Photo: Elise Coates
Alt-metal trio Riding With Killers recently unveiled the music video, “DNA,” a track lifted from their latest album, Full Circle, produced by Matthew Laplant. Full Circle features songs such as “Don’t Fade Away” and “Hostility,” as well as guest vocals from Paul McCoy of 12 Stones.
The 12 songs on Full Circle serve as a storytelling platform for the life challenges and successes of Taylor Roberts over recent years. With his dynamic, evocative voice, Taylor Roberts imbues the lyrics with authentic emotions.
Formed in 2018 by guitarist/vocalist Taylor Roberts, who is also the guitarist of Taproot, Riding With Killers’ sound blends elements of ‘90s alt-rock, industrial, and nu-metal, equalized with compelling choruses and impressive guitar riffs.
At once raw and muscular, there’s a nuanced, finessed edge to Riding With Killers’ music, infusing it with tints of elegant complexity.
Tattoo.com spoke with Taylor Roberts to discover the inspiration behind “DNA” and the evolution of Riding With Killers’ unique sound.
How would you describe your own music?
It’s a blend of my favorite bands from when I was growing up, so nu-metal, mixed with alternative/hard rock and some classic rock. I’m hoping to continually evolve to the point where I can essentially do whatever I want to.
What inspired your new single/music video, “DNA?”
It’s based on a very good friend of mine who went through absolute hell with alcohol and addiction. He was such an incredible friend to me leading up to this part of his life. He helped start me on my weight loss journey, in which I lost about 90 pounds. When he fell into this spiral, I always made sure to answer the phone and check in on him. We had some of the wildest phone calls I’ve ever had, black-out drunk, in the hospital, and I thought for sure he was going to die. Luckily, he was able to get sober, and now he has a beautiful family and has turned his life around. We still talk to this day. After I made the song, I always had this idea of making a video for it that took place at an AA meeting with someone trying to tell their story.
Who directed the video, and where was it shot?
Jason Arntz of Revo Media directed it. Josh Smith did the VFX. We filmed at StudioCor4 in Grand Rapids.
What do you want people to take away from the video?
Reach out if you need help. And if someone reaches out, listen and be there for them. It could save their life.
When, where, and how did Riding With Killers begin?
When I quit my original band, Cathercist (later rebranded to Wild Fire), in 2018, I decided to leave my home on the Gulf Coast (Gulfport, MS) and venture out on my own. I knew I would be starting a new project, so I started working my way to Detroit to be next to Dave Coughlin, whom I had met on tour with Taproot. Before getting there, I had a brief pitstop in Ohio. During that time, I drove up to Madison, WI, to record three initial RWK tracks with Producer Matt LaPlant. I ended up landing in Fort Wayne, IN, after that, where I worked at Sweetwater for a year to brush up on my gear knowledge, expand my network, and start building out a home studio. While there, I would drive back and forth to Detroit to write with Dave Coughlin and Tim Krukowski at Lansbury Lane, owned by Mark Papow, which would eventually lead to the creation of the record ‘Full Circle.’
Riding With Killers – ‘Full Circle’
Who is in Riding With Killers and which instruments do they play?
Taylor Roberts – Lead Vocals; Guitar.
Kris Kress – Bass; Backing Vocals.
Jed: Thibeault – Drums.
How did you first get into music?
I would always sing along to songs my mom had on the radio, and eventually, she would get me into the band by age seven. I started on alto saxophone and got pretty good with it. I would eventually switch to guitar at the age of 10 after hearing Papa Roach’s ‘Between Angels and Insects.’ I heard those opening notes, and I thought, how do I make that sound?! Years later, I would get to see Linkin Park, Mudvayne, Blindside, and X-Zibit, front row center at Projekt Revolution at UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA, in 2003 at the age of 14. After that night, I knew what I wanted to do.
Did your sound evolve naturally, or did you push it deliberately in a certain direction?
I think I always kind of knew what I wanted to do. There was, of course, an evolution period of me figuring things out, trying to imitate some of my favorite bands, learning things to add to my toolbox, and then eventually figuring out what sounds made me happiest and where I felt like I belonged. But to that point, I feel like it’ll still continue to evolve, especially with me getting more deeply connected to the EDM world. I also love working with artists in completely different genres. I feel it rounds me out as a musician.
Which artists/musicians had the most impact on your sound?
Alice In Chains, Mark Tremonti, Slipknot, Jim Root, Elton John, Lindsey Buckingham.
Which artists, in your opinion, are killing it right now?
There are quite a few artists I’ve really been enjoying both in terms of live shows and recorded music, such as Discrepancies, Vola, Pretty Lights, Wage War, and Kittie (welcome back!) Cane Hill, Spirit Box.
What can your fans expect over the next six months? New material? Live gigs?
We plan to release more video content for a few more tracks from our new record, ‘Full Circle,’ which is available on all streaming platforms now.
I am currently awaiting mixes for the second RWK record yet to be titled, which I recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden, with Jakob Herrmann (Devin Townsend, In Flames, Anthrax, Machine Head, Vola) at Top Floor Studios. So, there is already a new album essentially completed with some minor tweaking here and there, I’m sure. But I’m very proud of the new material, and I think people are really going to dig it.
We’ve definitely got some good shows on the books; on August 23rd, we’re playing the inaugural Havoc Fest in Jackson, MI, w/ Kittie, Cold, Smile Empty Soul, Framing Hanley, Heartsick, Black Note Graffiti, and more.
November 22nd, we’ll be at the legendary venue, The Machine Shop, alongside Taproot and West Fall!
I’m sure a few more live shows will pop up before the year is out.
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Upcoming Shows:
8.23.24 – Havoc Fest – Jackson, MI
11.22.24 – The Machine Shop – Flint, MI (w/ Taproot)
