In a time and place where pop and electronic music dominate the local airwaves, a new band has given the music scene some much-needed grit and pop-punk sensibility with crunching guitar, harmonious vocal melodies and pounding drums. I introduce to you to Made For Broadway, a home-grown pop punk band that has taken the rock and roll scene to another level. Think Blink 182 meets New Found Glory with added local flavour.
The lineup consists of Justin James (vocals), Sean Braam (guitar), Brogan Thompson (bass) and Rob Storm (drums) with the four-piece parading their unique style of music to crowds all over the country.
Here are my top five songs from the band.
5. Dawning
The intro guitar is the first thing that catches one’s attention as the drums give the song that extra impetus before James sings the melodic verse.
The highlights are definitely the chorus when James sings “Set yourself free in a single heartbeat” at the top of his lungs. The pattern is really catchy and listeners will sing along in a heartbeat. The song also has a fantastic bridge with the lead guitar of Braam holding the pace along with Storm’s drums and Thompson’s groovy bass. A great song to start the countdown.
4. Bittersweet
Catchy and melodic is one way to describe this song that takes me back to an old school pop punk riff and made me realise why I like this genre so much.
It brings nostalgia with a new unique element. Once again, the chorus is really positive and rhythmic and hits the listeners in the heart where it matters most.
The bridge with the gang vocals is the highlight of the song: “Here we go, up up on the limelight, brighter till we burn out, one last round it’s a knockout!”
3. Together (Parallel Universe)
This quirky and playful song about young love and the journey between fantasising about a girl and getting her, in the end, gets the number three spot. It can almost draw a comparison to Simple Plans’ “My Alien.” – just a bit better! “In a parallel universe you are mine, so today I start my journey through space and time to find you, baby I’ll find you.” The song depicts a man searching for his true love in a perfect dimension and time where they can finally be together. The journey of the character is brilliantly showcased in the fun lyrics that are great to sing to especially the “Na na na nas” in the chorus and the “woo oh woo ohs” in the outro of the song. A really well-written song from this band.
Love meeting science fiction has never sounded this good!
2. Solid Ground
One of the great aspects of the band is its ability to write relatable lyrics whether focusing on life, love and friendship. “Solid Ground” is a memorable song about friendship and being able to rely on friends in tough times. The song opens with a great double bass drum pattern from Storm and positive lyrics to follow. “Take what you want, you never break me, make me feel that life’s not worth living, woooh wooh oh” signals Made For Broadway’s war cry for overcoming circumstances and achieving goals. The breakdown in the bridge is also one of my favourite head-banging moments. This is complemented by a great slow section that builds up into a rocking outro to finish off this inspiring song.
1.Royalty
This song takes number one spot for various reasons such as its uplifting lyrics, memorable chorus, heavy bridge and various sweet musical dynamics throughout the song. “We’re taking over all the frequencies, all the radio waves and the silver screens. So save your life of hopelessness for someone else. Cause we’re the new royalty, oh, we are royalty,” sings James in the chorus to all those who doubted that the band could achieve anything.
Naturally, this can also be applicable to any person who is told that he or she is not good enough.
The sweet breakdown in the bridge is where the instruments take control and set the mood for one final chorus to blast through your speakers. One must also commend James’ high range in the chorus as he really gives his A-game to his those notes.
