Talking of their formative years as a band, with members separated by the best part of a three hour drive between Nottingham and Norwich Universities, vocalist of Don Broco, Rob Damiani, maintains that this academic period was when ÔÇ£things really clicked inÔÇØ for the boys from Bedford. Rob appears to recall these years spent moulding their personalities fondly ÔÇô ÔÇ£I remember we got to play the UEA, which is the big venue in Norwich. They had a band society evening where all these University bands played this massive stage which was ridiculous and way too big for everyone; but, it was quite a lot of funÔÇØ. However, the years werenÔÇÖt simply frittered away in youthful glee ÔÇô ÔÇ£I think getting to go to Uni gave us time out from the local scene. The great thing about Uni is thereÔÇÖs so much new music and new experiences to write about and sing about. We were definitely exposed to a lot more stuffÔÇØ. It was these new experiences that really cemented what we know now as Don Broco. ÔÇ£It was then that we wrote our first song as Don Broco called ÔÇÿWatÔÇÖcha Gonna Do?ÔÇÖ and that was a turning point for us as a band; we thought ÔÇÿOk, thereÔÇÖs something here in this song that we really like and weÔÇÖre going to try and take it to the next level now and really work it and give this band a shotÔÇÖ. The rest is history!ÔÇØ

The aspirational attitude that was clearly apparent during Don BrocoÔÇÖs University years, whether they realised it or not, remains present on upcoming album ÔÇÿAutomaticÔÇÖ. They donÔÇÖt rest on their laurels; they donÔÇÖt play anything safe; instead theyÔÇÖve gone all out. All out on a 1980s pop-rock theme, which they didnÔÇÖt seem to notice was even happening ÔÇô ÔÇ£it was something we kind of stumbled upon after weÔÇÖd written a collection of songs. We started out with the mind-set of writing just whatever we wanted to write with nothing holding us back. When it came to us choosing which tracks were going to make it onto the album, it ended up being the theme that wasnÔÇÖt apparent when we actually started writing them. It was something that Jason, our producer, picked up when he was hearing the demos and working out what songs we wanted to take forward to the albumÔÇØ. The theme works wonders with Tom DoyleÔÇÖs slap bass style and drummer Matt DonnelyÔÇÖs surprisingly brilliant falsetto ability. ÔÇ£The beauty of ÔÇÿAutomaticÔÇÖ; allowing ourselves to write so many songs, it gave us the option that when it came to picking the songs there was a unifying musical themeÔÇØ. You only have to listen to opening track ÔÇÿSuperloveÔÇÖ to realise the Broco boys were on to something when they went for this.

In the latter half of the album, there even appear a few glimpses of DamianiÔÇÖs softer side as he sings about relationships that didnÔÇÖt quite work out, moving on and regret on tracks such as ÔÇÿLet You Get AwayÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿI Got SickÔÇÖ. ItÔÇÖs safe to say that quite such tender topics were not as overtly present on debut album, ÔÇÿPrioritiesÔÇÖ; but thatÔÇÖs not to say that Don Broco have any plans on ditching the fun ÔÇô ÔÇ£The reason youÔÇÖre doing whatever youÔÇÖre doing in life should be because you enjoy it. For us as a band itÔÇÖs when weÔÇÖre having fun with it and pushing ourselves musically, trying things out, that weÔÇÖre enjoying it the most. We wanted to get that across on the record, that sense of enjoymentÔÇØ. If weÔÇÖre lucky it might even translate to an 80s stylised, synchronised dance move to rival ÔÇÿThe WalkÔÇÖ – ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖll never say never; if something happens spontaneously like it did with ÔÇÿPrioritiesÔÇÖ where we end up just mucking around in a practice room and it pops up and it warranted coming in then I think it would be worth doingÔÇØ.

However, its one thing┬áabout hearing an ever so slightly, yet brilliantly re-stylised Don Broco on record and another thing seeing it live. ÔÇ£When you first write them you get an initial buzz and just want to play it to everyone and you canÔÇÖt. ItÔÇÖs at that point now when we just want everyone to hear it, put it out there and feel good about really working the album by getting to play itÔÇØ. Fortunately for Rob and the band, completed by guitarist Simon Delaney, theyÔÇÖve got a few things in the diary to look forward to. One stands out at the end of the year, tall and ominous above the rest. That is Brixton Academy, what will be their biggest headline show to date ÔÇô ÔÇ£Yeah itÔÇÖs scary, but ultimately itÔÇÖs the next step for us to take after the Roundhouse. But, we definitely feel a little bit daunted by the prospect of playing it but at the same time weÔÇÖre absolutely gagging to do it. We feel ready for it as a band. Once everyone knows the album it will be wickedÔÇØ.

Once again, never fear Broco fans! In exactly the same way that Don Broco are moving forward without forgetting their roots sonically, they refuse to do so in the live arena. Proving so by heading out on their smallest tour since 2011 and they canÔÇÖt wait. ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs wicked to play the big stages and the big festival slots. It is incredible and itÔÇÖs one of those things you can tick off, that youÔÇÖve done. But, IÔÇÖm sure most people in bands, most artists will tell you that the up close and personal vibe at a tiny show when youÔÇÖre all crammed into a sweatbox and everyoneÔÇÖs jumping all over the place. You get that extra air of mania; the energy is even more in your face. We really thrive off that and we wanted to give something back to the fans that have stuck with us over the yearsÔÇØ.

With their heads held high, directed at the plethora of opportunities awaiting them on the horizon. Don Broco eagerly await the adventure that their exciting sophomore album, ÔÇÿAutomaticÔÇÖ is undoubtedly going to take them on.

JACK GLASSCOCK