Interview With Mike Ruocco of Cinder Road
Posted: 28 February 2007
Contributed By: Chris
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Cinder
Road is Mike Ruocco (Vocals/Guitar) Chris Shucosky (Guitar/Vocals) Pat Patrick (Guitar/Vocals) Nat Doegen (Bass/Vocals) Mac Calvaresi (Drums/Vocals) MySpace |
TuneLab Music: The band previously
went by the name Plunge, what prompted the
name change?
Mike Ruocco: For one there were several
other bands performing under the same name
around the country. Two, we wanted a change.
To start fresh with the new record.
TL : You've been a band for quite a while,
since 1995 right?
MR: I have been in a couple
bands over the years, my first band Plunge
I started in 1995.
TL: How has the music industry changed for
up-and-coming bands since then?
MR: I think any musician would agree that
the music business has always been a very
difficult place to succeed however in recent
years with record sales declining and the
huge influence of downloading music, the business
has gotten that much harder.
TL: How have you guys adapted to the changes?
MR: Music is the only avenue for the band
and I, We have no back-up plan and nothing
to fall back on so there has never been any
other choice other than busting our asses
everyday to get to the next level.
TL: You've been on the road for about a month
now with Daughtry. How did you get hooked
up with the tour?
MR: Our CD was given to the Daughtry guys
and they liked our music, next thing you know
we are on the tour! It has truly been a dream
come true for us.
TL: All of the shows have been sold out, what
kind of experience has that been?
MR: This entire tour has been the "break"
the band and I have been hoping for. To be
able to share the stage with a band that you
dig is awesome, not to mention the fact that
playing on front of sold-out crowds every
night is amazing. The fans have been extremely
welcoming to our band.
TL: Some bands tour in a bus, others in a
van, but I understand you guys have had some
transportation issues had been traveling in
a Kia mini-van for a few days. That must have
been fun?
MR: We have all played in bands for many
years and along the way traveled in pick-up
trucks, plumbing vans and eventually a tour
bus but the Kia was a good time. It was a
nice little reality check. When we got the
bus back we all appreciated it that much more.
TL: Before the Daughtry tour, you spent some
time over-seas performing for the military.
A lot of bands talk about how those tours
changes your life. Cinder Road has done four
of them, what kind of impact on your lives
has it had?
MR: Playing for the men and women of the
military has been amazing. I have never experienced
an audience like the military. These folks
don't get to see live rock & roll bands very
often so when they do its a real party. Plus
the soldiers are so appreciative of us coming
over seas. Those tours really make you feel
good about the job you have done. The troops
really deserve a little time to let their
hair down.
TL: The new album 'SuperHuman' was
produced by Marti Fredrickson who has also
produced albums for Aerosmith and Ozzy Osbourne.
What was it like working with him and what
kind of impact did he have on the album?
MR: Marti and I hit it off right form
the start. So making this record was all fun.
I have had the pleasure of writing with a
number of really talented song writers but
the collaboration with Marti felt the most
like home He truly brings out the best in
me as a musician and a writer.
TL: Although this will not be the first album
you have released, it will be the first released
under the new band name and the first that
has gotten a lot of exposure. Does that make
you nervous?
MR: Not really, I am anxious for the opportunity
to show the world what we have been working
so hard on and hopefully the people will react.
I know the music business is a touch place
but hopefully there will always be a home
for good old rock and roll.
TL: You've has said, "We have never been the
type of band that cares what's hot, we just
do what we do and hopefully the people dig
it." Do you think bands try too hard to please
record labels and radio?
MR: I am sure there are bands out there
that try to latch on to the latest fads but
as far as I am concerned to each his own.
I wish the best for any band out there trying
to get to the next level. Believe me we know
how hard this biz can be.
TL: The Daughtry tour comes to an end in April.
What are the bands plans for the summer?
MR: We hope to jump on to some other great
tours where we can have the opportunity to
play in front of new faces and then hopefully
headline our own tour.
TL: That's all I have. Anything you'd like
to add?
MR: Here are our website address'
myspace.com/CinderRoad
- www.CinderRoadMusic.com
Thank you for the interview!