PRO-PAIN
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 27th August 2010.
We reviewed Pro-Pain's latest album "Absolute Power" back in May. It was a real beast of a release and impressed us loads.
We've finally had chance to speak to front man Gary Meskil to find out more.
Hi Gary, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Gary: I’m good Jon; thanks!!
What was the musical climate like when Pro-Pain formed? Was the band a clean-sheet project? Give us an idea of how Pro-Pain came to exist...
Gary: It was very different to now… The original vision was to be a crossover band, but to be different from my original band "Crumbsuckers". After Crumbsuckers broke up in 1990, some of its members (including myself) formed a hard rock band called Heavy Rain. The sound was much more melodic and we used commercial arrangements. But, Pro-Pain was in essence a by-product of my 2 former bands. We mixed the commercial arrangements of Heavy Rain with the aggression and overall attitude of Crumbsuckers. Things naturally took shape and evolved from there.
Who were the early influences? Is it the obvious hardcore/metal ones or do your tastes cover a wider arc?
Gary: In my opinion, the beauty of any good crossover act lies with the application of the influences of its members. My earlier influences were Hardcore, Punk, and Metal. Tom (Klimchuck), who’s still with me on guitar, brought a lot of classic rock and progressive influences to the table, and our original drummer Danny’s musical taste was more straight forward (Motorhead, AC/DC, etc...).
Your output is described as metal/hardcore crossover. Does that amply describe what Pro-Pain does, or do you have a description that does your sound more justice?
Gary: I think that the term Crossover (in the classic sense) suits us pretty well. Although, ‘Crossover’ has been re-branded and diluted several times since the inception of the term… To me, purist bands are retro. True innovation in modern Hardcore and Metal can only be achieved via a Crossover element.
How quickly did you know the band was onto something? Was it from the very first album, or do you think Pro-Pain has only developed into the real deal over time?
Gary: Right from the off, yes!! From “Foul Taste Of Freedom” to “Absolute Power”, we have always thoroughly enjoyed our music. We knew from the start that the style had it's commercial limitations though, and that most potential listeners would have to be alienated in order to make an album that we truly enjoyed.........but that's the nature of underground music, I suppose.
You’re always striving to satisfy yourself whilst hoping the fans will like it too, and we are always pleasantly surprised by the number of units we have managed to sell (approx. one million)......... And, quite independently too, I might add.
How does the band’s sound in 2010 compare with years gone by?
Gary: In my opinion, over the years, I think we’ve developed our own unique sound. Certain stylistic signatures have remained in tact since the beginning, and some people have knocked us for that repetition. But, I believe that tonal familiarity cannot be achieved without a certain amount of repetition.
In 2010, Pro-Pain sounds more focused and our influences are applied more equally. As musicians and songwriters, we have certainly matured through the years, and I think that our newer material encapsulates that.
How are the two newer guys fitting it with you and Tom? Are you like one big family already?
Gary: Actually, everything is currently running quite smoothly. Considering that certain members have 20+ years in the music business and others are quite new to it all, there’s a nice balance. A certain hierarchy is unavoidable in certain areas, but we tend to focus on strengths rather than weaknesses, and responsibilities within the band are dealt out accordingly.
When did you start work on new album “Absolute Power” then, and how long did it take to complete?
Gary: We started the writing process in November of 2009. All songs were written by Christmas, and we’d made a working demo by January of 2010. The recording took place February 14th – 28th, and the whole thing was engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered by V.O. Pulver (from Gurd) at Little Creek Studio in Gelterkinden, Switzerland right around that time.
Did it feel special as you were creating it, or is it always hard to tell until the end?
Gary: We felt very strongly about the material, especially once the demo was completed. We'll now need a couple of years to go by in order to take a more critical look at it...
How does the writing process work in Pro-Pain? Guide us through a typical song’s construction...
Gary: Well, all members are encouraged to bring their ideas to the table first. So, riffs are written and posted to a secure server so that everyone can listen, comment, and collaborate from the confines of their own home. Once we have a general idea of which musical ingredients we want to use, then, we physically get together for the arranging process. Once all tracks have been arranged, then the phrasing, lyrics, leads, and embellishments are applied. Certain arrangements may change along the way in order to suit the lyrics and/or chorus, etc..., and it all follows on from there! We do occasionally take on other approaches to song writing, but that is generally how we do things these days.
Where do you look for your writing inspirations?
Gary: Me personally? My personal inspirations seem to come naturally. I don't like to force ideas because that can lend itself to things sounding a bit contrived. So, I am subconsciously open for inspiration 24/7.
Is there a particular theme to Absolute Power, or are they all standalone songs?
Gary: No particular theme… “Absolute Power” is not a concept album; the themes are pretty individual. I've always viewed Pro-Pain as being a socio-political barometer for blue-collar sentiment. So, each album is somewhat of a time capsule.
