All images courtesy of Rob DeLuca/Spread Eagle

Image credit: Joe Schaeffer Photography/All images courtesy of Rob DeLuca/Spread Eagle

Recently, we had the pleasure of speaking with bassist, Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, and UFO. Among other things, we touch on what he’s been up to during the lockdown, his early career with Spread Eagle, recording and touring with UFO, and Sebastian Bach, his newest music, and what he’s looking forward to most once COVID-19 breaks.

If you would like to learn more about Rob De Luca’s work with Spread Eagle, and UFO, can head here, and here. Once you’ve done that, check out this interview with Rob. Cheers.

Andrew:
Rob, I appreciate you taking the time today. How have you been holding up over the last year or so? What have you been up to?
 

Rob:
I didn’t work at all for 16 months, other than writing for the next Spread Eagle album. I’m getting busy now though. Currently, I’m in the middle of the 12 week Sebastian Bach Slave To The Grind 30th anniversary tour. 

Andrew:
Before we dive into your professional career, let’s go back a bit. What first got you hooked on music?

Rob:
I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, and hung out with a bunch of much older guys who knew a lot about Rock ‘N’ Roll. They introduced me to so many great bands at a very young, formative age.

Andrew:
As a bassist, who were some of your early influences?

Rob:
I’m unsure how much early influence I had from bassists. Probably Michael Anthony of Van Halen in those early days. I was more focused on developing the physical strength it took to play the instrument in an aggressive setting without a second guitarist. As I developed more of a style, my favorite bassist became Joe Lally of Fugazi.

All images courtesy of Rob DeLuca/Spread Eagle

Andrew:
Let’s go back now and start with Spread Eagle, which was one of the most underrated Hard Rock bands that came out during the ever-crazy Hair Metal and Glam scene that boomed in the 1980s. Take me through the formation of the band.

Rob:
Three of us lived in Boston for a few years gigging and trying to get a recording contract. People liked the band but not the singer. We moved to NYC, got Ray [West], and were signed to MCA/Universal within three months.

Andrew:
Spread Eagle’s debut record, Spread Eagle, was released in 1990, which was at the tail end of the 80s Rock boom. What do you recall about the recording of that record? What was the reception like?

Rob:
We were the last ever band to record at NYC’s legendary Record Plant before they closed it down. The album’s reception was very positive.

Andrew:
1993’s Open To the Public was Spread Eagle’s last record for major label, MCA/Universal, and it was a hell of a record. The 1990s was a volatile time for 70s and 80s rockers. This said, in your opinion, did Grunge have as much of an effect as its perceived to have had on Heavy Metal? Even if it did sort of “kill metal” for a time — were you a grunge fan? What are your thoughts on countless mainstream acts such as KISS, Mötley Crüe, and more “going grunge” in the 90s?

Rob:
Grunge was definitely one of the factors why our second album was overlooked. I like any music that’s good, so I was, and am a fan of some Grunge music. However, trying to be something you’re not rarely sounds genuine, and fans can usually tell the truth.

All images courtesy of Rob DeLuca/Spread Eagle

Andrew:
Much is made of the 1980s golden age of Hair Metal and Glam Rock. Looking back, was it really as crazy as it seemed? What was your experience like?

Rob:
Yes, it was absolutely insane! We were just growing up and pushing boundaries, musically, personally, sexually, culturally…

Andrew:
Take me through the initial decision to disband Spread Eagle in 1995.

Rob:
Tommi Gallo left the band at the end of a tour, choosing to stay and live in Florida. Our friend Dave Femia then became our touring drummer. Ray West was the next to quit. We briefly talked about getting another singer but Ray is virtually irreplaceable. Then Paul DiBartolo quit. That left only me, Femia and our manager, Charlie Gambetta, so, we decided to just walk away.

Andrew:
The band did reform in 2006, and has been going strong ever since. Subway to the Stars was as good as the band’s early work for sure. What led to the reformation, and what’s next for Spread Eagle? 

