EMQ’s With COLLECTED
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs, this time with Clacton-On-Sea/ Colchester, UK based Alternative Metal band, Collected. Huge thanks to their Guitarist, Charlie, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
I’m Charlie, I play guitar in Collected. Me and H (Guitarist, producer, songwriter, my bestie <3) started the band back in 2008. We both started playing guitar around the same time and would always hang out to show each what we had been learning and have fun, that eventually turned into learning songs together and then deciding to start a band. I met our drummer Artis in my high school music class, we instantly hit it off and I asked if he wanted to join to which he said “Yeah, go on.” He came round for a jam and there was instant chemistry, we all had similar music tastes and jammed Pantera, Metallica, Machine head, Slayer, and Lamb of God for hours. We knew we had found the right person, we hung out all the time after that and regularly practiced together, it was so much fun!
There has been quite a few line-ups, name, and style changes since then, I actually left the band for a while for personal reasons and re-joined in 2015, but it definitely all started with H, Artis and myself having fun jamming in a garage together. It sounds cliché but it honestly happened like that ha-ha.
How did you come up with your band name?
We wanted a name that stood for the different backgrounds and influences each member brings to the band, and something that was one word, and easy to remember if someone had never heard of us before. So, after much deliberation, we decided on Collected. It is simple, but we thought it covered everything we were looking for in a name.
Where are you from and what is the Metal & Rock scene like there?
We are from Clacton-on-Sea/Colchester. The scene in Clacton is non-existent at this point, but it is really on the rise in Colchester. Pre pandemic it was absolutely booming, gigs were happening near enough every day, venues like The Bull/Soundhouse, Coda and Three Wise Monkeys always had crowds and great bands on. We were not sure how things would have held up post lockdown, but we recently played our first show back in Colchester at the Soundhouse, opening for Red Method and Ghost of Atlantis, and the show was completely sold out. The scene not only held up, but it is stronger than ever.
What is your latest release?
Our last release was a single Called ‘Phantom’ – you can find it on all major music streaming platforms, as well as a visualiser on YouTube and Facebook.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Wow, that is a loaded question, there is so many, and it is always changing! I would say more recently Sleep Token and Loathe, we went to see Sleep Token together as a band and it absolutely blew our minds. Worship.
Honestly though we have so many, I cannot really pinpoint one specific artist or band. It would range from Meshuggah, Thundercat, Mitch Murder, Coheed and Cambria, Kanye West, Red Sparowes and anything in-between.
What first got you into music?
For me it was watching my older brother play acoustic growing up, but I did not fully start wanting to play music until guitar hero came. It showed me how fun music is and eventually made me want to pick up the real thing, thinking I would have a head start as I was decent at the game… Boy was I wrong lol! Thankfully I stuck with it and have not looked back since.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
Scary Pool Party, he is an incredible musician, and I get a lot of the same vibes from him that we have in the band, in terms of the variety of styles and genres. He also seems like a super chill guy who would be easy to work with.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I would have to say Tech Fest. They have such a variety of bands on the bill, and it is usually bands we all like and are into. I feel like the crowd would get our sound and be down with it more than other festivals as well.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I have never received a gift from a fan, but I do remember my mum getting something that made me cringe. I played a Christmas show for the music shop I used to work at, and it went badly, we were playing Imperium by Machine head, but we clearly did not have enough practices together as it fully fell apart on stage. Anyway, someone took a photo of me on stage that night and then got it put onto a canvas for my mum, so for months I would walk into the living room to see me on stage at that horror show and would be reminded of it all over again!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Do not be afraid to be you, everyone is different, and no one is perfect. We accept everyone from all walks of life, you’re all welcome. There is something for everyone in our music, but stick around, there is much more to come.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Dimebag Darrell, he was my absolute hero growing up. Me and H used to watch the Pantera home videos religiously. I would love to see what he would create with all the new technologies we have now and get to see Pantera live when they inevitably got back together. Also, if he would dabble in 7 or 8 string playing!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The feeling of writing something that really resonates with you, then showing that to your band mates and it inspires them to write something, and it then becomes this whole piece with everyone’s input on it. To then play that all live and in front of people showing what we have created together is a very special feeling. I also like that there is never a wrong way to do something, you have total creative freedom.
As a guitarist, changing strings is a pain in the arse. There is all the travelling sometimes as well and lots of expenditure for little reward. Bad promoters and sound engineers are annoying to deal with as well.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The rate of pay from music streaming services, it is daylight robbery and needs to change!
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Ocean Machine” by Devin Townsend
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?
I do really appreciate Vinyl, the artwork and detail on the sleeves are usually awesome, but for accessibility I’d have to say downloads.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
We competed in the Metal 2 The Masses Essex 2019 competition at the Soundhouse in Colchester and managed to get to the final. I would say the final was the best show we have played so far; the crowd was insane and Liam our vocalist managed to crowd surf to the bar and back. We didn’t end up winning, but I will never forget that night.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
A tradesman or something to do with football, I am a huge football fan and that is something I could get into.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Will Ferrell, Bill Hader, Steve Carrell, Sean Locke (R.I.P) and Greg Davies. Then attempt to not die of laughter.
What’s next for the band?
We have our debut EP coming out on the 18th of February on all platforms, and then we should be starting the heats for Metal 2 The Masses Essex 2022 (dates to be confirmed). For any other updates keep an eye out on our social media pages.
What social media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collected_uk/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ipzBKq8vFSIMbXaTgDLr3
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COLLECTEDUK/?ref=page_internal
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmTfayTX7O-ZDpl1jO3tAtw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/collected_uk
Website: https://collecteduk.wixsite.com/collecteduk
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Cake! Clues in the name.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
My pleasure, thank you for the questions and taking an interest in the band.
Yeah, I would just like to say to whoever reads this to take care and be safe, this world is so messed up right now and uncertain, but we will get through it if we keep going and look after each other.
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