Interview with Bobby from Pentagram

So with the new album due out and the birth of his Son we thought we would catch up with Bobby from Pentagram to see whats going down, check this shit out….

The name Pentagram evokes the idea of Satanism for a lot of people, what is the story behind the name choice?

My mom picked it!  It is just a dark name that originally was seen as a symbol of good and protection.  Good things can turn evil….and then back. There is good in evil just like there is good and evil in our music.  Unfortunately, were we stand now……it’s seen as a sign of evil.  It never brought this band any luck so we are moving forward without it in the future… …our name says all we need it to say and we don;’t need the symbol anymore.

This year marks your fortieth anniversary – are there any special surprise planned to celebrate this fact?

SURE…lots of gigs.  Please come out and celebrate with us if we play your town or close to it.  You never know when things are going to go….  so lets celebrate while we are all still here!  Let’s live life for we are blessed to be here!

‘Last Rites’ is set for UK release on April 12, what can fans expect from the new album?

HEAVY, heavy emotions and riffs.  Great production finally, the best we’ve ever had.  You’ll see my old songs finally recorded properly and presented to you from a strong band!  We are back!

Pentagram are still relevant and much loved today – do you think that’s down to loyal fans from back in the day or are you always aiming to appeal to new fans?

I little of both.  Depends what you mean by back in the day.  Back in the day, we were lucky to have 10 people at our gigs!  I think it says something of the fact that people always come back to the real music.  you can go off in one extreme or the other but you always come back to blues-based music.  You need those riffs and solos.  And we offer what not many bands do lately….real songs, real melody and REAL HEAVY.  You can’t beat Victor’s tone.  it’s perfected and better than ever the world is ready for it.  The world is finally ready for Pentagram.

There are lots of ‘past members’ of Pentagram – how do you find this affects the way you’re perceived?

I think people see me a survivor who could never let go off the music.  That is a good thing and it’s kept me kicking all these years.  People come and go but what I do know from all that is that Victor Griffin in my true musical brother.  We are the yin and yang of doom.  We are the Jagger / Richards and we are the Tyler / Perry of heavy music.

Over the years you’ve released many albums, and whilst all are distinctly Pentagram, there are noticeable periods where you went in a slightly different direction with the sound. What is your favourite album to listen to of Pentagram and, Bobby, what was your favourite to make/what album evokes the best memories?

Everyone says their latest but it’s true.  For me, finally we got great production.  I loved doing this album!  We’ve never sounded better.  this is my fave because it is the one I remember recording. It is my first sober album!!  I did love recording “Be Forewarned” but overall, “Last Rites” is the album that I always wanted to make.  I believe it will be held high up by the fans along with our other few gems such as “Relentless” or anything from the old days

Bobby, you had a son recently (congratulations!) – how has this altered your life?

It’s helped me wake up to realize that it takes to be a responsible adult.  He’s given me great drive for now I have to live for him and my loving wife.  I’m a family man now.   Again, I’ve been truly blessed.  I can’t believe I get to hold a little me!  t.  here were days in my life when I didn’t think I’d survive, never mind procreating another little Liebling

I heard the Pentagram documentary ‘Last Days Here’ is having the world premier at SXSW, what can we expect to see and is there an official release date set for people who can’t attend any of the three screenings?

It opened to great reviews and praise.  I can’t wait to see it.  There is a US distribution deal in the works and once that happens.  Hopefully they can land some distribution in Europe.

You’ve now got Greg Turley and Albert Born on board – how did these partnerships come about?

Greg is Victor’s nephew and was in the band in the mid to late 90s.  He’s been a friend of the band for years and I met him when he was a little kid!!  His sound is great and especially as far as stage presence goes, he is the best bass player we’ve ever had.   It’s like we are a true family.  The Ram Family.  Albert has played with Greg in the past, he lives close to Greg and he’s a talented drummer.  We have trying to show him how to play with the doomed feel since he’s mainly a grindcore drummer.  He’s a great guy though, a great drummer and we feel that he is going to fit right in.  Come out to say HI on the tour trail in April!

You’ve been announced to also play two shows at SXSW in Texas alongside the likes of eyehategod and the Strokes – is it important to you to not strictly limit yourselves to purely metal-genre festivals?

NO.  I started this as a hard rock band…….people started calling it metal…that’s not my fault.  I want to play for anyone who wants to listen.  I’m told by management that many genres and subgenres of metal and rock will get into us.  I feel that it is because we come from the very roots of metal…..the blues.  Everyone has the blues therefore I want to play for everyone!

What’s the plan for Pentagram in the future?

Survival, one day at a time.  I hope that we can stay focused and appreciate this second chance at making it.  We want to tour and survive.  We need the fans help.  Without them, there is no music, and without the music, there is no me.  Help us live, let’s share the world through music.  Come on out to the gigs, guy our new album and let me know what you think.  Let’s make the future of music ours!  Walk in the Blue light!