Welcome, Soundshockers, to the latest Breaking The Waves! This month, we’ve had a chat with the chaps in Colonel Blast, whose ‘For The Greater Good’ album has currently been pissing off our neighbours (read the review here). But enough of us, here’s the Blasters in their own words!
First of all, who does what in your band?
Well I’m Ben and I play guitar, then there is Mike who plays bass, Ineal who plays drums, Matt shouts and Andy plays the other guitar.
Where are you from?
We are all from all over the place, Ineal is split between Birmingham and Leeds, Matt is out near Halifax, Andy is over in Ellesmere Port somewhere and Mike and I are based where we rehearse in Northwich, Cheshire. To make things easier we say we are from Northwich!
How long you been together?
Colonel Blast has been going a little over 2 years now. Mike, Ineal and I have played in bands together before this, we have known Andy since we toured with his other band Hecate Enthroned in 2006, with our previous outfit. Mike and I have known Matt since college and we played a few shows with his other band Embers Burnt, which led to us getting him in on vocals when our old band disbanded.
Who are your main inspirations for Colonel Blast?
Musically it is hard to pin down precise inspiration but I suppose everyone says that to look good. We are pretty big fans of DEP, Converge, Cryptopsy and Carcass. How much that comes out in the music is up to the listener. If it’s good then we’ll probably be listening to it. Ineal is into his hiphop and I’ve got Regina Spector on while I answer this, so make of all that as you will. I think everything that enters your ears will probably be an influence on something at some point whether it is bad or amazing.
What do you think makes Colonel Blast stand out in today’s metal meat market?
How to answer this without sounding arrogant! Erm, I think that as a unit we don’t really care about having a specific goal or outlook to sound like anything in particular. It just kind of comes out like it does. We have been playing for years in bands of all kinds of genres, some of us on different instruments, so I think at this point in time we have a broad collective musical experience and understanding. The fact that we control everything from the recording/mixing/mastering to the artwork/promo/packaging/distribution of the band sets us apart from a lot of today’s bands in general who want a label to come along and give them success on a plate yesterday. We love what we do, we appreciate what we have, we have no expectations or delusions and we are more than willing to put everything we have in to getting one extra person to listen to us.
There’s certainly a lot to Colonel Blast...how have your previous bands contributed to shaping your sound?
I think everything we have ever done individually and collectively has had an influence, some positive and some negative. Our last band definitely shaped a change in the way we think about the industry and people in general. As for sound, the three of us who were in that band were never 100% happy with how it sounded, far too much smoke and mirrors and not enough substance so I suppose having that experience has helped us to really look at our songs and force out anything that doesn’t need to be there. The minute something becomes difficult or un-natural we move on and try something new with little fuss. That riff will find a home someday anyway! Some of us are still playing in other bands so some ideas bounce between projects. It all adds up to what comes out the other end.
Is there a social conscience behind the ‘For The Greater Good’?
There is a theme running through Matt’s lyrics, which voices his (and our) frustration at what society at large has become and is becoming. Humanity is slowly corroding itself by influencing the minds of young people, nurturing their obsession with “celebrities”. These people haven’t actually earned the limelight. Everywhere you look there is a tsunami of overrated, talentless, masters of nothing, telling you what to eat, watch, wear and like. As a result people today want everything on a plate. Turn off your TV and go have a look at what is outside.
Could you describe your live experience?
We always try and put on as energetic and aggressive show as possible. I usually need a recovery period after we have played, something is usually hurting or bleeding or both. It is difficult to put into words, a lot of the time I won’t be actively engaging with the audience, its such a release to play the music live, it takes the shouts at the end of songs to remind us people are there haha! We certainly aren’t believers in standing still, concentrating on what we are doing and doing pre-rehearsed dance move like I’ve seen a lot of recently. Spontaneous, loud, aggressive and fast. I should have just written that hahaha!
How’s the reception to your album felt?
We haven’t had anything really official come back in yet from the promo drive but the rumblings we have heard have been immensely positive. Most of the reviews so far have been 8’s and 9’s out of 10. People have been tweeting away about how good it sounds so hopefully that will translate into good reviews and a few more people checking out the band and coming to shows.
What’s next for Colonel Blast?
The album drops on the 7th of June 2010 via Condate Records. It’s available to pre-order from there and the physical release comes in handmade packaging, although those are on a limited run. It will be available to download through the normal digital outlets from the 7th. With that in mind we are looking to play gigs, and get the name out there as much as possible so anyone who can help with either get in touch!
Finally, who would you like to thank?
I think the one person who deserves the most thanks is Lisa from Invisible Hippo PR. None of these huge steps forward in the promotion of Colonel Blast and our label Condate Records would have been possible without her. She is a gem in an industry full of bullshitters and hangers on. Go look at her site. Now. Our thanks also go out to Soundshock for asking us to do this. We appreciate it a lot. And to anyone who has come to see us play live, left a comment on one of our sites, pre-ordered the album or follows us in any way - Thank you too. You are obviously the best.
Breaking The Waves 
