Synth driven pop punk outfit The Rocket aims to bring a refreshing take on the classics they all grew up with. With a keen ear for infectious melodies and an illustrious live reputation, the band has played big stages such as Groezrock, Europe’s biggest punk rock festival.
After a break to pursue other musical endeavors, The Rocket is back in full effect. Their latest single Chain Reaction, produced by Marc McClusky (Weezer, Motion City Soundtrack, Bad Religion), is proof of the reinvigorated energy and ambition the quintet brings to the table.
The band’s new album will be out in April 2018 however, for now, check out their latest single Chain Reaction.
We managed to catch up synth player Fred as he talks about their latest single, upcoming album and more!
How has the release of your single ‘Chain Reaction’ gone down with fans so far?
It’s gone down pretty great! We were a bit anxious since it has been a while since we’ve released new music, but it seems most people share our enthusiasm about the song.
We’ve noticed people are singing it along during the shows, just as they do with the older songs. There’s no bigger compliment than that, and we hope they will love our new single ‘Lost At Sea’ as well.
Can you tell us something about the track that no one else knows?
Yes, if you play it in reverse you will hear a recipe for a great stew.
What was your favourite moment recording your upcoming music video?
I’m inclined to say the moment we finished the last shot, because we were exhausted after a very long day, haha. Apart from that, I guess every time we were setting up the camera for a shot, and the image on the monitor looked exactly like the one in our heads. That’s instant goosebumps.
Can you tell us about your new album released in April?
Well, it’s gonna be a pop punk album with lots of synths on it of course, but with enough diversity in the songs to keep you on your toes. We went the extra mile for this one, and we think the album will reflect that. It’s definitely a step up from our previous releases. We recorded 14 songs of which 11 or 12 will make it on the album.
We worked with New York producer Marc McClusky on the new album, who’s worked with some of our favourite bands such as Motion City Soundtrack, Weezer and Farewell. His production really took our songs to another level and we’ve learned a lot in the process.
Our previous album Not Everyone Grows Up To Be An Astronaut was named after a lyric by Frank Turner. The new album title will also be a lyric from a band we admire, but we’re keeping it a secret for now. We’ve already used the hash tag #ARNTFTS on social media, so you can start guessing!
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Blink-182, hands down. So Mark Hoppus, if you’re reading this: please get in touch! We know you like Eden Hazard, so you can’t not like us!
Blink has definitely had an influence on most of us in some part of our lives. Their sound and songs changed over the years, but it was always still Blink. Even now, with Matt Skiba instead of Tom DeLonge, it’s still Blink.
What’s the alternative scene like in Belgium at the moment?
There’s definitely a lot going on in the underground, but one scene will always be more lively than the other. Just like in mainstream music, popularity of genres comes and goes. Some of us run a label called Thanks But No Thanks Records, and we notice that the bands on our roster who are in the harder punk rock genre, such as Young Hearts and Generation 84, are struggling to get a good run of decent shows lined up for themselves at the moment.
But we’re sure that will pick up soon. There’s a bit of an 80s revival going on, so the 90s are bound to come up sooner or later. And that’s when guitars enter the scene again.
Would you ever consider touring the UK?
Gladly, please hook us up! Our friends in F.O.D. and For I Am just went there. It would be great to hook up with UK bands such as Neck Deep, As It Is or Boston Manor for a tour in the UK or anywhere else, for that matter. All we need is a stage, something to drink and a crowd to sweat on.
Have you got any festivals or gig lined up for 2018?
2018 is looking good so far. We’ve got a few gigs lined up in the next few months, and some festival during and after summer. But we’re hoping to book a lot more, because there’s nothing we like more than play shows.
What was the first gig you all attended?
For our singer Tom is was a show with The Vandals, Useless ID, The Ataris and Flatcat, and guitarist Stijn remembers a show with Sixtoys and Five Day Off, two legendary Belgian punkrock bands. Our bass player Jos thinks his first show was Bad Burn, while our drummer Bastiaan lost his gig virginity to Limp Bizkit for some reason. I (synth player Fred) can’t really remember my first show, and I’m guessing it was something very local. As for big shows, I remember seeing Good Charlotte in Brussels a very long time ago and I’ve been going to summer festivals since I was 16 or 17.