Bobby Richards has toured with Wood, Stormfront, Hand Over Fist, and Youth Gone Wild (a tribute to Skid Row), performing at many of L.A.'s most prestigious clubs. He has shared the stage and/or performed with Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), Jeff Scott Soto, Anthrax featuring Joey Belladonna, Lynch Mob with George Lynch, WWIII, Metal Church and W.A.S.P. As busy as Richards gets, he often finds time to hook up with good friend Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) for a drum lesson and insight into the music Industry.
Music Connection, Highwire Daze, and AAM’s own Music Awards have recognized this award-winning hard rock/metal drummer from New Jersey, who has made quite a name for himself in the music industry.
Richards’ current project, The Cauze, is an energetic, original, melodic rock band that’s known as one of the select few original bands in Southern CA that often gets the opportunity to perform at venues such as The Galaxy, Key Club, and The Whisky. It all started just about a year ago when The Cauze, being a seasoned band serious about their musical career, began the search to recruit the perfect drummer. After a brief meeting followed by an audition, Richards joined The Cauze, and it’s been non-stop go in every sense. As Jeff Ellis, lead singer for the band says, “The circle is complete. We are serious about shopping for a record deal and needed a career drummer so the match was made with Richards meeting the bill.”
So why did this metal drummer from Jersey decide to take a different road? And where has this new road led?
AAM: How old where you when you picked up your first set of drumsticks?
Bobby Richards: As a child I used to watch all the people I admired on MTV. For my 10th birthday my mother gave me a special surprise by sending me off to the music store for my first drum lesson. Being a single mom, this was a financial hardship for her so it was a true gift of love for which I will always be grateful. While I started at a music store, I didn’t continue past the first month. My instructor went too slowly and overcharged my mom, so I became self-taught – originally practicing with pillows and later switching to a drum pad, banging away with my KISS and Led Zeppelin records.
AAM: When did you start jamming with other musicians?
BR: At age 12 I joined my first garage band with a secondhand drum set. The school district I attended didn’t have funding for a band program so I was extremely grateful that the older teenagers were willing to give me a chance by including me in their jamming sessions. This is one of the reasons that I openly support keeping music programs in the schools so that every child has a chance to experience the joy of learning music.
AAM: When did you officially join your first band?
BR: I joined my first band, Tyrant, at age 19, and a couple months after joining I played my very first gig with them at a club in South River, NJ. This was an incredible night that I will never forget. A month later we started playing all over the New Jersey/New York area’s bars and clubs despite me being underage. My bandmates were much older, so they would set up my drums and literally sneak me in a minute before it was time for me to play. I was hidden behind my monstrous ‘80s heavy metal Tama drum set so people couldn’t see me very well.
AAM: Which drummers have influenced you most after being in the music industry for so many years?
BR: Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Lars Ulrich (Metallica), and my personal friend and instructor Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath).
AAM: How has your role as a “Heavy Metal Drummer” changed since you joined The Cauze?
BR: My role, like all the “metal” bands I have been in, is to be the backbone and to keep an easy steady flow throughout the show. Speaking of shows, The Cauze’s is one that is really spectacular! I do try to interact with our fans before and after the show. And I am always around and up for an autograph or two. Thank God for drum roadies!
AAM: What would you say was your career’s most memorable performance?
BR: Playing to a sold-out show at the House of Blues on Sunset Blvd., and also co-headlining with W.A.S.P. at the Key Club in West Hollywood.
AAM: Do you think you’ll every want to give up this crazy life we call rock-n-roll?
BR: That is a hard question. I don’t think I will ever give it up 100%, just maybe slow down a little bit. I love what I do and it just comes naturally. If I had the time to tell you some stories, OH MY GOD!
AAM: What are your thoughts about today’s music scene, the Internet, MySpace…?
BR: There’s a lot of creativity and great energy out there, but unfortunately some of the best are left unnoticed. The Internet has become a great asset to my drumming career as now I can have my talent be known worldwide, where in the past that would have not been possible. My music can be heard on MySpace.com/BobbyRichards88. My tour dates are listed there too, and I would love to see you at one of my shows!
AAM: What advice do you have for young, up-and-coming musicians?
BR: Practice, practice, and practice, because there’s always someone else out there better than you. Try to keep focused, and don’t let your ego take over. Stay grounded, and always remember where your roots came from. If you really want to do this you can, but remember it takes years of hard work and dedication. Follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone tear them down.
AAM: What is your single most significant accomplishment in drumming?
BR: Having the opportunity to play and perform in front of thousands of people and giving back to the fans as much as I can through my live and studio performances. This is something I love to do! This is something I LIVE to do; it’s in my blood!
AAM: Tell us more about your future plans. Are you comfortable performing in a melodic rock band verses being known as “Bobby Richards’ thunderous pounding on drums,” the title you lived up to for years in the band WOOD?
BR: My future is great; I am very comfortable with The Cauze. NO fuss, NO drama. It’s All About The Music. I have played out more in this past year with The Cauze than I ever did before with one band in L.A. All the guys are great and extremely talented musicians. I would like to thank All Access Magazine for the opportunity to be able to share my story. Thank you to Silverfox Drumsticks for their endorsement. Thank you Laura for taking your time. And thanks to all my family, friends, and dedicated fans for their love and support. NOW: Get off your butts and come see The Cauze’s next show. We’re at the Key Club as the supporting act for MSG and George Lynch!
Rapidly gaining a fan club of his own, Richards’ popularity grows with each show as more and more fans come to see this “hard rock metal drummer from Jersey” who found his way to The Cauze. AAM congrats Bobby Richards and The Cauze. We too think this was a perfect match and agree, “The circle is complete.” For more info, e-mail BobbyRichards88@yahoo.com.
