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Hailing from Cumbria, England, alt-metal bruisers Tallboy continue their swift rise with the release of their blistering new single and video, ‘The One Below All’. Get to know the band, below…
What are the origins of Tallboy? How long have you been playing together?
Hi! We’ve officially been a band for two years, though our story goes back much further. We’ve all known each other for years, and two of us are brothers. The local scene is pretty tight-knit, so we kept crossing paths long before the band became official.
What started as a few casual jam sessions soon sparked something bigger and led to our first release, “Coward.” Since then, we’ve been on a steady songwriting journey, constantly pushing ourselves and watching the songs grow stronger with each step.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Tallboy?
Big riffs, hook-loaded choruses, and breakdowns that hit like a collapsing ceiling. We make the kind of music that demands headbanging and gives your stress a swift exit.
At heart, we’re an alt metal band built on off-kilter, janky riffs, punchy, high-energy drum and bass grooves, and choruses that burrow into your brain and set up camp.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
It felt amazing to play our songs live for the first time. It couldn’t have gone better. The room was packed wall to wall, and the crowd’s response was beyond anything we’d imagined.
What are you working on at the moment that people can check out?
With the release of “The One Below All” last month, that is definitely one you should check out, particularly if people are looking for a heavy song fix. Our previous single “My Mind Is A Warzone! This Isn’t A Cry For Help… Or Is It?” Was released at the back end of last year, which is another fun one to get shimmying your shoulders to. We can’t say too much right now, but I would expect to hear new music sooner rather than later.
Regarding a similar audience, which band do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
If we’re talking about a crowd that lives for razor-wire riffs and rhythm sections that hit like controlled demolition, then Sylosis would be the perfect fit for us right now.
They’ve got that blend of precision and sheer force, the kind of modern metal that’s technical without disappearing into a maze of notes. It’s heavy, but it grooves. It’s sharp, but it breathes. That overlap is where we live, too. Their audience turns up ready for intensity, not just noise, and that’s exactly the kind of room we thrive in.
Opening for Sylosis would be a proper trial by fire in the best way. Big riffs bouncing off bigger riffs. A crowd already primed for intricate guitar work and punchy, driving rhythms. It wouldn’t feel like trying to win people over from scratch. It would feel like stepping into a current that’s already surging and adding our own voltage to it.
And honestly, it would just be a killer gig. The kind where the air feels electric before the first note even lands.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
We’d love to see any band from our local area break through. It’s not easy coming from where we’re based; we’re pretty geographically cut off. It’s a good 45 minutes just to reach the motorway, and that alone can be enough to put some bands off taking opportunities further afield.
The long drives and low pay don’t make it any easier. Still, we’ve got some incredible musicians and bands around here with serious talent. They just end up circling the same venues when they deserve much bigger stages.
What frustrates you about the music business?
Social media, without a doubt.
It’s an incredible tool, but it can feel like you’re expected to be content creators first and musicians second. Instead of just focusing on writing riffs and crafting songs, you’re constantly thinking about algorithms, engagement, and what might perform well. It can take the spotlight away from the music itself, which is why we started doing this in the first place.
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say, “I want to do that”?
Our first musical memories mostly revolved around music being something fun rather than something serious. Hearing big rock songs on the radio, messing around with whatever instruments we could get our hands on at school, that sort of thing. It felt loud, exciting, and a bit rebellious, even before we properly understood it.
But the real lightbulb moment was watching School of Rock. Without that film, there’s a good chance none of us would have picked up an instrument. Seeing kids our age forming a band, playing on a big stage, and just going for it made it feel possible. It wasn’t polished or intimidating; it was pure energy and fun.
That was the moment it clicked. It didn’t seem like some distant, untouchable dream. It looked like something you could actually do with your mates if you were willing to put the work in. From there, it was a case of picking up instruments and not really putting them down again.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Ice Nine Kills was the last show we attended together as a band, which was an incredible experience.
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
We’re passionate about standing up against extremism and defending democratic values, equality, and human rights. Anti-fascism, for us, means actively opposing hate, discrimination, and systems that marginalise vulnerable communities.
We also strongly support mental health awareness, advocating for open conversations, reduced stigma, and better access to care so no one has to struggle alone.
More broadly, we’re committed to social justice, supporting movements that promote racial equity, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic fairness, while working toward a more inclusive and compassionate society.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Taylor Swift, most metalheads will be shocked to hear that’s in our playlist! Love a bit of Taytay.
Everybody is a fan of something. Who or what are you a fan of?
Everybody’s a fan of something, and outside the band we’re no different.
We’re big into gaming, whether that’s losing hours to a new release or jumping on something competitive and getting way too invested. It’s a great switch off from band life, but still scratches that creative and strategic itch.
We’re also into painting Warhammer. There’s something properly satisfying about sitting down, putting the time into the tiny details, and bringing a miniature to life. It’s patient, focused work, which is a nice contrast to the volume and chaos of playing live.
And then there’s darts. Simple, competitive, and way more intense than people think. It’s a good excuse to have a laugh, have a bit of rivalry, and keep that competitive edge sharp.
What new music have you enjoyed so far this year?
There’s been some absolute bangers come out so far! We’re big fans of the newest Sylosis album.
What does 2026 hold for Tallboy?
We’ve got a stack of shows lined up that’ll be announced very soon, and we’re buzzing for them. On the recording front, there’s plenty more on the way. We’ve written enough material for an album or two. Now it’s about shaping it all into something cohesive that feels like a complete body of work.
How active are you on social media, and where can people connect with you?
We do our best to stay active across social media; it’s just part of how things work these days. You can find us on all platforms at @tallboy.uk
