Being originally from Sayreville, N.J. makes this drummer a “Jersey Boy.” But for the last 15 years give or take, Bobby has resided in Los Angeles, CA, and has spent most of his time touring Southern CA as one of L.A.’s premier drummers.
After touring with such bands as Stromfront, Hand Over Fist, Youth Gone Wild (a tribute to Skid Row) and Indie bands PsycoThrust and Wood, he currently holds the throne in the band The Cauze, who have had the honor of performing for 2 years in a row at Rocklahoma, a 4-day ’80s rockfest in Pyror, Oklahoma.
Bobby enjoys living in L.A. and loves the great California weather and jammin’ with all his “rock star” friends. He has shared the stage with GREAT WHITE, GEORGE LYNCH, MSG, WINGER, BULLET BOYS, WASP, SKID ROW, WARRANT, Y&T, LA GUNS, JEFF SCOTT SOTO, HOLLYWOOD ALLSTARS, and METAL CHURCH. From time to time you’ll also find Bobby “keepin’ the beat” while hookin’ up with fellow musicians at some prestigious clubs throughout CA.
Bobby holds several awards for his drumming through the years and has been recognized for his drumming skills by Music Connection, Highwire Daze and All Access Magazine.
Endorsed by Silver Fox drum sticks, his preferred drums are DWs with Zildjian cymbals. His passion for ’80s-style music makes Bobby Richards the “hard rock, hard hitting metal drummer” he is.
AAM: What attracted you to playing drums?
Bobby Richards (BR): The drummers that I like stand out the most in the band.
AAM: Of all the instruments anyone could choose to want to play, do you think drums are the easiest to learn? Why or why not?
BR: No, drums are not the easiest instrument to learn. You need to be very coordinated and just have a gift from above.
AAM: Should a drummer learn to use a click track?
BR: Learning to play with a click track is a great thing to keep your meter steady and for studio work, but playing live is where all the feel of playing the drums comes into play.
AAM: When you’re not performing or getting ready for a show, how do you keep up your chops?
BR: I try to practice every day by myself to keep up my chops. Practice makes perfect – LOL.
AAM: Which drum kit would you recommend for a beginner?
BR: There are many starter sets out there. Start with a kit that costs around $500, which will get you a good starter kit that will last for a while to see if you are serious about the instrument or not. Once you know you are serious, then you can sink some serious money into a kit.
AAM: As far as cymbals, are there any that are better than others, or is it really just a preference?
BR: Cymbals are a matter of preference, but in the end you get what you pay for. I love Zildjian 18 inch Rock Crashes, and those are pretty expensive.
AAM: Have you ever cracked a head or cymbal in the middle of a show? If so, how did you handle that?
BR: I have cracked both in the middle of a show. A cymbal being cracked… you can get by with until the end of a show. But a broken drum head… you are in a lot of trouble, especially if it is the bass drum head. Have the roadies run for duct tape and make the guitar player go into a guitar solo!
AAM: Do you think that, being a drummer, you sometimes get left out of pictures, reviews, etc. because you’re in the back?
BR: Maybe a little, but it all depends on the drummer. If you just sit back there, you will be forgotten about. But if you put on a show like I do you will be noticed, and I do put on one hell of a show.
AAM: What is the most discouraging thing about being a drummer?
BR: There is NOTHING DISCOURAGING about being a drummer. I am very proud of what I can do behind my kit and that is not being cocky, that is being confident.
AAM: And of course the best thing about being a drummer?
BR: The best thing about being a drummer is you can be yourself. Every one of us drummers has our own personality that comes out once you hit that stage. Mine just happens to be a little crazy…!
Thanks, Bobby, for taking the time to share your drumming experiences and insights with our AAM readers.
