Proven is a relatively new band to the hardcore and metal world. Starting a couple years ago in Portland, Oregon they set out to create real music about real issues and to show Hardcore Metal fans that there is more to music that what radio plays. They have definitely accomplished that, and in a short period of time. Randy Ross started his metallic journey with not much money in his pocket but with full dedication to the art. Proven has been his outlet to life and to music, and much more can be expected from his band in the future. Randy chats me with about Proven, working with Billy Graziadei (Biohazard), his gear, and much more. Please read on and see why this interview has "Proven" to be one of my favorites... Metal Fanatix: Hey Randy, how's everything? Randy Ross: Great! Getting ready to record some new tracks at Central Node Productions in Eugene Soon! Metal Fanatix: Only a couple years ago in 2005, your band Proven was founded. What was the main goal of Proven when you started? Randy Ross: To make intelligent, insanely heavy Hardcore Metal that focused on Brotherhood and overcoming the bullshit obstacles that can hold all of us down. I wanted to show Hardcore Metal fans that there is more to this genre than what their local rock station and the mainstream media is pushing down their throats. Proven's main goals are to tour and record. No bullshit, simple as that. Metal Fanatix: Have your goals changed over the years? Randy Ross: Not one bit Metal Fanatix: What does Proven have to offer different from everyone else in the hardcore/metal world? Randy Ross: Real music about real issues and a glimpse of hope for those that seek it. Shit isn't as bad as you think, and I know that when you're younger and everything is going wrong, it seems like nothing will ever get better, but it does. We offer Brotherhood and voice the opinion of the working man who struggles each day. People are waking up to the fact that they have been lied to for most of their lives about how everyone has a chance to be a star/famous/wealthy, and they are pissed off. We're the soundtrack of the pissed off generation who is ready to storm the gates. Metal Fanatix: Besides music, what else has influenced Proven to become what it is today? Randy Ross: Proven lives by the DFL/DIY ethos, meaning Down For Life/Do It Yourself. We won't bullshit you into thinking we're something that we're not. Our music speaks for itself and we have no intention on trying to change for anybody. I grew up dirt fucking poor, having to use bread tags as guitar picks and I dropped out of school at 16 to focus on music. I know what struggles and hardships are, because I've fought against them firsthand and Proven won't ever insult your intelligence by trying to change our colors.
Randy Ross: I wanted to put 5 or 6 more songs on there but our budget was annihilated by the time we got 6... I'm happy because it showcases our sound and shows that we aren't just a one dimensional band that writes the same old song over and over! Metal Fanatix: Randy, what are your favorite tracks on this new disc? Randy Ross: My personal favorites are "Heaven," "This War" and "Pack It Up." "This War" reflects a soldier's perspective of how chaotic war can be, and the middle verse is his war cry, asking for deliverance before jumping out of the fox hole and taking as many enemies as he can with him. "Heaven" is about making the most of what you've been given. The chorus "Your time is short, to make a change, your life support, one bridge to cross" is pretty self explanatory. "Pack It Up" brings brutality a'la Biohazard's landmark album Urban Discipline. It's really in your face, short and to the point. You don't like it here, nobody is forcing you to be here. Open to interpretation... Metal Fanatix: How was it working with Billy Graziadei of Biohazard? Did he take your production to another level? Randy Ross: First off, it was crazy meeting someone that I looked up to my whole life, let alone getting the chance to work with him. When I was younger, I used to throw "State of The World Address" in my discman and head out the door feeling 10 feet tall and bulletproof. Billy didn't get to where he is by being a fake or a phony. He is the embodiment of true Hardcore DFL/DIY ethic. On the first album, in February of 2006, we went to his studio in South Amboy, New Jersey. The first thing Billy says is, "Bro, we don't make demo's here... we make albums...." That spoke volumes to me. This last time around, Billy flew out to Portland to record us at Jackpot Recording. As far as him taking our production to another level, it's pretty clear that he knows what he's doing.
