A Dirty Dozen with RICH NGUYEN from BREAKING IN A SEQUENCE – August 2021

According to a recent press release: “Former Korn Drummer David Silveria’s chart-topping, hard rock band Breaking In A Sequence has revealed that they are culminating their six-song video series for their debut EP Acronym with the release of what they hail as the most “infectious” track on the album. According to Frontman Rich Nguyen, the concept, much like the song itself, examines self-growth and the importance of expanding one’s mindset. Breaking In A Sequence, which is rounded out by guitarists Mike Martin and Joe Taback and bassist Chris Dorame, have much more in store for 2021. They have plans to release a second EP by year’s end and are currently working on new material for a 2022 release.” We get singer Rich to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I think that a lot of listeners won’t grasp the sense of melody of the song at first.  The music itself is pretty hard and I tried to nullify some of that with my vocal melodies and patterns to make it more accessible for everyone to listen to.  The song is constructed in such a manner that there is something for everybody when you break its elements.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I actually didn’t really care for music until my best friend got a guitar for XMAS.  I came over and he showed me how he could play “Enter Sandman” on it.  I asked to try it and got it right away.  It was an infectious feeling.  I went home and nagged my parents for a guitar that night.  After about a week of nagging, they broke down and got me one.  I started listening and studying Metallica after that and I was hooked!

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

At the time, Metallica was some of the most guitar driven music that I listened to other than Guns N Roses. But the harder edge and thrash is what attracted me more to Metallica.  I must have seen “A Year and Half in the life of Metallica” a thousand times ‘cause I would watch it almost everyday after school.  Their live performance on “Monsters of Moscow” had a major impact on me.  I never put together that a band could play in front of so many people. Later on, I got into Slayer, Pantera, Sepultura and then Korn.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would love to work with Chino Moreno from Deftones.  I love how he constructs his melodies and how he chooses his voicings and phrasings.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I like to play videogames to unwind.  I also like to do cover songs to try to learn new things.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would say that the music sounds like late 90s nu-metal, but my vocals switch it up a bit to give it a slight alternative tinge.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I cook, Chris will get the drinks in order and Joe will be the first to crack out the acoustic guitar for a singalong!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Probably when I tried out for this band and I met David [Silveria] for the first time.  I grew up looking up to him and I was literally looking up to him when I met him (cause he’s much taller in person than in photos).

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I think the best part about being a musician is just getting to express yourself through your art. Creating music and sharing it to whomever is willing to listen.  If I couldn’t be a musician, I would probably try to be a music producer to keep music in my life.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I really don’t know.  I do like it when the interviewer mixes things up a bit, but there isn’t a question that I’m tired of answering… at least not yet…

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I’m a firm believer of the old adage “everything happens for a reason.” So, I wouldn’t change a single thing.  Because if I did, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  Every misstep has been a learning experience. Overcoming obstacles and challenges creates successes which, in turn, fuel you to push even further to create more.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would choose to go back to Korn – Follow The Leader sessions.  It’s my favorite record from them and it changed the way I wrote and viewed music forever.  Watching the studio highlights, it just seemed like an amazing time.  Also, it wouldn’t be so bad to party and hang with all of them!

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Category: Interviews