Interview with the Members of Hot Rockets (UK)

May 25, 2020

Interview with the Members of Hot Rockets (UK)

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Hot Rockets: Thanks for letting us infiltrate your tasty 'zine.

CV: Has music made a difference in your life? How have you personally seen or experienced its power and potential to make change in people and in the world around us?
Steve Scott (guitar/lead vocals): I grew up in a non-English speaking country. You couldn't even eavesdrop. No English T.V…no English Radio. Fortunately, there were plenty of bootleggers in the market selling European and American vinyl records. I purchased and devoured as much of it as I possibly could in order to have some sort of culture that I could assimilate or call my own. Living in Hong Kong in the 70's and 80's I was lucky enough to see firsthand how music can affect culture, as the ban on western culture had only just been lifted.

CV: Describe for us the band's concept of "riff and roll"...how does that differ from Rock ‘n Roll in your opinion and what does that mean for Hot Rockets’ fans?Heath Waterfield (bass/vocals): Riff ‘n’Roll came about from a live review we got a while back…our music's very riff orientated for a 3 piece band, there is a similarity to Rock and Roll but we try not to fit into any musical genre…it's just us and what we do. Rockets fans can relate to riff and roll from our live performances…that's where we shine and that’s where the term came from.

CV: In your opinion, what separates Hot Rockets from other bands? Is it a combination of music and attitude that gives the band that edge of uniqueness?Paul Reynolds (drums): As a band we have plenty of attitude and energy when we play live, that's what separates us. A number of people have told us how powerful and energetic we are as a unit in a live environment…that gives us that edge. We want to smash it every gig we play and as a band that gives us that edge.

CV: Is Rock viewed differently around the world in your opinion? If so, does culture alone play a big part in it or is it something else?
Steve Scott (guitar/lead vocals): Yes, I believe Rock is viewed differently around the world regarding that specific areas are in need of rebellion…as they come hand in hand. All of our great musical and art explosions came as a rise from depression, oppression, war and poverty.

CV: Do you see the current COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity for the music world to make some real positive change to how things are done and in turn deepen the connection between artist and fans?
Heath Waterfield (bass/vocals): COVID-19 will make musicians and bands think differently that’s for sure. It’s given an opportunity for smaller self-funded bands like our self’s to open up to wider audiences due to people having more time on social media and are looking for new things…connecting not only to new fans but keeping the connection with our loyal fans can only be a good thing!

CV: What is Hot Rockets doing as a band to ward off any negative effects associated with the COVID-19 state?
Paul Reynolds (drums): Steve's doing his bit for the band at the minute…he’s been doing some acoustic performances of our songs which is keeping people interested. Both Heath and me are limited to what we can do. I'm still working through this and lack of drums at home is limiting things…there's a lot or creativity going on which is another positive to ward off any COVID-19 negativity towards the band.

CV: Many bands worldwide have taken to social media platforms to offer fans free shows and content due to the inability to perform live elsewhere. Do you feel that once the pandemic is behind us, there will be more of a level of expectation from fans for bands to continue giving away their music and talent for free? Has a new precedence of expectation been unknowingly set and what does that mean for bands long term?
Steve Scott (guitar/lead vocals): It's a media stream that has always happened. It's just a lot more trodden now. I would much prefer to play concerts and record videos than do live streams. I'm no T.V. presenter and can almost guarantee a ban, LOL. If I'm pushed to it, I will do it, but it will need to be heavily edited and it will never be anywhere near to what a true gig is and never could be.

If bands continue to do this after the epidemic it will purely be a prop towards profit elsewhere…example, you'll hardly be able to watch the livestream because of pop ups.

CV: Besides everyone's good health and well being after the fact, what's one thing you would really like to see come out of the world's current predicament as a change for the better?
Heath Waterfield (bass/vocals): In these strange times a lot of good will come out of it…people definitely appreciate what they have got and appreciate being able to get out and do what they want once this has died down. We as a band are hoping more people will support original live music, not just big bands, but smaller bands on the circuit as well .

CV: How do you feel the COVID-19 pandemic has changed you personally?
Hot Rockets: As a band we appreciate what we've got and having the connection with our family and friends. From a band point of view just getting out in a practice room and creating music again and hopefully playing live…we all miss that a lot!!!

CV: What's next for the band...what can fans expect to see coming from Hot Rockets?
Paul Reynolds (drums): Obviously the COVID pandemic has affected us massively. We have a lot of momentum going…things were going well.

We've lost some big profile gigs through it but there’s plenty to come from us. We make our debut in Scotland supporting Syteria…fingers crossed it goes ahead. We have the Scarborough Punk Festival in March 2021 which we are looking forward to… Hopefully we are going to get into the studio at some point and record our debut album. We are also hoping to put a video together as well as playing as many gigs as we can. There’s good things coming for our fans!!!

CV: Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with
our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.
Hot Rockets: We wanna thank you guys for your time and this interview. Thanks for reading. See you in the afterglow.

Check out Hot Rockets at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hotrockets77/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hot_rockets/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6fJoE8tHxUNSVV9VvPHTSN?si=Xh-kvMGvS8-RWhCmJXVV-A
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCunctnxpwNL_irkxcxdEQ

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.