Rock and Roll band, Revilution hails from California and consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Dan Seitz, guitarist and back up vocalist, Scott Flint, bass guitarist, Mikey Chavez and drummer and back up vocalist, Joe Hernandez. They are currently working on their debut EP which is set for worldwide release in August 2018.
We sat down with Revilution as part of our Music Spotlight series to talk about how the band got together and their upcoming EP.
1. DESCRIBE REVILUTION’s MUSIC FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD IT.
SCOTT FLINT, rhythm and lead guitar: Hard-edged, high-energy hard rock.
MIKEY CHAVEZ, bass: Heavy metal/hard rock to me fits the music best. The earlier examples could be Judas Priest, Ronnie James Dio. Some later stuff could be somewhat Metallica-like, then maybe into early Clutch. I wouldn’t really call it Stoner Rock…like it says in our song “Bastard,” “I’m hardly ever high!” The vocals sort of remind me of a post-apocalyptic/nuclear war band, thrown together by the voice of non-reason, a sort of charismatic apostle driven to unite the mutants and afflicted majority against the voice of hopeless reason.
JOE HERNANDEZ, drums: I would say it’s like southern fried Heavy Metal.
DAN SEITZ, lead vocals, lead guitar: It’s kind of an amalgamation of all the great hard rock and heavy metal I grew up listening to in the ’80s. Early-Sabbath-style chords, Dio and Iron Maiden-influenced intros, memorable, hooky riffs, and lyrics that try to tell a story in an interesting way. I never wanted to be pigeonholed in a specific, established subgenre, so I coined the term “Neutronium” because no one is using it, and no one else is playing what we play.
2. TELL US ABOUT THE SONGS WHICH WILL BE ON YOUR NEW EP!!
MIKEY: “Face Down.” Let’s just say “Ricky” could be a character from the Old West, the present, and the future; a wannabe high-tech loser, someone blind to his own lack of potential, a real boogers-on-his-fingers and crap-on-his-hand kind of guy. “Bastard.” A song about just plain DEALING WITH IT, with what you got, period. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, if you gonna cry, call the Wambulance. “Phantoms.” A song about the mundane, repetitive, cubicle-job kinda guy, barely having enough nerve to bitch about life, definitely not enough gumption to try and change it; a closet dreamer, this person’s dad could have been the character in “Bastard,” and his son could be the character in “Face Down.” Who the fuck wrote this shit anyway??
JOE: Its a taste of some songs yet to come.
DAN: The songs are called “Bastard,” “Face Down,” and “Phantoms.” All were recorded and released by me before I put together a full band, and production was pretty sub-par, although I’m really proud of the tunes themselves. I’m glad we’re getting the chance to re-record them. Scott, Mikey, and Joe are outstanding musicians; combined with an outside producer working his magic, they’re going to blow people away!
3. WHAT INSPIRES REVILUTION TO PURSUE MUSIC?
SCOTT: Our shared love and passion for music.
MIKEY: God gives everyone the capabilities of enjoying music, but he only gives some of us the ability to be able to play or learn to play, understand or learn to understand, and/or the passion for music. That being said, I personally think it would be arrogant, even selfish not to pursue music. It would be sort of a slap in the face to those who have no abilities. Sometimes it takes some of us years to realize what God has given us, even longer to accept it.
JOE: Well, to become a great band and share our music with the world.
DAN: Music, particularly metal, hits me on a primal level. Something about the melodies, the harmonies, the crunch and pulse and energy, the way my emotions can be just grabbed and dragged along. Listening to music has literally saved my life so many times, and I always knew I wanted to learn how to make music, maybe partly to pay it forward. I get off on the approval of people when I’ve done something well that can affect them the same way it affects me. Nothing gives me more satisfaction in my life than to create music and offer it to the world.
4. WHAT IS THE GREATEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT OF REVILUTION SO FAR?
DAN: Finally landing management after 6-plus years of trying to get people’s attention. I’ve always felt in my gut that I had great songs and a great message to share, but getting someone to actually listen is brutally hard right now. There’s so much noise in the airwaves, so many types of music being produced; and I think people kinda lost faith in rock and metal because the industry got so saturated with bands that all sounded like each other, and we’re only just now starting to see hints of a recovery. Fine by me, if I can ride the next big wave and help bring great metal to the forefront again, sign me up then get outta my way!
MIKEY: Band has been around awhile like, good scotch/whiskey sitting in an oak barrel, just waiting for a bass player to knock the cork outta that fucking barrel…nuff said.
5. WHAT HAS BEEN REVILUTION’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR?
SCOTT: Reaching a much bigger audience.
MIKEY: I would say finding the right personnel willing to commit and stay committed to the music. Even with a talented person writing the music, that person can only do so much with their own vision, and unending desire to see it materialize. A band leader needs support and personnel willing to make a commitment and stick with it. Original music is the road less traveled; it’s way too easy for most to say “fuck it, this is way too hard to stick with,” especially as we get older. Plus, you can rehearse all you want, but taking a step to do more than just “play in bars” is not easy. Self-management is fine and dandy, but you still need to get feet in doors so to speak. So unless you know someone in the industry, good luck. That’s where professional management comes in. It’s a crapshoot, but no one good ever got anywhere without taking sort of a leap of faith and going for it.
6. WHAT IS THE GREATEST GOAL FOR THE BAND IN THE NEXT YEAR?
SCOTT: To tour opening for national acts all over the country.
MIKEY: I would say to get all the recognition possible, all the shows possible, bars, small venues, large ones, whatever (even with advertising you can’t get a fan base till folks see you). Once people know you’re out there you have to be careful what you ask for because they may just want to hear you play. At the same time, song development is paramount to this situation…there is a small library to pick from…select covers can always be used, but the original stuff should be a priority. I can’t say anything about any particular venues to play at, a show is a show, as long as there’s an audience. And even better, if they are actually buying music.
JOE: Just to be the best player I can be. And just enjoy the music.
DAN: To hear our music on someone else’s car stereo. To be on the tips of mother’s tongues.