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Words by Ron Mwangaguhunga Glam rock band Poison's high octane drummer Rikki Rockett is a Mac enthusiast of the highest magnitude. On his personal site as well as the band's page, Rikki has posted Tour Diaries, personal art and images, links to animal charities and information, and even an email contact. Of all the fan sites that I have reviewed over years, Rikki's site ranks as one of the most sophisticated destinations for people in search of information on all things Rockett. Rikki has used the new technology to successfully create an online presence that really mirrors the man. Rikki Rockett has used Apple technology to allow fans to step inside his world and in so doing found a way combat the boredom of traveling in the tour bus in the long, hot summer months. 'Talk Dirty to Me,' 'Every Rose Has It's Thorn,' and 'Unskinny Bop' are some of the ubiquitous hits that crowded the radio throughout the late 80s; these are some of Poison's greatest hits. Rockett and Poison are now poised to bring their music into the 21st century, with a little help from Apple technology. A vegan, a motorcycle enthusiast and an outspoken animal rights activist, Rockett, like most people involved in the arts, has been using Macs for years. "My G4 is my recording studio along with Pro Tools," Rockett told MacDirectory. "Plus," adds Rikki, proudly, "I have become quite the graphics head." Rockett knows his Macs: Rikki personally designed, for example, RikkiRockett.com's 'Dress Rikki' flash animation feature. "It was one of my first flash animation projects," Rikki told us of his personal Page's fixture. Another of Rikki's projects is 'Club Rockett,' "It's just a fun way to connect fans and let them know what I'm up to. In his high speed jet propelled life, Rikki Rockett has been employed as a lifeguard, a hairdresser, a suit salesman, an EMT and, of course, his current incarnation as a rock star. Creating projects on his Mac break up the monotony of life on the tour bus going from show to show around North America. RikkiRocket.com keeps fans appraised of the Band's comings and goings, as well as create a community where Poison fans old and new can keep in touch and grow. Rikki, in fact, spoke to MacDirectory on a break from this Summer's nationwide Poison tour that ends at the beginning of Fall 2002. MacDirectory asked Rockett about his life on the road. "This tour is awesome so far," said an enthusiastic Rockett. "Hitting great weather, (meeting) great people. We are currently in the Ohio area, heading off to a Canada show and then back down for the East Coast leg." |
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The energetic Pennsylvania band Poison hit it big with the raucous 1986 release 'Look What The Cat Dragged In.' The album was laden with catchy hits, and the hair and glam band with the outrageous stage show became a fixture on MTV. After their fourth release, however, Poison became mired in their unhealthy lifestyle and became fodder for an infamous VH1's Behind The Music special. Years later, Rikki and the band are making up for lost time with their fifth release, 'Hollywierd.' MacDirectory asked Rockett, who is as kinetic as his name, if he gets the chance to go online often. "Yes!" Rikki replied. And what sights are on the radar screen of Poison's percussionist? "The new Bonneville Forum (Rockett is a big motorcycle fan), Metalsedge.com, and a couple of our own sites, to see if they have been hacked!" All kidding aside, in between all the fun and mayhem, Poison recorded a new album. With an assist from his trusty G4, Rockett and Poison are back in the game after a hiatus. MacDirectory asked what the new sound was about. "The songs are unnerving, retro songs with futuristic strip club sensibilities! That's what we do." "Normally, the way we handle writing is we just go in the studio and do it the way we've always done it. We jam like a garage band. We bring ideas in. When we write songs we try not to sit down and go: you know what, this song is a little bit country sounding, let's steer away from that. That's how 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' got written. We let the songs flow and be what they are. Another example is 'Power To The People.' It wasn't like we said: 'Oh god, this is going to be too heavy to be a Poison song.' We just wrote it and it came out that way. That's what we do with everything. The new songs on 'Hollyweird' are like that. Some are a little heavier. Some are a little lighter. But they retain our sound. What Poison fans can expect from Poison is what they are going to get. They're all songs that we've put our signatures on." Rikki's commitment to animal rights is a great part of his personal signature. For years he has used his public profile to explain that there are viable and usually better alternatives to the use of animals for food, sport, clothing, & experimentation. Like Apple, Rikki Thinks Different. www.rikkirockett.com |
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