| This month, Planet: Fame,
the newest album from Toronto Glam Rockers “Robin Black & The
Intergalactic Rock Stars” made its debut. Toronto-Goth recently had the
opportunity to chat with Robin about the album, the new video, and the
band’s goal for world domination.
The interview:
TG : Since this web-site is based out of
Toronto, I thought we’d start by talking about the band’s very active
profile in the Toronto scene. A lot of bands tend to use their home town just
as a jumping off point for bigger and better things, yet you guys, even with
the recent attention you’ve received Canada wide, have remained very
active around Toronto (Bovine on New Years, Phoenix for your video shoot). Does
the city play an important part in what makes up Robin Black and the
Intergalactic Rock Stars?
RB : Absolutely! Toronto is part of our sound. There’s a New York
sound, a Seattle sound, I don’t if there’s necessarily a Toronto
sound but it’s definitely influenced who we are. Queen St in particular
has made a big impact on what this band is and what we do. We love it here,
we’re going to go conquer the rest of the world, but this is our home.
TG : In reading through interviews with other
Canadian bands, there is almost always a section where the band gripes about
this country’s lack of support for it’s own musicians. Seeing that
all of your upcoming tour dates are Canadian venues how do you feel about the
Canadian music scene in general? Do you find it difficult to be a Canadian
musician?
RB : It sickens the fuck out of me when I see some cheap ass horrible
band bitching about not getting support. The truth is no one wants to buy lame
ass records. Shitty bands can bitch all they want about the fact that people
don’t support them, but they should be out there then making themselves
into a better band. I’ve heard bands complain about Toronto forever, that
Toronto in particular doesn’t have the crowds or that the crowds
don’t get excited, well, you know what? They excited at our fucking show.
I don’t know whether or not support for us in Canada is more or less than
we’d receive elsewhere, and I don’t care. We’re going out there
to do what we’re going to do, whether it’s difficult or not.
TG : Reviews of your shows have described the
band as “Poison with a bit of New York Dolls” thrown in, some people
have likened you guys to Merkury Burn, do you feel those are fair comparisons
to what you’re putting out there in your shows and your music? Or does
that sort of offend you to have to be compared to other bands?
RB : I’m not offended to any comparison when it’s a comparison
made to a band that moved a lot of people, or that were exciting or made an
impact. It they were able to thrill people with their music, then I’m okay
with that. The truth is, I think the only reason people make comparisons to
things that came before us is because there’s nothing like us now and we
live in a boring musical world. People ask me if we’re bringing back the
old days, and if by that they mean the old days are the days when people gave a
shit, people put on a big show, bands gave their crowds everything that they
could possibly give them at every single show, and had fun with their fans, if
those were the old days then that says something’s pretty sad about the
new days.
TG : The new video for “So Sick of
You” addresses the contention you guys have for some other Canadian acts.
How do feel about being lumped together with groups like Nickelback or Matthew
Good whose music some people have also dubbed as ‘rock n’ roll?’
RB : I don’t give a fuck what they’re calling rock ‘n
roll these days. We live in a sad waste land of music and basically anyone can
make somebody their rock idol, you can make the d.j’s into rock stars
because there are no more real rock stars out there. If the world were filled
with Robin Blacks, David Lee Roths and Billy Idols there would be no d.j
superstar and there would be no Matthew Good. Unfortunately, there’s only
one of me and I can’t spread myself that thin. So, that leaves room for
wannabes and pretenders like a Nickelback or a Matthew Good to go out and be
the stars. Just because there’s no one else to fill that hole and I’m
all about filling hole.
TG : So if you had to slap a label on the band
what would it be then?
RB : The future of rock ‘n roll.
TG : In taking a look at your web-site, I
noticed a lot of emphasis has been placed on the role of your fans. You’ve
offered them their own section to voice opinions, post pictures of themselves
with the band, and interact on the site. Why do that?
RB : The reason to even exist as a rock band is to excite people and
re-educate them on the importance of rock ‘n roll concepts, like the
importance of having a good time, of losing your mind and of operating outside
of the rules. It’s all about these people; the only reason we’re able
to perform or make records is for fans. We thought it was about time for
somebody to step up and give these people what they so desperately need,
whether they knew it yet or not, and that’s what we do. But on the same
token, we appreciate the fuck out of them, we’re nothing without the fans
that come to our show, or buy our records, those who support us and get excited
by it. I could potentially be the greatest rock star of all time but not if
these people don’t believe so.
TG : Your list of upcoming shows are all
relatively small venues, which seems sort of strange, is there a particular fan
base that you’re after playing at these places?
RB : I don’t think we’re trying to target any particular
audience. Our message to anybody who’s into it is be yourself, be
individual and never be ashamed of anything you are or anything that you want
to be. I wish we could play more all ages shows because I know how important it
is to have a rock show that makes an impact on you when you’re 16. I
remember when I was 16 and how excited I got, and I know how important that is.