Do you use any special techniques or instruments to get your sound, or is your recording process as no-bullshit as it sounds?
Gary: Ha! Ha! Live and in the studio, we prefer an organic old school rock and roll delivery and applications I think, if that’s what you mean? No extraordinary techniques are really used.
For the recording of “Absolute Power”, we used the following:
Bass: Musicman Stingray 5 w/ Moses graphite replacement neck. DR strings. Trace Elliot amplification.
Guitar: Gibson Les Paul Gold Top reissue. Schecter 7 string. DR strings. Marshall and Mesa Boogie amplification.
Drums: Pearl Masters
Vox: AKG Solidtube, Shure KSM.
The songs on Absolute Power have loads of clout behind them, but there’s a real anthemic shout-along nature there too. Is that heavy-party-vibe something you aim for? Do you build your songs so the crowd can join in?
Gary: I hope so….! We try to tastefully apply whatever we feel each song needs. If a particular song calls for an "anthemic" chorus, then we'll try to achieve that in the studio and naturally it should induce people to want to participate and sing along in a live environment. However, it's important that each song has it's own vibe first and its natural feel. I don’t want it to sound contrived!
Do you have any favourite moments on the record, or is it all awesome?!
Gary: Ha! Ha! Each one of us has certain favourite songs and moments….. I do think though, that “Absolute Power” is very well rounded and for that reason, it goes by rather quickly when you’re listening to it, but, as I said, I’ll have to come back to you on this in a few years. For me, at the moment, each song is very unique when compared to the rest and that’s what counts.
Do you enjoy your time in the studio, or do you prefer being out on the road kicking everyone’s ass?!
Gary: We tour a helluva lot, so I’d say the latter but the recording session for “Absolute Power” was about as smooth as it gets, and we had a lot of good times in the studio. It was a very enjoyable album to record. I do prefer playing live though, if I’m honest!
What is a Pro-Pain show like?
Gary: You have to see it!! Non-stop in-your-face aggression! No bullshit; no posing; no pandering; and with all songs and albums well represented. We have surpassed 3,000 concerts in our touring life and are regarded as one of the stronger live acts that are out there today because of it.
Do you have any particular highlights from your touring life, either on or off the stage?
Gary: Oh tons, yes!!
Some highlights include:
a) Sharing the stage with Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Bohse Onkelz, Ice T, and Slayer, just to name a few, etc...
b) Playing a sold out arena tour with Bohse Onkelz, and…..
c) Playing the Dynamo Festival in 1996 (our 1st festival) in front of 100,000 people.
There seem to be a few good hardcore and metal albums out in the next few months. Is there any new or existing band you’ve really got your eye on at present?
Gary: I don’t know! There are always a lot of good new bands popping up, and they certainly deserve support! However, I still prefer the classics like: Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Motorhead, AC/DC, Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All; the list goes on.
What are your views on the current metal/hardcore scene, and indeed the music scene in general?
Gary: The metal/hardcore scene is still fairly healthy I think, although many of the remaining "brick and mortar" type retailers have discontinued selling their products. Due to diminishing CD sales, bands are now hitting the road more often in hope of making up the difference..... Which, in turn, is creating a glut in the live market...
Digital sales are now included in Soundscan to give the appearance of a healthier sales environment, but the fact remains that the music industry continues to try and sell the public an outdated medium (i.e CD's)…. So, it's hard to predict exactly where this is all going. We’ll have to see!
I consider myself very fortunate to have made a mark in the 80's and 90's, to be honest, and I’m lucky to be still able to do this today. It's extremely difficult for new bands to make a living at this nowadays.
Is the Pro-Pain show going to go on forever, or do you see yourself retired in a big mansion a few years down the line?
Gary: Ha! Ha! I don’t know about that? In 2005, right before “Prophets Of Doom”, we did ponder the end of all this….. Then, we made 4 more studio albums and we feel that we are still making strong, solid, new music together…. So, it's difficult to say exactly when the ‘Pain Train’ will reach its final destination. For now, we have a good sentiment running and good support from our fans. The future of Pro-Pain is just as much in their hands as it is in our own.
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Gary: I think we've covered a lot of ground and I thank you for getting in touch, but I would like to mention that we will be touring throughout the rest of 2010 in support of “Absolute Power”, and to look for a gig nearest to you at: http://www.pro-pain.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/propainspace
Also, check out “Absolute Power”, if you haven't already.
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Gary: I'm going to finish up some emails and then take my son out to lunch.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Gary: Thanks for this interview and for supporting Pro-Pain!!
Thanks for your time!
Gary: No problem! Cheers!
Thanks again to Gary for his time. You can check out the Rock Realms review of Pro-Pain's latest album "Absolute Power" by clicking here.
