INTERVIEW: Brocas Helm

Greetings guys! For the readers, we are talking to BROCAS HELM’s Jim Schumacher (bass wizardry)! Really happy to have a talk to you following the epic new reissues of your discography! Let’s get into it!

1. So, let’s start at the beginning! You formed in ’82 to quickly put out a demo a year later and your debut LP “Into Battle” a year after that. The core trio (Jim, Bobbie and Jack) must have had an excellent working relationship. Did the 3 of you find songs came together quickly in the beginning with the youthful passion and how do you look back upon this first step in your career? What influenced this debut, there is definitely something somewhat British-sounding in there, but a lot more melody and “epicness” too?

Jim: Bob and I both wrote the first album pretty quickly, yep. We worked hard back then. I probably brought the NWOBHM sound in, because I listened to a lot of the old stuff. Epic, Bob and I decided when we first considered making the band.

2. The gap is then a further 4 years before “Black Death” came about, which is very much recognizable as BROCAS HELM, as all material is. But this time rather than the slightly more Anglo-sounding debut, this ramped up the speed and aggression without sacrificing any melody or songwriting. “Black Death” also saw you wielding 2 guitarists which perhaps lends to the harmony side of things. What changed within the band / influences / direction in those 4 years?

Jim: Well, we started with 2 guitarists, but John Gray left to be a family man. Twin leads was always something we liked to do; so we looked around for another, and came up with T Bone. One day I showed up to practice, he wasn’t there; and I said, “what’s up?” Apparently Jack fired him. I didn’t even know this until much later, thought he bailed. After that, we never really turned up another guitarist that worked.

3. The 90s reflected more of a dry spell in release schedule, though giving us two wicked 7” records! What was the reason for those quieter years in the band?

Jim: Probably the beginning of problems. I was extremely frustrated with how slow it took to mix the songs. Pretty much I’d go to the studio, we’d do the rhythm tracks, and I was done in one or two days. Bob would do the guitar and vocals, then off to be mixed. Then months later, it’d be done. The worst of all was the last, which took YEARS to mix from the time I was done. Not exaggerating. YEARS. I found a cassette of the rhythm tracks we took home to listen to, dated over 2 years from the time of completion. I do have to admit, the local metal scene was a bit quieter during those times, too.

4. After the 2nd millennium was put to rest we got not one, but two amazing records. One being the “Black Death In Athens” live album which captured a marvellous set on a Greek conquest. What is so special about Greece for you guys? Obviously they have a superb Heavy Metal fanbase and you’re signed with a Greek label, so when did this kinship begin and is Greece always number 1 for you guys?

Jim: Ok, the Greeks probably saved the band. One day we got an email, would we come to Greece and play, if they sent us plane tickets? Well, fuck yes. For me, the whole point of music, (other than playing) was to travel the world. Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of overseas tours. When we got there, we were overwhelmed. Everyone treated us like gods. It’s for sure the most memorable show/trip of Brocas Helm history. They took us place to see, to eat, (had a cake with Brocas Helm on it) , clubs, etc. In the morning when we came down from the hotel, they’d still be drinking in the lobby waiting for us.

5. Now let’s do the last album, “Defender Of The Crown”, a majestic and turbulent album that is considerably longer than its predecessors. The songs are written over a much longer course of time, making it a hugely eclectic affair (to its credit I might add). Can you please give us some insights into crafting this masterpiece and why it did take so long?

Jim: See above. It didn’t take long to write. It was the fucking MIXING. Long before it was done, we had half another album written, which it’s unlikely will be recorded. Bob did one of his songs, Wrath of the Reaper, with another band, and I’m working on a project to get mine out.

6. Aside from records, one only has to visit a site like YouTube to see BROCAS HELM delivering some blinding live performances. Clearly you function exceedingly well as a live band yet shows are fairly scarce. Do you feel it is better to do a few special shows than a massive world tour? Also do you think there is more touring to be done? Hope to see you in Europe before long!

Jim: I’m always ready to tour, even though I technically quit the band, onstage, years ago. Our lack of playing live is due to a lack of local interest (metal scene actually sucks here); and people can’t afford to bring us to Europe all the time. I’d spend half my life there, given a chance. Although, some of my friends in Finland keep bugging me to move there….

7. Talking of playing live, your songs are incredibly technical and varied. Do you have any classical / professional music training or just a shared high level of talent in the band? Also, do these songs get really difficult to play live, as you always seem to nail it, which is damn impressive!

Jim: Personally, my father was a country musician, lead guitar (and fiddle, banjo, whatever. He said he could play anything with strings except a piano.) So, as a kid, I had all these instruments laying around to play with. When I was 6, I used to stand on the arm of a plush chair, so I could reach the upright bass… therefore, the first bass I ever played. He taught me to tune, how to keep a beat, and things like: “Don’t turn up the bass on the amp; let the instrument make the bass. It’ll just get muddy.” A few of the faster songs are difficult, especially at stage speed (because everything ends up going faster)… harder ones would be Cry of the Banshee, keeping it synced (especially if the stage monitors aren’t working well), Blood Machine (fast motherfucker) . The bass solos aren’t so bad, I can do them mostly in my sleep now.

8. If I think of your peers, I think of MANILLA ROAD, CIRITH UNGOL, OMEN, WARLORD and those sorts of bands but also something that could be just as at-home in Europe with the likes of HEAVY LOAD, TYRANT and SATAN (UK)! Do you feel sonically at home anywhere, or are you the worlds band? Furthermore, do you have any Heavy Metal favourites in the underground (maybe some old hidden gems or new talents) you would like to shine a light upon for us?

Jim: Yeah, I don’t know if we really fit in with anyone, though I like playing with those bands. I’ve always liked Tank, Angelwitch, Satan, and a lot of the old German bands, like Tyrant… German stuff is pretty dynamic. Oddly, especially if I’m writing, I don’t listen to a lot of metal these days, because I don’t want it to influence my songs. Other times, I’ll crank it up and listen all day.

9. Lastly, the question we all think of. Will there ever be a 4th tome in the BROCAS HELM discography? With over a decade since the last, perhaps something utterly massive is brewing, or perhaps you wished to bow out recording on a high with a monumental last record?

Jim: Bob will say yes. I seriously doubt it. While we have the songs, it stresses me to deal with the recording and mixing, and things I don’t want to talk about. So yeah, I’m the asshole. But to be fair, I did quit years ago. Having said that, I do have half a dozen songs in the oven, I’m picking a few people to do them with. Heading to Chicago in May, for a live show, and hopefully Europe late this year, or next year. Arr.

Thanks a lot for your time, it’s been an honour and privilege! BROCAS HELM and Epic Medieval Heavy Metal forever!