Rising Conviction
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Rising Conviction

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"INTERVEIW with Amp.AZ"

Rising Conviction looking to be on the way up
By: Nicki Escudero
Description: The alternative metal band stays classy

Posted by Nicki Mon Mar 26, 2007 09:39:08 MST

Alternative metal band Rising Conviction has managed to stay strong in the Arizona scene for the past seven years, releasing two albums and an EP. Their next show is opening up for Hollywood rockers The Dreaming at Clubhouse Music Venue March 30.

How did you form?

In last 2000 or so, we were all part of a rotating cast of guys that would show up in our friend's living rooms and do some drinking and jamming. Dave Kranson (vocals) and Andy LaFave (drums) were in there from the start. Floyd Orfield (Bass) and I (Bryan Hughes, guitar) were brought in by friends eventually. It solidified in 2001, and we started our first-band-on-the-bill dues mid year. We've been on a stage about every other weekend or so since then, except taking short breaks to wrap production on our two released CDs, Salazar Brothers (2005) and Saving Sons (2006). We've played at about every place that features live music: The Mason Jar (RIP), Big Fish Pub, The Clubhouse, The Hardrock Cafe, The Marquee Theater, The Sets, etc. Our music has been played on 97.9 KUPD-FM, 103.9 KEDJ-FM, and 106.7 KWSS-FM.

How do you fit in the the scene in Arizona?

It's always been a little tough to figure out what bill we are going to work on. From what we've seen, we do pretty good with the straight-up metal crowd. We're by no means in the vein of what comes to mind when you think of 'metal', but I think our performance and persona speak to them better than we would at a hard rock or punk kind of bill. We have a great fan base and have shown promoters that we can get people to shows, so for the last couple of years we've had some really great billing at the local clubs...We've also been around long enough to enjoy some decent name recognition. If you go to local
shows on a semi-regular basis, chances are you've either seen us or heard of us.

Describe your live show.

We try to look nice for the show. It tends to make us stand out in the sea of black shirts in the crowd at a metal show, but we wear formal business attire. There are a lot of reasons for it, and I can't speak for the other guys on this one, but putting on the suit helps me get into the frame of mind that I need to do what I do on the stage. It also helps build our name around town, because when we arrive at the show, people can instantly say 'Hey, its one of those guys,' without ever having seen or heard us. It started as something frivolous and has turned into a key element of Rising Conviction's persona. I know that about every band in the world says this, but from all accounts,
Rising Conviction is an absolutely unique being. We don't really listen to music from the genres close to ours that much, so by the time it's lashed together into a Rising Conviction song, something unique is inevitable. Going back to what I said previously about fitting in best in a metal environment, we certainly do not 'shred' or do a lot of the mainstays of metal. We do play our balls off when we get up there, and they really seem to respect that. We don't play clean, and incorporate a lot of noise into the set. It makes it loud and exciting to watch. We have a lot of energy up there, and we use it in a way that people maybe aren't used to seeing. Not so much of the headbanging and jumping as much as it is spazzing out to and being the embodiment of the sounds we're making. We've also got a few tricks that turn heads and keep them glued. I was told by more than a
few people who attended our show at the Marquee Theatre March 17 that the security guards in the barricade were having trouble not turning around during the part of the set where I'm screaming with the guitar's neck pressed against mine.

What's one of your favorite songs?

The favorite song that we have uploaded is 'For Your Son.' It works out great live, since the chorus is three chords and one word--you can be singing along at the top of your lungs within a couple of measures. It's also extremely technical in parts and moves around a lot between the different modes we like to use. I'd say that of all of the songs we have, 'For Your Son' is probably the most 'us' that we can get, with 'Drugs' coming in a close second.

What's up next for the band?

Right now we're about to kick off a big campaign to introduce ourselves to new people. That means that we're going to be playing a lot of shows and opening up to anything that comes our way. We want to play at new clubs, small bars and places where we can try and win over the scene, a handful of people at a time. Lately, our show is the best it's ever been, so it's a great time to do this. We've also decided to offer our music for free to anyone that wants to listen to it. Right now the most important thing to us is to get new people to try us out, and getting our music out there by all means possible is the best w - azcentral.com


"INTERVIEW with Reaching For Lucidity Podcast"

Listen at http://m.podshow.com/media/175/episodes/27643/reachingforlucidity-27643-09-25-2006.mp3 - Reaching for Lucidity Podcast


"INTERVIEW with KWSS 106.7 FM"

Listen at http://www.risingconviction.com/downloads/kwss-081006.mp3 - KWSS


"REVIEW of Salazar Brothers on azhardcoremetal.com"

Rising Conviction's new album "Salazar Brothers" is a straight ahead hard rock with attitude. The opening track starts of with acoustic guitar and slowly builds into the album's second track "Shudder", which opens with bluesy guitar lines and finishes with groovy breakdowns with the entire band. The albums overall feel is aggressive as is the distorted and sometimes layered vocals. The drums, bass and guitar are mixed traditionally and pretty straight forward, but the vocals change from verse to chorus throughout the album, added variety and texture to mix. "Salazar Brothers" blends elements of rock, hardcore and metal together to make smooth and dynamic music that will appeal to more than just one genre of music. If your into anything from radio rock to hardcore and metal, "Salazar Brothers" has a track or two that will get your listing attention. Check out some tracks from this CD at their website: www.risingconviction.com/audio.asp - AZhardcoremetal.com


"REVIEW of Salazar Brothers in the Phoenix New Times"

With its new disc Salazar Brothers, local band Rising Conviction takes a step toward being in Ozzfest someday. The band has been creating a straightforward hard rock sound since 2000, although this latest release has more of a jam-session feel, with lengthy tracks, smooth transitions, and short interludes that are strongly influenced by early Tool albums, especially Undertow. Vocalist Dave Kranson switches back and forth from yelling to singing, but his gritty yell is clearly superior. When it's combined with chugging guitars in some of the simpler, heavier songs, it sounds like a formula for success -- Mudvayne and Motograter fans would definitely dig on this. - Phoenix New Times


" INTERVIEW with S.L.A.M. Magazine"

The End of LOL, and a new CD.
Rising Conviction Interview
By Carl Jenkins, Published in S.L.A.M. Magazine, June 2005
www.slamsource.com

I’ve wanted to interview Rising Conviction about as long as I’ve been listening to them, as long as I’ve been waiting for their CD to finally come out. All the waiting paid off. I got to meet with them at the guitarist, Bryan’s house to have a couple beers, hear parts of the album, laugh, oh, and I got to interview them as well. You can pick up Rising Convictions CD Salazar Brothers on July 2 at the Old Brickhouse for the CD release party with Juicy Newt, BLDG 5, Heroes for Ghosts and Shallow Point. Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased from www.risingconviction.com or the night of the show.

Rising Conviction is:
Floyd-Bass
Dave-Vocals
Bryan-Guitar
Andy-Drums

How long has Rising Conviction been together?
Bryan: About 4 years we’ve been doing something worth while. Before that it was a big drunk mess.

How did the band get together?
Andy: Dave and I actually met at work. He said I sing and I was playing drums and we got together with a couple of guys and were just jamming out and whatever. We didn’t do very much, mostly just jam sessions and we got Bryan through a mutual person and he came in and started jamming with us and Floyd came in and started jamming and it was the four of us you know. Our practices were usually once a month, usually at parties. Then Dave bought a house and brought it all together.
Dave: The other people that were I the band before would not show up to shows and so we decided they couldn’t be in the band.

Where did you come up with the name?
Andy: Originally we were shooting for the name Rising. We were just gonna go for Rising, you know, rising above expectations, that kind of stuff. The word Conviction just kind of fell in out laps. The name itself has its own entity. Rising Conviction, people kind of take it in different ways. You strive for something so that’s your conviction. Were always reaching for that next level. There’s not a lot of whining.
Dave: No pussy footing.
Andy: Yeah. No pussy footing around. A more worth while factor is to write songs about stuff that’s ways to get past shit, ways to deal with shit than to conceit defeat.
Dave: It’s a very motivating name, Rising Conviction.

Who are your influences?
Dave: Craig Dooley, I think he’s a great writer. I like anyone who does anything original sounding. Tom Waits. A lot of stuff that’s not as main stream as what you’d hear on the radio.
Bryan: I don’t listen to what we play. The shit that we listen to is not nearly what were playing. It makes it easier to infuse the kind of shit were doing with new ideas. I like Tom Morello’s shit, Adam Jones of course.
Andy: In the beginning I’d say my older brother was my biggest influence. More mainstream, Lars Ulrich from Metallica, Danny Carrey from Tool, Buddy Rich.
Floyd: Tool, Fugazi, System of a Down, Rage, Elvis.

Who is your favorite super hero?
Floyd: Batman. I like batman.
Bryan: Batman, after the new movie comes out. I like Aqua man when was a little kid. He turned into a giant fuckin he-monster that destroyed a town.
Andy: My favorite super hero is Optimous prime.
Dave: I’d just say Popeye. I’ve been hearing a lot about him lately.

