🎵 Music

https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/4kcLNTZpOKAutZ4DhohZnS?utm_source=generator

📸 Photos & Artwork

Full gallery can be found here

First image as a quintet, 2023

The Breakdown live at 93 Feet East, Mar ‘23

Live at Wild Woodlands Festival, Apr ‘24

💬 Quotes

“The Breakdown strike me as a really good band, with strong songwriting skills and musicality to back it up. If only they had been around thirty odd years ago, who knows what color Rolls they’d all be driving! And, this isn’t to knock them in any way. I’m rooting for them and hoping ‘Modern Lies’ will kick off some kind of Britpop revival and take them to the next level. Fingers crossed, guys.” - Matt Warren (The Indie Grid) (Modern Lies)

“London based rock-band ‘The Breakdown’ has provided us with a sweet taste of everything with their latest single ‘The Girl in the Mondrian Dress’; whether that be 80’s permeated vocals or 00’s piquant guitar riffs, there is something for everyone within this debut dish of uniqueness.“ - Emmie Norton (RGM Press) (The Girl in the Mondrian Dress)

“The Breakdown takes you on a journey through a surreal soundscape. The melody has a smoothness to it with a hazy ambience; however, powerful drums and scorching guitars add a sharpness to the flowing arrangement.”, “…Vulnerability, fragility and melancholic despair radiate from his haunting voice elegantly expressing the theme of the song.” - Nicole Mendes (Other Side Reviews) (Yesterday)

“…jam-packed with inventive instrumentation, personal expressions through the lyricism, and a whole lot of attitude, we’ve quickly fallen in love with their eclectic sound that envelopes so many different styles.” - WWAM, (Open the Barricades)

📹 Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg4WkCZShi0

https://youtu.be/y8iS0MrYbPk

https://youtu.be/ydsrZW_AKFI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isDD6Ie1cm4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE54HGwlbiQ

https://youtu.be/_B03YnWx82o

https://youtu.be/ro__yR1Yj5g

https://youtu.be/DXcyHFc4SHY

📝 Biography

Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of a past musical endeavor, The Breakdown is a dynamic and electrifying melodic rock band formed in 2019, just 3 weeks before nationwide lockdowns.

Undeterred by the global crisis, The Breakdown hunkered down and poured their souls into crafting their debut album, 'Open the Barricades.' A true embodiment of British musical legacy, the album weaves a tapestry of modern rock with threads of timeless influences such as XTC and The Smiths. Beneath its catchy riffs, killer melodies, and nostalgic lyrics lies a raw and unapologetic exploration of the complexities of modern life.

Despite the challenges of the lockdown, the band's unwavering dedication to their music saw them collaborating remotely and refining their distinctive sound. Once lifted, they immediately enlisted the expertise of renowned producer Paul Tipler (Placebo, Elastica, Idlewild) to further hone their unique style.

With the release of their acclaimed debut album, 'Open the Barricades,' The Breakdown have since welcomed Michael McGuiness on bass to complete their lineup and have been playing a series of unforgettable London performances. Andy Strevens has since taken the held for production duties. The band has since released their second album ‘This Rigged Machine’ and are working on their new EP ‘Breakdown’; set for release sometime in mid-2024.

<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/36b04b7b-f3f5-47f9-a11d-342a7e4f13c7/tshirt_icon.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/36b04b7b-f3f5-47f9-a11d-342a7e4f13c7/tshirt_icon.png" width="40px" /> Instruments

1. Mike Connell - lead vocals, keyboards
2. Andy Strevens - guitars, keyboards, mixing/production
3. Richard Gale - guitars, backing vocals
4. Michael McGuiness - bass, backing vocals
5. Toby Young - drums, percussion </aside>

📝 History

Open the Barricades (2019-2022)

From the outset, The Breakdown set out to create a full album that paid homage to the music they grew up listening to. The result was "Open the Barricades", an album that delves into a wide range of themes, including love, heartbreak, personal struggles, social commentary, nostalgia, and self-reflection. Through their music, the band paints a picture of the complexities of human relationships and the human experience.

At its core, "Open the Barricades" delivers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The album explores the challenges and heartaches that come with life, while also highlighting the potential for growth, change, and the pursuit of happiness. With themes that encourage introspection and empathy.

This Rigged Machine (2023)

The new songs from The Breakdown continue to dive into the same pool of themes as "Open the Barricades," however they're now more introspective than ever, exploring the labyrinth of emotions, vulnerabilities, and human connections.

Produced by Andy, the sound is very much now their own.

The lyrics are dripping with maturity, as the band takes a deeper dive into self-reflection and personal growth. They're like a wise sage on a mountaintop, sharing their hard-earned wisdom with us. The new songs tackle the challenges of personal identity and relationships with a nuanced touch.

Their new material remains (at times) whimsical, not taking themselves too seriously. It's like the band has leveled up their lyrical and musical game and are ready to take us on a journey of self-discovery.

Breakdown (2024)

In August, the band released their first EP entitled ‘Breakdown’. A standalone release with tracks written during previous album sessions and some new material. **

🎧 Discography

Albums & EPs

Singles

🎤 Press Coverage

Interviews and Special Coverage

Breakdown - (EP Reviews)

Gaston (Reviews)

Modern Lies (Reviews)

All I Know (Reviews)

Jump the Shark (Reviews)

This Rigged Machine (Single Reviews)

Lights Out (Reviews)

When it Comes to Things Like Love (Reviews)

Yesterday (Reviews)

Open the Barricades (Reviews)

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High Life (Reviews)

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Summer Song (Reviews)

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