Back across the pond today for our Band of the Day.
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Ryan K – The small town of Crawfordsville, IN. It’s outside Indianapolis.
Danny – We are all close to Indianapolis. Most of us live in a town called Crawfordsville, IN. 45 minutes from Indianapolis. The other two are from Attica, IN and Veedersburg, IN
Mike – I live in a little town called Veedersburg.
How did you meet?
Ryan K – We have all been in different bands throughout the years so most of us have met one time or another before the band formed.
Danny – I had recently came out of a band that had lost a drummer. Oddly enough that same drummer got me in contact with Burdens Within. Drummer, rhythm guitarist and bassist (Craig, Mike and Ryan Kline) had been practising, writing and doing some auditions for a full band for over 4 years but never got off the ground with the right guys to complete the band. Ryan Battering (lead guitar) is who I was introduced to by my former drummer. It turns out Ryan B got into the band just a month or two before I did and he’s actually who brought this band to me. From there we all got to work.
Mike – I knew Ryan K. from working with him and our old bands played together a few times before. I met the other guys later when forming the band.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Ryan K – With the line up we currently have, about 2 years now. But the band has been formed for about 7 years now.
Danny – I believe we are right at 2 years.
Mike – Ryan K. and I have been at it with this band for about 7 years.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
Ryan K – It has a bit of a meaning. We tend to write lyrics about everyday life and the burdens people carry in their hearts and souls. Hence the name Burdens Within.
Danny – Yes, now that’s a question of mine, too! This name was chosen before I joined.
Mike – We were trying to think of an original catchy name. Craig, Ryan K. and myself all took and wrote down all the name possibilities we could think of and I sat down with my computer and started punching them in to see what was taken. We probably had a list of 30 names and every one of them was taken, so I said “Well, if anything comes to mind let me know and I’ll look it up”. I had ended up coming up with another small list of names one night at work. Burdens Within was one of them. And it was the only name on that list that wasn’t taken. So I kind of think it was meant to be. But the more I started thinking about the name, it just made sense. We would always meet for practice and we would all spent the first 30 mins or so talking about what ever drama that was happening with us since we’ve spoke last.
What are your influences?
Ryan K – We use elements of 90s grunge rock, classic rock and metal.
Danny – I grew up in a pretty strict family. I didn’t know there was other music than hymns till I was around 10. I hated music. Then at 13 I found a greatest hits of The Mamas and Papas. It blew me away. Then I found the greatest hits of The Doors, The Misfits, Meat Puppets, Incubus, Sublime, Jeff Buckley, Blind Melon, and The Circle Jerks!
Mike – It really is hard to list influences for me. Because growing up, my mom and dad loved their 50s and 60s music so we would have that playing. Then my brother and sister that was older would listen to 70s and early 80s. So having all of that in my system I picked up in the 80s and have been listening to everything since then. So I have a pretty broad range of influences.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Ryan K – I think the fact that we infuse all these rock genres together helps us stick out from what’s currently going on in the rock world.
Danny – We’re just a rock ‘n’ roll band. We aren’t aiming to sound a certain way. How can you be unique if you try to sound a certain way? Talk about limiting and losing out on what you could find. If you want to listen to a band someone can accurately describe well with a couple of words, well, I hope that’s not us!
Mike – Our music, since we have such a diverse group of guys is interesting to say the least. I think what is unique about us is you just never know what we are going to come up with next. It could be a metal song, it could be a punk song, it could have an 80s hair metal sound, it could be a ballad, or a mixture of all the above.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Ryan K – Yes. As I mentioned, we write lyrics about every day situations and the burdens people carry inside. Life isn’t always beautiful, but if you look hard enough there is always a positive and a negative.
Danny – I don’t. I usually don’t write them down anymore before they’re in a song. I just feel out the song and let whatever bubble out.
Mike – So far we have wrote about every day problems, because it’s something that everyone can relate with.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Ryan K – Our shows are fun and energetic. We like to interact with the crowds and have a good time playing our songs. We probably played a good 30 shows over the past two years.
Danny – Good energy, high energy. I bet if you asked our lead guitarist how far his wireless works he know the exact range. Personally, I have no idea! Been playing out anywhere anyone will let me since I was 16. With Burdens Within maybe a few under 50.
Mike – I would say just an all around good time. We like to talk with our fans and I would say we bring energy to our shows.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Ryan K – We recently played at a Hell’s Angels clubhouse. That had some interesting moments.
Danny – I went to a show outside and a storm broke out. A bad storm. So they made thousands of the people get under the pavilion, those seats cost way more but there’s a roof. Everyone’s scrunched but 3 guys running up and down the massive lawn, jumping and sliding down head first. Security is after them but they run back into the crowd. One guy jumps up on a little building that’s part of the fence and everyone is cheering. Security can’t get to him. He’s flexing and showing off and boom! We all just see a lightning strike behind him. There’s a fence so you can’t see the ground, but you know it hit because this firey insane glow like a miniature sunset came up all around! He jumped off and slid back into the crowd.
Mike – I know I have seen a lot of crazy things at shows, but I am completely blank right at the moment.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Ryan K – I’m the bass player. I play Yamaha and Ibanez basses, Fender and SWR Heads, and Mesa Boogie Cabs.
Danny – I use a Shure Beta 58 mic with a Duplicater TC-Helicon foot pedal. It’s worth it just for the tone button! I use Behringer and Peavey for the PA system we use.
Mike – I play Schecter guitars. I use Peavey amps, Boss pedals.
What are your plans for 2018?
Ryan K – We released our debut self-titled album, a music video for “Dead End Town”, just recently a lyric video for “The Great Deceiver” on YouTube, and have played shows through the year. We are working on new music for a possible 2019 follow up album.
Danny – 2018 plans are to keep rocking! Keep getting our music to the people! Work on a new album.
Mike – we are going to wrap up the year playing shows and writing music for the next album.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
Ryan K – I’d have War On TV open for us. They are an Indianapolis based band we play with sometimes. I would have Gemini Syndrome headline the show. They have a really cool sound.
Danny – Sublime to open and my buddies Flatted Fifth to close! Another great rock ‘n’ roll band!
Mike – I would like to have my friends band Rahzenburg out of Fort Wayne, IN open for us and would like to have Papa Roach head line.
