The Metal Asylum Talks To WEBB

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

RYAN: I started off as a solo musician by hiring session musicians. When the “Disenchanted” EP was released in 2015, during that time my manager, lyricist and wife Sonya and myselfdecided it was time for a change. We 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. Luca & Nigel started off as session musicians and later on decided to become permanent members of WEBB. The current line up has been together for 18 months.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

RYAN: I used to perform at a solo artist and would hire a session bassist and drummer. As the music got heavier, I felt it would be better to sound less like a singer songwriter and more of a band, so the name was just changed to WEBB – which happens to be my surname. I have a pretty bad memory, so I knew I wouldn’t forget the name of the band! Nigel was booked as a session drummer for a gig in Glastonbury late 2021 and he came on board as a full time member in January 2022. Luca who had been a session bassist for a few months before, became the full timebassist in February 2022. We all used to live fairly close to each other, I’m in Swindon and both Luca and Nigel were in and around Oxford. Now, Luca is in Beaconsfield, and Nigel has moved up to Leicester!

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

RYAN: I think it’s safe to say that the band is very much into Gojira, Faith No More, Disturbed etc.. Personally I’d like to think that WEBB has its own unique sound and if there are any influences that come across in our songs, it can only be from years of listening to various genres of music.

LUCA: Making a list of my favourite artists would be like making a wedding guest list, too many to list and so hard to decide who not to include. John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin and Justin Chancellor from Tool are two big influences for me. I love both bands and their bass playing It’s driven, solid, with melodies that makes me grin when I listen to it with a pair of headphones.

NIGEL: My favourite drummers have always been people who managed to sound distinct and instantly recognisable – Phil Collins, Rob Ellis from PJ Harvey’s original band spring to mind. They made me want to find my own voice on the instrument, no matter what genre I’m working in. For heavier music, I think there’s no one like Mike Bordin from Faith No More – I aspire to the incredible creativity and power of that band

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

RYAN: I’d like to think I was born with music in my DNA. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.

LUCA: Since I picked up an instrument on my teenage years, be or wanting to be part of a band has always been a constant in my life.

NIGEL: I only ever had two life goals in mind. I wanted to be a musician, or a house husband. I originally hoped I could get the former out of my system by the time I was 30 and then concentrate on the latter, but the urge to create music doesn’t seem to have relinquished its hold just yet…

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

RYAN: I try not to listen to a lot as I feel it might influence my writing. If there’s a new album out by my favourite artist then I would definitely check it out. Although, I always have Gojira, Lamb Of God and Dream Theater for reference.

LUCA: Recently I have been listening to ”L’Enfant Sauvage” from Gojira quite a lot thanks to Ryan recommendation. Another album I am playing a lot these days is the latest Porcupine Tree ”CLOSURE / CONTINUATION”.

NIGEL: My current obsession is a Dutch band called De Staat. Their Red / Yellow / Blue EPs are amazing.

Do you sing in the shower?

RYAN: Only when the water turns freezing cold!

LUCA: Sometimes, often something made-up, silly and nonsense… the serious singing normally happens in the car.

NIGEL: No, but I’ve always done my best writing and arranging in the shower. Something about it as a sensual experience activates my brain and I can almost meditate myself to a point of ‘hearing’ how songs should be.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

RYAN: Promoting our new album “Deadly Sins And Virtues” which is out 30th June 2023 is our main agenda for this year and through the next year.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

RYAN: We have a new album “Deadly Sins And Virtues” coming out on 30th June this year. 2 singles “Hope” and “You’re Going Down” has already been released and available on all digital streaming platforms. We also have videos for both the singles on our YouTube channel.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

RYAN: Where do we start, to perform at Wacken & Download festival would be awesome. We like to dream big I guess, Why Not..

LUCA: Brixton Academy! I have a soft spot for that venue. I’ve seen some of my favourite artists for the first time there and I think WEBB will be a perfect fit for that venue.

NIGEL: I always wanted to headline Red Rocks in Colorado, but as it happens I got to do that with a different band a few years back. But generally the thing that makes a gig is always the people, not the bricks and mortar, so playing anywhere to any audience of passionate music lovers (large or small) still feels amazing to me.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

RYAN: Fortitude by Gojira for sure.

LUCA: I do not have one absolute favourite, but If I have to pick one, I will go for ”Deadly Sins And Virtues” by WEBB.

NIGEL: I don’t think I do. While streaming has brought issues for musicians trying to make a living through music, one incredible thing it has done is provide an incredible insight into the breadth and plurality of music and genres, making having one single album that can be somehow superior to all others seem a bit ridiculous.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

RYAN: I’m a sucker for good old country music, I also like listening to Enya and Loreena McKennitt when I’m chilling out.

LUCA: I have been listening to Alt-J ”An Awesome Wave”. More than a guilty pleasure is an album that I ‘stole’ from my girlfriend’s collection and is a type of sound that normally is off my radar.

NIGEL: I don’t think anything should be a guilty pleasure! Music is amazing! Things that I listen to that perhaps other people would sniff at might include Genesis, Koo Koo Kangaroo (a kind of kidsband for adults from Minneapolis) and Chas And Dave.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

RYAN: This is a very tricky question to answer. Gojira would be on top of the list for sure.

LUCA: WEBB, Gojira, Mastodon, Nine Inch Nails, Faith No More, Meshuggah and Tool.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

RYAN: Unfortunately I can’t remember my first purchase, growing up I was always into music driven by heavy guitars.

LUCA: It was a double live cassette tape from the Italian artist Vaso Rossi, the title I think is ”Fronte Del Palco Live”. I honestly can not remember if I bought it with my own money or if I still have it! The safer answer will be the ”Nevermind” CD by Nirvana. Although it’s now really scratched, I still own it.

NIGEL: Kings Of The Wild Frontier by Adam And The Ants, on vinyl. Yes I still have it, and even better than that, it still holds up as an awesome album.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

RYAN: The fans are the main drive for any band. WEBB is organically building up its fanbase. We love our loyal fans and like to keep them close to our hearts.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Website : http://www.webbofficial.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/WebbOfficial

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/webbofficialuk/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/WebbOfficialUK

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

RYAN: Thank you so much for asking WEBB to be part of this!