First of all, can you tell us who Breaking Illusion are and what are you all about?

 

We are a 3 piece progressive groove rock/metal band from Hertfordshire. We are all about writing songs that people can relate to something to make people feel emotion. We like to write about life real life experiences from the good to the bad, but mainly we are all about the live shows and producing the best music we can to give people what they want to see from a live band, energy, attitude and our own brand of humor in our on stage antics.

How did you first get together and form the band?

After a band that Chris and Richard was in fell apart, the two stayed friends and continued writing together and always wanted to start another band but decided to wait until the timing was right. Roughly a year later they both found themselves without a band and decided it was time to start looking for a drummer. After trying out various different drummers along came Lee, and thus Breaking Illusion was formed in late 2012. We instantly felt a connection both with influences and an idea of what we wanted to do musically, only one obstacle remained….finding a vocalist. Eventually our search hit a dead end and we nominated Richard to be our front man. At first he wasn't sure of his capabilities as a singer but as the months passed and many songs were written he eventually became comfortable in his new role. Since then we have recorded our debut album, The Event, and have been gigging relentlessly to promote it. Now were out again promoting our new EP, I Am One, and loving every second of it. 

 

Who would you say are your biggest influences? After hearing your track "I Am One" it's hard to place a finger on where exactly you draw your main ones from?

 

Black Sabbath, Metallica, Tool, Rush and Pantera.

What's the best city/town or venue you've played?

 

Wwe played the O2 Academy Islington a while back that was pretty wild, but one of our favorite places is in our home town of Watford at The Horns its always good fun there.

Got any good stories to share from when you've been on the road or playing live?

 

There's so many to think of its hard to pin point just one as we always have a laugh and get up to all sorts on stage. Although in the studio Richard took to setting his farts on fire, which was pretty funny.

What are Breaking Illusion most looking forward to in 2015? What's next for the band?

 

Releasing our EP and gigging around to promote it much as we can and we have started writing new material that we look forward to playing live.

What's the tipple of choice backstage?

 

Richard likes his green tea. Chris enjoys an ale or two. Lee takes anything he can get his grubby little hands on.

Here at MNN we love a good cover, what are your favourites?

 

If you're talking about cover songs Rich likes Anthrax's cover of 'Got The Time' by Joe Jackson. Lee likes W.A.S.P's cover of 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' by Elton john. Chris' the is 'Smooth Criminal' Alien Ant Farm version

If you could support any act on a world tour, who would it be and why?

 

Rich: Iron Maiden because it would be nice to travel the world and play some rather interesting places and they are my favorite band.  

Chris: Mastodon because they seem like they are always up for a laugh.

Lee: Anthrax so i could just sit back and watch one of my all time favorite drummers at work every night and hopefully learn a thing or two.

What are your thoughts on streaming services such as Spotify? Is it good for the industry?

 

This is a tricky subject we could go on about it forever, but in short we feel it's killing the live music scene as people can just stay in and listen to music online rather than come out to see a band play live. It's good for promotion but not good for record sales, why would people want to pay for you're album when they can just stream it for free. 

Gene Simmons recently told the media that "rock is dead"...do you agree? 

 

We think the spirit is still very much alive, but it's just hard times for rock and metal bands, especially original band promoters who have to put shows on at silly nights midweek when attendance is fewer instead of weekends when people want to go out and have a good old tipple and listen to something new. But you don't hear much about bands being arrested in some crazy 80's, Motley Crue style anymore. Ha Ha.

Just for a laugh - McDonalds or Burger King?

 

Rich is a vegetarian so he likes killing innocent vegetables instead.

Chris is more of a KFC kinda guy.

Lees a fat fucker so hes not usually picky though he has been known to clear out the odd buffet or two. 

And finally, in your opinion who are the best band in the world?

 

Rich: Iron Maiden because they have done it all 

Chris: Rush because they are just insanely talented 

Lee: Motley Crue just simply because they been through so much shit and somehow came though on top despite what people thought about them.

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to talk to us, best of luck with the EP and for the rest of 2015.