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going to go well? And when we get the reac- whole thing worth it. Of course, it’s a gamble, itive spin on everything. Like, we were meant
tion that we get, it’s definitely a validation because some people might listen to it and to go to the States already this year and the
that we’re doing something right. And it gets think, “That’s not like Stone Broken to go visas didn’t come through, which was a bit
more intense, I guess. The more and more that deep,” but that never happened, so it of a bummer. I’m not going to lie, we were all
momentum that we get, the more pressure was worth the risk to get people speaking a bit deflated about that, but we sucked it up,
there is to either carry on climbing or to about it really.” we carried on with what we were doing, and
maintain that. It’s good to get that feedback, Googling domestic violence, we dis- now we’re going over there later in the year
whether it’s good or bad, because we want it cover that one in six women’s refuges have and it’s a bigger tour, so there’s always a sil-
honest, but it definitely makes you believe closed since 2010. There was also a news ar- ver lining to everything, and having that pos-
even more that it’s possible. And it has been ticle towards the end of 2017 that stated that itive attitude, I think, will carry you through
stepping stones, I guess. We brought out a nearly 200 domestic abuse victims are some stuff.”
couple of demo tracks and we were giving turned away from refuges every day. The In ‘Worth Fighting For’, Rich sings ‘Stand
them away at gigs and stuff. People loved it. band think there ought to be more safe up and lead a generation’. He says they’d
They were getting in touch on Facebook. We places for not just women, but male victims most like to lead a generation with positivity.
released a couple of videos. It makes you be- too. “A lot of people get wrapped up in small
lieve in it a bit more. We invested some more “Safe places for everyone, really,” says issues when there are much bigger issues
money then and went and did an EP. We did Chris. “It mainly affects women but there are out there that they could focus their atten-
promo videos and this, that and the other. also guys that go through it. And I think with tion on. I think that’s probably what I’d do. To
And we thought, “This is working, this is guys as well, it’s a very taboo thing.” change people in the way that they think it
working,” and it’s starting to pay off now. It’s “A lot of men don’t want to admit that doesn’t matter if someone’s got the televi-
definitely directly attributed to the fans, def- they’re in a toxic relationship,” says Rich. sion remote and you want the television re-
initely.” “They kind of feel like they’re not manly mote. People fall out over that sort of stuff.
or anything, so don’t want to speak about it,” There are things going on out there that peo-
nother serious song on ‘Ain’t Always adds Chris. “I think for women and men ple have no idea about because they don’t
AEasy’ is ‘Heartbeat Away’, a song there ought to be a safe haven.” even look for this kind of stuff and they sort
about domestic violence. It’s a subject that Rich says he is shocked by the fact that of invest their time in little things.”
is close to home with Rich. The band chose one in six women’s refuges have been “I think people these days are wrapped
to release a video for the song to draw atten- closed and didn’t know that fact. “I’m quite up in their own bubble,” says Robyn. “They
tion to the subject even more. shocked at that. I would definitely want to en- don’t know what’s going on outside of this
Rich says he knew it was a subject he courage there to be more places for people bubble. I think if everyone was to take two
needed to write about. to go and get the help that they need. A lot minutes and just sit down and relax and just
“I wanted to write it. It’s a subject that of the time you have to rely on the support focus on all the positive stuff that’s happen-
doesn’t get spoken about and it’s almost a of your family, and I can honestly say that ing, I think that would make the world a
taboo subject, like you shouldn’t speak 90% of the time your family are going to be brighter place.”
about it, and I’ve always found that a bit there for you at the drop of a hat. There are “And also, hand in hand with that, confi-
weird, really. Why would no-one speak about going to be situations where they haven’t got dence as well,” adds Rich. “A lot of people
it? So I thought it was time to kind of open anyone to go to and they’re going to feel don’t want to tackle a situation head-on ei-
the doors and let people open up to us about trapped in a relationship and that’s not fair. I ther. That’s kind of the other side of it. But if
it if they want to speak to us about it. We had think there should be somewhere for them to you feel strongly about something, then do
messages from fans straight away, as soon get away from a situation that could poten- something about it. You might just be one
as they saw the video, and really understood tially end their life.” person in a massive team of people but
what it meant. They got back to us and said, you’ve got a voice. It’s as loud as the person
“Thank you so much for writing a song ou can tell by chatting to Stone Bro- next to you, so do something about it.”
about this. It’s been a part of my life and I’ve Yken that they are good souls. They’ve
survived it,” and I’m like, “Awesome”. We got intelligent heads on their shoulders and Stone Broken will be heading to the USA
want people to start speaking about it. That’s while it’s still relatively early days for Stone in August as support to Fozzy. Do something
the ultimate goal of any song, to get an emo- Broken, they are a band that are well worth about it and get to a show if you’re over
tional attachment in any way; it could be a looking up to. Songs like ‘I Believe’ are pos- there! Before that, the band play Stone Free
positive, it could be a negative. It can bring itive and good motivation for anyone. The Festival, Download Festival and Steelhouse
up memories and things like that. I think with band say that they try to be positive as much Festival in the UK, and Graspop in Belgium.
‘Heartbeat Away’, because it’s a subject that as they can. ‘Ain’t Always Easy’ is out now. Visit
isn’t nice, it isn’t pleasant, it kind of created “There are times when it’s hard to be www.stonebroken.com for more info.
a different reaction from our fans, but it was positive about certain things,” says Rich,
more of a respect thing than a “That’s a re- “but after you’ve had the little moan or after Words By Shari Black Velvet
ally good song” kind of vibe, which is what you’ve had the bit of doubt, you sit back and
Main Band Photo By Paul Harries
we were after, and for me that made the think about it and you can always put a pos- Small Band Photo By Shari Black Velvet

SUPERSONIC FUTURE SUPERSTARS

BETWEEN THE LINES
Hailing from Bedfordshire, Between The Lines are an up-and-coming, pop-punk five-piece look-
ing to add to the ever-growing list of pop-punk talent coming from the UK right now. With the ad-
dition of their new vocalist Alex Lewis, the band are dropping their mini EP 'To The Wind' on 6th
July, with the track 'Anywhere But Here' already having been released. Expect to hear big, hooky
choruses and ear-crunching beats that will surely catch the attention of fans of fellow UK bands
such as Neck Deep and Trash Boat. The EP's self-titled track adds that bit of extra zest, with
Alex's vocals sounding reminiscent of a certain Jordan Pundik (New Found Glory) in places.
The debut release comes after their formation just last year, and we see no reason why 2018
can't prove to be a huge year for them, and hopefully put them on the path of the other UK big guns that are bringing this great genre back
to its glory days. The band are down to play Castlefest 2018 in Luton at the end of September – a festival the band also played in 2017 –
as well as Bedford River Festival, Luton Aid and more. For more info, head to www.facebook.com/BTLUK
Words: Sam Robinson

STONE BROKEN