| Interview with: Jason French By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Your bands name has such a strong meaning. Why did the band pick this particular
name?
name?
Jason French: That's exactly why I chose that name. It symbolizes defiance and nonconformity. You
can truly protest anything. Whether it's the establishment, religion, inequality, your parents; anything or
anybody that keeps you from living your life expressing your views the way you see fit.
can truly protest anything. Whether it's the establishment, religion, inequality, your parents; anything or
anybody that keeps you from living your life expressing your views the way you see fit.
Blissfulviolet: Give us a little history on how the band got started.
Jason: I started the band late 2003. I found a couple of guys that had a similar interest in what I
enjoyed--fast, heavy, uncompromising music. I had a very difficult time finding those kind of people in
the Dallas area. After many lineup changes I found the right guys that make Protest today. It was
frustrating but I stuck it out and I'm very glad that I did.
enjoyed--fast, heavy, uncompromising music. I had a very difficult time finding those kind of people in
the Dallas area. After many lineup changes I found the right guys that make Protest today. It was
frustrating but I stuck it out and I'm very glad that I did.
Blissfulviolet: What are some of the lyrical themes and influences that can be found in Protest's
music?
music?
Jason: Jason Burris, the vocalist, writes all the lyrics and he tries to keep it as diverse as possible. We
have a song called "Blood and Sand," that's about war. As a metal band you have to have at least one
song about war-it's the standard. However, Blood and Sand is not an anti war song, it's not even about
any particular war. It was written from a soldier's perspective, the horrors he sees and how he will
survive. We have a song called "Famous As Charged," which discusses celebrity court trials and how
they get special treatment because of their status. A new song we just finished is called "Eye For An
Eye," which is about a child molestation and how the child victim comes back and deals with the asshole
that hurt him.
have a song called "Blood and Sand," that's about war. As a metal band you have to have at least one
song about war-it's the standard. However, Blood and Sand is not an anti war song, it's not even about
any particular war. It was written from a soldier's perspective, the horrors he sees and how he will
survive. We have a song called "Famous As Charged," which discusses celebrity court trials and how
they get special treatment because of their status. A new song we just finished is called "Eye For An
Eye," which is about a child molestation and how the child victim comes back and deals with the asshole
that hurt him.
Blissfulviolet: The band released an E.P. a few months ago, how has that been perceived so far?
Jason: It's been very well received. We've had a couple of good reviews and the buzz around it has
been very positive. The thing that people seem to be most shocked about is that we recorded it
ourselves basically in our practice space with the quality being as good as it is. We have shopped it
to a few labels but have had no bites yet. Metal Blade wrote us back. They said they wouldn't even
respond to it if they didn't like it, so I'll take that as a compliment!
been very positive. The thing that people seem to be most shocked about is that we recorded it
ourselves basically in our practice space with the quality being as good as it is. We have shopped it
to a few labels but have had no bites yet. Metal Blade wrote us back. They said they wouldn't even
respond to it if they didn't like it, so I'll take that as a compliment!
Blissfulviolet: Describe your
bands sound.
bands sound.
Jason: We are a mixture of
equal parts- Slayer, Napalm
Death, Sepultura with a hint of
Faith No More for taste.
Honestly, we are the bare bone
elements of what made me fall in
love with heavy music in the
beginning. I feel we are thrash
metal purists with a nod to the old
school. We definitely seem to get
the attention of people that are
looking for the sound of the late
'80s and early '90s.
equal parts- Slayer, Napalm
Death, Sepultura with a hint of
Faith No More for taste.
Honestly, we are the bare bone
elements of what made me fall in
love with heavy music in the
beginning. I feel we are thrash
metal purists with a nod to the old
school. We definitely seem to get
the attention of people that are
looking for the sound of the late
'80s and early '90s.
Blissfulviolet: Coming from Dallas, Texas, what do you think of the Texas metal scene?
Jason: Honestly, I think it's pretty weak from what I've seen. There are couple of bands that I really
like, but for the most part nobody really gets me going. When it comes to metal I want to see a band
that's going to rip my face off and it rarely happens on a local/regional level. I'm sure there are some
ball busting bands out there but I haven't found them yet. It seems like local bands and clubs are
hesitant to book us because our style is way different than most of the bands that are around right now.
I don't know if it is the fact that we are in Texas but everybody still wants to be Pantera. Dimebag is
dead, Pantera is dead. It's really sad but we need to move on.
like, but for the most part nobody really gets me going. When it comes to metal I want to see a band
that's going to rip my face off and it rarely happens on a local/regional level. I'm sure there are some
ball busting bands out there but I haven't found them yet. It seems like local bands and clubs are
hesitant to book us because our style is way different than most of the bands that are around right now.
I don't know if it is the fact that we are in Texas but everybody still wants to be Pantera. Dimebag is
dead, Pantera is dead. It's really sad but we need to move on.
Blissfulviolet: Protest will be performing at this years Milwaukee Metal Fest. Is the band excited about
this particular date?
this particular date?
Jason: Oh hell yes!! We've never played MMF or any other big fest so we are looking very forward to
the opportunity. Rob Mason is helping out with the booking and he's putting us on this year. He's been
a super cool guy and said great things about us. I can't wait for us to get up there and show people
what we're all about.
the opportunity. Rob Mason is helping out with the booking and he's putting us on this year. He's been
a super cool guy and said great things about us. I can't wait for us to get up there and show people
what we're all about.
Blissfulviolet: What can one expect at a live Protest show?
Jason: It's pretty much an all out display of aggression. There's a lot of movement and energy and we
are very loud. I usually give myself whiplash that lasts for about three days after every show so I'd like
to think people are getting their money's worth.
are very loud. I usually give myself whiplash that lasts for about three days after every show so I'd like
to think people are getting their money's worth.
Blissfulviolet: What can we expect from Protest in the future?
Jason: We're going to finish out this year with a focus of playing shows on the regional circuit and
getting outside of Dallas. We have a lot of songs and we may try to do a full length album at the very
end of '07 or the beginning of '08. We have some really strong material and I can't wait for people to
hear what's coming.
getting outside of Dallas. We have a lot of songs and we may try to do a full length album at the very
end of '07 or the beginning of '08. We have some really strong material and I can't wait for people to
hear what's coming.
Blissfulviolet: Any final Comments?
Jason: Thanks for the opportunity to talk to you today.
Thanks,
Jason
Thanks,
Jason
You can’t go wrong with this band, straight up fucking metal with a
hint of thrash. Protest formed in 2003 and now with their solid
lineup has been creating a buzz throughout their hometown of
Dallas, Texas. Be on the lookout, these guys are going places.
hint of thrash. Protest formed in 2003 and now with their solid
lineup has been creating a buzz throughout their hometown of
Dallas, Texas. Be on the lookout, these guys are going places.