Interviews: WEBB

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal band, WEBB from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

RYAN: I started of as a solo musician (known as Ryan Webb) and hired session musicians. When the “Disenchanted” EP was released in 2021, during that time my manager, lyricist and wife Sonya and myself decided it was time for a change. The music had changed and was getting heavier which didn’t really match the name. So we simply got rid of Ryan and just kept it as WEBB. We felt it had more of an impact as a band rather than an impression as a singer-songwriter, which I definitely wasn’t!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

RYAN: I always felt that heavy-driven music was in my DNA, growing up I can remember listening to Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and all those awesome bands. The WEBB sound keeps getting heavier by the year, so this should mean something.

NIGEL: This is actually the first time I've played metal in my career. It's a challenge, but I was up for it because the songs are strong and Ryan has an amazing voice. Whether you're Burt Bacharach or Napalm Death, those are the empirical basics.

LUCA: I always enjoyed, for as long as I remember, this being my preferred genre of music.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

RYAN: Luca and Nigel joined as session musicians and soon after they decided to become permanent members of the band.

NIGEL: I didn't know any of them! I was introduced to Ryan through a promoter friend and joined the band not long after that.

LUCA: No, we didn't know each other before.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

RYAN: Gojira

NIGEL: Impossible to pick a favourite. But in the heavy music area, I think Faith No More are flat-out genius.

LUCA: It's very difficult to name one band as the only favourite, however, Tool is the one band I tend to go back to the most.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

RYAN: I think that WEBB has a pretty unique writing method. Most of the time it starts off with a riff which is then developed. Sometimes the original riff won’t even end up in that song! Our drummer (Nigel) has his own writing methods. Sonya our lyricist comes up with a lot of ideas. Sometimes a title for a song would be a start, and sometimes it’s the chorus.

NIGEL: Ryan wrote most of the album. I wrote the music for Don't Ask Why, and that came out of being new to metal, and enjoying playing about in an unfamiliar genre.

LUCA: Ryan and Nigel do the writing!

6. Where was your last gig?

RYAN: Our last gig to date was the quarter-finals at Metal 2 The Masses Oxford. It was a great gig. We didn’t get through, which was perfectly fine as we met a lot of awesome people.

NIGEL: Oxford; at The Jericho Tavern where I have played many many times in my life.

LUCA: The Jericho Tavern in Oxford.

7. Where would you like to play?

RYAN: WEBB is always ready to entertain fans of heavy music no matter where, but I would really love to perform in Germany, as well as Germany, and definitely Germany too!

NIGEL: Everywhere. Twice. And then next door to all the places we've already played.

LUCA: I would like to play at a venue in my hometown in Sardinia so that my friends and family could come. Followed by beautiful beaches and amazing food the next day.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

RYAN: Gojira, Gojira, Gojira, oh and I think I should also mention Gojira here! 

NIGEL: Gojira

LUCA: Mastodon

9. Have any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

RYAN: To be honest a little stage fright before a gig is quite normal. For me mostly it’s the technical side of things. You can be totally prepared and organised, but it’s not until we kick off with our first song, everything works as it should and we have the attention of the most important people in the room (the audience), that the gig turns out to be a lot of fun. Our advice for beginners would be to stay true to yourself and avoid any unnecessary complications in your setup. Always warm up before a gig if you can and just have fun, it’s live music after all.

NIGEL: Whenever I'm drumming I never do. I have done some solo shows singing and playing proper instruments, and those terrify me. I think the only advice is to imagine what a confident person would do, and then do that whether you feel it or not.

LUCA: I sometimes get nervous before a gig. A glass of whisky normally calms the nerves.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

RYAN: This topic could end up being a long list of awesome bands that have inspired me. Keeping it current I love Gojira a LOT (not sure if I’ve mentioned them before). To see them live a couple of months ago was absolutely awesome. Incredible band.

NIGEL: Again, way too many to mention. In recent years De Staat have really caught my attention and made me fall in love with music all over again, for the umpteenth time.

LUCA: So many at different stages of my life including Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Tool and The Mars Volta

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

RYAN: Apart from some goofy stuff we do on our socials, we are yet to be weirded out.

NIGEL: After shows fans have asked me for literally every single piece of my drumkit at various times. I tell them I need it for the next gig...

LUCA: So far there haven't been any weird awkward requests

12. What do you think of your fans?

RYAN: The fans are the main driver for any band. WEBB is organically building up its fanbase and keeping them close.

NIGEL: It's always an honour to have anyone take the time to come and see you and appreciate what you do. It's important never to take that for granted.

LUCA: They are the core of any gig, without them I wouldn't be able to give half of the energy we feel on stage, they're a part of why we continue to make music. 

13. What do you think of our site?

RYAN: Breathing The Core website has a great layout. Very professional and easy to navigate. All the sections are very well thought off.

NIGEL: I'm currently in a broken-down car without strong internet, so I don't have the facility to answer that question...

LUCA: I think the website looks cool with plenty of material and interviews.

14. Something to add?

RYAN: Thank you so much for letting us be part of Breathing the Core!

NIGEL: 13 + 8

LUCA: Just thank you!