“It is an Endless Battle to Get What You Want” - an Interview (and Show Review) with Tommy Clufetos
Madison Imlay - @madison_imlay
Tommy's Rocktrip is a project started out of Nashville, TN blossoming from a very renowned name in the music business: Tommy Clufetos. Clufetos has been the drummer with familiar, prestigious names such as Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, Ted Nugent and more.
It all started with the solo record he recorded titled Beat Up By Rock n Roll, which was a result of the pandemic. Even so, that had been out a few years before Tommy decided to uproot from Los Angeles and move to Nashville, where he soon found his band; Max Frye (guitar/vocals), Victor Adriel (guitar) and JT Shea (bass). Sitting down with him, he explained a bit more about how this band came to be.
Photos via @shotofbrandyphotography on Instagram
What made you want to start Tommy's Rocktrip?
”I made a record during the pandemic, like most people did; it's something I've never done in my life. I never wrote a song and was never in a band with other people; I always just played for them. I was pleasantly surprised and found that I can write a song or direct a band. I didn't put it together until I came to Nashville; I did the record a couple years ago but it took til now to put it together. I found the other guys and they just had the right attitude and vibe that I was looking for in order to have a good time. It goes back to that connection, and that helps me want to start it and just see what happens.”
Even so, his band consists of a younger set of guys, being in their 20's and so there was a curiosity of whether this was planned or just happened to be coincidental.
What stuck out to you when choosing your band? What caught your eye?
”It was an initial gut reaction; I spoke to Max first, we had a jam and it went well. He had some buddies and it just felt right. Those situations work out good when there is a closeness and it was there for the taking. There are a lot of great musicians and players but with me it’s more than that; it's doing something and wanting to come together and create something that has an impact. It doesn't matter if there's 10 people or 10,000, you’re gonna go up there and try to do the same job. Not everyone has that same attitude, so I was looking for three guys that would tag along with that same mindset.”
This attitude was truly prominent in the show.
It was a beautiful Saturday evening in Woodstock, GA; a variety of ages, styles and personalities alike. Although it was a lighter crowd, with the starting time being at 10pm, these guys still put 110% into their set. On top of that you could truly tell they enjoyed being there; not just playing for a crowd, but also playing with each other. You could see the connection they had, as they would look at each other at certain times; whether to just jam together and have fun or to keep themselves together for a clean sound.
The set was truly unique; the first half consisted of his original tunes which were of course heavy drums, catchy guitar riffs and powerful vocals all around. These songs embodied what rock n roll truly is, with the melodies leaving you with high adrenaline, and the urge to head bang along.
For the latter half, with Tommy having played with such big names, of course he knew the crowd would want to hear some of the hit songs that he has had the honor of playing. They played a few covers that any music fan would surely recognize, such as War Pigs (Black sabbath), Be My Lover (Alice Cooper), and Stranglehold (Ted Nugent).
His style stuck out in the later half even more because you could truly see how diverse of a drummer he is. You can see the passion and drive radiating from him in every song.
You've performed with a diverse range of artists across various genres. How do you adapt your drumming style to fit the unique sound and requirements of each artist/band you work with?
”I listen to the music, and I take what the music tells me to do. I try to, with what experience and talent I have, use those tools to put myself into the music. I try to imagine what the person wants to hear, what they're after and that is what I try to follow. There's many different layers and steps that you can go but you just have to just use your gut and instinct to follow what your heart tells you to do.”
Having the chance to sit down with him before the highly anticipated show, I was able to deep dive a little bit more with him and his outlook on his career. One admirable thing about him is that he truly is so hard-working; from the short conversation I was able to have, I could tell he puts his all into whatever he is working on. I was curious about his ability to adjust and adapt considering he has been in so many different bands and is so experienced.
Can you share an example of a time when you had to significantly adjust your approach to a show or gig?
”Music to me is great when the connection is there, so when it's not there, what I do doesn't work to its fullest. You can only adjust the best you can but you also can't help who you are; what you're gonna do is gonna come out. I don't wanna be a perfect fit for everybody. At the end of the day, I wanna play music that makes me happy and makes me feel good; and I've been lucky so far to have avenues where that fits. When that isn't there, people try to change you, rather than you adjusting what you do.”
It's evident that the music truly speaks to him, and it's something that is important to him. I could feel the passion and dedication of it through every word he spoke; many musicians dream to experience what he has and very few probably ever will. If anyone knows what it takes to get there, though, it surely is Tommy Clufetos.
What would you say is necessary to having a successful band or music career?
”I think in order to be successful in anything, you have to put it first. I can't necessarily say that anymore, because my family comes first, but I always put what I wanted to do first. Whatever that means to you; if you fail and you dont put it first, theres a problem. But if you fail, and you did everything you can then its in God's hands. There is no trick, you have to have a God-given talent in whatever you pursue and then you gotta go work at it; and when people push you down in the mud, you gotta get up and do it again. It is an endless battle to get what you want.”
There are many people who look up to him; young and old alike. Many of whom would probably love to get advice or gain access to his knowledge of just HOW to get a career at the capacity that he has and so I asked the first question that came to mind with that topic.
If you could go back and give advice to your younger self, what would you say?
”I'd do it all the same. Any mistakes I made were only out of not having certain experiences, but the only way you're gonna learn is by going through them. So, if I saw a roadblock ahead, I made sure to try to swerve out of the way. Now when there is a regret, is when you saw the roadblock but chose to do what you wanted to. You just gotta do what feels right.”
Being in a smaller venue, being able to experience the Rocktrip show was truly incredible. The energy felt the same as if they had been playing to an arena with thousands of people. Although Tommy was behind the drum kit, he would sometimes emerge from his throne to the front of the stage to speak to the crowd; it was fun, witty and kept a humorous tone to it. It was evident that he wanted everyone to have the best time possible and was going to provide that. He also spoke highly of the guys in his band and made sure to give them their own spotlights as well.
(left to right) Bassist JT Shea (@jt_shea), guitarist Victor Adriel (@victoradriell), and guitarist/vocalist Max Frye (@maxfrye).
Photos via @shotofbrandyphotography
That was very admirable; making sure that all the credit and glory wasn't just given to him, but to the group as a whole.
It truly is a group that everyone should keep an eye out for, because Tommy's experience mixed with the other members’ passion is surely to result in epic, classic, hardcore rock n roll show.
This being my second time seeing them, I can tell you they get better every time; it isn't something you want to miss out on. That being said, what the future holds for Tommy's rocktrip is still kind of unknown.
Do you have any specific goals for this project? Or are you just seeing where it takes you?
”I'm not looking at this as a career thing really, it is what it is. I'm a drummer, that's what I do to put food on the table, and to get there--with a family and a house-- I just did my best. That's what I'm gonna do here, I'm just gonna do my best, and whatever’s gonna happen will happen. We just want to have a good time and do our best on stage and see what comes out of that.”
If you are a fan of rock music, and the true roots of it, this is the show for you; with Tommy's plethora of musical background, a band of insanely talented guys, and all of them having a true passion for what music is. I highly recommend making it out to a show if possible, because they are worth every penny spent, and you're guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face.
For anyone curious as to WHAT Tommy's rocktrip sound is, the drummer himself gave me your answer.
If you could describe Tommy's rocktrip in 3 words, what would you say?
“Why only 3? It's so much better than three words. Kick ass motherfucking American rock-n-roll.”
