Questions and Answers from Rob Carlyle of “The Compulsions”
Questions by: Don of Don411.com, April 6, 2015
Coordinated by: Libby Coffey of MSO PR www.msopr.com
How did the name “The Compulsions” come about?
I had a list of ideas taped to my refrigerator and eventually “The Compulsions” rose to the top.
Each of your band mates has illustrious former experiences with popular bands. How did that shape the sound of The Compulsions? What was done the same and what was different?
I don’t think it shaped the sound of The Compulsions at all because the band has always sounded like this, even before the current line up came together and if you listen to our early EPs, you’ll hear what I mean. But what these guys do bring to the table is a level of expertise and professionalism that just doesn’t grow on trees.
The subject matter in each of the songs is interesting and some of them should not be mentioned or listened to in polite company. How does the band decide upon the lyrics and why are they chosen?
I’ve written all the lyrics thus far but I usually start out with a title or a riff or a chorus, something that hopefully catches your attention and sticks in your head, and then I try to write lyrics that tell a story and complement the music.
What challenges have you encountered and how were they overcome in the making of The Compulsions?
Up until now, The Compulsions has been completely self-financed so probably the biggest challenge has been making big budget-sounding rock records with virtually no money. How do you overcome that? Well, I guess a record deal would help.
Where do you see The Compulsions in the future?
I don’t know if there will be a future so I just live every day like it’s the last.
What other artists do you wish to work with and whom would you co-headline with on tour?
I don’t really wish to work with anyone but if the opportunity came up, of course I’d love to collaborate with any of my heroes. That list is endless but off the top of my head I’d say Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Tom Waits and Iggy Pop. As far as a co-headlining tour, I could be wrong but I don’t think we’re big enough yet to co-headline with anyone. But even so, I bet we’d sell a shit-ton of tickets if we went on tour with someone like Slash.
What advice would you give to others pursuing a career in rock? What advice would you give your younger self?
For anyone pursuing a career in rock, I’ll give my stock answer: Stick to your guns, try not to suck too much and know your early blues and country music. But I’m not sure what advice I’d give my younger self. You couldn’t talk to that bastard… and I’m told you can’t talk to the current one, either.
How has being in a very serious, professional rock band changed your outlook in life before you started?
I didn’t realize how little most people know about music. I must’ve thought everyone was a connoisseur. The crap that sells these days surprises me.
What are some things you wish others knew about you that haven’t been asked? What would you like to share?
Believe it or not, I’m a pretty private person, especially in the press, so I don’t feel the need to share anything more than what’s revealed or hinted at in the music.
www.thecompulsionsnyc.com
www.facebook.com/thecompulsions
www.soundcloud.com/the-compulsions
www.youtube.com/user/thecompulsions
##
From www.thecompulsionsnyc.com/#!bio/c10fk
The Compulsions are Rob Carlyle on lead vocal and rhythm guitar with lead guitarist Richard Fortus and drummer Frank “Thunderchucker” Ferrer, both from the recharged Guns N’ Roses, as well as bassist Sami Yaffa from seminal bands Hanoi Rocks and the revamped New York Dolls. Heralded by Classic Rock magazine as “The Coolest Band In The World,” the independent, New York City-based group has been steadily riding a wave of increasing success and visibility.
The Compulsions’ early EPs received tremendous support from college radio, often out-charting artists like Beck, Metallica and Oasis. Additionally, airplay on Nights With Alice Cooper and exposure from WRXP FM’s Matt Pinfield (formerly MTV) and Q104.3 FM’s Jonathan Clarke in New York, has also gone far in championing the band’s music. And at TBFM, the UK’s #1 independent rock radio station, several DJs regularly spin Compulsions tracks, including a 30-second theme song penned by Carlyle which also receives regular requests from listeners.
Compulsions recordings have also been heard in clubs and venues around the world, including the notorious Viper Room in Los Angeles, the Cathouse in Milan and the legendary 100 Club in London. And the band’s wildly successful live shows have been rallying their already rabid fanbase to a fever pitch, for example, fans have traveled to New York from as far as Sweden to see the group perform.
The Compulsions released their first full-length studio album, Beat The Devil, in November, 2011. The disc features 10 blues, punk and hard rock influenced originals plus a very special guest appearance by the recently departed Hubert Sumlin, sideman for blues icons Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters as well as one of Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time. Like previous Compulsions output, Beat The Devil has been garnering rave reviews from the music press, including one enthusiastic writer who recently declared that past comparisons to AC/DC, New York Dolls and The Rolling Stones do Carlyle & Co. “an injustice.”
A new Compulsions studio album, Dirty Fun, went into production in May, 2013 and was completed in August, 2014. The album will be released via Compulsions Records and available everywhere on April 14, 2015. Fans who pre-order Dirty Fun from iTunes starting March 24 will receive “Hellbound Babies” and “Lucky” as instant gratification tracks.
All Compulsions recordings are 100% independently financed. Thank you for your continued support!
##
Libby Coffey of MSO PR
www.msopr.com
THE COMPULSIONS:
ANNOUNCE U.S. PERFORMANCES IN:
NEW YORK (APRIL 14) AT MERCURY LOUNGE
AND LOS ANGELES (APRIL 16) AT THE VIPER ROOM
NEW ALBUM
‘DIRTY FUN’
OUT APRIL 14 ON COMPULSIONS RECORDS
PRE-ORDER ITUNES AND AMAZON UP TODAY
The critically acclaimed independent outfit THE COMPULSIONS have announced U.S. performances on Tuesday, April 14 in New York City at the Mercury Lounge and in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 16 at The Viper Room. The new album DIRTY FUN–out April 14 on Compulsions Records — features the talents of vocalist and rhythm guitarist ROB CARLYLE, lead guitarist RICHARD FORTUS (Guns N’ Roses), drummer FRANK “THUNDERCHUCKER” FERRER (Guns N’ Roses) and bassist SAMI YAFFA (Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls). Listen to the exclusive album sampler for DIRTY FUN (HERE). Fans who pre-order the album will receive “Hellbound Babies” and “Lucky” instantly. The pre-order is available now on iTUNES and AMAZON.
The New York City quartet’s unpretentious, down-and-dirty rock ‘n’ roll on DIRTY FUN is refreshingly infectious. After multiple EPs, and countless shows under their collective belt, the group released their full-length debut Beat The Devil in 2011. “Lucky,” the first single off DIRTY FUN, is layered with rootsy guitar interplay, honky-tonk piano and a soaring horn section, and is a fitting introduction to the album’s ragged glory. “A lot of our early songs were about being down and out,” says CARLYLE “This time around, I wanted to write something more positive. The Rolling Stones have ‘Happy,’ so I guess‘Lucky’ would be our feel-good song.”
Other highlights on DIRTY FUN include “House Of Rock,” which paints a vivid picture of the seedy musical underworld that inspired the album, while opener “Hellbound Babies,” punctuated by howling harmonica, blazing guitars and a chorus of soul sisters, spawned the album title. “Sonically, that song’s got everything on it but the kitchen sink,” CARLYLE smiles. “The lyrics are about a band that refuses to quit, even though they’re going broke.” THE COMPULSIONS pay homage to one of rock ‘n’ roll’s earliest and most iconic heroes with a cover of Little Richard’s 1956 classic “Long Tall Sally.” But this isn’t your typical bar band version. Carlyle & Co. update “Sally” with a raunchier edge of their own and a whopping kick up the ass that lands the tune squarely in the 21st century. It’s a dirty job, indeed, but someone’s got to do it.
Check out some initial reaction for THE COMPULSIONS:
“The coolest band in the world.”
—CLASSIC ROCK (U.K)
“By far one of the greatest underrated rock bands of our generation.”
—ANTI-MUSIC
“They have that dirty rock sound that not enough bands seem to have these days.”
—ALICE COOPER
Catch THE COMPULSIONS at the following shows. Expect more dates to be announced soon.
| DATE |
CITY |
VENUE |
| MON |
4/13
|
New York City, NY |
“Nights With Alice Cooper” (Interview and Performance) |
| TUE |
4/14
|
New York City, NY |
The Mercury Lounge (9:45pm set time) |
| THU |
4/16
|
Los Angeles, CA |
The Viper Room (10:00pm set time) |
The Compulsions
Following is the complete tracklisting for DIRTY FUN:
1) “Hellbound Babies”
2) “Silly Little Woman”
3) “Evil Bastards”
4) “Lucky”
5) “House Of Rock”
6) “Long Tall Sally”
7) “The Feel”
8) “I Still Got The Hots For You, Baby”
9) “Stay Eazy”
10) “Buzz Awhile”
DIRTY FUN, cover artwork
www.thecompulsionsnyc.com
www.youtube.com/user/thecompulsions
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-compulsions/id5043315
Questions and Answers from Rob Carlyle of “The Compulsions”
April 6, 2015 Comment Off 321 ViewsQuestions and Answers from Rob Carlyle of “The Compulsions”
Questions by: Don of Don411.com, April 6, 2015
Coordinated by: Libby Coffey of MSO PR www.msopr.com
How did the name “The Compulsions” come about?
