Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: The original Fractured started way back in 1983, when front man and lyricist, Jeff Hayward, met former bass player, Id Williams, listening to Unknown Pleasures in a grubby student room in Reading. Disillusioned with life in Thatcher’s Britain, Fractured were born, performing their first gig a matter of just five days later. Following a sixteen year creative break, multiple personnel changes, a permanent move to Brighton on the South coast of the UK at the start of the millennium and numerous support slots with The Nightingales, The Monochrome Set, Alternative TV, the late, great Frank Sidebottom, The Fallen Leaves and others, they have arrived in 2023 with more passion, energy and wit than ever to critique life today in broken Britain. Guitarist, Jamie Kirby, bass player, John McClafferty and drummer, Dave Askwith join Jeff in the current Fractured line-up.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: Idles, Fontaines DC, Kid Kapichi, Shame, Sleaford Mods and The Lovely Eggs are all big influences today.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Fractured’?
A: Early inspirations were The Fall, Magazine, The Nightingales and The Ramones – we were inspired by the DIY ethic of punk and that mentality of ‘be creative’ and ‘go ahead and do it’ are still burning brightly today. The name Fractured came from the label of Unknown Pleasures – Fractured Music were the publishers of Joy Division’s music. It felt right to describe the sound we had then, and it’s equally relevant in 2023 for the subjects that we write about as well as the uncompromising punk / post-punk sound we generate.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘No Offence’. Is there a story behind it?
A: We’re all too easily offended these days. The art of giving and taking offence has reached levels of absurdity that make normal conversations impossible and undermine humanity’s customary sense of tolerance. The song reflects this experience – it’s spiky, direct and absurd.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: No Offence is taken from our latest album, just released, called Cracking Up – available on all streaming platforms, from Bandcamp and our website www.fractured group.com. We’ll be recording a new album later this year for release in early 2024.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: A powerful and catchy guitar riff, driving bass and drums plus lyrics that tell a story people of different generations can relate to, infused with a dry sense of humour. We cannot abide lazy lyrics. Way too many great tunes are ruined by meaningless words. We draw on lots of punk and post punk influences from the past to the present day to create a sound that is concise, simple and has real impact. We say it as it is.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: More fulfilment now than ever, We have something to say and when people hear it, they get it. We all yearn for a level of control in our lives. But modern life is complicated, frequently ridiculous and disappoints in just far too many places. Fractured aim to make sense of it all.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Ideas are all around us – it could be something any of us in the band sees or hears that sparks a song. We’re very much a team in that way. A walk on the golf course, a visit to the shops or just an everyday frustration. The material is everywhere. We don’t invent it. We just work together to give it a voice and a tune, and put it out there.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: There’s always been something to enjoy from day one. Recognising how hard it is to break through and make it big over the years is something many bands and musicians struggle with these days. And when we started out, we probably wanted to be famous too. Now, we’re not bothered with that. For us, music is all about creating a visceral, live experience where an audience can really connect with the songs as well as the performance. Aim for that and you’ll rarely be disappointed.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: The latest album is our best work. And we’re really proud of that. Laced throughout with razor- sharp observations on power-mad community groups, conspiracists and assorted weirdos, Cracking Up also tackles the stresses of modern relationships, reality TV narcissists and the dangers of japanese knotweed. Here are fourteen, spiky guitar-driven songs that will persuade people they are not alone in thinking the way you do. And, that there is hope and humour in the shared bleakness of it all. If that’s what you’re into then you’ll be into Fractured. Come and see us live in Bristol (8 June), Brighton (14 July) and Blackpool (6 August) where we’re on the Introducing Stage at the Rebellion Festival. 2023 is a year to be Fractured.
More information at www.fractured-group.com
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