Capital Punishment: Edinburgh's Underground Music Scene - Feature: The Process Interview , March 2009

The Process Interview , March 2009 by skidblue

Probably one of the most revered bands in the Scottish and UK hardcore scene in the past few years, The Process have an edge over most false pretenders by keeping things thought provoking, assertive and heavy as hell. Anyone who caught their last two Scottish gigs opening for Tombs at Henry's and for Iron Lung/Municipal Waste at the Barfly can probably testify to this. I caught up with vocalist Gav for a quick chin wag.

Maybe a little background about yourselves, because there's an awful lot of ex and current member of various projects involved with The Process, many of which have been integral bands in the Scottish Hardcore scene. Give us a breakdown on previous and current exploits.

Finchy and I were members of In Decades Decline. We were privileged enough to be Lawgiver Records’, an Edinburgh based Hardcore label, first release and also released our second and final album through them. Although it sounds conceited we were pretty integral to the Scottish Hardcore Scene, for a short time, in that we helped unite a lot of disparate scenes/people and would play with absolutely everybody. We meant absolutely nothing outwith Scotland though, which was down to laziness I think.

Finchy has been an important contributor to the scene for over 20 years, I believe he was doing his first fanzine when he was 14, he toured with Oi Polloi non stop for a number of years and was blasting out Discharge covers to bewildered school teachers when I was listening to the likes of Europe!
Over the years there have been attempts at emo (or whatever you’d want to call rocking/cry baby melodic hardcore), doom and death metal. I’m sure one of those projects will rear its ugly head again at some point.

Tommy was the lynchpin in melodic hardcore ruffians Los Destructos and also played in Machine Gun Etiquette, Nation Of Finks and Scunnered. Of course he can currently be found drumming in Euro kings of all things thrash Atomgevitter.
Jason drummed in the seminal Scatha, Shank and Stretchheads. Pretty amazing to have played in three so important bands. He also played in intense grind machine Dandelion Adventure, who did a Peel Session in 1990 and supported My Bloody Valentine, which is pretty awesome. He also does a lot of ceilidh work which unites the scene and keeps everyone positive.

Jamie has been involved with Shank, Nation of Finks, Rex 84, King Generator, and can, on occasion be found jamming Deep Wound songs with J Mascis!

When listed the influence that members of The Process have had is telling. Scatha, Oi Polloi, Shank –You can’t really get more important than that in a Scottish, and dare I say, UK sense.

Could you elaborate on the name, The Process?

A concise version of The Process Church of Final Judgement, we are the sons of DeGrimston and MacLean, the God Patterns within us are easy to trace.

There seems to be a lot going on in your music in regards to conspiracy theories, the occult and arcane imagery. Would it be safe to say that there's a heightened sense of paranoia within the music?

Oftentimes this will relate directly to the amount of opiate The Process have consumed. Perhaps the coca leaf may play its part. We read all the infernal texts that come our way and are familiar with the works of Jim Keith, James Shelby Downard etc. We are all members of brotherhoods and societies that may be considered occult or arcane. We all watch the news. We are knowing. Rather than call it paranoia we would prefer to see ourselves as having a firm grip of reality.

The album has been out for a wee bit, Rosenkreutz, and has some great imagery. Could you give us a little insight into the sleeve art and some of the ideas behind the title and the music?

We have brethren throughout the world who tap into the same energy sources we do, utilise the same power we do, have the same muse as we do. Without asking we will receive artworks and literature which mirrors exactly what we are working on at that precise time. We have all attended the Chemical Wedding and we are reborn through the spiritual transmutation that releases us from this base metal existence. Modern day alchemists are we, body and soul into gold.

To me, The Process have always been a great live band - would you say the new album is closer to the sound of the live experience than previous recordings, or are you aiming at something else this time around?

In a live environment The Process have always tried to achieve an almost atavistic approach to brutality. Usually this is achieved through intolerable lack of practice. However, Rosenkreutz harnesses this animal ferocity in a different manner and delivers horror in the abstract. It represents the powerful forces that drive us. It is the avant garde future that we will continue to pursue.

Right, so who killed JFK?

Do not ask who killed JFK, rather ask yourself is JKF actually dead?

Anymore "Cease and desist" emails from the other Process (the reggae band from America)?

As I made reference to before the non recreational study of pharmacology to enhance perception and consciousness has led The Process a merrie danse. Our namesakes from Vinland merely indulged with us one evening and all was forgotten. Our Viking Swedish brothers are equally at peace with us. The Process have been involved in may cease and desist cases over the years, but sadly Keane, The Church of Scientology and Middlesbrough (football club and town itself) are still operating.

Seeing as this is an Edinburgh based website, I'm curious as to which coast The Process is repping? I know Jamie will say Glasgow, but all the other members are based in Edinburgh, are they not?

Between East Coast and West equally we are split. One member chooses to ply his craft from the home of the Cockney Rejects.

Any future plans/releases for The Process? I heard rumours of a Tombs split and a possible Japanese tour?

Through positive channelling of our forces we hope to release a new album, a split with Rot in Hell, a split with Tombs and another band within the next solar year. Japan could be conquered within six months although the current economic climate makes it hard for even alchemists to conjure up funds, so hold us not tour word on this one. If we do go, then we will be playing with an extremely exciting band. East Coast with Tombs and West Coast with Iron Lung are also planned for the next year.

Fav Bolt Thrower song?

What Dwells Within has Boltthrower’s greatest riff, but Unleashed (Upon Mankind) is probably my favourite.

http://www.myspace.com/theeprocess