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 Tetris now on my cell phone. I can destroy anyone at mobile phone football.
Dave: I’m awesome at chess.
Bryan: And flag football.
Dave: Chinese food.

Where did you come up with the name Salazar Brothers for the CD?
Dave: Random.
Bryan: When you’re around a lot of guys you have a lot of inside jokes. Salazar is one of those fuckin' words. It became Salazar theory, Salazar theorizers, all kinds of stupid shit. Salazar is a funny word for us. At that time there were certain elements.
Dave: Factors. Certain factors.
Bryan: There were certain factors. I guess you could say it is about us, making a CD and being independent.

If you could say one thing to other local bands, what would it be?
Dave: Laugh out Loud.
Floyd: Don’t get drunk before you get on stage.
Bryan: Promote. We’ve learned that there is a very direct connection between how hard you work and how many people show up to your show. Try everything and if it doesn’t work, don’t try it again. It’s a direct science. A lot of bands could be doing a lot more.
Andy: Don’t lose sight of why you started the band. We’ve been together for a while and every practice is enjoyable. It’s still fun to hang out with these guys for two hours a day and create music. Never lose sight of why you started the band.
Bryan: That was Andy’s big coming out. He hasn’t said a word to anybody for 4 years.

What can we expect in the future of Rising Conviction?
Dave: A lot more laughing out loud.
Bryan: Take the pessimistic approach to it. Hopefully well enjoy a lot of success around town. If the last years been any indication than well have to be a little more optimistic.
Dave: Definitely, We always give it out all on stage. A lot of energy in the future, the present, the past. We well never stop putting on the best shows possible.

What would you like our readers to know?
Bryan: That tickets are available.
Dave: For July 2nd.
Bryan: Despite the fact that it’s our show, come on down to what I think is a very meaningful event.
Dave: July 2nd. Rising Conviction. Brickhouse. www.risingconviction.com

Bryan, Where did you come up with the idea for the throat solo?
Bryan: Beer. We were in the garage playing some shit and I was like everybody don’t laugh, I’m gonna try something. We wanted to try it out for a song, Ultrashock (Ultrasharpe Backstab). It was either gonna be something people talked about after words or the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done. Thankfully it was the previous of the two. Now I have to come up with something to top that.
Floyd: The penis trick.
Bryan: Watch for the penis trick.
Dave: Laugh out Loud.

Does having a street team pay off?
Bryan: Absolutely. We have some people that are very dedicated. They go on forums all the time.
Dave: They're a part of the band.

Any final words/shouts/plugs?
Dave: Laugh out Loud. I really want to over do it so I never have to hear that again, ever! If you read this interview, never say that again!
Bryan: It’s fucking stupid. No one ever fucking laughs out loud.
Dave: No one says lots of laughs either.
Bryan: If you work in an office, and you use a public restroom, and you make a mess in there, don’t come out until I’m gone.
Dave: I’m a big fan of dropping my resume off.
Bryan: That’s cool man, I’m just glad we don’t work together.
Floyd: I write a lot of songs on the toilet.
Bryan: Also, July 2nd. It’s a great day to come see some music.
Dave: And purchase the CD. $10. Laugh out loud, please, everybody, never say it again. Laugh out loud, Laugh out loud. LOL.
Bryan: Quit quoting (the movie) Kids.

After the interview I hung out with Bryan for a while, talked about nature and animals, drank, and got to hear some of the new CD. Be sure you go check these guys out July 2nd at The Old Brickhouse and pick it up. Also playing will be Juicy Newt, BLDG5, Heroes for Ghosts, and Shallowpoint. It promises to be a great show, with a few extra little surprises. LOL!

- Carl Jenkins, Editor, SLAM Magazine
www.slamsource.com