Getting to Know… Final Transmission | Interview

In the 473^rd Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Bury St Edmunds rock band, Final Transmission. 

“Our sound is a real mix of our influences and our willingness to experiment. That keeps things fresh—not just for us, but for the audience too.” That’s incredible, Final Transmission! The rock band adds, “We’ve always been about growth—finding new ways to challenge ourselves and evolve—so even though we started with instinct and feel, we’ve backed that up with knowledge and intent over time.” During our 473^rd interview, Connor Wooler, the lead guitarist, gives us the inside scoop on the Final Transmission’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know Final Transmission: Interview No. 473!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Final Transmission distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

We’re often described as a blend of classic rock, post-hardcore, and modern metal, with some pop-punk vibes woven in, especially in tracks like 2020. We also pull from alternative and nu metal, so,  our sound is a real mix of our influences and our willingness to experiment. That keeps things fresh—not just for us, but for the audience too.

What makes us distinct is that we’re not afraid to cross genre lines. One moment, we’re firing up a room with heavy riffs and raw energy that fuels a full-on mosh pit. The next, we’ve got the whole crowd with their lights up, swaying side to side during a ballad. We know how to read a room, and we pride ourselves on creating a dynamic live experience that hits both the heart and the adrenaline.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Final Transmission form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

Final Transmission originally formed in 2014, but we really found our identity in 2018 when Adam joined as our vocalist. His vocal range—clean to aggressive—brought a new dynamic that shaped our sound moving forward. That year, we released our first EP together and started gaining momentum in the local scene.

In early 2020, just before heading into the studio, our original drummer stepped away. We brought in Tom McCallister, a longtime friend, and the chemistry was immediate. He officially joined the band, and despite a tight schedule, we pushed forward and began building toward our debut album.

The pandemic gave us time to write what became Chrysalis, released in 2021. It got a strong response—especially our single “Smokescreen” —and opened doors to bigger shows, including opening the London date of RED and Keith Wallen’s European tour in 2022. From there, we released Catharsis in 2023, played headline shows, and saw our fanbase grow steadily across East Anglia.

From the start, our goal was simple: release an album and headline our own show. We’ve done both—and now we’ve set our sights even higher. Our vision has always been to write music for ourselves, to stay true to who we are, and we’ve been lucky enough that people have connected with it along the way.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Of course, our goals have evolved as we’ve grown as musicians. When we first started, it was about having fun, jamming, writing songs, and just enjoying the process. Our big dream back then was to release an album and headline our own show. We’ve achieved both of those, and we’ve since released two albums, with a third currently in the works.

As we’ve developed our sound, tightened our live performance, and built a fan base, our perspective naturally shifted. The fun is still there, but now it’s also about pushing ourselves creatively and reaching more people. We want to keep playing bigger shows, getting on more major support slots, and expanding our reach.

At this stage, that’s the goal for a lot of bands like us: to keep leveling up without losing what made it all exciting in the first place.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

Everybody’s influenced by someone, and for us, it’s a mix of personal heroes and the bands that shaped our sound collectively.

For me, Connor (lead guitar), it all started with Slash. He’s the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place. While my tastes have evolved, I’m still a huge Guns N’ Roses fan. These days, I’d say Mark Tremonti is a massive inspiration—the speed, precision, and emotion in his playing are next level. I’ve always admired how he can evoke feeling with just a single bend or phrase.

For Adam Telford-Dinsmore (vocals), it’s Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, without a doubt. Chester’s emotional range and raw delivery are a huge part of what shaped Adam’s style. He also draws influence from Davey Havok and Matt Tuck. Those artists really push him to hit that next note, scream, or emotional peak in every performance.

Jordan (rhythm guitar) has always been deeply inspired by Ben Burnley of Breaking Benjamin. There’s something about that band’s sound and Ben’s songwriting that really resonated with him; it’s what made him want to make music that connects on that same level.

Aidan Wooler (bass) is my brother, so naturally, he was surrounded by the same early influences—Guns N’ Roses, Alice Cooper, and that old-school rock energy. His bass style was shaped by Duff McKagan early on, but over the years, Adam’s introduced him to heavier bands like The Devil Wears Prada and Architects, which have expanded his range and approach. 

