TALKS WITH |
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RIKKI
ROCKETT |
Can you tell me who your main musical influences are? Gawd! So many! As for drummers, the first thing I ever played along to was a Beatles record that my sister gave me. I later played along to my Mom's Elvis records and my Dad's Herb Alpert and Santana records. When I was 12 I bought my first record. It was Deep Purple Made In Japan. By the time I hit 14 Alice Cooper had taken over my life. Everything from Kiss, Bowie and Johnny Winter followed. |
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What do you think of the musical climate right now? i.e. the comeback of Ratt, LA Guns, Great White.....and these bands getting airplay for the first time in a long time......Do you have any insight on this? I just think that many of the people that were younger when these bands were popular several years ago are now at the age where they are becoming music programmers, journalists and promoters. This is the music they loved and they want it back. Therefore, younger people are getting turned on to it for the first time and it's exciting again. Especially given the fact that it's simply great music. |
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What about the new music that is out right now, is there any of it that you are into? Sure, I like Buck Cherry, Coal Chamber, Orgy, Marilyn Manson and stuff like the new Liquid Tension Project. Also, the Techno and Electronica stuff is cutting edge and very exciting right now. Average people are starting to do drum circles while playing along to Techno grooves. Mixing organic drums with synthetic grooves. Everyone is involved that way with the music. It's really amazing. After I do the Glitter record I want to program some grooves and take a bunch of people on stage with me and just play with hand drums and stuff. The whole audience is involved that way. I want them to all play too. Music should be shared. |
Can you give a bit of info on this proposed solo project that you are planning?
The Glitter record I am about to do is simply a bunch of songs that influenced me. It's kinda like, drink from the cup that I drank from. That era and those songs were special, it was a special time and it's time it got it's due.
Where do you see yourself and/or Poison in 10 years? The state of Rock and Roll in 10 years?
It's hard to say where Poison will be. I never thought it would go this far! I hope we can continue for a very long time. Poison will always be a part of me. I want it to stay fresh and exciting. I don't want to ever just chuck a record out there for the money only. Rock 'N' Roll is an institution and will always be around. It's an American icon and will always stand proud!
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How did you become involved in Animal rights? I never liked bullies. I consider the abuse of animals in our society to be bullying of animals. People do it because they feel they can except animals don't have a voice to speak up about it. So, people like me are their voice. Are there certain organizations that you are affliated with? Why? I am a spokesperson for Last Chance For Animals Los Angeles. (www.lcanimal.org) I like LCA because they are super pro-active about their issues. LCA is not wimpy, there isn't an issue that they aren't afraid to tackle.
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What do these aforementioned organizations do for the cause? And how are you involved?
LCA deals with the Pet Theft Rings (sold for animal experimentation), Vivi-section, The Fur Trade, Horse Slaughter for Food, and a bevy of other animal rights related issues including rodeos and circuses. I am chiefly a spokesperson and web site guy. I also deal with the press at protests. LCA is constantly involved in raising awareness for these issues as well as spearheading legal fights to stop this stuff.
There is definetly more to Rikki than I thought there was , an animal rights activist , a VERY talented drummer, and he even does web design and comic books! Be sure to keep up with Rikki by checking out his website: