Drummer Bobby Rock reveals whether open to Vinnie Vincent Invasion reunion
Drummer Bobby Rock reveals whether open to Vinnie Vincent Invasion reunion
Current Lita Ford drummer Bobby Rock was recently interviewed by the Decibel Geek podcast and talked in-depth about Vinnie Vincent Invasion‘s sophomore album All Systems Go released via Chrysalis Records back in May 1988.
When asked whether there was a lot of contention between Vinnie Vincent and the label about how the group was putting its sophomore album together and limiting Vincent‘s solos not to make the album crazy, over the top and more radio friendly, Rock advised [as transcribed by Sleaze Roxx]: “I believe so… You know, the — a lot of feedback that you know we had all got about the first record was “kick ass record, great songs, killer guitar playing but maybe a little over the top so I think that we were all sort of hoping to dial it back in a bit.” When asked if that included Vincent, Rock stated: “Well, not Vinnie. Just for the sake of the band, just for what we were doing. And so I remember one time having a really difficult conversation where even after the conversation, I thought that I was out of line. I kind of shared with Vinnie what sort of was the consensus, what I felt about, you know the shit being over the top, almost fatiguing to listen to after awhile. I realize after I said it, I was probably out of a line. Nonetheless, I thought that he played his ass on the record.”
In terms of whether he would consider doing a Vinnie Vincent Invasion reunion, Rock stated: “Yeah. I would. The only x factor is just, you know, just to kind of know you know frankly where his [Vinnie Vincent‘s] head is at these days. Is he still interested in playing? Is he still you know — I could probably figure it out in two or three minutes of talking with him you know? But the answer is “yes” man! Why not?… It is an ambitious thought… If the planets aligned, I would be up for it!”
You can listen to the Decibel Geek podcast episode 270 with Bobby Rock via the Decibel Geek website.
Sleaze Roxx stated the following about Vinnie Vincent Invasion‘s debut album in one of its two reviews: “The enigmatic Vinnie Vincent likely felt held back in terms of the guitar playing when he was in KISS and while contributing to two of their best albums ever — Creatures Of The Night (1982) and Lick It Up (1983). Without any big brothers (i.e. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley) looking over his shoulders, Vincent not surprisingly was free to do as he pleased and he came up with an over the top glam metal debut “solo” album filled with way too much guitar soloing and shredding. The funny thing about Vinnie Vincent Invasion‘s self-titled debut album is that most of the songs are actually quite good but the crazy amount of guitar shredding at certain times kills the accessibility of the album to the average glam metal listener, let alone the mainstream hard rock listener. That is unfortunately the downfall of the Vinnie Vincent Invasion album.”
Sleaze Roxx stated the following in its review about Vinnie Vincent Invasion‘s All Systems Go: “The opening track “Ashes To Ashes” begins with some sort of opera song being played backwards and then launches into a massive riff accompanied by Mark Slaughter doing his best “Immigrant Song” impression. The song slows down for a while, but not long, because Vinnie Vincent is on hand — and he plays one of his most ‘exotic’ solos to date; this is definitely an interesting listen for guitar players. “Dirty Rhythm” is one of many sexually driven Vinnie Vincent Invasion songs, incorporating very ‘dirty’ rhythms indeed, not just guitar wise, but within the lyrics as well; “Come together in serenade, Pull the pin on my love grenade!”
“Love Kills”, the second single from All Systems Go, is a typical hair metal ballad which found its way onto the Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master soundtrack. “Naughty Naughty” and “Burn” are both sleazy, balls out axe bashers, while “Let Freedom Rock” is basically the same but with a more patriotic approach and “That Time Of Year” is more or less “Love Kills” part two. “Heavy Pettin’” is a good time rocker with an intro that sounds a lot like Led Zeppelin‘s “Misty Mountain Hop”. “Ecstasy” is just another song meant to get you holding a lighter in the air while the remaining tracks, however experimental, all sound the same.
Actually, the majority of this album all sounds the same. Regardless, All Systems Go is a good buy, but falls short (by a hair — and the band members had LOTS of hair to give) when compared to the debut album due to, quite simply, repetitive music.”