Who are some of your favorite local bands?
Bryan: I like Briggs new project Heroes for Ghosts, Their really good. BLDG5 is awesome.
Dave: I like Nila a lot, but their not here now. I think Blanche Dividian is pretty original. I’ve only seen 'em once but I enjoyed the show.
Bryan: Greenhaven
Andy: Psychostick
Floyd: 32 Leaves. I like Zara, Shades of Silver. There’s a lot of good ones.
Dave: I Hate you When Your Pregnant.
Floyd: I get trashed a lot and forget the bands names. I don’t remember if their actually good or I’m just drunk.

When is the CD coming out?
Bryan: July 2nd.
Dave; Where?
Bryan: At the BrickHouse.
Dave: Who’s playin?
Bryan: BLDG5, Heroes for Ghosts, Shallowpoint, Juicy Newt, and Rising Conviction.
Dave: Rising Conviction, Brickhouse, July 2nd. 5 bucks, www.risingconviction.com. Laugh out loud. LOL. LOL.

What was recording like? Who did you record with?
Dave: I’ll go first. It was a pain in the ass for me because we never stopped playing shows as I was doing my vocals. I like to yell a lot. So I’m yelling my balls of at shows and then I’m yelling my balls of f in the studio. I think I went through a period where I was having trouble whispering from yelling so much. And that was my experience.
Bryan: It was an experience. We didn’t intend to record an album. We set out a long time ago we were just gonna record some songs. Then it turned into an opportunity to switch those around and re-record some stuff and we just started making the whole fucking thing. We were doing it at a place called Arizona Bay which is now Tall Cat. Dave Torres co-produced the album, we learned a lot.
Dave: We learned a lot.
Bryan: Also, I’m very good at T - SLAM Magazine


"INTERVIEW with AZHardcoreMetal.com"

Interview with Rising Conviction, October 15, 2004

AZHM: What is your name and what do you play?:
Bryan, I play guitar and do some backup vocals. Dave does the fancy singing. Floyd does bass and Andrew LaBags does our percussion. We have a couple of other guys too that help us out. Sonny shoots video with a viper mask on, Brandon Shabie is one of the most amazing photographers I've ever met, my brother Sam helps us with equipment, and we have a lot of people who help us out every day in a lot of ways. We really appreciate it.


AZHM: Give a description of the music you create
We like to call it an experiment in contrast, meaning that we tend to write music that gives emphesis to straight dynamics than bow to a particular idea of a 'hook'. It is important that songs are catchy, but the SONG should be catchy, and not just a whistle-able chorus. There are a lot of ways that incredibly simple melodies can be arranged between 4 people to create something much more complex and strong. We try to keep a certain distance from one another in what we are playing, so that it creates depth without having to add a lot of fat. The relationships between each component work together, but do not emulate eachother. We've dialed this in in recent months. The results include maybe our most favored song, For Your Son, which has a chorus of only 3 notes a half-step apart and one word, but constructed to make every part have a huge impact. Complexity followed by simplicity, and visa versa, create contrast. Contrast is impact... and impact is what we're shooting for.


AZHM: What is an important message that your band states in it's music?
As our name implies if taken literally, we see the importance of taking control of situations and doing everything you can towards what you want and what you believe in... whatever that may be. There have been a lot of times that we've played a show and been on a bill with 3 or 4 other bands, and it felt like we were the only band that actually wanted to DO something about the bad shit in our lives other than write a song about it. We don't write about our problems, we write songs about solutions. We would like to think that the type of energy that we give off at a show and in our music implies standing up for ones self and to always hold your beliefs... your convictions, as tools to achieve a better life. And everybody has these situations where there's some wrong being done to them. Its a choice between action and defeat. Its something that we all believe in, and 'rising conviction' is kind of a maxim driving our band... that we will do every thing that we can to keep progressing and writing music that is like nothing else out there.


AZHM: What do you think the Arizona music scene can improve on for its musicians?
In my opinion, there need to be some all-ages venues in Tempe that market directly to all of the college kids that live there. The Clubhouse and The Sets seem to be cool up-and-coming places that seems to understand this, and I hope they do well. I think that the local radio stations could do more to bring the local scene into mainstream valley culture. I've met a lot of people who aren't even aware that there is original local rock happening in town almost every night. When bar-goers think 'local band' they think 'cover band'. It's a matter of education really. Venues should promote the entertainment more than the drink specials, and the radio could easily appeal to a wider audience by helping create a sense of community.


