A Dirty Dozen with ROKK from XSKULL8 – July 2021

According to a recent press release: “Slovenian rock band XSKULL8 are set to release their new album From Sin To Sinners via Curtain Call Records on July 23, 2021. Even though it’s the first record under the name XSKULL8, the guys say it’s “apparent that it’s not our first. This is already a product that we fearlessly introduce ourselves with to the world music scene.” After the release of the last single “Leaves Are Falling” from the album, they note with enthusiasm that the song has caught on remarkably and they hope the same for the rest of the material. “Most of this has already been presented to our audience as singles, but we have some unheard ear-candy on the album,” they promise.” We get Rokk to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Huh… Not intentionally :D. I think we’re pretty honest about us and about our music. So no “subliminal” messages here. Just listen to the story, check the lyrics and you’ll get the picture.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I don’t know. I’ve been around instruments probably my whole life. I don’t remember much of it, but I saw pictures of me, as a small kid, running around with those plastic instruments. Also my mom signed me up for a music school in the first grade, but that didn’t go well :D. I think I was about 13 when I had a fight with our music teacher, because she said that even if I knew the answers, I will not pass her class… So I said “well, F*** you, I’m gonna be a rocker. And… Now I’m here 😀

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Huh… God… There are so many of them. Rly. I even did a “10 songs that changed my life” video on my Rock With Rokk YouTube channel. I had this mentor that saw the potential in me, and he guided me and helped me with music and recording stuff, and he showed me Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Boston, Toto… And he said: “boy! If you wanna play rock, first, you have to know this”. And so it began. I watched a full live of TOTO on DVD and I remember I cried at the end, because it was so beautiful and so emotional. Then I met KoRn, Evanescence, etc. and I just went from there. But there are many musicians that influenced me and made me the man I am today.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Right now? Huh… I’d say Corey Taylor, Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Five Finger Death Punch, and many more. I like to mix everything together and not listen to same bands 2 day in the row 🙂

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Corey Taylor…. Why? Because it’s the MFCT! His voice and mostly his lyrics/songs helped me through the toughest times, so it just feels right… Myles Kennedy… great artist… And also Tremonti. Phill Collins…Do I really need another reason? 😀 … and more :D…

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Well… I’d say if you like heavy riffs in rock, or if you like metal, then you should hear this. Because our music is right there in between…. Well I don’t know. I don’t really pay attention to that. Everybody has their own opinion and sees us differently. If you like what you hear, that’s the only thing I need.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

I can tell you what’s the worst. Hahaha… The best would be the freedom… When I write music, I feel free. I can write and say whatever I feel, and nobody will judge. Because it’s music. Also the shows… When you see that crowd, just waiting for your move… That’s pure ecstasy.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

The guitar guy is Johnny. No matter where we go, he’s the guy that takes his acoustic with him. Even if we go on Paintball, he takes his guitar. The cook is me… I love to cook and I’m not so bad at it.  The liquor guy is Nejc. He’ll not leave you thirsty. Even when you had enough, he’ll keep ’em coming. Don’t ask me what Klemen does. Probably in the van, programming lights and playlists.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Live? Probably TOTO. Those guys know what they’re doin.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

A roadie, sound guy, or producer 😀

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Not really. I was thinking about all of that, but I believe everything comes at the right time and for a right reason. And I would be the same if even one thing changed in my past. It made me who I am.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I’d have to say John Williams – Best of… Theme songs from Star Wars, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, E.T., Jurassic Park…. That must have been breathtaking.

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Category: Interviews