본문 바로가기

8. Interviews/Rob Rock

Interview with Rob Rock of Driver - Metal Journal (September 26, 2012)

Metal Journal

롭 록이 2012년에 "Metal Journal"이라는 스페인어 매체와 가진 인터뷰입니다. 당시 Driver의 새앨범 [Countdown]에 초점이 맞추어져 인터뷰가 진행되었습니다. 원문은 스페인어로 되어있으며 구글 번역기를 통해 영문으로 번역되었습니다.

This is an interview with the Spanish website "Metal Journal". Spanish was translated into English through Google translator. So this is not an accurate translation.




DRIVER INTERVIEW (Rob Rock)

By Metaljournal on 09/26/2012


Driver Band Photo 2


METAL FROM COAST TO COAST


PEDRO ALONSO

Driver failed to open gap with their serious bet in the heart of Los Angeles in the late eighties. They had one of the best vocalists of the scene, Rob Rock, who at that time had already debunked with the super group M.A.R.S, where also they were Tony Macalpine, Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge. Precisely the title of that 1986 disc, Project Driver, was born the idea of ​​Driver, the band with which Rob Rock joined ties with the young guitarist promise Roy Z. Rob was also known for his albums with Impellitteri, Joshua and Angelica. Driver came to edit an EP cassette of five tracks in 1990 and spread their enthusiasm based on heavy metal, but failed to achieve the expected record deal.


Years later the name of Rob Rock would be repeated a thousand times by its conquests with bands like Impellitteri, Axel Rudi Pell, Warrior or his solo works. To Roy Z the fame came to him from the hand of some great totems of the metal, like Bruce Dickinson or Rob Halford, in addition to its band Tribe Of Gipsies. In 2008 Rob and Roy decided to recover the anesthetized chemistry by the time and to revive to Driver with a record contract under the arm. For this they called the original drummer Reynold 'Butch' Carlson (Jag Panzer, Joey Tafolla ...) and completed the band with keyboardist Ed Roth (Impellitteri, Glenn Hughes, Ronnie Montrose) and bassist Aaron Samson (George Lynch, John 5 ...) . The Sons Of Thunder, the debut album, brought together some of the old songs with new compositions.


Four years later they are still willing to endure the name of Driver and following the same formula of the previous work they have edited Countdown, an album in which also they recover subjects of its beginnings along with present ones. This album has crossed the United States from coast to coast, because Rob's vocals were recorded in Florida, while the music surfaced in Los Angeles under the supervision of Roy Z. We contacted vocalist Rob Rock to give more light to this new Launch of Driver.


Rob Rock of Driver Band

Rob Rock


What did you do after the release of Sons Of Thunder? Did you plan to continue with the band?
We did some concerts in Los Angeles and we performed at the Bang Your Head German festival to promote the album. Then we were not clear about the future of Driver, so it was a joy when we received the proposal of the company to edit a second album.


Was it easy to get the same training to record the new CD, Countdown?
Yes of course. Everyone in the band is happy to play and record the music of Driver. No one has wanted to lose this job.


Who were you militant in the first formation of Driver in 1989?
Roy Z, Butch Carlson and I are the ones that we keep from the original formation.


Has it been difficult to produce and make the album considering Roy Z lives in California and you in Florida?
Roy Z recorded and produced the album in Los Angeles while I recorded my parts of vocals in Florida. Later Roy himself took care of the blends. In the process of composition we used to exchange ideas through mp3 and I tried them in demo versions at home. Once we agreed on all the songs and the direction of the voices, I went to the Red Room studio in Apopka and recorded the voices with Sean Shannon. We sent those tracks over the Internet and Roy dropped them directly to the recording masters. The final mastering was done by Maor Appelbaum in Los Angeles.


Driver - Countdown


How many songs have you recovered from the past?
There are four that we have rescued from the trunks because they were very good, so we decided to put them on this record. Then we began to write themes with the same orientation and in line with what we had done in the Sons Of Thunder sessions. We were clear about our goal of broadcasting the original sound of the band in Countdown.


How is your musical connection with Roy Z?
Our connection is based on the respect we have and the love for great rock music. We are very compatible and we feed each other with ideas and creativity. Writing together is very easy for us and we have always been friends since we met in Los Angeles in 1989.


Is it very different to work with Roy Z if we compare it with other guitarists like Chris Impellitteri, Rick Renstrom or CJ Grimmark?
No, it's not that different. One of Roy's main virtues is his ability to bring out the best in others. That's why he's such a good producer. Roy cares more about the songs than his own brilliance, and can adapt to any situation and musical aspiration.


Roy Z of Driver Band

Roy Z


Musically Countdown is a melodic heavy metal attack. Is there a market for this music in the United States?
I'm not sure about the current market situation, but there are many fans who like our music and towards them we will focus our efforts.


What message did you include in the lyrics on this album?
They deal with contemporary, visionary and biblical issues. We have songs of love, passion, broken hearts, and real facts of our daily life.


You've dedicated the song Running From The Darkness to some fallen stars like Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston ... What was this dedication about?
I was watching a television celebrity program where they exposed how many of them fell victim to alcohol and drugs. Some died just as they were recovering. They are slaves to that situation even if they want to get out of it, but they have to fight a battle against that addiction that in many cases overcomes them. From there was born the inspiration of this song.


In what situation is the Impellitteri band? Do you have plans for the future?
Chris is now very busy with the Japanese star group (Animetal). The band is on a hiatus until Chris has time to start working on a new album. We are all looking forward to this, especially after the success we achieved with Wicked Maiden.


And what do you think Animetal, the band that Impellitteri shares with Rudy Sarzo?
It's very good! I'm glad for their success and I hope it lasts a long time. The concept of the band is very interesting and I also know firsthand the love they have for Chris the Japanese fans. I'm sure it will work out very well.


Will you regain your solo career?
Yes, my idea is to continue the career of Rob Rock. Now we are looking for a record contract and we are looking forward to getting into a new studio album.


Do you have plans to play live with Driver?
Yes, we want to rotate and act on as many festivals as possible. That's why we're spreading the word all over the world.


Do you have more projects besides Driver?
All members of the band are part of other groups or projects. If you want to live music you have to be constantly at the foot of the canyon. We are professionals and it is crucial to be busy.



DRIVER 2012

Rob Rock (Vocals)

Roy Z (Guitars)

Reynold 'Butch' Carlson (Drums)

Ed Roth (Keyboards)

Aaron Samson (Bass)



Reynold ‘Butch’ Carlson of Driver Band
Reynold ‘Butch’ Carlson
 
Ed Roth of Driver Band
Ed Roth
 
Aaron Samson of Driver Band
Aaron Samson



Driver Band Photo 1





- 인터뷰 원문 페이지(Original Interview Page) : http://metaljournal.net/entrevista-driver-rob-rock/


* Copyright and ownership of this interview is to the original website.

If you wish to delete the article & interview that have problems, I will delete post within a short time, please leave a comment with your email address.