Rob:
Thank you! In the 1990’s, people had this insane idea that anything associated with “80’s Metal” was uncool. So to survive, Ray and I needed to distance ourselves from that for a while. Then after a decade people started acting sane again and we decided it was time to regroup Spread Eagle and move forward.

All images courtesy of Rob DeLuca/Spread Eagle

Andrew:
It seems the mid-2000s was a busy, and prosperous time for you as you joined Sebastian Bach in 2005, and the legendary UFO in 2008. Let’s start with Sebastian Bach — what led to you joining his band on bass?

Rob:
Bas liked Spread Eagle in 1990, and I also briefly recorded with him in the early 90s in NYC. In the summer of 2005, Sebastian’s bassist, Steve DiGiorgio, was about to leave so I filled in on a few rehearsals, then fully joined later that year.

Andrew:
On to UFO now. Take me through how you became a member of one of the seminal acts in Rock and Heavy Metal history.

Rob:
A bunch of luck. Bach was out on tour supporting Guns N’ Roses for quite a while, and I became friendly with Bumblefoot Ron Thal. UFO’s Pete Way had problems getting into the USA, and Vinnie Moore was asking around for a solid fill-in bassist. Vin and Ron are good friends, and my name came up. A friend got me Vin’s email address, and I also had a brother-in-law that knew him. So, all those things came together to help me.

Andrew:
The two records you’ve been a part of with UFO, A Conspiracy of Stars, and The Salentino Cuts are great records. How different has the recording process been with a band like UFO compared to other bands you’ve worked with? What’s next for UFO?

Rob:
All the records I do are organic, where people record together in a traditional way. However, UFO is the most organic. We always all get in the same room, and jam through all ideas until they’re complete, like the old days.

All images courtesy of Rob DeLuca/Spread Eagle

Andrew:
What is the status of your Psychedelic/Progressive project, Of Earth, which features you on both bass, and vocals? Can we hope for some new music in the arena soon?

Rob:
That band is very important to me, and I hope to revisit it again. However, at the moment, I’m fully immersed in bringing Spread Eagle back to public consciousness. As you know, that’s a large mountain to climb and takes a lot of effort and focus.

Andrew;
You’ve also notably performed with Helmet, George Lynch and Joan Jett. What’s it been like having those types of opportunities? What are some of your favorite projects you’ve been a part of outside of UFO, and Spread Eagle? 

Rob:
I’m lucky to have been involved with all those artists. Touring with Sebastian Bach has also been a big highlight, especially on the tours as direct support for Guns N’ Roses.

Andrew:
Easy one’s now. What are a few of your favorite albums, and why?
 

Rob:
ACϟDC’s Highway to Hell. I listened to it most days when I returned from high school, also If You Want Blood. Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here because it’s virtually a perfect album. Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite For Destruction because it was such a cultural game changer.

All images courtesy of Rob DeLuca/Spread Eagle

Andrew:
What other passions do you have? How do those passions inform your music, if at all?

Rob:
Between touring, writing and producing music, there’s honestly not a lot of time for anything else. So, in the rare times I’m not doing those, I’m hopefully relaxing. I did build the largest vintage instrument website in the world though, called http://vintagebassworld.com.

Andrew:
What sort of equipment do you use in the studio, and the live setting?

Rob:
Studio: 1966 Fender Precision, 1959 Fender Precision, 1979 Gibson Thunderbird, 1971 Ampeg SVT, and matching 8×10 cabinet.

Live: I use the same 1966 and 1979 basses, but usually with a SVT reissue rental.

Andrew:
Last one. What’s next for you as we move forward? Do you plan to hit the road, and tour?

Rob:
In late December, I’ll return home to start recording the next Spread Eagle album. Then, in 2022, most likely more Bach shows in the Spring, Spread Eagle touring, UFO Last Orders EU tour dates in June, and October ’22.

Image credit: Rock Titan/All images courtesy of Rob DeLuca/Spread Eagle

Interested in learning more about Spread Eagle? Check out the links below:

Dig this interview? Check out the full catalog of VWMusic Interviews, by Andrew Daly, here: www.vinylwritermusic.com/interviews

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