Meet Kenny Ravage

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kenny Ravage. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kenny below.

Hi Kenny, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

“It’s All Part of the Story”: How Hitting Rock Bottom Rekindled My Passion for Music

I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason. It’s not just a comforting phrase, it’s something that’s consistently proven true in my life, especially when things felt like they were falling apart. Sometimes, what feels like a setback is actually life redirecting you to where you’re meant to be.

Back in 2013, my band Infamous Intake was on the brink of something big. We were close to signing with Sumerian Records when everything suddenly fell apart and the band broke up. Just like that, years of hard work felt like they had vanished overnight. What followed was a two-year spiral into depression. I truly thought my music career was over.

Then in 2016, life threw me a lifeline in the form of a new group, which eventually evolved into Black Mercy Riffs by 2018. Fast forward to 2023, and I was playing live drums for Casa De Brujas while still active with Black Mercy Riffs. I was touring, playing shows non-stop, and feeling like the momentum was finally back. The tables had turned and fast.

But in 2024, I made the difficult decision to leave both bands. Just like that, I was back at square one. After 15 years of being immersed in music, I suddenly had no band, no direction, and no idea what was next. It hit hard. My mental health tanked. I lost my job, some close friendships, and honestly, I started losing myself in the process.

In those moments, I kept repeating to myself, “Things happen for a reason,” even though it felt hollow at the time. I didn’t see the light. But I held onto that phrase like a life raft in a storm.

What helped me push through? Strangely enough, it was a memory, one I hadn’t thought of in a while. A night at Steve Vai’s house, just the two of us in his backyard, sharing a few beers and talking about music and life. He was working on his album Inviolate, and at one point he told me something that stuck: “What makes any musician or music great is the story behind it.”

That line played over and over in my head, like a broken record. One night, sitting alone at a bar in Downtown Pomona, those words came flooding back. I looked around, laughed to myself, and muttered, “It’s all part of the story.” In that moment, something shifted. I remembered the fire I had as a kid, the feeling that music was my calling. I asked myself, “What would little me think about everything I’ve done so far?”

The answer? He’d think I was a Rockstar. And honestly, I had forgotten that. I’d let the business side of music cloud the joy I once felt playing music.

That memory with my friend Steve reignited something in me. It gave me the push I needed to move forward. And now, in 2025, I’m drumming for Anubis, a signed power death metal band, and producing/playing guitar in an industrial darkwave project called Rosaries & Requiems. I found my passion again, and more importantly, I found myself.

Looking back, every setback helped me grow. Every dark moment taught me resilience, adaptability, and strength. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but with the right mindset, even the hardest moments can become stepping stones.

So if you’re in a tough spot, just remember: it’s all part of the story. Choose optimism, even when it feels impossible. You might not see it now, but everything you’re going through could be leading you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I create and play music for the general masses. I like to make sure the music I play or write helps people in one way or another so I always play from the heart no matter what.

Anubis just released an Ep called, “The Puppeteers.”

Rosaries & Requiems just release a single called, “Obscuros.”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Whether you’re just starting your journey in music or already deep into the scene, there are a few guiding principles that can make all the difference, not just in your career, but in your mindset, your relationships, and your long-term creative growth.

1. Have a Vision
Whether it’s about your personal path or the collective direction of your band, always know why you’re doing what you’re doing. Having a clear vision grounds your decisions, helps you stay focused during the tough times, and keeps the passion alive when the noise of the industry gets too loud.

2. Don’t Be an Asshole
Seriously. The music community is smaller than you think. Your reputation will precede you, good or bad. Treat everyone with respect, from the sound engineer to the opening act. Collaboration, kindness, and humility go further than ego ever will.

3. Unplug from Creative Mode
As artists, we often get stuck in “create, create, create” mode and forget to step back and actually see our growth. Take time to evaluate your progress from the outside. Reflect on how far you’ve come. Growth isn’t just in the output, it’s in your evolution as a person and musician.

For those beginning their descent into the rabbit hole of music, remember this: the more chances you take, the more you’ll discover about your craft, your community, and your purpose. Embrace the journey, not just the destination.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

I would continue living my life through music and build a legacy, a collection of albums that will outlive me, speaking to future generations long after I’m gone. If my journey can inspire even one person to keep going, to pick up an instrument, or to find their purpose through sound, then every high and low will have been worth it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: KennyRavage
• Facebook: KennyRavage
• Twitter: KennyRavage

Image Credits

Jack Lue