EMQ’s with BOB DEE WITH PETRO
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with New York, NY based Rock band Bob Dee With Petro. Huge thanks to singer/songwriter Bob Dee for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hi this is “Bob Dee” Singer songwriter with Bob Dee with Petro We are signed through AMG to SONY Records. I had a series of record deals with female singers that didn’t work out and the final straw was when I had all the labels coming to see my band and the singer called in sick, so I lost a thousand dollars, so I decided I was going to sing! No More lead singers! So, I hooked up with a guy named Brian Bauers who saved my career he was the only studio owner that took me on and let me record and try to sing. It took me a year to finally come up with the sound I have now. Trust me, at first, I wanted to play acoustic and sounded like John Mayer then I had the Pearl Jam sound and finally one day there was an acoustic guitar in the studio tuned down and I started singing. We both knew that was the key for my voice and the sound we were looking for! I have released many albums and singles through the years and my biggest selling album so far is “Pretty Things” it has the hit single ‘Socially Awkward’ and an awesome video we made for it plus we toured the UK a few times, after that album we released “Killstar”, toured the West Coast, USA as support for “EnuffZ’Nuff, now our New EP “Stun Gun” just released this year.
How did you come up with your band name?
I was on tour in the UK and I saw that the gas over their is called Petrol so I took off the “L” and came up with Petro, but then I couldn’t get the rights to Bob Dee or Petro for my company but I was able to get the name and rights to “Bob Dee with Petro”.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I am in the USA in New York City. The rock scene is alive and well we are able to have an awesome following, until the virus hit the world and we have all been on lockdown for over 2 months, we are all waiting to see when we can get back out and play again.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our latest release is Bob Dee with Petro “Stun Gun” EP.
6 songs of riff laden singles a piano ballad and a few pop rock singles.
Who have been your greatest influences?
My Favourite guitar player is Gary Moore RIP, always loved his style and I had a Jimi Hendrix poster in my room growing up. I always thought he was the coolest. I read that he poked holes in his speakers to get his distorted sound. I thought that was so cool.
What first got you into music?
I had a rock n roll cousin named Danny Harrigan he played all the shows in my hometown and I used to go see him play. He was a real cool cousin and helped me play guitar.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I always loved the band “HIM” If I could write with Ville Valo that would be awesome and his guitar player. I love their drummer Gas too, awesome feel!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I always wanted to play “Download” festival but during my UK tour last time we played an outdoor festival down the road from Glastonbury festival. I remember driving home from our show and we saw the whole concert going on. I thought to myself I want to play there someday.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Wow, well it’s not the weirdest but it’s the coolest. I had a Japanese fan make me a full comic book Manga in my likeness. It is totally cool, so happy and thankful. As far as weird I do receive some wild fan mail and panties in the mail.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for supporting me and my music all these years! Sending Love and Light.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
I would say Jimi Hendrix. It would be wild to see him at this day and age! He would be rockin’ now.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy talking with my fans and getting fan mail, they are all so supportive. I mean I wake up every morning and go to my inbox and there is email after email of love and support from fans around the world, it makes me happy. What do I hate? Hmmm I guess I can’t really think of anything because so far, I have been lucky to have amazing friends and support.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The one thing I could change is the pay to play tours, it’s a joke that some bands are charging others. There is a famous band in Europe that wanted us to Buy on their tour a large sum of money then wanted part of our sales and merch plus 100 dollars a man for the tour bus a night. It was crazy, so yes, end that.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
I love the first “HIM” album “Razorblade Romance”, my fav of all time.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
It’s funny you should say that, we are working on releasing a vinyl this summer, a colour version for the first time. I am excited to make this happen and see what the sales will be. I always loved Vinyl.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
There are a few that come to mind. Our show in Los Angeles at The Whisky A Go Go was amazing I loved playing that show with Liza, Ronny and Jason they kicked ass. Our show in London was amazing too. It was during a heat wave and we went on at 1 am in the morning, we were rockin so hard sweat was just dripping off my guitar. My UK bandmates Ade, Paul and Norm rocked that show and my NYC band at The Gramercy Theatre, TJ, Scott and Vlad, awesome show memorable.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would be working in the art world painting pictures and taking photos, I have a degree in Art and design.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Jimmy Page, Ville Valo, Ozzy, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley.
What’s next for the band?
Well, we just released our video and had planned to make a new music video and tour but because of the worldwide virus that is all on hold. But we do have songs we have recorded that we will release as singles, vinyl coming out, and in the Fall hoodies!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.bobdeewithpetro.com
www.youtube.com/bobdeewithpetro
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I know those, I eat those. We can say Jaffa Cakes are biscuit sized cakes!!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you to all my fans around the world Thank you for supporting me all these years!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.