I had a list of ideas taped to my refrigerator and eventually “The Compulsions” rose to the top.
Each of your band mates has illustrious former experiences with popular bands. How did that shape the sound of The Compulsions? What was done the same and what was different?
I don’t think it shaped the sound of The Compulsions at all because the band has always sounded like this, even before the current line up came together and if you listen to our early EPs, you’ll hear what I mean. But what these guys do bring to the table is a level of expertise and professionalism that just doesn’t grow on trees.
The subject matter in each of the songs is interesting and some of them should not be mentioned or listened to in polite company. How does the band decide upon the lyrics and why are they chosen?
I’ve written all the lyrics thus far but I usually start out with a title or a riff or a chorus, something that hopefully catches your attention and sticks in your head, and then I try to write lyrics that tell a story and complement the music.
What challenges have you encountered and how were they overcome in the making of The Compulsions?
Up until now, The Compulsions has been completely self-financed so probably the biggest challenge has been making big budget-sounding rock records with virtually no money. How do you overcome that? Well, I guess a record deal would help.
Where do you see The Compulsions in the future?
I don’t know if there will be a future so I just live every day like it’s the last.
What other artists do you wish to work with and whom would you co-headline with on tour?
I don’t really wish to work with anyone but if the opportunity came up, of course I’d love to collaborate with any of my heroes. That list is endless but off the top of my head I’d say Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Tom Waits and Iggy Pop. As far as a co-headlining tour, I could be wrong but I don’t think we’re big enough yet to co-headline with anyone. But even so, I bet we’d sell a shit-ton of tickets if we went on tour with someone like Slash.
What advice would you give to others pursuing a career in rock? What advice would you give your younger self?
For anyone pursuing a career in rock, I’ll give my stock answer: Stick to your guns, try not to suck too much and know your early blues and country music. But I’m not sure what advice I’d give my younger self. You couldn’t talk to that bastard… and I’m told you can’t talk to the current one, either.
How has being in a very serious, professional rock band changed your outlook in life before you started?
I didn’t realize how little most people know about music. I must’ve thought everyone was a connoisseur. The crap that sells these days surprises me.
What are some things you wish others knew about you that haven’t been asked? What would you like to share?
Believe it or not, I’m a pretty private person, especially in the press, so I don’t feel the need to share anything more than what’s revealed or hinted at in the music.
www.thecompulsionsnyc.com
www.facebook.com/thecompulsions
www.soundcloud.com/the-compulsions
www.youtube.com/user/thecompulsions
##
From www.thecompulsionsnyc.com/#!bio/c10fk
The Compulsions are Rob Carlyle on lead vocal and rhythm guitar with lead guitarist Richard Fortus and drummer Frank “Thunderchucker” Ferrer, both from the recharged Guns N’ Roses, as well as bassist Sami Yaffa from seminal bands Hanoi Rocks and the revamped New York Dolls. Heralded by Classic Rock magazine as “The Coolest Band In The World,” the independent, New York City-based group has been steadily riding a wave of increasing success and visibility.
The Compulsions’ early EPs received tremendous support from college radio, often out-charting artists like Beck, Metallica and Oasis. Additionally, airplay on Nights With Alice Cooper and exposure from WRXP FM’s Matt Pinfield (formerly MTV) and Q104.3 FM’s Jonathan Clarke in New York, has also gone far in championing the band’s music. And at TBFM, the UK’s #1 independent rock radio station, several DJs regularly spin Compulsions tracks, including a 30-second theme song penned by Carlyle which also receives regular requests from listeners.
Compulsions recordings have also been heard in clubs and venues around the world, including the notorious Viper Room in Los Angeles, the Cathouse in Milan and the legendary 100 Club in London. And the band’s wildly successful live shows have been rallying their already rabid fanbase to a fever pitch, for example, fans have traveled to New York from as far as Sweden to see the group perform.
