EMQ’s With BORNBROKEN
EMQ’s With BORNBROKEN
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Canadian Metallers, BornBroken. Huge thanks to their Vocalist/ Guitarist, Michael Decker, 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?
My name is Michael Decker and I am the last original Member of BornBroken, I am the Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for this release. On all past releases, I was the lead guitarist/ backing vocals. The history is long as we have had plenty of turnover in the band lineup over the years. People grow up and tastes change, but we feel we have a really strong lineup for this latest release, we have all been playing music since we were kids, so it’s all in our blood. We have 3 albums including the last out now and a couple of singles since 2013, our sound has evolved into what we are now. We play what we want, which I feel makes the music and lyrics come across more authentic.
How did you come up with your band name?
The name originated with our first vocalist, while we were searching for a band name back in 2008, he kinda just blurted out the name while we were driving to jam…we immediately knew that was it. We made one word BORNBROKEN for all online stuff back then.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We hail from the Frozen North, Montreal Quebec, Canada, Home to many Extreme Tech Death Deathcore and Hardcore bands : Cryptopsy , Despised Icon, Beyond Creation, First Fragment, Augory, Scarfold and those are just some of the latest ones.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
“Am I Invisible” (Sept 20th). We released the title track single for that already on all major platforms, with a video to follow.
Who have been your greatest influences?
There are too many new great bands coming out, we try to listen to them all, but sometimes it’s the old tried and true bands from our youth that keep coming back that really keep inspiring us ( Slayer, Pantera, Machine Head, Chimiara, Old Metallica, Biohazard, Exodus, Testament to name a few)
What first got you into music?
My Uncle. He gave me my first guitar at 4, my parents were not happy!!! It has been something that has never left me or any of us since we were kids.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
That’s a really hard question. My musical tastes have changed over the years and I have gotten to meet a lot of my heroes from touring and playing shows. I personally feel for me it would be Rob Flynn (Machine Head) as it seems he is the one who has rubbed off on me the most, but then it could be Ola Englund, or Clint Lowery (Sevendust) to name a few.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
We have all played a couple of major festivals going back to 97’ with all of our past bands. Right now there are plenty of great new festivals coming out, it would be nice to get on a summer run of them all…
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I’ll tell you the best gift I received. My wife. 30 years ago we met and I was blessed to be able to marry her. She shares my passion for music and is one of my driving forces to keep making music. We also have 2 beautiful daughters who love metal! Parenting done right!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, without you, we are playing to ourselves. You make it all worth the while when we hear from all of you around the world, saying what you like about our music and how it has helped you out during tough times.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Dimebag…
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I think the release of energy I get when I play, I feel complete after band practice, a sense of calm comes over me, it’s therapy. What do I hate? We all have our days when we say that’s it, time to hang it up, I have had a couple of those over the years, it’s the struggle of always wanting more and feeling you will never get there, we all search for the dream. I think I can speak for all of the band in saying we all have grown and feel happy with what we have done over our music careers, with our past bands, this is why we are still pushing our dream with BornBroken.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I wish physical media was more relevant again. I remember putting on my walkman, opening up the cassette for the first time and just getting immersed in the lyrics, artwork and liner notes of each band. Don’t get me wrong online platforms have opened up a whole new market for us, but they also take away a big chunk of change.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Burn My Eyes” – Machine Head
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Anything you have Pay for as you are helping us get to continue creating music for all of you
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
All of them, just playing for the fans makes it worthwhile
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Something in the art field for sure, I’m not a suit and tie guy!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My wife is in charge of the kitchen, so she would invite the guests. 😉
What’s next for the band?
We are hoping that this album cycle will turn some heads and something bigger will come of all our hard work.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
You can find everything there. Everyone has their own preference so we use them all.
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll, or a Tea Cake?
The name for a round piece of bread in the UK varies depending on the region, and all the terms you mentioned—Bap, Barm (or Barm Cake), Batch, Bun, Cob, Muffin, Roll, and Tea Cake—are used in different parts of the country. Here’s a breakdown:
- Bap: Common in Scotland and the northern parts of England.
- Barm (or Barm Cake): Typically used in the North West of England, particularly around Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
- Batch: Often used in Coventry and the surrounding areas of the West Midlands.
- Bun: A more general term, but in some regions (like the North East), it refers to a bread roll.
- Cob: Commonly used in the Midlands, particularly around Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
- Muffin: In some parts of the North West, particularly around Manchester, this refers to a soft round bread roll.
- Roll: The most universally recognized term across the UK.
- Tea Cake: In some parts of the North, especially Yorkshire, this can refer to a plain bread roll, though it may also refer to a sweet, fruited version.
So, the “correct” name depends on where you are in the UK!
Does that answer your question, I’m still confused with it.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
First of all thank you for the interview, we are thankful you took interest in our band. Time for a very Quebecois question, what is the best poutine?
A. in Quebec, the best poutine is often a matter of personal taste and regional pride, but a few places are legendary for their take on this classic dish. Here are some of the top contenders:
- La Banquise (Montreal): Perhaps the most famous spot for poutine, offering a vast array of variations from the classic to the more adventurous with ingredients like bacon, sausage, or even guacamole.
- Chez Ashton (Quebec City): Known for its traditional poutine with rich gravy and fresh cheese curds, this fast-food chain has a cult following, especially during the winter when they offer their “poutine en tempête” with a discount based on the temperature.
- Le Roi du Smoked Meat (Montreal): A favorite for those who love their poutine topped with Montreal smoked meat, combining two local specialties into one hearty dish.
- Poutineville (Various locations): Known for its customizable poutines, where you can choose your type of potato, cheese, and gravy, along with a wide range of toppings.
- Chez Claudette (Montreal): A classic diner that offers a traditional poutine with a no-frills approach, beloved by locals and often recommended for those seeking an authentic experience.
The best poutine really depends on what you’re in the mood for—classic, inventive, or something in between!
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