Geographical Area:  Bucks County, PA late of Los Angeles, CA (one of our members still resides in LA) – performing in North America & Europe

Interview with Dr. Bobby Rush (musical director, co-manager, bass-player, singer, co-producer of CDs with Mitch Schecter) on November 21, 2005.

1. What is the current line-up of your band?

Richie Rotkin (original member): vocals, percussion
Arnie Marcus (original member): vocals, bongos (not full time at this point)
Bobby Rush: bass, vocals
Mitch Schecter: lead 6 and 12-string (twangy) guitars, vocals, electric sitar; writes tunes
Freddy Brog: rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards
Patrick Maley: vocals, drums


2. How and when did you get started with your band?

Band formed in 1963 and split in 1965.  Richie and I re-trademarked the name around 1995 and we all built the band (with different drummers up until Patrick - like Spinal Tap - the others all Self-Exploded onstage. Hey!  It happens!  : )   Going very strong since 1997.


3. What bands or music have influenced you most?

Well, this band is most influenced by the original Rip Chords (including Terry Melcher, Bruce Johnston and Ernie Bringus in the studio, along with Richie, Arnie and Phil Stewart in the studio and on the road.) Also, The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, The Ventures, The Beatles, the British Invasion bands, in general, and I think it is fair to say that Mitch has been equally influenced by Davie Allan and we've all been influenced by 60's-70's British studio whiz (and dear friend) guitarist Vic Flick, who played so much of the guitar on records from those days, including "The James Bond Theme."  I know we're leaving out many influences we'll regret having not mentioned, but our live shows and CDs make those influences evident and clear.


4. What is the break down of cover vs. original material in your live shows and/or recordings?
 

It depends upon how long we play. If we do a 15 minute multi-act show, as we're doing at the Ritacco Center in Tom's River this weekend, we chose to do 3 old Rip Chords album cuts plus a current album cut.  If we play a two-hour show we end up doing about 1/3 original, I would say. Remember that even though TRC had only two albums in the 60's - that is alot of music.  Plus the band was in the movie, "A Swingin' Summer" that yielded "Red Hot Roadster," and we have written a number of original tunes that sound very 60's and are on our last CD (on our website as "Hot Rod Days" and in stores on the Collectables label as "The Rip Chords Shut 'Em Down...Again!") and on one we're working on.  Some of the songs are "Ocean Breeze," "Grand Am Granny," "Hot Rod Days," "Cobra Beach" and "Santa's Got a Cobra," which we wrote with Carol Connors, who originally co-wrote "Hey Little Cobra."  It's getting pretty nice holiday air-play, I am happy to say.
 

5. What recording have you done?

 
(see above)  We also laid a couple of tracks with original Beach Boy David Marks at my home studio. They came out great but I don't know what will happen with them.  David's a great player and a lovely fellow.  He's in New York state now.


6. What kind of gear do you use?

Live, our backline and PA is usually provided.  I usually use an Ampeg SVT head with 8x10 cab, and the other guys use Fender amps.  Patrick has an awesome set of 60's Orange Sparkle Ludwigs, but usually uses Tama's when we play. As far as guitars, I have a '66 P-Bass that I don't take out anymore unless it's a local gig, a pink paisely "54 re-issue P-Bass, a clear custom job, a Fender tele hybrid (or prototype?) I picked up, and a Danelectro Long Horn,  which is my primary recording bass.  It's got an incredibly full range. I also have a Hofner, a Epiphone Rivoli, an upright and a couple of  fretless and acoustic jobs (and others??) Mitch uses a Fender Strat 60's re-issue that he doesn't bring out much since Al Jardine signed the headstock the last time we worked with him. So he brings his Rickenbacker 12 string Model 360/12, a Ricky 6,Model 620/6 and a cool Danelectro Inuendo Danoblaster as well as a re-issue electric sitar.He also occasionally brings out a Gretsch or two.Mitch and I both have pretty nice Guitar collections and matching studios.Freddy uses a Takamine G-Series acoustic-electric and a Fender Strat, as well as a Yamaha keyboard that gets the sounds we all like.

 

7. What is your band's favorite food/beverage?

Oh, that varies from guy to guy. For me, I will say Italian food, some real ethnic Jewish food like gefilte fish and herring! And sushi!  Oh, yeah!  And I love ice cold water. “Chinese Food for me!” (that's Mitch speaking!  : )  Bob again:  Patrick and his brother have a band that tour China and have Chinese-speaking CD's so I will guess the same for him!


8. How do you get gigs?

We have an agent - Mike Dano at Creative Entertainment in Cherry Hill, NJ who is terrific.  We are also developing a nice reputation, of course based on the band's past, but also on our current work.  I really feel we have a tight and exciting show. We're all best friends, and it shows onstage.


9. What are the difficulties you find playing your kind of music in your area?

Mostly that the band only had one big hit ("Hey Little Cobra") even though 4 or 5 charted. And in our scene today the work goes to those who hit it big 40 years ago - Peter Noone, Three Dog Night. The more hits, the more work and the higher the fee. But we do surprisingly well for a "forgotten" band, probably because of the quality of the record, "Cobra," our current drive, and the quality of our current show and music, I would guess.


10. What positive attributes does your band have that sets you apart from other bands (of any genre)?

Well, the hit record is the first thing. And our ambition has got to be another. Plus our love of the audience and each other and our willingness to let it show.  And, we rehearse because we want a great show, and we love to play together. The idea is to get it down in the studio so onstage you can forget it and just groove!


11. What have you found to be the single most effective promotional tool you've used to further your band's musical path?

Our website, our agent, our relentlessness and our show (did you say :single-most?"  Can you make all those one word?  : ) Mitch again:  “Don't forget our new recordings/CDs, which are being very well received.” Bob here: we have re-cut a lot of the older hits in better quality and note for note. We are discussing a record deal in Germany and also getting some decent airplay with the new work. A goal is a car commercial!


12. What's the most interesting performance experience you've had?

Well, one of them, anyway, was doing a PBS Special, "At the Drive-In" two years ago with Jan  Dean, The Surfaris and other idols of  ours. The show still runs from time to time. Also, being asked to be on a series of bills with Al Jardine and The Surfaris and the original Beach Boys band (the cats we've all seen since the late 60's onstage!)  It's been a fun time, all in all.


13. What do you hope to get out of being a NESMA member?

We want to support the music and our colleagues who play it. We'd also love to play with some of the gang, especially in smaller venues in NYC.


14. Anything else?