Randy Ross: Marc and I pump out songs, with myself writing music while he concentrates on lyrical content. Sam Boggess and I collaborated on The Compromise, which features Billy laying down some primal screams... LIFELESS! Metal Fanatix: What are your inspirations when writing? Randy Ross: Truthfully, I pick up a guitar when inspiration hits... If I'm not around one, then I hum the shit outta whatever it is I'm hearing until I get to a computer or sheet of paper so I can write it out. I've always been a huge Biohazard and Pantera fan, but I also grew up with Reggae, Jazz, Black Metal and Classic Country in my life. I just play what comes out... sounds weird but it's true. My fingers are only the vehicle Metal Fanatix: Are there any particular ways you guys like to write songs? Does a riff come first, or a lyric? Randy Ross: Both ways... Most of the time, Marc and I will sit down and just focus on writing. Other times, one of us will bring the other our semi-structured ideas and build from there. Metal Fanatix: What do you think is your most important asset to your band? Randy Ross: Tenacity. We don't give up, ever. Nobody owes us anything, not a contract, not applause, nothing...The moment you start thinking that people owe you just because you have a band, you need to hang it up and move on with your life. There are a million other bands out there that will gladly take your spot and if you aren't willing to fight for it, then good luck, pal. Metal Fanatix: Randy, do you feel that there is anything you need to improve on personally as a guitarist? Randy Ross: I used to spend 12 hours a day learning scales, modes and sweep patterns, only to find out that the music I'm writing comes from within myself, and really doesn't incorporate anything phrygian or lydian... Sure those things help out, and everybody should learn the basics, but there is too much emphasis on who's the better guitarist so it all turns into a pissing contest and pretty soon, you just have a bunch of guys trying to outplay eachother. Learn to play what you hear in your head. I'm just your everyday, average guitarist and I make no claims to being some kind of guitar legend... I just do what works for me. Dimebag Darrell said that the only scale he knows is the Chromatic Scale... I guess that sums it up for me too! Metal Fanatix: Do you have a preference on the equipment you use? If so, what are they? Any endorsements?
Trust me, when you are playing as hard as we do, you need something that will hold its own and Peavey is as solid as it gets and is affordable enough for anybody. I use an ESP DV8-R, loaded with a Dimebucker in the bridge (not a fan of active pickups). I love that guitar. It's big, but then again, so am I and regular guitars look like Ukelele's when I'm playing them! ESP makes kick ass guitars, end of story. Hopefully they'll read this and ship a custom my way! I run all that through a rack unit which includes a Sonic Maximizer and Korg Tuner. Pretty basic but lethal setup. Metal Fanatix: You have shared the stage with several bands and many more await Proven in the future. Who has been the coolest so far? Why? Randy Ross: Full Blown Chaos were great guys to play with and we look forward to more shows with them... that's a band that busts their asses nonstop, day in and day out, and they earn everything they get through hard work and consistent brutality. We respect those guys because they came up on their own and they serve as an inspiration when times get tough. Metal Fanatix: What is your most memorable moment on stage? Randy Ross: I think the worst was when we were opening up for Sworn Enemy... I was on this low carb diet and had taken a bunch of fiber to regulate... I drank some booze and got onstage knowing that things could get really ugly, really quick if I tried singing too hard... I went to scream into the mic during our last song and sure enough, the right amount of pressure in the wrong spot and BAM... I FLEW off the stage, mowing people down to get to that bathroom! Talk about a shitty situation! Metal Fanatix: Are there any gigs or tours lined up? If so, where are you guys playing? Randy Ross: We are working with Russ from the Hardcore Metal group Taken Under and his company, Attitude Booking. They're putting together a Winter tour for us in January. Visit our myspace or email attitudebooking@gmail.com for more info or to help book dates for us! Metal Fanatix: Where do you see Proven in 10 years from today? Randy Ross: Hopefully still on the road and in the studio... That's all we can hope for Metal Fanatix: If you could meet anyone from the past or present, who would it be and why? Randy Ross: I'd like to meet Elvis at the moment where he died on the toilet... I want to see the look on his face while he was pinching the ultimate loaf!
Randy Ross: Diet Coke, water and the occasional Sierra Nevada Pale Ale! I'm the guy that orders the #4 with XL Fries and the diet coke... Metal Fanatix: If you had a day off from everything you do on a daily basis, what would you do with it? Randy Ross: Probably go volunteer at a shelter and try to brighten someone elses day... I haven't been volunteering lately and I need a recharge on good karma. Metal Fanatix: Randy, I'm just about to wrap things up, but I have one more questions for you. Do you have any final worlds for the Metal Fanatix of the world? Randy Ross: Yeah, nobody else is going to tell you this: Turn down the gain on your guitar amp... Thanks for the great interview and I want to shout out to Peavey Amps, Daniel Ross, Liquid Charge, Gary Halverson, Central Node Productions, Full Blown Chaos, Big Rich, Bela, Rory and Crave Magazine! Metal Fanatix: Thanks for the interview! To keep up with all the latest news & much more on Randy & Proven check out the following websites: http://www.provenmetal.com - Official Proven Site http://www.myspace.com/provenmetal - Proven MySpace Site © Jeffrey D. Adkins November 2007 Not to be re-printed in any form without written permission. |