AZHM: What was your favorite Rising Conviction show?
This one is tough... we've played a lot of shows in the last 3 and a half years and have had a great time at most of them. We talked about it and it would have to be last years PAPPAS Music Festival at Cooperstown. The show was a benefit for the T.J. Pappas school for homeless kids, and the show was able to raise a few thousand dollars for the school. Aside from that success, there were a lot of people there and the atomosphere seemed to be much larger than any local show we'd seen. The outside bar actually sold out of beer, so the bands were able to make a statement that giving some locals an opportunity can bring in big results. The show was great, all of the bands performed perfectly, and in all it was a very fun night for everyone involved. We are sure that the second annual PAPPAS Music Festival on November 13th, 2004 will turn out the same way.


AZHM: What is your favorite Arizona venue to play a show at?
Currently, I'd say it has to be The Mason Jar. They have a good sound system, and with the right guys running it, it can sound pretty damn good in there. They are also an all ages venue, and the location is right in the center of town, so not far from anyone. We recently played The Venue of Scottsdale, and that was a great venue. Great sound and a great stage. Others that we really like are Chasers and The Sets.


AZHM: What do you hope to accomplish with your music career?
- AZHardcoreMetal.com


Discography

"Saving Sons" EP - Released 2006
5 Tracks
Rising Conviction, LLC.

'Saving Sons' is the follow up EP to Rising Conviction's 2005 debut, 'Salazar Brothers'. It's o-the-point and gritty, 'Saving Sons' is upbeat, weirdo alt-metal with hints of dance rock and textures not usually indicitive of the genre. You'll want to turn this up.

Distributed by CDBaby and affiliates to iTunes, AOL Music, and many other digital networks, retail through Super-D One-Stop through CDBaby, and by Rising Conviction, LLC. at Amazon.com marketplace and Snocap Digital.

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"Salazar Brothers" - Released 2005
17 Tracks
Rising Conviction, LLC.

Salazar Brothers is the product of years of sweat in the underground Phoenix metal scene. The debut album from Rising Conviction brings a straight-rhythm of artists such as Korn and Filter to back-room dirt rock heroes like Billy Childish and The Murder City Devils. The result is a 17-track bad cousin to modern alt-metal champions like System of a Down and Tool.

Distributed by CDBaby and affiliates to iTunes, AOL Music, and many other digital networks, retail through Super-D One-Stop through CDBaby, and by Rising Conviction, LLC. at Amazon.com marketplace and Snocap Digital.

Photos

Bio

CONTACT:
Bryan Hughes
bryan@risingconviction.com
480-694-3020

myspace.com/risingconviction
www.risingconviction.com

Rising Conviction's music could be labaled as "Alternative Metal", and could be compared to artists such as Tool, Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, and Rollins Band.

Of all the bands you might see in a night at any given rock club, Rising Conviction will be the one you remember the next day. Their particular brand of alternative metal breaks the chugga-chugga doublekick monotany of modern metal with smart, upbeat hard rock with hints of dance-rock and progressive metal. It easily fits on show bills ranging in genre from metal and hard rock to punk.

Vocalist David Kranson is charisma incarnate; the big man in the center. He takes his role of frontman of Rising Conviction with eccentric growls and spasmatic approach that could be compared to such sing-speak vocalists as Spencer Moody of The Murder City Devils, Matthew Olyphant of Fetish, and Billy Idol. Bryan Hughes' innovative noise-based style of guitar is more about sounds than chords. He plays guitar with his throat and leaves the stage with bloody fingertips, channeling influences from Rage Against The Machine era Tom Morello to indie-rock soundscape masters mewithoutYou. The rhythm section's Floyd Orfield is a reminder that there's more than one way to play rock bass, functioning as a dual role of bass and rhythm guitar. Chord-driven bass lines show hints of influences including Tom Waits, Justin Chancellor of Tool, and Joe Lally of Fugazi. The foundation of it all is Andy LaFave's straight-forward brand of percussion maintains a high-energy delivery from all corners of the act. His style is the product of early metal artists such as Pantera's Vinnie Paul and Metallica's Lars Ulrich, torn down and rebuilt from indie-rock guts.

Rising Conviction began writing in late 2000, and performed for the first time in April of 2001. Since then they have performed several times a month at the most popular clubs in the Phoenix area, and built a fan base in the top range of Phoenix-market draw. In 2005 Rising Conviction released their first album, "Salazar Brothers" independently to a sold out crowd at downtown Phoenix' Brickhouse, and followed it up with the "Saving Sons" EP one year later.