As for it being small venues, we were a little nervous that they would be too
small and the next time around the locations will be bigger. For now
there’s something great about being able to play to 400 people and that is
that after the show I can shake every single hand of every single person there,
sign their c.d. or T-shirt or whatever and thank them personally for being part
of our revolution. When we’re playing to ten thousand people I might not
be able to do that, but for right now we’re really enjoying it.
TG : The new album, “Planet: Fame,”
has been 2 years in the making, and so far it’s been receiving some
positive feedback from both the media and the general public. Are you happy
with album’s end result?
RB : I love my record. I’m so proud of it. We’re not naturally
gifted musicians and I’m not the greatest singer in the world but it was
important to us to make a record that matters, and we’ve worked hard on
that.
TG : Any plans for another video from this
album?
RB : We’ll be touring all of March but probably around the first
week of April we’re going to be shooting a video for “Some of You
Boys (And Most of You Girls) Will Love Me.” Just like last time we’re
gonna need tons of people to come out and be part of it for sure.
TG : So what’s next for Robin Black and
the Intergalactic Rock Stars?
RB : We’re going to keep continuing our quest for global domination
after we finish conquering Canada, we’ll move onto Europe, Japan,
Australia and then America, converting fans to our cause one by one. None of
those places will know what hit them but that’s the way we like it.
interview by
erica
relevant links;
http://www.robinblackrocks.com - official site
Comment by shannon winning:
hey this is shannon im from winnipeg manitoba robin used to do my hair ALONG
time ago back when he was in ballroom zombies and i totally think hes right
about the underage shows most of my friends ALWAys wanna come bu tcant i mean i
can but whats the differets i think everyone should have a chance to listen to
robin hes un awesome preformer and hes a great guy (March 13, 2003 )
Comment by Susie:
Robin Black said mean things about Matt Good, surely I hate nickleback and I
hate boybands too, maybe it's 'cuz i don't live in Canada and Mattew Good Band
has no impact what so ever in the US and when you hear a band over and over and
over on the stupid radio stations that say that they are what today's youth
listen to, but fuck today's youth, they listen to stupid shit, and what they
call rock is nothing but what those who play it sold out to. If music were to
sound like some of the better music of the century (that is to say, last
century) then we'd have better music. There are some bands who know what music
is, Robin Black being one, Hot Hot Heat being another (gotta love Canada).
(July 26, 2002 )
Comment by anon:
im waitin for muchmusic to play the new video!! (July 24, 2002 )
Comment by skye:
mmmm. . . . robin black . . . it doesn't get any better. the man is a god, and
his ego (forced or not) makes all the difference. I hope he does conquer the
world. (July 16, 2002 )
Comment by banshee:
I've never really listened to robin black before, but read this interview just
for fun. I must say that i'm pleased that there are still people out there that
are actively fighting to save rock'n roll. Weither or not the band is talented
is irrelivent. They've got their souls pouring into their music. And just for
that i'll listen to them. (July 2, 2002 )
Comment by Harrowing_Vixen:
I love RB&IRS...i think they are the most fun, most incredible band to come
out in a LOOOONG time...and its rather refreshing that a band can dedicate so
much time and effort for their fans. Afterall, without fans where would they
be. I think bands like Matt Good and all those other crappy canadian bands who
claim that Canada has no support can suck dick, becuz they are simply not
making room for the fans. It's an interactive age we live in, everyone wants to
be able to reach out and touch their idols and what not, and some bands just
dont allow the slightest chance for that...and that is why RB&IRS
rock...they allow their fans to support them. WOO! Kik ass! (June 2, 2002 )
Comment by CUKIEMEAT:
Robin Black and the IRS totally kick ass. Anyone who mocks them, or think
they're shit, must be severely retarded. Robin Black is a hot-ass and love to
k-tron! (May 5, 2002 )
Comment by PlasticFantastic:
Robin Black rocks my socks! (May 2, 2002 )
Comment by miss spike:
Robin black is fuckin awesome. I hope he plays a couple moe all ages shows. I
live in Sask. and i was too young to get into Amigo's bar. So i'm offically mad
at the legal age limit. (April 7, 2002 )
Comment by Vampire
Princess:
Robin Black Kicks some serious ass, but really, Mainly what I came here to say
is, these boy bands out there are sickning, along side of People like Brittney
Spear. Its that kind of trash that ruins the world of music! DEATH TO BRITTNEY!
(March 27, 2002 )
Comment by zimzum:
i like you alot. (March 16, 2002 )
Comment by anon:
ya good job with the site (March 8, 2002 )
Comment by candycoatedrazor:
Robyn Black is definitly god. He defines everything a person should be. He is
fuckin amazing. (March 4, 2002 )
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