Wave Break is an alternative rock band from New Jersey.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Kelly Barber - Lead vocals & rhythm guitar

Ken Knightly - Bass

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Wave Break? How long has the band been around?

Kelly: Wave Break is actually my first, and hopefully only, real band. I’ve tried a number of times in the past to start bands with people prior to Wave Break but they never got off the ground. Because of that, I had a solo project for several years instead.

Ken: I have been active in the local NJ scene for a while.  I believe Wave Break is my 5th band.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Kelly: Wave Break came from throwing around words and phrases until we came up with something we liked. We stuck with Wave Break because to us it means to overcome adversity, which is a theme that shows up a lot in our music.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Kelly: I write the band’s lyrics and melodies and contribute a great deal to the musical arrangements as well. I tend to pull a lot from personal experiences and like to write about them in a way that people can relate to and interpret in their own way. Most of our songs have themes of persevering through hardship or pushing hard to make your dreams come true. Our music’s undertones may change over time, but it will generally always be meant to help people through those hard times. Our debut EP Armory was very aggressive, angry but optimistic in terms of lyrical content, and a lot of our newer music that will be on the next one is more introspective and pessimistic.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Kelly: I’m inspired by all kinds of alternative bands, but listening to Eat Your Heart Out in particular has recently helped me write a good amount of our newer music. If I’m feeling stuck lyrically, I’ll put their latest album on for a bit to get my mind going again.

Ken: For me, My Chemical Romance has always played a heavy role in my songwriting process.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Kelly: I remember listening to Avril Lavigne back when she first started and wanting to be a musician because of her. But I didn’t start truly wanting to be in a band instead until late high school/early college when I started listening to a wider variety of bands. I’m not sure if there was any one band that caused that switch for me; if I had to name one I’d probably say the Foo Fighters.

Ken: growing up my parents had me listening to The Beatles, so I think because of that and it always been an unconscious desire to have a band.  But listening to Foo Fighters is what pushed me into the career choice of music. 

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

Kelly: I’ll typically do some stretches to warm up my body and lip trills to warm up my voice!

Ken: Mark Hoppus bass stretches. 

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Kelly: I’d say it’s the fact that we’re playing with Sleep On It and a few other great bands next week on our local date of the Pride & Disastour. For me, it’s the first time I can say that I’m playing with one of my favorites. 

Ken: Probably what Kelly said.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Kelly: Hands down, Jimmy Eat World is my top pick. Also Tonight Alive, PVRIS, In Her Own Words, Spitalfield, Acceptance… the list goes on.

Ken: My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, My Chemical Romance, and My Chemical Romance

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Kelly: We can’t wait to put out new music and do a bit of touring this year, so stay tuned! We’re playing in NJ, Philly and Long Island in March, so if you’re anywhere near there you should come out and say hi!

Ken: Hydrate or Dydrate

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wavebreakband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wavebreakband/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/2tZ0HSJ
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QRhX5m