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BREAKKER is a hard-rocking heavy metal four-piece from Philadelphia who have been gigging heavily in the Northeast with their high-energy sets and who I believe have a bright future ahead. BREAKKER is composed of Clare Mairéad on lead vocals, Teagan Edsell on guitar and backing vocals, Stevie Lang on bass and backing vocals, and Ben Brower on drums, guitar, backing vocals, and keys. Below is an interview on the band's formation, plans for 2025, and more.
So how did you all meet, and how was the band formed?
Stevie: I started looking to put an original band together in 2021 after leaving an '80s metal tribute band I had played in for the past two years. I posted ads on different websites, and Ben contacted me through one of them. I knew who Ben was since we had both been part of the Philly/NJ metal scene for some time. I didn’t know him personally, but I knew he was a great drummer and was happy when he found my ad.
We auditioned several musicians between 2021 and 2023, but for one reason or another, they didn’t work out. Clare reached out to us in spring 2023, and she brought Teagan with her to the audition. We all clicked pretty quickly. We started by jamming on some '80s metal covers and then moved on to original material, which was our goal from the start.
What are the band's influences, and how do you go about writing together?
Teagan: We come from pretty varied backgrounds in terms of our tastes. Obviously, we’re all into old-school metal, which ties our sound together, but there’s a wide range of influences among us. For me, it’s a mix of instrumental guitar music, jazz, anarcho-punk, and the jam bands my parents raised me on. From Buckethead to Frank Zappa to Mischief Brew to Wes Montgomery, it’s all right up my alley. Good music is good music.
Clare is heavily into older country artists like Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash, as well as classic rock icons like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Ben mainly comes from a metal background, but he also has a deep love for punk, and that anti-authority mindset shapes a lot of our lyrics. Stevie is all about classic metal, but anything with roaring amplifiers and a “stick it to the man” vibe suits him.
Tell me the story of the EP cover you all put out last year. It screams classic '80s metal vibes, DIY, right?
Ben: I grew up with iconic metal and hard rock albums, and the covers that stood out for me always had a strong, feminine “take charge” energy mixed with studs, leather, power, and intrigue. I was a typical teenage '80s metalhead, so album covers like Pretty Maids’ Red, Hot and Heavy, Picture’s Diamond Dreamer, Lee Aaron's Metal Queen, Waysted’s Vices, and Plasmatics’ Metal Priestess were captivating.
That’s what I wanted our first cover to nod to. I pitched the idea with a clumsy pencil sketch, and Teagan and Clare brought it to life. Lighting, photography, set design, and even acting as the hand model. It was all them.
How’s the metal scene in Philly? Any band recommendations or notable differences between states like PA, NJ, and NY?
Clare: The Philly metal scene is alive and well. You’re always guaranteed to see familiar faces at local shows. Across all the states we’ve played, there’s a sense of community, which is one of my favorite things about heavy metal. Some of my favorite Philly bands include Skullovich, Traitor, Grozov, Sonja, Heavy Temple, Morgul Blade, Instinct, and Youth Death Club. I could go on.
Now for a non-music question. What’s up with Philly cheesesteaks, overrated or underrated? And what’s the real Philly food scene about?
Clare: As a lifelong Philadelphian, I think cheesesteaks deserve their hype. Getting one outside the city never hits the same. If you go to a tourist spot like Geno’s, Pat’s, or Jim’s, you have to get it with whiz and fried onions. But locals know the best steaks are found at pizza places or corner stores for half the price, with American cheese and fried onions. The simpler, the better. If you need ketchup, it’s not good.
If there’s a dream venue or festival you’d love to play, what would it be?
Stevie: My dream festival would be the M3 Rock Fest. As for venues, the legendary Tower Theater and the Wells Fargo Center (where the Flyers play) are at the top of my list.
Clare: Hell’s Heroes would be amazing, or any festival in Europe.
What are BREAKKER's plans for 2025? I know you’re recording a full-length album. When can we expect to hear it?
Ben: As of January 2025, we’re putting together the best of our new material, which we’ve been demoing and arranging. We hope to have around ten or eleven songs recorded and ready to release by late spring or summer 2025. There might be a non-LP single or two out before then. We’re pushing ourselves to stick to this timeline, and I think we’ve got a great stack of new BREAKKER songs ready to go. I’m anxious to get them recorded.
This version eliminates all dashes while maintaining clarity and consistency. Let me know if further adjustments are needed.
yay!