1.) We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed UK metalcorers extraordinaire, TALLBOY; greetings and salutations gang and welcome to Vents Magazine! Before we dive into the Q&A mosh-pit, could you all say ‘hi’ and introduce yourselves to our ever-inquisitive readers?
I’m Brad the vocalist
I’m Arron and I take care of the lowend.
I’m Dean and I hit things
I’m Adam and play Rhythm guitar
I’m Jordan and play Lead guitar
2.) Major kudos and accolades on your freshly-minted new single Name & Shame which is set to light up record charts around the ever-lovin’ globe when it drops this February 23rd! Brad, what’s the VH1-Behind the Music origin story on how this raw frenzy of rock and roll came into being?
Name and Shame” is a song about the type of person who enjoys spreading rumours and manipulating others. I think everyone knows someone like this, so we’re questioning the point of it all and wondering where they think it will lead them—because, when they’re inevitably found out, no one will trust them. We wanted this single to strike a balance between aggression and melody, with some riffs you can groove to, a chorus you can sing along with, and parts that make you want to bang your head. This was the first song I fully wrote and performed vocals on, so I rewrote it several times until I was personally happy with it. Now, I can’t wait to share it with everyone!
3.) Arron, who did the producing honors on Name & Shame and what did the in-studio collaboration between band and producer look like while fashioning and shaping the new single?
I handled all the producing and mixing for this track, and it was my first time recording a full band. While I’ve worked on my own solo projects before, this was a new experience. I’m really pleased with how it turned out. The recording process felt very natural; we all meshed well, and the songs just kept coming. This particular track was one of the last we wrote together, and we’ve got about 12 more songs in the works. Grant Berry from Fader Mastering took care of the mastering.
4.) Jordan, in your humble opinion what differentiates the new TALLBOY single Name & Shame from the Distinguished Competition on the 2025 music scene?
It’s that nice blend between stanky, heavy chugs and bouncy, dancey chops. Riffs to get you stanky. If that doesn’t get you going, brads voice will 😏 I think you can tell that it pulls from lots of different inspirations and tastes, and not just a 0-1 blegh fest.
5.) Adam, alongside the release of the new single, a companion music video for Name & Shame will also be released this February 23; congrats! How involved in the behind-the-scenes production of the music video were the members of TALLBOY?
Arron, Brad, and Jordan were the creative minds behind the video’s concept. The overall idea for the video was clear and straightforward, but they carefully integrated specific elements that complemented the song’s themes. After receiving the first draft, the band collaborated closely, exchanging feedback and making adjustments until everyone was completely satisfied with the final result. It was a process of fine-tuning, where each of us contributed to perfecting the vision.
6.) Dean, what does the touring/performing dance card look like for TALLBOY in the coming weeks and months?
We’ll be selecting gigs throughout the next year at all the cool venues to get into the groove of things, or so we think. Personally, I’d love to play at the Alma Inn due to its great reputation.
We all work and do other things as well, but with the exciting emerging live scene in Barrow, created by RW Events and other promoters, it’s much easier to get out there and perform now than it was 10 to 15 years ago.
There’s a hometown gig at The Meeting Place for one of RW events on the 15th of May, and we’ve got a bunch of dates to be announce soon as well. We’re really looking forward to that, too. Very exciting stuff!
7.) Brad, in the wake of the February 23rd release of the new TALLBOY single Name & Shame, should fans keep their eagle-eyes open for even more music from the band in ‘25?
Absolutely! We have a lot of songs in the works. Arron is a creative machine, and we’ve blended all sorts of sounds into these upcoming tracks—ranging from crushingly heavy to grungy, and maybe even our take on a pop song. We want to write music that we enjoy, mixing together our favourite genres, so expect a variety of sounds to get stuck in your head.
There shouldn’t be too long of a wait before another single, but I’m not going to tell you how long… You can definitely expect more Tallboy this year. Keep your ears peeled—we’re just getting started!
8.) A question for everyone: Who are some of the key inspirations for all of you as far as music goes?
We draw inspiration from a wide variety of bands, and each of us brings something unique to the table. When we come together for a writing session, we like to approach it with an open mind, allowing ourselves to be spontaneous and creative. That approach seems to really click for us. Of course, we’re influenced by the classic heavy hitters and big names in the genre, but we also enjoy blending those influences with new ideas to create something that feels fresh and exciting.
9.) Arron, the members of TALLBOY hail from Cumbria, England. How do those specific stomping grounds inform the energy and excitement which listeners hear when they drop the needle on their TALLBOY vinyl?
Our Cumbrian roots definitely play a role in the energy and excitement you hear in our music. Cumbria is known for its rugged landscapes and a somewhat isolated vibe, and I think that translates into the intensity and rawness of our sound. Growing up in an area where nature feels both expansive and unyielding, there’s this underlying sense of freedom and power that we try to channel into our music. The isolation also gives you time to reflect and develop your own unique voice, which is something that we carry into our writing and performances. There’s a certain grit and energy that comes from being shaped by both the beauty and harshness of our environment, and we think that’s reflected in the music when people listen to our music.
10.) Jordan, any final thoughts you might like to leave readers with regarding the brand-spanking new TALLBOY single Name & Shame?
Be one of the first to get on a brand new modern metal classic. It’s a vibe 🖤
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