ROCKIN’ VOLTS - It’s a Long Way to the Top
Pictured: Tyler Theo, Hayden Scott, Dean Weedon + Dylan Stevens - ROCKIN’ VOLTS
Photo courtesy of Dean Weedon
Interview with Dean Weedon from ROCKIN’ VOLTS
Interview By: Jeremy Edwards - Scale Records | Sense Music Media
Let’s begin here by making two important distinctions: Firstly, Pub Rock is described as a sound from the ‘70s and ‘80s from bands that mostly played in pubs, obviously. Secondly, Aussie rock simply describes any good rock music from Australia. It has to be acknowledged that both are positive descriptions and with that in mind, you're about to meet the new breed in both categories.
ROCKIN VOLTS are self-described Rock ‘n’ Roll quartet from Melbourne. The band originally kicked off in 2014 and have been through a few lineup changes. The ROCKIN VOLTS we’re talking about is now made up of founding member and drummer Dean Weedon, vocalist and bassist Hayden Scott, vocalist and guitarist Tyler Theo and guitarist Dylan Stevens.
It won't take you long to draw the similarity to AC/DC and ROSE TATTOO and other staple bands but you need to keep an open mind here. Just because it's that classic Pub Rock sound, don’t assume these guys are derivative. You can certainly hear certain iconic influences, but these guys find a way to put their spin on our beloved Aussie sound.
The Interview
We met up with the man behind ROCKIN’ VOLTS, drummer Dean Weedon to learn more about the band. They’ve had a rocky start until now due to the search for the best lineup to get their music across:
Pictured: Dean Weedon - ROCKIN’ VOLTS
Photo courtesy of Dean Weedon
The band played a couple of local shows before Weedon found himself without a band. It didn’t stop him though and a new lineup was formed quite quickly. There's mention of a handy resource to find band members for you guys in his comment as well:
ROCKIN’ VOLTS got to work quickly and played a couple of gigs but it wasn’t long before the band lost a couple of members. Once, again it didn’t take long and the band re-formed once again and the lineup has remained unchanged since:
The guys put an EP together and released it quite quickly; a self-titled release of 3 original tracks as well as a very tidy cover of Let There Be Rock by you-know-who. Currently though, they're sitting on a full album to release when the timing is right:
Album Cover: Rock ‘n’ Roll Will Never Die - ROCKIN’ VOLTS
In the beginning, ROCKIN’ VOLTS were a cover band. That all began to change when they realised they were sitting on something a bit more special:
While the band started as a cover act, their decision to move to putting out originals was still heavily inspired by some big hitters. Weedon reveals some of their musical mentors here:
We asked Weedon what he thought of the fact that ROCKIN’ VOLTS are constantly described as being similar to AC/DC?
You couldn’t script it better, but as Weedon explains he satisfaction with the band’s current situation, he couldn’t help but slip in a cheeky nod to the big chiefs of Pub Rock:
At the moment while things are a little restricted, Weedon explains how the band are keeping in touch to keep the excitement and motivation up. In the second clip below, he explains what they plan to do as soon as we can go out again:
Pictured: Dean Weedon, Dylan Stevens, Tyler Theo + Hayden Scott - ROCKIN’ VOLTS
Photo courtesy of Dean Weedon
The point has been made ad nauseum that now is a time of reinvention and development. ROCKIN’ VOLTS are embracing that completely and haven’t stopped for one second:
What is the immediate plan for these guys? Quite a bit actually. What they plan on NOT doing is wasting anytime. They’ve set the bar pretty high in terms of how quick they can get their album produced and it sounds like they just might pull it off:
Weedon gives his ideas on the kind of mindset required to achieve what they want to as a band in such a timely manner:
In the next clip Weedon shares some opinions about staying true to your sound, not following what a manager or label might tell you if it isn’t in the band’s best interest, foremost:
When ROCKIN’ VOLTS do finally head out on tour, they have some pretty special plans. In true Rock ‘n’ Roll style, you won't be finding these boys at their airport. They want the experience of a road tour as it was40-odd years ago. There’s something that seems to forge a tighter bond between bandmates that have co-habitated in a tiny space for days and weeks on end. It was possibly a lot easier to do 40 years ago, but it’s an experience these boys are chasing:
Pictured - Tyler Theo, Dean Weedon, Hayden Scott + Dylan Stevens - ROCKIN’ VOLTS
Photo courtesy of Dean Weedon
To emphasize the reasons why ROCKIN’ VOLTS want to tour in the same way the early bands did, Weedon shares a story that inspired him to want to get and a van and hit the highway:
To finish off our discussion we asked Weedon to offer up a bit of advice for how he sees the future of music:
Pictured: Dylan Stevens, Dean Weedon, Hayden Scott + Tyler Theo - ROCKIN’ VOLTS
Photo courtesy of Dean Weedon
If you love a bit of Aussie Pub Rock, it's safe to say you’re going to enjoy ROCKIN’ VOLTS. Keep an ear out for their new stuff coming out over the next few weeks and when you get a chance their live show will be a rockin good time!
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