Back in the mid 80’s, I enjoyed reviewing local bands. ’Blogging’
hadn’t been invented yet! Newspapers were the main source of promotion, which
in retrospect seems like snail mail today. However, those are some fond memories.
The music scene was larger than life it seemed.
Indianapolis, considered the ‘crossroads of America’, was at that time a
home-away-from-home to numerous bands from neighboring states. It wasn’t just Friday and Saturday night gigs….Wednesday
and Sunday nights were just as popular. Shucks,
you could rock 7 days a week, and draw a decent crowd! There was no shortage of nightspots nor talent…and
happy hour, ah yes, the 80’s ‘BOGO’ deals that got folks in early on to get the
party started is now just a faded memory.
These guys and gals were mainly in their 20’s then. It was competitive,
as so many, if not all were looking for that ever sought after record label
deal. Most bands mixed
originals with the cover tunes. It was quite common to have an EP, and who knows
what talent scout might be in the audience? It was a dog eat dog, may the best
band win type of mentality.
Now, fast forward two to three decades. What’s changed? Who’s still
playing? Where are the fans? Obviously, we’ve all aged some. It’s a different world. Most married, had families, got ‘real jobs’. It’s not the same market in 21st
century America. It’s amazing what 25 or so years does to a person. Many that
back then walked, talked, slept, ate and breathed rock and roll, now are laid
back and just like to entertain a crowd with cover tunes because they love to play music and perform. They have careers and family, homes and
different lives and priorities today. That's not a bad thing. The lure of a recording
contract is no longer an interest. I
still like to see local bands play live.
And I like to blog. The
difference all these decades later, is with my blog, I can turn it around in
less than 24 hours. Much different than
waiting a couple weeks or a month for the next newspaper issue to hit the stands.
My goal with this blog series “Local
Backstage Pass” is to bring Indy bands more upfront and
personal, especially for those who just come to listen to the music, and
perhaps don’t mingle much with band members.
There is always more than meets the eye.
Today, it’s not uncommon to have ‘meet and greets’ with national groups,
which makes the event more intimate, but not everyone can participate in that, and it typically carries a price tag. This, my first blog in
about a year and a half, focuses on Rok
Hollywood, true, master rockers. I’m
excited about delivering my first ‘virtual interview’ with originators, Daren
and David Short.
Daren Short – Drums
David Short - Guitar
Duane Conn - Bass
Josh Johnson - Vocals
incogNITA!: What got you started in music?
RH: KISS, and friends.
incogNITA!: Why Rok Hollywood? Where did that name come from?
RH: (I) wanted to use the name Hollywood since right out of high
school. Changed the name to Rok Hollywood in 2006 due to another band with the
name Hollywood.
incogNITA! How would you describe your music?
RH: Melodic rock/hard rock.
incogNITA!: Who writes your original tunes?
RH: All band members write.
incogNITA!: Where does your inspiration come from?
RH: Our inspiration is basically life. We write about what we go
through and experience.
incogNITA!: What are your musical
influences? (No surprise it’s hair/glam rockers!)
RH: KISS, Van Halen, Ratt,
Cinderella, Motley Crue, Skid Row, Tesla, Def Leppard, etc.
incogNITA!: Your following...long- time fans and what age group?
RH: 30's, 40's, 50's mainly, but also some 20’s, which can be our
generation’s kids.
incogNITA!: What can you do to bring new ones in the circle?
RH: Basically getting out and playing as many places as we can, and
our friends and fans spreading the word will help bring us new fans.
incogNITA!: What is keeping (Rok Hollywood) in the 80's style?
RH: That's where our hearts are. We play what we love.
incogNITA!: Is a record contract a do-able/realistic goal?
RH: Yes.
incogNITA!: Can bands be 'newly' successful today trying to market new music
with the 80's sound?
RH: Very much so.
incogNITA!: What advantages does the market hold today that wasn't available
in the 80's?
RH: The internet for the most part. Word can spread quick and far. It
sometimes can be easier to play shows with national bands. And it is also
easier to communicate with those bands through the internet.
incogNITA!: What disadvantages do you face?
RH: People being too comfortable in their ways, and not getting out
of that comfort zone with only seeing certain bands. Not having financial
backing. Not having an agent/manager makes it harder. We do it all on our own.
Band members living an hour and a half away from each other. Makes it hard to
get together, and to do more shows.
incogNITA!: How important is Internet presence?
RH: Very important.
incogNITA!: Do you have band merchandise available?
RH: Yes, but we need to update it and get more, as well as expand it
to other items.
incogNITA!: Obviously, 80's music was big in the 80's...however, can it have
new life breathed into it with fans of that genre...and do you feel there is a
market for it today? Can you be 80's hair/glam in 2017?
RH: It can and has been given new life. There is still a market, just
not nearly as big as it was in its prime. And things go in cycles. There is
definitely a market for it today. June 25th at Klipsch Music Center will be one
example of it.
incogNITA!: Is 80's a 'marketable' look today? I know many like to re-live it,
but can it be a 'lifestyle' of sorts for those (musicians) seeking to bring it
back?
RH: It can be. But a lot of the bands/musicians from the 80's don't
have the same look as they did "back in the day". Our band still has
an 80's look though, no wigs needed! (Nita: HA!)
incogNITA!: Is there a specific area of the country (US or abroad) where you
are more in demand?
RH: Europe and Japan are always big for 80's rock/hard rock. Certain
parts of the US seem to be more supportive of our genre than others.
California, Las Vegas, Texas, parts of the East Coast and Midwest. Indiana
people like 80's rock, but people here also are into 70's rock, Country, and
other styles. I would not call Indiana an 80's state.
incogNITA!: Dates of venues you've played.
RH: Way too many to list all of them. The band started in 2002 under
the name Hollywood. We mainly played smaller, local bars. In 2006, we started
playing bigger shows, opening for nationals. And we played for the first time
in L.A. at the world famous Whisky on the Sunset Strip. We also played in
Nashville with some popular 80's bands and musicians. We played Verizon
Wireless Music Center (Deer Creek) for the first time. We played 8 Seconds
Saloon with LA Guns, Faster Pussycat, and Jack Russell's Great White, among
other bands. Beale Street, Southport Bar & Grill, the Rock House in Indy.
Cincinnati, Chillicothe, and Columbus, Ohio. Louisville, Champaign, Ft. Wayne,
and Bloomington.
incogNITA!: What is your best memory from a live show?
RH: Again, too many to list just one. But playing the Whisky several
times. Playing at Verizon/Klipsch Music Center, which we are getting ready to
play for the 12th time in June. Playing a 3-ring circus/freak show at Carson's
Pub in Indy, formerly Bentley's. That was a wild night. Too many more. Lots of
memories.
incogNITA!: What question(s) has no one asked you that you wish they had? And
what is your answer?
RH: Would you like 10 million dollars? The answer would be, yes we
would! (Nita: HA!)
incogNITA: Where are your upcoming shows?
RH: June 25 at Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana w/Def
Leppard, Poison, and Tesla. July 21 at The Rose in Pasadena, California w/Lynch
Mob and Electric Junkies.
Be sure to check out the links below. Become a fan on Reverbnation. You can purchase and download their originals. Check out a show. They've got one coming up for Indy fans this month, and next month for fans on the West coast.
Links to pages with band
info:
