| Interview with Rob Dukes By: Blissfulviolet |
| With a name that has been around the scene for twenty-seven years now, Exodus remains one of the greatest thrash bands in metal history. The band has recently finished recording their 8th studio album and a tour will soon follow. |
Blissfulviolet: Hey Rob, so how are you and
things in New York?
things in New York?
Rob Dukes: Good...it feels good to be home
for a few months...working on a solo record and
my art...and just staying busy as fuck.
for a few months...working on a solo record and
my art...and just staying busy as fuck.
Blissfulviolet: That's great that you’re working
on a solo record and keeping busy. What can
you tell me about it?
on a solo record and keeping busy. What can
you tell me about it?
Rob: I'm doing it in New York with my friend
John Corciari, he's been a friend for the last 20
years and a great guitar player and producer...
John Corciari, he's been a friend for the last 20
years and a great guitar player and producer...
Matt from Hatebreed is going to play drums, Brendon Small from Metalocolypse is doing a solo,
Jack Grisham from T.S.O.L. is going to sing on it, Lee Altus is gonna play, just a bunch of
people...the songs are heavy but not thrash, I'll do a lot more singing.
Jack Grisham from T.S.O.L. is going to sing on it, Lee Altus is gonna play, just a bunch of
people...the songs are heavy but not thrash, I'll do a lot more singing.
Blissfulviolet: Sounds interesting, so what’s been going on with the new Exodus album, I
heard you guys just finished recording?
heard you guys just finished recording?
Rob: Yes we finished it a few weeks ago and Andy is mixing it.
Blissfulviolet: Do you think this new album slays “Shovel Headed Kill Machine?”
Rob: Yes...
Blissfulviolet: What can you tell me about the new Exodus album?
Rob: It's fast and it's weird and it's heavy.
Blissfulviolet: Is there a tile or release date set yet?
Rob: Around Oct and I'm not giving the title out yet...
Blissfulviolet: Cool…Looks like you guys will be hitting the road soon. Excited about that?
Rob: Can't wait.
Blissfulviolet: What do you enjoy most about being on the road?
Rob: The shows themselves are the most fun...The rest of the time can be boring, but I read a
lot and watch a lot of cartoons, plus x-box and play station...
lot and watch a lot of cartoons, plus x-box and play station...
Blissfulviolet: Got any interesting road stories that you wish to comment on?
Rob: I screamed so loud I shit myself in Serbia on the last tour...I wear shorts with no boxers
and it fell out of my shorts onto the stage...It was funny as hell and we got it all on video...
and it fell out of my shorts onto the stage...It was funny as hell and we got it all on video...
Blissfulviolet: Haha fucking insane… How did
you become the vocalist for Exodus, being a
guitar tech and all. Could you tell us how this all
came about?
you become the vocalist for Exodus, being a
guitar tech and all. Could you tell us how this all
came about?
Rob: I was the guitar tech on the Megadeth
tour...when the tour ended I got a call from
Tom saying they wanted me to come out and
audition...there it is there.
tour...when the tour ended I got a call from
Tom saying they wanted me to come out and
audition...there it is there.
Blissfulviolet: Exodus is a name that has
been around for years now, has had various
lineup changes; but has kept its name and
been around for years now, has had various
lineup changes; but has kept its name and
music strong no matter what. What do you think keeps the band going and what do you enjoy
most about being part of Exodus?
most about being part of Exodus?
Rob: We are fast, heavy and fucking mean...Gary and crew are just the best fucking
musicians I have ever been around...I mean Kerry King and I were talking and he said to
me...Gary is the best guitar player in metal, and I think so too...him and lee just kill...Their time
is now...
musicians I have ever been around...I mean Kerry King and I were talking and he said to
me...Gary is the best guitar player in metal, and I think so too...him and lee just kill...Their time
is now...
Blissfulviolet: What got you interested in metal and could you name for us a few of your
favorite bands?
favorite bands?
Rob: I like music...not just metal...but my favorite metal bands are Slayer, old Metallica, Black
Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sepultura, to name a few...
Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sepultura, to name a few...
Blissfulviolet: Outside of the music bizz what does Rob Dukes enjoy doing?
Rob: I snowboard, I surf, I ride motorcycles (sport bikes) really fast, I like cartoons and violent
movies...I read a couple books a week...
movies...I read a couple books a week...
Blissfulviolet: You mentioned that you are also an artist. Do you plan on releasing any of
your artwork for the public to see in the near future?
your artwork for the public to see in the near future?
Rob: I'm working on some stuff that maybe I'll put in a SOHO gallery one day...Maybe if I die it
will worth something, I don't really want to talk about it until it's done...only a few people know
about it in detail.
will worth something, I don't really want to talk about it until it's done...only a few people know
about it in detail.
Blissfulviolet: I just heard news that Exodus will be featured in Metalocalypse. So were you
psyched? When will the episode air and who’s your favorite Metalocalypse character and why?
psyched? When will the episode air and who’s your favorite Metalocalypse character and why?
Rob: It's gonna air next season...and Murderface is my favorite because he hates everything
just like I do...Of course I was stoked...Brendon is one of my favorite cartoonist and when he
showed up at a show and wanted to meet me I was blown away...now we are friends...and to be
a part of the greatest cartoon ever made is a complete honor...
just like I do...Of course I was stoked...Brendon is one of my favorite cartoonist and when he
showed up at a show and wanted to meet me I was blown away...now we are friends...and to be
a part of the greatest cartoon ever made is a complete honor...
Blissfulviolet: Sounds killer well thanks once again for doing this interview. Do you have any
final comments for all the Exodus fans out there?
final comments for all the Exodus fans out there?
Rob: Don't be a sheep, think for yourself...Come out to our shows and buy Merch it's how we
live.
live.