Tom McCallister, our drummer, has a lot of influences –  Mario Duplantier, Chris Adler, Gene Hoglan, Einar Selvik, Dave Lombardo, Tomas Haake, Igor Cavalera, Brann Dailor, and Martin Axenrot, I would say, for drumming especially.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

We’ve been pretty fortunate—not too many disasters or wild mishaps on stage. No exploding amps or van breakdowns in the middle of nowhere. But we’ve definitely had some memorable moments.

One recurring thing is Adam nearly stacking it on stage. He’s got so much energy when we play—jumping around, moving non-stop—and more than once he’s caught his foot wrong and almost taken a tumble. Luckily, he’s always recovered like a pro, but we’ve had a few close calls that definitely got our hearts racing mid-set.

One of our favorite memories has to be from October 2022, when we opened the London date of RED and Keith Wallen’s European tour. It was a sold-out show, and we stepped outside for some air before our set. There was a long queue of fans waiting to get in, and a few familiar faces were right at the front. We went over to say hi, and as we were chatting, people started realizing we weren’t just random guys hanging out—we were one of the bands playing. You could feel the buzz as the whispers started. That was a surreal moment—realizing we were part of something bigger, and seeing that excitement from the crowd before we even stepped on stage. We ended up giving away some guitar picks and drumsticks that night—it just felt like one of those “this is really happening” kind of moments.

To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

We were actually talking about this recently, and the truth is—it’s hard to pick just one. Our favorite track to perform or reflect on changes all the time, but there are definitely a few that stand out.

One that’s always near the top of the list is “Ashes.” It originally appeared on our debut EP (which is no longer available, as we’ve since rebuilt those songs across both albums). “Ashes” was our most popular track at a time when hardly anyone knew who we were. The most unforgettable moment tied to it was during our first headline show. We started the track, and suddenly the room—130 people—lit up with phone lights, swaying side to side. It was incredibly emotional for all of us. You see that kind of thing happen at major shows, but to experience it with our own song, in that room, was surreal. There’s a video somewhere online where you can hear Adam say, “Thank you for sharing this moment with us,” right before we kick back in. That energy drove the final leg of the song—it’s a moment we’ll never forget.

Another big one is “Smokescreen.” That track was our first “lightning in a bottle” moment—the kind where the room just erupts. It ended up gaining us a ton of new fans, but funnily enough, it was nearly shelved. It didn’t come to life until Tom McCallister joined on drums—his style was the missing piece. That song became a gateway to the sound we have now.

And of course, there’s “2020.” That one actually started as a bit of a joke—we weren’t even sure it would ever be released. But we followed our instincts and dropped it, and now it’s one of our most popular tracks. Every time we mention it live, people whistle, scream, and start bouncing around. It’s got that energy that just lights the room up.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Final Transmission? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

One thing people might not know is that we’re a completely self-taught band. None of us came into this with formal musical training—everything you hear from Final Transmission has come from years of trial, error, and learning by doing. Aidan and I (Connor) studied some of the technical side of music at college—like production and sound engineering—but musically, we all just dove in and figured it out together.

That said, we’ve all taken the time over the years to study and understand music theory—not in a traditional classroom way, but enough to educate ourselves and become better songwriters. Learning theory has really helped us communicate ideas more clearly, tighten up our arrangements, and push our songwriting to new levels.

We’ve always been about growth—finding new ways to challenge ourselves and evolve—so even though we started with instinct and feel, we’ve backed that up with knowledge and intent over time.

What is Final Transmission currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

We’ve got some exciting things on the horizon that we can’t wait to share.

As we mentioned earlier, our third album is in the works. We’re aiming to have it wrapped up by the end of the year, then we’ll start planning the release. In the meantime, we’ve dropped three new singles this year— “Fractured Future”, “Diamond Eyes”, and “Ambivalence”. Each track showcases a different facet of our evolving sound: new tunings, heavier guitar solos, more double kick, and layered vocal harmonies.

We’re also launching a new online merch store, so you’ll be able to grab our latest gear whether you’re at a show or shopping from home.

It’s an exciting time for Final Transmission, and we’re grateful for the support as we continue to grow and evolve. Stay tuned for more updates!

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward.