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Rocklahoma 2013 Band Feature

The next band I am featuring from the Rocklahoma 2013 lineup is a band that my son Rockin Ryan told me about, sort of. He was actually keeping this band a secret for a while teasing me with the incredible rock sound that they bring. I would hear bits of songs that he would be playing in the garage and would have to ask over and over who they were. They just reminded me of my fun times on the Sunset Strip in the 80’s and I wanted to know if they were a new or an old band that I had missed. Then it happened, he left his headphones down for a second and I grabbed them and savored what I was hearing. It was truly like ear porn! I was in heaven as I could hear classic 80’s style shredding riffs, catchy melody and the vocals… let me tell you about the vocals. I swear it was like hearing a young crisp David Lee Roth. I looked down at the Ipod right before Ryan came back and got the name..”Rattlesnake” by… Sunset Riot……

I quickly ran to look them up and was so glad to find out that they were a current band. YES, I was excited and the following month, things got even better as I found out they would be playing at Rocklahoma 2013. So now let me tell you about this “in your face” ballsy rock band hailing from Sydney, Australia. You have Del Rio front and center with his intense vocals, JP shredding on the lead guitar, Resh pounding on the drums, Simo kicking down the bass, and Ziggy Scott bringing it together with rhythm guitar. Together they are Sunset Riot and you will be hearing a lot about them this year. It is like having a “Supergroup” of 80’s Rock Stars all together at their finest. You have all the sounds I loved like David Lee Roth, Slash, Jimmy D’Anda, Jason Newsted, Vivian Campbell and I can go on and with the list. Check out their video for “Rattlesnake”:

They recently released their new video that I also love, “Trash vs. Class” that I will show you later. First I wanted to share with you an interview we have with JP, their shredding lead guitarist. We are happy we can catch these guys before they head off to do some Australia tour dates this month and then it is off to the USA Tour that includes Rocklahoma on Memorial Day Weekend.

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Music Junkie Press: How did you all meet and come together to form Sunset Riot?

JP: Sunset Riot all started with me and my bright idea of starting a melodic rock and roll band! Haha turns out it’s much harder than I thought! Still off I went to seek out members. After filtering through all my music friends I couldn’t find anyone that would commit. So I put some adds out in the Sydney musician classifieds and spent about a year or so getting the crew together. We were all strangers and none of us knew each other before hand. It was an odd dynamic in that respect but we all clicked pretty well straight away musically.

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Music Junkie Press: Will playing at Rocklahoma be your first time here in the States or have you performed out here prior? If so, I am bummed I missed you guys!

JP: No, this will be our third American tour! Our second time at Rocklahoma! We came out for our first tour for three months and had no idea what we were doing or where we were going haha. We had this huge RV, that we wouldn’t have been allowed to drive back home and playing with bands that were so much better than us! The American market really set the standard for our live show! Then we came out last year for a shorter tour of 6 weeks. Where we played our first Rocklahoma festival! Which was killer!

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Music Junkie Press: I am so bummed I missed you guys on your last couple tours. I am glad I will be seeing you at Rocklahoma and California! How old were each of you when you started getting into music and performing?

JP: I’m not sure of the full life story of the other guys! So I can’t really answer for them, But I picked up the guitar when I was 16 and it hasn’t left my hands since!

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Music Junkie Press: You are awesome on that guitar! Can you tell us what were your first concerts?

JP: I’d been seeing concerts and festivals since I was a kid with my mum and aunties. But the first one I went to on my own was at the Sydney cricket ground! (One of my favorite places to go and watch sport and music). The line up was My chemical romance, jimmy eat world and Green Day!

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Music Junkie Press: Rig Rundown: Can you tell us about your favorite gear you like to play on tour?

JP: Well that’s a hard question because I often sift through gear trying to develop my tone and sound into what I hear in my head! I guess some permanent gear that I always use is my RVA skunk works Marshall JCM 800 And my two Gibson les Paul standards! You can’t really go wrong when all your pedals and external gear fails you can just plug straight Into the amp and still get by!

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Music Junkie Press: Do you have any favorite albums growing up that really influenced you to pursue your dream in music?

JP: I really loved ACDC and Led zeppelin! AC DC got me into rock! Jimmy page got me wanting to perform.

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Music Junkie Press: I love the new video for Trash vs. Class, how did you guys come up with that? It truly reminds me of old school rock videos that we all loved and MISS so much of these days.

JP: Well we just wanted to have fun! And the song is really about some women in life that aren’t what they say they are and really are trashy! I think it’s a great social commentary.

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Music Junkie Press: If you could go back and talk to your 14 year old self, what advice would you give to your 14 year old self?

JP: Don’t date those girls!!!!!! DO NOT date those girls! Get a real job and buy a surf board! Haha

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Music Junkie Press: We have a large audience of young teens who are trying to continue to follow their dreams in the music industry, what advice can you give to them?

JP: I think as cliche as it sounds! Be careful What you wish for! The music industry is a filthy place with everyone out for themselves. There are the odd nice people but for the most part it’s dog eat dog. So do what you do and do it well! Don’t let people tell you, that you can’t! Work hard and hopefully with a little luck you can get what your aiming for! It’s hard for me to answer this question! I don’t really have any success to say this is how it goes! I’m still perusing it myself really.

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Music Junkie Press: I think both those pieces of advice are awesome! If we could peak into your Ipod or Playlist, what would be the next three songs on shuffle?

JP: Well any song off Eric Bibb’s album Diamond Days! It’s a great record super positive and he has great lyrics that keep me going!

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Music Junkie Press: If you had to remake a song from Madonna, Michael Jackson or Frank Sinatra who would it be and which song?

JP: I may be wrong but Frank Sinatra’s, I did it my way! I always loved the version Elvis did. Being a huge Elvis fan i’d like to so that!

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Music Junkie Press: Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” is actually my favorite song that reminds me so much of my father. I would love it if you would take it and ROCK it UP, Please DO!! With the 80’s making a comeback and all, if you could pick a song from the 80’s or 90’s to describe your life or be your anthem song, what would it be?

JP: Are they really making a come back??? I’m not sure I agree with that! “Sweet Child O’ Mine” is always going to be an anthem of mine!

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Music Junkie Press: Well, I think the times of going back to the Sunset Strip for live good rock music reminiscent of the 80’s is definitely making a comeback. Also with the fashion and music we are seeing the younger generation listening to 80’s bands and also playing their style of music. Glad to see a lot of the other music go away. And of course my favorite question, If Sunset Riot was a new ice cream flavor, what would it be and why?

JP: i have no idea! Hahaa that’s suck a tough question!! Something with lots of taste and makes you want more! Dunno about the flavor! Hahaha

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Music Junkie Press: Well I think you guys have a complete package and if I were to make one in your honor, I think maybe a Sunset Riot Blend which is rich in sweet caramel, energizing coffee flavor, and the finest vanilla bean would be a good one! Also do you have anything else you would like our audience to know about Sunset Riot?

JP: Keep plugging us around to everyone you meet and continue the support!

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Now for that awesome fun new video, “Trash vs. Class”:

So, what do you think? I hope you are loving them as much as I am. We have been sharing their music and have received such a positive response and everyone asking, when are they coming to the US. Well, not only will they be playing at Rocklahoma 2013 but they will be setting out for their USA Tour and here is where you can help be part of that tour! They have created an Indiegogo campaign which is funding directly provided by fans and helps them travel and do more USA tour dates. For your donation, there are all kinds of perks you can receive. We joined together with Rockin’ Ryan’s Garage and have sponsored their tour banner for the USA tour. So join us in getting this incredible rock band to a venue near you!

~ ROCK and ROLL PROUD and LOUD, Marisol