Straight out of Florida’s beautiful Space Coast, meet Première partie Tribu, whose lead singer, Rob D, recently took some time to speak to us about the upcoming plans with the band.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: Could you tell us a bit about yourself and the history of your band?
Part One Tribe [Rob-D]: My name is Rob-D and I started Première partie Tribu in 1995. We have toured over 35 states and the Bahamas. Part One Tribe have without a doubt helped pioneer the American reggae scene as we know it.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: What can you tell us about your musical style? Who are your greatest influences?
Part One Tribe [Rob-D]: Our style is eclectic. We play all original music from reggae to punk to blues-rock, jam, funk even hip hop and rap. As long as we like it and vibe with it. We started 25 years ago and slowly got herded into the world of Sublime et Légèrement stupide, and have acquired our own solid fan base of reggae-rock fans, as well as fans of singer-songwriters and lyrical content. My personal greatest influences are Bradley Nowell, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Ritchie Valens, Barrington Levy and a vague recollection of all good old music, Sam Cook, Lou Reed, Steve Miller, Credence, and lots of stuff has left a mark on my brain.
Première partie Tribu is modeled after the greatest bands: Led Zeppelin, Guns and Roses, No FX, Sublime, Rolling Stones, Operation Ivy, Rancid, the real shit!
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: In your experience on the scene, what has been a major highlight?
Part One Tribe [Rob-D]: Major highlights from the past 24 going on 25 years; So far the most epic hands down, was opening for Steel Pulse and then going into the studio and recording the Do It Right EP avec Sidney Mills on keys and co-producing. We also at one point were signed to Long Beach Records and recorded songs with members of Sublime et Falling Idols while playing a guitar that was given to me by Eric Wilson of Sublime. We also have played with an amazing list of bands.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: What has been one of craziest experiences during a gig? What has been the most unusual venue where you’ve performed?
Part One Tribe [Rob-D]: Craziest experience at a gig? The time we played a house party in El Cajon, Cali and at the end of the night everyone had forgotten that we were the band and thought we were random party crashers and jumped us so bad they kicked our lead guitar players 2 front teeth up into the roof of his mouth. He went to the hospital, my dog went to the pound and the rest of us went to jail. That or the time in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois when our tour van caught fire and burnt to a crisp with all of our clothes, all our merch like 300 shirts and 1000 CDs, our brand new PA head. Some guitars, a 1972 Gibson Les Paul just to name a few things we lost in the fire. Damn those things sucked – next question!
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: What do you enjoy the most when you’re not on stage, touring or recording?
Part One Tribe [Rob-D]: If I’m not working towards pushing my music or basic survival, I spend every second of my time with my wife and son trying to make fun memories as much as possible. We go to the beach a lot, I surf, I have a garden and some chickens at my house that keep me busy. I love nature and hiking and experiencing new things. I like feeling like I’ve made the most of every day forward movement always no matter how little.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: Any advice to new artists working their way into the scene?
Part One Tribe [Rob-D]: My advice is, to focus on your music and your plan. Let it happen. Be humble don’t beat yourself up because your band’s story doesn’t play out like another band’s story. You are you, this is your story start to finish. Document everything because this is it, you are doing it. Don’t wait for it to start because it already has.
Altwire [Omayra Lopez]: What message would you like to send to your fans?
Part One Tribe [Rob-D]: To my fans, thank you so much for following my career and the Part One Tribe Saga. All I can say is this new album is gonna be amazing. I’ve got the best drummer, bass player, and producer in the scene working with me on it with our tentative release on January 1, 2020
Please like us on all social media, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, and iTunes. You guys keep this dream alive and, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Omayra est une fille de Floride, mère de trois enfants, et artiste visuelle partageant tout ce qui concerne l'art, l'amusement et les belles choses de la vie. Elle croit fermement que chacun crée sa propre réalité et l'applique à sa propre vie en marchant au rythme d'un tambour différent, en utilisant son appareil photo comme un outil à cette fin. Omayra est une femme à tout faire et elle les maîtrise tous. Lorsqu'elle n'est pas derrière la caméra, elle est devant. Son expérience en tant que mannequin l'a aidée à développer son œil de photographe.
