The Broken Chords

The Broken Chords Rome wasn't built in a day. In reality it probably took more than a few years to build an empire. That takes time, commitment, skill and a hunger that goes far beyond the norm. Years of graft spent laying the foundations of what they believe in, to grow into an empire of their own has brought them to this point. Joe (lead vox/lead guitar), Aiden (bass/vox) and Lee (drums/vox) created The Broken Chords in 2013. A fresh and uniquely distinctive sound that’s constantly evolving, constantly revising and now ready to take on the world. Melodic axe riffs, funk bass lines that Nile Rodgers would be proud of, seasoned dramatic vocals and relentless exuberance has propelled Broken Chords from their local music scene to headline shows across the UK and over a year of national touring, including academy supports for the legendary Bernie Torme (Gillan, Ozzie Osbourne), Kyshera, Temperance Movement and Australian rockers Electric Mary (O2 Academy). This was hotly followed by two shows at The Great Escape, Camden Rocks Festival, and the jewel in the crown, a full electric slot at Download Festival 2015, courtesy of Live Nation. The Broken Chords initial studio work, notably 2014 their debut single 'Get Some' was greatly welcomed across the media and airwaves, including regular airplay on BBC Radio, Amazing Radio, Shoreditch Radio, Classic Rock and myriad internet rock sites. A natural progression for the band followed with a more mature sound, harder edge which led the band to the attention of Universal UK and Sony Music as well as a host of international A&R’s, just in time for the release of singles, 'The First & Only Kind’/ ‘I Do Believe' (Oct 15). 2016 has been an extremely busy year so far for The Broken Chords. A summer filled with festival appearances and a main stage slot at The London Tattoo Convention has brought them to the release of their new EP, ‘Modern Fables’   (release date, 28th October). ‘Modern Fables’ Produced and Engineered by Mitch Ayling (The Milk) at Woods Lodge Studios, Essex, brings together what The Broken Chords are really all about. Story telling at is best, mixing dark blues riffs with bright funk undertones really bring this EP to the forefront of new music. Opening track, Depths of Hades is a dark edged shuffle track that sets the scene perfectly for this record. The Boatman’s dynamic vocals bring in question the price of mortality, yet screams out as an instant anthem for the band. Love on Heat, the first single taken from the EP is an infectious commercial offering that will raise any room to its feet. A catchy chorus combined with a simple yet effective melody make it an undoubtedly great pop song. Slowing down the pace a little comes in the form of Six String Woman. This smouldering, seductive blues infused offering is something for you to lay back with, sip on your Bourbon and be captivated by your imagination… Penultimate track, Up the Ante reflects on the bands earlier punk influenced attitude. Heavy riffed bass lines and chant gang vocals create that in your face sound that encourages you all to do just as it says on the tin as such. After dark tales of fate, luck and lust, Modern Fables comes to a close with a finale of redemption and optimism, Swan Song. A five minute epic ballad, filled with the essence of pure classic rock.

7‘One of the most impressive new rock bands in Britain right now’                                             Maximum Volume Music   ‘The Chords are to rock 'n' roll what fire is to a Pyromaniac’                                            Indieminded.com   ‘Broken Chords are a tight three-piece who sound like a more contemporary Rival Sons.  There’s a 70s vibe to some riffs, but they don’t slavishly stick to the past.  They are clearly having a ball’   Louder Than War   ‘Broken Chords mix flamboyant, strutting, and sexualised showmanship with rock solid instrumental skills. If you like your front men in your face, attacking their guitars with Pete Townshend windmills one second and posing like Hendrix the next, Broken Chords are your kind of band. Add in some stonking rock riffs, wicked tunes, and an overall Tarantino bar band vibe, and you have a trio that few would volunteer to follow’                                             Themusicalmeltingpot.com ‘The Zeppelin influenced 'Get Some' shows a nod to the past yet with a contemporary edge influenced by the likes of the Arctic Monkeys and the Foo Fighters hint at a highly promising future’  Metal Express Radio ‘Look out for these guys Broken Chords - they rock like muthas, cool as f**k, love 'em!’              Bernie Torme- Musician   ‘They are only a couple of well-placed festival bookings from being a major band in 2017’      Maximum Volume Music   ‘A power trio that really do deliver a powerful punch of groove driven rock ‘n’ roll which really gets your blood pumping, I can see these guys becoming the darlings of the classic rock fraternity’    Midlands Rocks

Hertfordshire’s finest up the ante  http://www.maximumvolumemusic.com/review-broken-chords-modern-fables-2016/ To fully appreciate the new sound on offer from Broken Chords, allow MV to take you back two years. To be accurate, we are backstage in Leamington Spa in a room with a Gypsy Caravan – this is not a joke. To make things even more surreal, assorted members of ELO are wandering about as they are playing with Jasper Carrot later in the evening – no, this isn’t a joke either. We are there to talk to a young band called Broken Chords about their plans for the future. At the end of the interview we asked the trio the boring question: Which artist would you like to emulate? Their former drummer said the Foo fighters, bassist Aiden mentioned a modern rock band we pretended to have heard of, but singer/guitarist Joe Finnegan looked us right in the eye and said “Prince” without a moment’s hesitation. Bands, lets be real about this, say this type of thing all the time, most of the time they don’t mean it, or if they do, they never follow it through. Nobody told Broken Chords that honesty wasn’t the best policy, because fast forward to 2016 and “Modern Fables” and if it isn’t quite a new band, then its one that is looking to find its own niche. They are still a hard rock trio, with hooks and an ear for a catchy chorus when they hear one, but now things have got, well, decidedly funky. That much is evident from the second the “Depths Of Hades” slinks into view. A soulful strut, it is immediately obvious that this is firstly a very different band, but secondly that adding this soul filled touch really suits them. Off and running now, “The Boatman” is a real Stones-y slammer, and is glorious fun with its timeless barroom feel. The single “Love On Heat” kicks off with a wonderful led melody and any chorus with handclaps has to be ace, right?

“6 String Woman” is perhaps the most soul infused, but its hook will grab you and won’t let go, and if The Black Crowes fancied jamming with Stevie Wonder then it might sound a touch like the highlight that is “Up The Ante”. Things even end with a kind of modern approximation of Mott The Hoople as Finnegan channels his inner Ian Hunter on the slow building ballad “Swan Song”. It – like everything else here – is the sound of The Broken Chords making the collection they wanted to and sounding glorious. Hopefully “Modern Fables” will give them the breakthrough they deserve. And that ain’t a fairytale. Rating 8.5/10