The Compulsions released their first full-length studio album, Beat The Devil, in November, 2011. The disc features 10 blues, punk and hard rock influenced originals plus a very special guest appearance by the recently departed Hubert Sumlin, sideman for blues icons Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters as well as one of Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time. Like previous Compulsions output, Beat The Devil has been garnering rave reviews from the music press, including one enthusiastic writer who recently declared that past comparisons to AC/DC, New York Dolls and The Rolling Stones do Carlyle & Co. “an injustice.”
A new Compulsions studio album, Dirty Fun, went into production in May, 2013 and was completed in August, 2014. The album will be released via Compulsions Records and available everywhere on April 14, 2015. Fans who pre-order Dirty Fun from iTunes starting March 24 will receive “Hellbound Babies” and “Lucky” as instant gratification tracks.
All Compulsions recordings are 100% independently financed. Thank you for your continued support!
##
Libby Coffey of MSO PR
www.msopr.com
THE COMPULSIONS:
ANNOUNCE U.S. PERFORMANCES IN:
NEW YORK (APRIL 14) AT MERCURY LOUNGE
AND LOS ANGELES (APRIL 16) AT THE VIPER ROOM
NEW ALBUM
‘DIRTY FUN’
OUT APRIL 14 ON COMPULSIONS RECORDS
PRE-ORDER ITUNES AND AMAZON UP TODAY
The critically acclaimed independent outfit THE COMPULSIONS have announced U.S. performances on Tuesday, April 14 in New York City at the Mercury Lounge and in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 16 at The Viper Room. The new album DIRTY FUN–out April 14 on Compulsions Records — features the talents of vocalist and rhythm guitarist ROB CARLYLE, lead guitarist RICHARD FORTUS (Guns N’ Roses), drummer FRANK “THUNDERCHUCKER” FERRER (Guns N’ Roses) and bassist SAMI YAFFA (Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls). Listen to the exclusive album sampler for DIRTY FUN (HERE). Fans who pre-order the album will receive “Hellbound Babies” and “Lucky” instantly. The pre-order is available now on iTUNES and AMAZON.
The New York City quartet’s unpretentious, down-and-dirty rock ‘n’ roll on DIRTY FUN is refreshingly infectious. After multiple EPs, and countless shows under their collective belt, the group released their full-length debut Beat The Devil in 2011. “Lucky,” the first single off DIRTY FUN, is layered with rootsy guitar interplay, honky-tonk piano and a soaring horn section, and is a fitting introduction to the album’s ragged glory. “A lot of our early songs were about being down and out,” says CARLYLE “This time around, I wanted to write something more positive. The Rolling Stones have ‘Happy,’ so I guess‘Lucky’ would be our feel-good song.”
Other highlights on DIRTY FUN include “House Of Rock,” which paints a vivid picture of the seedy musical underworld that inspired the album, while opener “Hellbound Babies,” punctuated by howling harmonica, blazing guitars and a chorus of soul sisters, spawned the album title. “Sonically, that song’s got everything on it but the kitchen sink,” CARLYLE smiles. “The lyrics are about a band that refuses to quit, even though they’re going broke.” THE COMPULSIONS pay homage to one of rock ‘n’ roll’s earliest and most iconic heroes with a cover of Little Richard’s 1956 classic “Long Tall Sally.” But this isn’t your typical bar band version. Carlyle & Co. update “Sally” with a raunchier edge of their own and a whopping kick up the ass that lands the tune squarely in the 21st century. It’s a dirty job, indeed, but someone’s got to do it.
Check out some initial reaction for THE COMPULSIONS:
“The coolest band in the world.”
—CLASSIC ROCK (U.K)
“By far one of the greatest underrated rock bands of our generation.”
—ANTI-MUSIC
“They have that dirty rock sound that not enough bands seem to have these days.”
—ALICE COOPER
Catch THE COMPULSIONS at the following shows. Expect more dates to be announced soon.
4/13
4/14
4/16
The Compulsions
Following is the complete tracklisting for DIRTY FUN:
1) “Hellbound Babies”
2) “Silly Little Woman”
3) “Evil Bastards”
4) “Lucky”
5) “House Of Rock”
6) “Long Tall Sally”
7) “The Feel”
8) “I Still Got The Hots For You, Baby”
9) “Stay Eazy”
10) “Buzz Awhile”
DIRTY FUN, cover artwork
www.thecompulsionsnyc.com
www.youtube.com/user/thecompulsions
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-compulsions/id5043315
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