rocket from the tombs – Rock The Cam

Rocket From The Tombs 15.01.2013 Interview David Thomas

It was not so easy to get some answers out of David Thomas, at the Rocket From The Tombs tour he was unfortunately ill so thanks to the new world, we did the interview via eMail. Being engaged with Pere Ubu (new record out called The Lady From Shanghai) and this “reunion tour” with RFTT, he is a busy man and it seems he is not the man talking too much, which is alright, let the music do the talk. Here is my communication with David:

RTC: How do you feel to be on tour with a band which “was” years ago (it is a bit like history meets present)?
DT: I don’t have any feelings about it.

RTC: We are all not getting younger, what still drives you to go on tour and play live?
DT: It’s what I do.

RTC: Do you now reap the fruit of old labor with RFTT?
DT: This question leaves me speechless.

RTC: You had to go to hospital because of blood poison, how did this happen (and by the way thanks for getting back on tour)?
DT: How it happened is not really your business.
– fair deal, it was worth a try –

RTC: What made you start playing music?
DT: I can’t remember.
– now it gets interesting –

RTC: If not being a musician, what would you be?
DT:I don’t answer these sorts of hypothetical questions.

– lots of questions, lots of answers, unfortunately all the same, but hey that’s like it is –
RTC: Best song in which you were involved?
RTC: The song (out there) you wished to have written?
RTC: Imagine you are god and you are able to set up a festival of your
choice (even dead people or dissolved bands), name me the five headliners:
DT: I don’t make lists.

RTC: Will there be another RFTT album in the future (already songs written)?
DT: Yes.

With this last yes, the interview is over. Here are the pictures of the Rocket From The Tombs show and hopefully I see David Thomas again on stage with Pere Ubu or RFTT.

Rocket From The Tombs 24.05.2012 Feierwerk München

Wenn du dich für Ami-Punk Rock interessierst, auch ein wenig in der Geschichte davon schnüffelst, dann hast du auch irgendwie was von Rocket From The Tombs mitbekommen. Direkt wohl nicht, aber die Band hatte ein paar Songs die später mit Nachfolgebands (Pere Ubu + Dead Boys) doch einen gewissen Bekanntheitsgrad erlangt haben (auch Guns n‘ Roses machten ein Cover). Ob Rocket From The Tombs wirklich Punk waren, sind oder diesen aus Cleveland damals in Ihrer kurzen Schaffenszeit beeinflusst haben, keine Ahnung, ist mir egal, denn heute konnte ich David Thomas, Craig Bell, Gary Siperko, Steve Mehlman und Buddy Akita live erleben. Irgendwie komisch, damals gab es mich zwar schon, aber heute einfach mal live im Feierwerk in München? Schönes Konzert von RFTT, bei einigen Songs etwas mehr Pepp (Punk?) und es wäre mir da dann noch schöner gewesen.

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-01

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-02

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-03

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-04

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-05

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-06

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-07

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-08

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-09

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-10

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-11

rocket-from-the-tombs-feierwerk-20120524-12

If you are interested in US-Punk History and you dig around a bit, you have somehow come along Rocket From The Tombs. I guess not directly, but some following bands (The Dead Boys + Pere Ubu) did make a bigger note in music history with songs like Ain’t it fun (Guns n’ Roses did a cover), Amphetamine or Sonic Reducer. If Rocket From The Tombs ever were/are wanted to be Punk, I don’t care. It was stage time at the Feierwerk in Munich and history appeared in the present. Craig Bell, David Thomas, Buddy Akita, Steve Mehlman and Gary Siperko played a good set and the Munich people were happy to witness this, including me. Thanks RFTT to come out from your Tombs.