Nonpoint's Rob Rivera Forms Imprint Label

Our close friend and drummer of the almighty Nonpoint, Robb Rivera has yet again expanded his impressive portfolio by forming an imprint label titled Stand Strong for Music through THC: Music/Rocket Science. This according to the official press release that was sent out earlier today. We want to congratulate our friend Robb and wish him the best of luck in yet another inspiring musical endeavor that he has taken on. He's one of the most driven and dedicated musicians in the business today and we have no doubt that this will be yet another successful project of his. Here is some information from the official press release:

“Nonpoint drummer Robb Rivera has teamed up with THC : MUSIC to form his own label imprint SSFM (Stand Strong For Music), which will sign and release records through THC : MUSIC/ROCKET SCIENCE. Rivera, a founding member of Hard Rock mainstays Nonpoint, who released their latest and sixth studio album, 2010’s Miraclethrough Rocket Science, debuting at #59 on the Billboard Chart. 

But the connection doesn’t stop there, as THC founder/Rocket Science A&R Thom Hazaert, also served as an early manager to the Florida Rockers, and helped to garner them some of their first label interest in the late 90’s while working as an A&R scout for Jive. 

“Obviously the ties to Robb and the Nonpoint camp were strong, we’ve always been friends and crossed paths many times over the years. Robb has an amazing eye for business, and an incredible ear for talent, so when we started talking about this, it just made perfect sense.” says Hazaert. “Many of the most successful up and coming bands of the last decade cut their teeth touring with Nonpoint, and both myself and Robb saw that as a great opportunity to form a pipeline to develop some amazing talent together.” 

Rivera adds, “Thom and I go way back from Nonpoint’s demo/local days. I saw what he was doing with THC and Rocket Science, and I decided to reach out, and that’s when the idea for the imprint came up. Most people that know me know that I have always helped bands by either putting them on shows, posting about their band and this is something I have done since my teens.” 

“I love promoting and helping bands; I have always said that if I like your band, people will know, and this is just an extension of that. I am excited about this new chapter in my life and I will be looking forward to finding the best new bands out there, not only bands with great music, but with the work ethic to match.” 

Releases will be distributed in North America though Sony/RED. 

THC was founded in 2011 by Thom Hazaert, former President of Corporate Punishment Records, a 15 year industry veteran, who as an Artist Manager/A&R Rep helped launch the careers of Chimaira, Switched, Depswa, Bleed the Sky, Adema, and more. Also a seasoned industry marketing vet, and co-founder of Total Assault Marketing, being involved with a myriad of hugely successful 2000’s major label releases from artists including Limp Bizkit, Korn, Snot, (Hed)pe, Nine Inch Nails, Static-X, Cold, Guns N’ Roses, Pitchshifter, Staind, and more. 

Rocket Science is a full service Artist services company and Record Label offering marketing, promotion and distribution services to prominent former major label artists looking for a modern, Artist-friendly outlet. Formed by former MCA/Universal exec Kevin Day, Rocket Science has brought successful releases to the marketplace from artists as diverse as Nonpoint, Filter, Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, George Lynch, John 5, Manraze (featuring Def Leppard’s Phil Collen and Sex Pistols’ Paul Cook), Ace Frehley, Angels and Airwaves, Lo-Pro, and Yanni.”

Interview with Wayne Static

There have been very few voices and guitar riffs that have been as noticeable as Wayne Static’s signature metal howl and “evil disco” sound in the past few decades. He has mashed and molded a unique combination of hardcore metal with industrial sounds dashed with a side of disco to form a brand that has sold thousands worldwide. Now that Static-X is on an indefinite hiatus, Wayne is back at it, doing it solo but still bringing the signature sound to rape and pillage your ear drums. Hard Rock Reviews' Aaron Manogue sat down with Wayne Static to talk about his new solo album Pighammer, his favorite music he listens to and his pyshco dog Brutus that would protect his wife and himself, in case of a zombie apocalypse.


Aaron Manogue: Talk to me a little bit about where the name Pighammer came from for your latest solo album?

Wayne Static: It’s kind of just a word that popped in my head years ago and I’ve wanted to use for something for a long time. I finally figured out we’d call the solo record Pighammer and me and my wife had a good time thinking of what Pighammer means. At first, we were going to say it was a sexual position, but we thought that might be too much for the kids. So we came up with this whole story about the mad plastic surgeon with this big hammer tool that he uses to change women into pigs. That kind of went along with the whole lyrical theme of the record too, which is transformation.

Manogue: Tell me about the album itself in your own words.
Static: For me it means the freedom to do whatever the hell I wanted to do without having to compromise with any other band members or listen to what the record label said about this or that. I spent a year living in the studio, writing and recording. This is the first album I’ve ever written and recorded at the same time. In the past I would write everything and then give demos to the band and then we would rehearse it. I’d spend months in the studio before I actually recorded it so I was sick of the songs already. My goal was to come at it at a whole different perspective and make it really fresh and exciting not only for me but for the listener as well. I did this on twenty-four tracks. No pro tools. No editing. All the vocals are first or second take. It really has a lot of excitement to it. I think you can really feel the excitement in all the lyrics and all the songs.