In a brand new interview with “Reckless” Rexx Ruger of Pod Scum, Mick Sweda spoke about THE ROCKETT MAFIA, his new band that includes POISON‘s Rikki Rockett on drums, Brandon Gibbs (DEVIL CITY ANGELS) on vocals and guitar, and Bryan Kimes on bass and backing vocals. Requested if THE ROCKETT MAFIA‘s preliminary dwell performances will see the quartet performing cowl songs or originals, Mick, who beforehand performed with the BULLETBOYS, stated (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Effectively, we’re beginning out with covers. We’re sort of leaning towards a ’70s form of vibe, issues that that [Rikki] and I grew up with. However we’re ensuring there are songs that we love and are captivated with. And we have got some reveals booked — I believe we’re enjoying the Whisky [A Go Go] in February of this 12 months right here in L.A., and we have got some fly-outs coming after that.”
He continued: “However, yeah, it is actual enjoyable. We’re having a good time with it. The singer Brandon is coming in at present, so we’re really gonna actually sort of hone in on how that is gonna be. Nevertheless it’s energetic, and we’re placing our little imprint on the songs, which is one thing that I’d insist on in any circumstance. So I believe it is gonna be loads of enjoyable. And that is sort of what we wanna do — we simply wanna maintain it excessive vitality and entertaining and enjoyable and dwell.”
Rockett and Gibbs performed their first present as THE ROCKETT MAFIA in Might 2024 on the finish of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Journey bike charity occasion in Santa Monica, California. They had been joined on the gig by guitarist Brent Woods (SEBASTIAN BACH, CHEVY METAL) and bassist Wiley Hodgden.
Rockett and Gibbs beforehand performed collectively in a band known as DEVIL CITY ANGELS, additionally that includes guitarist Tracii Weapons (L.A. GUNS) and bassist Eric Brittingham (CINDERELLA). The band launched its self-titled debut album in September 2015. Following the recording of “Satan Metropolis Angels”, Brittingham determined to not proceed with the mission and his spot was taken by Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE). Round a 12 months later, Rockett, Gibbs and Brittingham joined forces with guitarist Joel Kosche (ex-COLLECTIVE SOUL) to type the LORDS OF DEVIL CITY. Inside a number of months, Rockett, Gibbs and Brittingham relaunched DEVIL CITY ANGELS, just for Eric to exit the mission in the summertime of 2017 and get replaced by Topher Nelson. In July 2020, DEVIL CITY ANGELS launched a brand new single, “Testify”.
When Rockett and Gibbs first jammed collectively 4 months in the past in preparation for his or her look on the The Distinguished Gentleman’s Journey, Rikki wrote on social media: “Final night time Brandon and I jammed for the primary time in very very long time with a view to grease the wheels for the present. We rolled by means of some cowl tunes, however after we chomped on a some DEVIL CITY ANGELS tunes we each felt some critical ardour come again.
“If you do not know, we put the DEVIL CITY ANGELS collectively a number of years again and made what I believe is an excellent report. Tracii Weapons together with Eric Brittingham, Brandon and I, as DEVIL CITY ANGELS, made our approach throughout the nation enjoying reveals in a single tour bus and trailer, old-fashioned. The steamroller was going properly till I bought most cancers. Then Tracii bought requested again into L.A. GUNS, and so forth, and so forth. Backside line, the band sidelined and solely ever did a pair extra company gigs. Aside from ‘The Stadium Tour’ and some sit-ins with CHEVY METAL, I’ve just about stayed away from dwell performances with different artists. I just about have at all times put my coronary heart and soul into every part I do and I had a ardour for the DEVIL CITY ANGELS mission.
“That is] not the DEVIL CITY ANGELS and it isn’t CHEVY METAL, that is THE ROCKETT MAFIA, a jam combo that I could put collectively once in a while to get pleasure from my love of Rock ‘N’ Roll with a few of my besties within the rock world.”
In early 2019, Gibbs and Rockett had been embroiled in a public disagreement after Gibbs indicated he was not concerned with DEVIL CITY ANGELS attributable to the truth that the band was “inactive.” Rikki responded that DEVIL CITY ANGELS “went inactive” as a result of he was recognized with most cancers and advised presumably transferring on with out Brandon. This prompted Gibbs to fireplace again that he had “by no means seen somebody complain about cash, notion and 1st class tickets” as a lot as Rockett allegedly did, “to the purpose the place it will get in the way in which of doing something.” The 2 have since resolved their variations.
Again in 2015, Rockett informed Sleaze Roxx about Gibbs: “The factor about Brandon is that he is a younger man however he appears like he is from the ’70s. That is what is so interesting for guys like us. That is the explanation that I actually wished Brandon concerned with us. Brandon would not have any baggage, which is nice and he has loads of expertise. He is bought an amazing pedigree.”
In 2015, Rockett and Gibbs joined forces with Rikki‘s POISON bandmates Bobby Dall (bass) and C.C. DeVille (guitar) to play a number of reveals as THE SPECIAL GUESTS in what was extensively perceived as a not-so-subtle message to POISON singer Bret Michaels that they weren’t prepared to stay utterly inactive whereas he pursued a solo profession.
Rikki‘s memoir, “Ghost Notes”, might be launched on July 15, 2025 through Uncommon Chicken Books. The ebook was written with author duo Leif Eriksson and Martin Svensson.
