Interviews: Renegade Cartel

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock/Rock 'N' Roll band Renegade Cartel from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

We worked on it for quite some time. We wanted something that was close to ‘rebel’ and finally settled on Renegade as the most epic option. Then we needed the word for a group. We had always played around with sugar skulls and logos, so we thought Cartel was pretty fitting. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

We all love this style. Hard rock, in your face, blasting on 11. But we all have other influences. So when you hear some laid back, bluesy riffs, or a classic crunch, you’ll hear our love for the more classic rock bands. There’s no denying who our influences are.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Stephen: Nope! Vic needed a singer, so I tried out. After all the other members quit, Vic and I kept working through member after member. I met Rob at his brother’s show, needed a fill-in drummer for a gig, and the rest was history. Rob has been with us since that day.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

S: That’s such a hard question! We’ll keep it to four! Metallica, B’z, Mr. Big, King’s X.

Vic: Led Zeppelin, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Black Crowes, Slash feat Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators

Rob: Iron Maiden, Van Halen, The Beatles, The Eagles!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

S: For me, the melody is super important. I have to come up with something that can be as gritty as it needs to be but provides a great flow of notes that will help get the song stuck in your head. 

V: I’ve always loved riff-based rock. Just sitting down and trying out new ideas totally gets the ball rolling. But writing songs is a part craft and part inspiration. It takes the right feeling to conjure up the proper flow of a song.

6. Where was your last gig?

S: We just played a gig at Trilogy Lounge in Seymour Connecticut, opening for the one and only Damon Johnson! Such an honor, I’m such a huge Brother Cane fan!

7. Where would you like to act? 

We want to play worldwide! From Boston to LA, from Tokyo to Europe, From Mexico to South America! Let’s play everywhere!

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

We’d love to play with Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns ‘N’ Roses, B’z, AC/DC, and we want to open when Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath get back together. Haha. 

9. Whom not?

We’ll play with anyone! Bring out Taylor Swift! Let’s rock with Beyonce. Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Eminem, Billie Eilish. Let’s get down!

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Not anymore. We’re so prepared. I mean, you always get that rush of adrenaline, excitement. But we know what we’re capable of bringing to the stage. I always tell beginners to focus on your instrument or microphone, and pretend your playing to it, showing the mutual passion between your feelings and the tool you use to make music. Block everything else out. Just rock out as hard as you can for yourself.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

I think we’d all agree that Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators has certainly given us hope that music like this will work. Other huge inspirations are Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, King’s X,  and of course, Guns ‘N’ Roses too.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

S: I still find it odd that people want pictures of me. I don’t mean a photo with me, but printed and autographed pictures of me. So that is probably the strangest request I’ve had yet.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We don’t like to think of them as fans. Each and everyone of them are crucially essential to our longevity. Without them, we are nothing. We have a facebook group, where all are free to join, but we call it the Renegade Cartel Family. Those who ride with the Cartel are family or friends. And they’re all amazing! 

14. What do you think of our site?

What an epic site! It’s snappy, well organized. We love that you push all new music, to make it easier to find great stuff. We also love that you break it down by country! Such a cool feature! So happy to be a part of it!

15. Something add?

Rock and Roll, baby. That is all. Let’s show the world that we can keep it alive and well!