the "cause" still exists and is still worth struggling for but I think that the only way that that fight is going to be fought is if all of us learn to tolerate one another regardless of how "punk" we are or what bands we listen to or what comics we read.Everyone is different and each individual is free to live to whatever standards they choose and it's not my place, or your place, or anyone else's place to set standards for anyone else to live by. So just because you see some guy at a show wearing an outfit that isn't quite your standard of "punk" doesn't mean he's any less deserving to sing along than the guy who looks just like Tim Armstrong. So lighten up and try something new tomorrow. You might find that you (gasp!) like it. And if the girl standing next to you at the grocery store doesn't like the way you look, that's okay because, chances are, that you don't like the way she looks so I guess that means you two have something in common and something to be proud of: you're both individuals and free to look however you want. Isn't life grand, mon capitan? For more info on Broken write to the band at 1398 Southern Hills Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45013 , check out their website at http://members.aol.com/brokenhc or email them at brokenhc@aol.com .
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