Over these last few years, emerging outfit Burning Bones have established themselves as one of the more exciting names on the rise. And with last year’s ‘Daydreams’ EP cementing their glorious ascent, they are now back once again to deliver the B-side collection for their recent offering.
So with that release now doing the rounds, we caught up with them to discover more about their origins and where they plan to take their sound next.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I picked up the guitar in 2003 after I basically begged my parents to get me one. I was so inspired after watching music videos of bands like Slipknot, Kid Rock, and The Hives on Kerrang, Scuzz, and MTV2.
From there, I met John (drums) and his brother, Mike (guitar), at high school, and we would jam at lunch or after school at one of our houses, usually covering Blink or some other punk rock power chord band.
And it’s only grown from there, albeit with breaks in between, but music is something that’s always tied us together.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
I’m still hugely influenced by those bands I mentioned, and I sometimes have to stop myself from stealing melodies and riffs by accident, as a lot of them have been floating around in my head for over 20 years.
Whether or not I still listen to those bands is irrelevant; they are firmly lodged in my memory and they don’t seem like they’re going anywhere soon.
Also, lots of hardcore bands from the late 2000s and early 2010s, such as Outbreak, Panic, and Bracewar, have significantly influenced my music style, along with the post-rock bands emerging during that time, like This Will Destroy You, Explosions in the Sky, and Mooncake.
Several people have told me that I sound like Paul Banks from Interpol, which is flattering since they inspired me early on.
What’s been great is that we’ve all grown up together listening to the same bands, so we’re on a similar wavelength when it comes to writing.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
In 2017, I was living in Melbourne, Australia, and I was feeling quite lonely. To combat that, I decided to pick up my guitar again and seriously try my hand at songwriting, with the hope that one day I would have the balls to sing.
The singing part took longer than I had expected, but I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished during this time.
Sometimes, hearing myself sing can be cringeworthy, but it reminds me that not long ago, I would never have had the stones to do it.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
I’ll usually come up with one or two riffs and bring it to band practice, where Liam (Bass) will add his two cents and help me give it some direction, then John will start to figure out the groove, and Mike will add the finishing touches.
These guys have been doing Burning Bones with me for over two years, so we’re good at putting ideas together and making it work.
When it comes to writing lyrics, I usually do it at home or when I’m out and something inspires me which usually comes from observing people, situations, or things around me. It could be anything from a couple arguing to a drunk person bothering people on the street.
If something makes me feel a certain way, I’ll make a note of it and see if I can use it in a song.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Most of the time, my inspiration comes from listening to or seeing bands that are great at what they do. I remember going to see Mogwai a while back, and they were one of the best live acts I’ve ever experienced. That night, I went home and started writing “Daydreams.”
I’m also inspired by the amount of fun I have when I’m writing music and how much it betters my life. There was a time when I barely touched my guitar, and looking back, those were some dull years where I was pretty unfulfilled.
Band practice also gives us a reason to hang out without spending 8 hours in a pub. Not that I’m against any of that, but as you get older, you don’t have as much sober fun with your friends as you did when you were younger.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
My lyrics focus on the theme of time and the feeling that it’s passing me by. I think this comes from my anxiety and the constant feeling that I need to accomplish more with my time and not waste it.
So, if my music resonates with someone and inspires them to make a positive change in their life and make better use of their time than sitting on the sofa getting baked and watching YouTube, I would be very happy.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Not really, if at all. We record and release our music ourselves, so we haven’t had to rely on anyone for assistance.
We consider ourselves fortunate because we are a bit older and have stable jobs. That being said, I feel bad for young musicians who struggle financially and have to plead with labels and distribution companies for support, only to get shafted a few years down the line.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Being confident enough in my own abilities to sing on a record without feeling that I’ll get laughed out of town has encouraged me to keep going and keep writing more music.
We get tied up on things that hold us back from doing what we want to do, and singing was one of those things for me.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
We’re dinosaurs by music standards, so I really don’t give a fuck about keeping up appearances. Plus, we’re not pretty enough to become the faces of modern rock, which gives us the freedom to do what we want.
If anything, knowing what we are/are not helps us stay away from the distractions or wanting to be liked or “fancied”.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
We’re always writing new material and are planning to return to the studio this spring, which aligns well with how the algorithm rewards bands these days. So, expect us to keep releasing music throughout 2025.
We hope to have some gigs lined up by the end of the year, if not sooner.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
Ideally sitting on a mountain of cash, writing songs for the next Chappelle Roan, and avoiding letters from my future ex-wife’s lawyer while drinking cognac and chain-smoking Marlboro reds until my body gives out.
But if that doesn’t happen, I want to push Burning Bones as far as it will go and continue to put out records that people enjoy and take something away from.
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Listen to Burning Bones’ ‘B- sides’ collection below.
