PROWESS THE GRINDER INTERVIEW STEVEN KING GRANDMA AND TETANUS SHOTS

1.Thanks for your time. Tell us about your band and what you do for your band.

Pröwess is a throwback rock 'n' roll band with some classic metal elements. -My name is Scott Roby, and I play guitar and serve as de facto manager of sorts.

2.When did you decide you wanted to be in a band?

 -Very early on. I remember my grandmother and I were walking through a shopping center when I was a very young boy, maybe 4 years old. As we passed a movie theater, we came across this giant poster for a new movie featuring a curious looking 18-wheeler with a clown face on it. I was heavy into "big trucks" as I called them at the time, so grandma thought it would be a fun treat to take me inside to watch. Turns out it was a Stephen King horror film (a detail my sweet grandma missed) called Maximum Overdrive, which of course AC/DC did the entire score for. We didn't stay long, right about the time some kid's head got run-over by a lawnmower she realized her mistake, but the damage was done. I just remember sitting there during the opening credits and hearing 'Who Made Who' blaring through the speakers of the movie theater and all of the hairs standing on my neck. Might of even been sporting a little boner over that, I can't recall! 

3. What is different about being a musician than you imagined?
 -It's a lot more work than I thought it would be.

4.What gear do you use and why?
 -I use Gibson guitars and Marshall amps. My number one reason is they sound like I wanna sound, but they are also both reliable and reputable brands, with easy access to repair shops. Alot of boutique stuff is designed to copy the sound of a Gibson guitar or a Marshall amp, but why buy a copy when you can get the real deal? My view anyway. As for pedals or effects, I don't use them. That's what my hands are for!

5. What music do you listen to that would surprise people?
 I love the big bands of the seventies, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, the powerhouses, but something that might surprise people is that I love funk music! Parlaiment, Bootsy Collins, the lot of it. Funk is one of those things you don't have to process to enjoy, you just put it on, and whether you know the song or not, you enjoy it.

6. How do we find your music and merch to buy?

 -The tracks are available on all the major outlets, streaming services, etc. iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Pandora. The website www.prowess.rocks is good for getting hands on a shirt or other merch. A show works too, come see us if you're able! 

7. How did you get a record deal? Or do you want a record deal or are you DIY?

 We've always been DIY, simply because our brand of throwback rock 'n' roll hasn't always been in vogue, but the recent success of bands like Greta Van Fleet and The Strutsis creating a little demand. We have been getting some attention from formidable labels as of late. When one makes an offer, I'll tell ya if it was worth taking! 

8. What bands do people compare your music to?

 We hear AC/DC alot, less for Dalton's vocals, but more for our vibe. We get nods to Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, and some newer bands like Danko Jones, Turbonegro, or Wolfmother with the new material we're working on. There are some brand new bands like BITERS and Airbourne who's fans we get some traction with.

9. Are you pro Spotify / streaming services ? Or do you think it hurts sales? 

It definitely hurts sales, no doubt, but I wouldn't say I'm anti-stream. I think the trade-off of getting your music in front of more people is kind of worth it to some extent, so long as you can translate it to real fans, which we have been fortunate to be able to do. 

10. What’s the ultimate goal for the band?
 To take over the world, one shithole bar at a time.

11. Will we see you tour?

 Absolutely. We've spent several months on the road in the U.S. in our short two-year history, and we're really pining to hit Europe when the debut full length is ready in 2019. We've got some friends that are anxious to see us there.

12. Who would you love to tour with?

 AC/DC, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest would be epic. Another part of me would support touring with a long list of shitty early-2000's sounding "modern" radio bands, but only so I can kick their asses every night and steal their fans.

13.What is your favorite song of yours and why?

 It is one that hasn't been released yet, off the upcoming album. Called 'Lookin' for a Bullet' - it has a great hook, big chorus, it is tight and concise, and Dalton just kills the vocals. Tuk Smith, best known for his band BITERS produced it and helped co-write it. 

14. Why should people take the time to listen to your band over the thousands of other bands?

There aren't thousands of other bands out there doing what we do. Not anymore. Ain't many kids playing rock 'n' roll anymore. We're some of the last bastion of hope. We have all the same influences that made our heroes great, but we're not trying to copy them. Instead, we aim to pay homage, while doing our own thing. It's gotta be genuine for people to really love it.

15.What are your favorite music websites labels podcast etc?

 Man, when music is your job, you spend more time analyzing it than ya do enjoying it. I personally don't listen to much music that was written past 1979. Not many places to find that, which is where I do see the strength of Spotify and Pandora, because you can build playlists around your selective taste, and they will introduce music that might fit (with varying degrees of success).

16. Is imagery important to you? Do you judge albums by the cover?

 -Absolutely, image is key. There gave been bands that have been discovered on image alone, whereas there have been some insanely talented bands who have fallen by the wayside because they miss the fact it takes having the look. I don't think that is plastic either. Look the part. It is idealistic for people to say, "it shouldn't matter what you look like." Why? Because some bands don't have the self-awareness, insight, or in some cases just the general concern for appearance? If I walk into your restaurant and you serve me food, but your shirt is dirty and you look disheveled, even of the meal tastes great, I'm gonna walk out feeling like I need a tetanus shot. Look the part, it ain't about you. You're only half of the equation. It's about what you present. Make it the best it can be, and be open to feedback and criticism, since the listener/viewer is the other half of the equation.

17.If you could choose a cover song your band mates would hate what would it be?

 Probably a song from our old band, which shall remain nameless, because several of us met in that band, and we all think it was total shit and a highly embarrassing endeavor, but some of our friends can't let it go!

18.Is the record or live show more important?

 You need both, but if you've got one or the other, the show has to be tight. That is an old school sentiment though. In practical terms, a good recording is more critical for commercial success, but if you don't want to live a life of agony you better focus on having a tight show! No matter how good your record is, eventually you will have to play those songs in front of people if you wanna grow, and that will be perpetual misery if your performance sucks.

 19. Name 3 people dead or alive you would want to play your music for.

 Bon Scott, Phil Lynott, Ronnie Van Zant


20. Lemmy Ozzy Dio and Rob Halford in a cage match who wins?

 Lemmy, all day. The umlaut ö in our name was in honor of him, as he passed while we were building this band. Outside of personal taste, it comes down to reality. Dio was tiny, Ozzy is too aloof, Rob Halford would be fierce, but Lemmy was no small dude, and more intense than any of them. Plus, you know...."Trick question, Lemmy IS God."



http://www.prowess.rocks/prowess-rocks/