EMQ's

EMQs With Proven Rivals

EMQ’s With Proven Rivals

03/12/2024

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with British . Huge thanks to their Vocalist, Bex Banshi, for taking part. 

What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

We’re Proven Rivals a 5-piece female fronted band from the northeast of England. Formed out of the Bunker in Sunderland. We officially formed in 2023 and started gigging on Halloween of that year. 

How did you come up with your band name?

Band name is a bit of a tricky one, We had all been in separate projects initially playing various different styles. The band had initially been created by Ceiran (Dums) and Devin (Shared Lead) who slowly one by one lured the rest of the band to form Proven Rivals. There had been a few variations of a line up during the initial conception until we reached who we are now, we just sorta landed on the name, it seemed to just fit.

What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?

North East England, huge local music scene and a lot of business dedicated to keeping local music alive, also amazing music venues such as Trillians, Head of Steam, Little Buildings, The Bunker, Downcast just to name a few who constantly Have gigs supporting local musicians.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

It’s our first single, Wildside will be released Friday 13th December 2024 and can be pre-saved here – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/provenrivals/wildside?fbclid=PAY2xjawGpn51leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpizZ2xOnoTEC0v4E9RAkjK33TBm4iz07CwAAHkSdyjvA3-eYxPbsgDXa-Q_aem_ih_oozutfn3Pe9uOjTb2pw

If this interview is out post Friday 13th, then what are you waiting for? go check out our single on all streaming platforms. Wildside is a track about breaking free from toxic relationships, an anthem of liberation and confronting past wounds and turning your pain into power.  

Who have been your greatest influences?

Each of us seem to have a wide range of influences which helps us in trying to create something unique, influences such as Unto others, Def Leppard, Sabaton, Ghost, Hang Massive, GnR, Motley Crue and more.

What first got you into music?

For all of us it started at a young age, being fans of what we heard and realising that is what we wanted to do. Create stuff that other people would hear and think “Hey I like that, I wanna do that”. We drifted together as a band as we wanted to create music that we enjoyed but that we weren’t really hearing out there. This was our chance to create what we wanted to hear. 

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

If we were thinking of a band local to us? For sure would be our friends at To Nowhere. Any band in the world however any of our influences would be a top choice. 

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Probably Download. Many of our favourite bands have played the festival and it would be a great opportunity to play the same stage as those we look up to. Plus it would help showcase us as a band whilst also making a killer, unforgettable weekend for us as a band. 

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

Nothing yet but there’s always time. We’re accepting submissions.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Thank you! Really, if it wasn’t for our fans none of this would be possible at all and it isn’t even down to just the people who buy merch, even coming to a show, listening to our music online or sharing with a friend is really appreciated. You’re allowing us to do what we love and hopefully create more things you love too. Please stream our music, come see us play and buy our merch. 

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Chester Bennington, such a sad end to an amazing artist.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

We love playing! There’s nothing like being LIVE or recording a track and hearing the final piece. With Wildside we were so hyped when we got it back that I think all of us listened to it about 5 times in a row. The hate? I dunno, probably not being able to do it more than we are right now or the load ins and outs before/after shows. 

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

A couple of things, How streaming services compensate artists and increased funding for music education and educators.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

There’s a few! Linkin Park: Hybrid Theory, Any of the first 3 Crashdiet albums, Def Leppard: Hysteria the list goes on

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?

Vinyl and Cassettes, not only does it offer a different listening experience but it’s just nice to have a little piece of tangible art in your hands. Feels more special.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

When we took part in the Metal 2 The Masses Grand Final in Newcastle, the crowd was the best we’ve ever experienced, they were enthusiastic and loving it.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

I think for a lot of us we’d still be into something creative, we love creating so probably something to do with that.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Rik Mayall, Vessel, Dave Lepard, Malmsteen and Chester Bennington

What’s next for the band?

Onto 2025! We want to start performing more outside of our part of the country, maybe even head into Scotland to play there and hopefully another single or album to start.

What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Proven-Rivals-100092322711950/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenrivals/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@proven.rivals

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtQ2KNt1RbBLA_qgsNW8pEQ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2YqRypylQBO1UOaLsOpCNa

There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss! 

It’s a cake. 100%. It’s in the name and baked with a sponge mixture. 

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Just a big thanks for taking the time to check us out and if you haven’t already done so, please check us out on our socials to see upcoming shows and links to our music and merch. 

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.