Interview: Blast Bomb (Written)
Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with the hard rock, punk, and Scandi rock band, Blast Bomb.
1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.
Johnny – Thanks for having me! So I am here today to talk to you about Blast Bomb! We bring the boom to the Hamburg music scene, mixing Hard Rock, Punk and Scandi Rock to create a sound we call Explosive Rock! It was a coming together of three bands into one, after over 20+ years of Klaus, Tobi, Kai and Torben saying “one day we will make music together” it finally happened but they needed a singer and that’s where I come in! The Brit in a German band and I think we are a match made in heaven.
Last year Robin joined the band on bass as Kai stepped away and its been full steam ahead since then, which leads us to the point where we are talking to you about our new single 21:47.
2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
Johnny – I say “come and see us and you tell me what music we play”! Haha! It’s actually a very important question that’s tough to answer because we actually have so many influences in the DNA of the sound that people would not even realise. I know that’s a pretty generic answer, as all bands want to sound deeper then what they may appear, but I believe it’s true. On our last EP – ‘Rock’n’Roll Junkie’ – pretty much every review had a different opinion of our sound, it was interesting to read but also like “where the hell do we place ourselves in a genre?”
3. What’s currently going on in your camp? New releases? Tours? Etc.
Johnny – So we are at the beginning of our new release campaign. Collectively its called ‘Explosive Sounds’ and its a collection of 5 singles split over late 23/early 24.
We are delighted to give you the premier of our new single ’21:47′. Your readers will see the music video and hear the song for the first time. 21:47 is the second ‘Explosive Sounds’ single and is written about the birth of my son.
Check out the video premiere here.
4. What has been the most positive experience of making music to date for you?
Johnny – I am sure if you asked my band mates they would have a different opinion but it’s my interview so I would say the whole process of recording 21:47.
My son, who is almost 3, visited me in the studio while I was recording vocals and as you can imagine he got very excited about seeing a studio and all them shiny buttons! I wanted him to hear how his voice sounds through a microphone so I put the headphones on him and he was laughing and speaking into the mic. Little did I know that our producer Timo had hit record, capturing the whole interaction. Then, when we received the final mix, I heard my son at the end of track…. it was very emotional, but thats not the best part! The track got sent to Abbey Road Studios in London to be mastered so my boys voice at 2 years old has been through the speakers and desks of the most famous studio in the world.
That for me beats any tour, festival or show I have ever done.
5. Likewise, what has been some of the more challenging aspects and how have you overcome them?
Johnny – How long do you have? Haha! I think that the most important issue is like every other artist sweating their ass off in every bar, club, cafe around the world. It’s being heard, thats why we are grateful of websites like yourself who take the time to help the underdog. There is truly some fantastic music out there been totally unheard because people don’t take chances on going to a local bar and watching hard working touring artists anymore.
6. How do you handle the modern expectations of being in a band? Always online, having to put out content constantly, your success measured in likes and follows?
Johnny – This is kind of what we was talking about above, it’s pretty shitty. I was actually listening to a podcast the other day that explains that record labels don’t go and watch bands really anymore, they don’t have PR scouts in the clubs spotting raw talent. They stalk TikTok and the others looking purely at number of streams, views, interactions….. thats bullshit in all honesty. Our last single ‘Hammer Blow’ got just under 9,000 streams, and for most artists that’s nothing, but for us we are so god-damn proud because it’s real growth, coming from shows and people enjoying what we do.
Maybe though I’m just bitter because I’m not a handsome guy who can get millions of views on TikTok!
7. What’s something that really ‘grinds your gears’ about the industry/business these days and what would you propose is done to combat it?
Johnny – I would say every so often, instead of spending 50+ on a concert ticket of a big artist, go to two or three (for the same cost in total) smaller concerts, you never know you may find. Maybe your new favourite band! I understand though, money these days is tight and if you spend money you want to know 1000% its value for money and the bigger artists deliver that, BUT by doing this you are not only supporting smaller acts on the road, but the local venues, bar staff everything and trust me, you will still have an amazing time.
8. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support your music?
Johnny – I would say you are the first to hear this new single ’21:47′ about the happiest moment in my life and the song is the perfect example of what Blast Bomb is all about. So if you like what you hear just hit share or post a nice comment. The best ways to support bands at our level are free, you can even do it sat on the toilet! Its just: comment, share, follow!
9. Outside of the music, what’s do you do to relax?
Johnny – Music is what I do to relax! It’s all I have ever known and I cant see my life without it. It got me to Germany, helped me find friends, and my family. I can not be more grateful then I am. Thank you to those ‘three magic chords’ and a catchy chorus.
10. Where can people find you?
We are on all good streaming sites and socials, but we made it super easy for you:
Catch Blast Bomb live.
09.12.23 – Molotow, Hamburg.
