190 Proof Interview: Los Angeles Rockers REBEL RAMPAGE Get “Spirited” When Writing Their Protest Anthems

A trio of Los Angeles, CA-based musicians — Graham Czach (vocals, bass), Dylan McGee Jones (guitar), and PunKy Balfour (drums) — are turning heads and firing up crowds with their brand of raw protest rock that’ll jive perfectly with fans of Rage Against The Machine and The Fever 333. Please meet Rebel Rampage!

With a mission statement that reads “Armed with words and music to resist oppression by the government and inspire change for equality and justice”, plus an impressive array of guest musicians (both Fishbone’s Angelo Moore and Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong make appearances), it’s fair to presume this band’s Divided We Fall debut (released on October 5th and available in various formats) will be the soundtrack to many a mini revolt over the coming months.

Do you like to write music with some drink in you? If yes, what?
Graham Czach: Yes, I mean who doesn’t? Alcohol seems to always fuel and exaggerate your emotional states especially if you are dealing with issues. This is a great way sometimes to rid of any inhibitions and really free yourself from overthinking or judging and just express yourself honestly and openly within the music that you are writing. I wrote a bunch of this music on our new album, Divided We Fall, with some drinks in me fueling the “Rebel” and the “Rampage” with a nice rye whiskey or scotch and some beers to follow it up. It was written over several months so I’m sure there was some wine and champagne in there too. 😉

Check out this very poignant, not to mention current, video for “Immigration Man.”

What’s the worst (or best) dive bar you’ve ever gone drinking to?
Czach: Tough question, there are too many that come to mind to really only choose one but here’s a memorable one. The Happy Village in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village is a pretty stellar dive bar, not sure if it’s still around but that place always delivered. Cheap shot and beer specials galore.

If the world was coming to an end what would be your drink of choice to watch it all burn?
Czach: Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955. I mean why not?! It’s only valued at over $100,000 and one of the rarest whiskeys in the world with the taste contributing to the value being described as having a heavenly flavor comprised of barley, pear, and heather. Fuck it! Right?!

If you met an alien from another planet, what drink would you chose to explain alcohol, and how would you describe it?
Czach: Shots of tequila! Fuck the describing part, I’d just have the alien take a shot and experience it for themselves. It’s a good way to get anyone’s feet wet and experience alcohol like we all have. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila…floor!

Ceremony Of Morbid Destruction comes your way on December 7th.

If a drink could define your life so far what would it be and why?
Czach: The Salty Dog. Well, besides loving grapefruit juice, it sums up the travel/touring, crazy experiences, affinity with the ocean, and let’s just say I wasn’t always married.

What was your drink of choice when starting out, and what is it now?
Czach: Wow, umm you mean when I started drinking before I was 21?! Haha, I have no idea why we used to drink this stuff but Mad Dog 20/20 or Boone’s Farm was our drink of choice probably because we were broke and had no access to alcohol so it was the cheapest easiest drink to get. I have no idea what I was thinking, that shit is terrible. I’ve come a long way and refined my taste now. I prefer a nice single malt scotch neat or a rye whiskey Manhattan.

Best drink to travel with?
Czach: A flask of whiskey or a bottle of wine.

What’s your favorite “guilty pleasure” drink? (ex: pina coladas)
Czach: Pina Colada. Not to take the example provided but it really is my guilty pleasure drink because of it.s cool refreshing qualities and I love coconut, pineapple, and rum. It brings me to my paradise in the tropics vibe.

Without wasting any more time, just stream Divided We Fall here already.