Rob Johnny

Mike Oddie

Black Water Rising consists of Vocalist Rob Traynor (formerly of Dust to Dust), Drummer Mike Meselsohn (formerly of Boiler Room), former Stereomud guitarist Johnny Fattoruso and bassist Oddie McLaughlin. To me the music they produce is awesome to say the very least. Its complexity in the diverse sound it resonates is only too clear in the song "Hate Machine". The rest of the songs on their profile take the listener on a journey of sound pleasure. The songs grab you and take complete control of your attention. I was at work today, I am a cook by default i guess you would say, but it pays the bills, anyways i found myself singing out several times the songs they have. First thing I have done, since I found this band is rush home and jam the whole player. As it will be till Winter of 08 till we see a release of their music, I guess I will have to do this for some time to come. so before you read the interview with Rob take this sound journey of pleasure and see if it has a hold of your attention like it does Metal Mike. MUEN: First of all, fill us in on how you came up with the name Black Water Rising...

Rob: I was listening to Clutch's "Blast Tyrant" album religiously for half a year and one of my favorites on the album is this song called "(In the wake of) The Swollen Goat" and the chorus contains the line "Black water rising - and it aint gonna stop" and I said to myself "boy that would make a cool band name." I looked up the meaning and I liked what it meant.

MUEN: Tell us a little about the style and direction of your band.

Rob: The material I wrote for BWR is just your basic blues based classic hard rock formula. The Sabbath, Zep, school thang. I said it in our bio " we're not looking to reinvent the wheel , just give it a much needed wheel alignment." I get a lot of comments from people who feel it has a southern rock feel, or stoner element. COC, Black Label, etc. Hey, whatever floats your boat! I guess you could say it's all in there, I smoke my share, I love that music, and I have my influences like everybody else. I write what I like to listen to, I love heavy riffs, hooky melodies, and I live for heavy grooves. Sometimes I channel Sabbath other times I'll channel Kansas to Pantera! I like my rock no frills straight up.

MUEN: Now could you Reflect a little on the other members of your band, and tell us a little about each one.

Rob: I could honestly say that I feel like I'm a lucky guy. I have somehow gotten a band together with some great guys. We're all on the same wavelength and they truly believe in this music. Great musicians, each one. If it's possible to be a fan of the guys in your band than I'm a fan. Mike is a long time friend of mine and I always admired him as a drummer. He is a veteran of the NYC scene and played in a band called Boiler Room. Johnny is a great guitarist, and performer he was in a band called Stereomud, and Oddie is an amazing Bassist also a veteran of the NY scene. I'm honored to be in a band with these guys and look forward to stomping many stages with them.

MUEN: How did you Become a Vocalist Rob?

Rob: Necessity and evolution. I was originally a bass player. I played bass professionally for almost 20 years. Basically my whole music career. I also gave bass lessons. I even have a bass clef tattooed on my arm, I was in love with the instrument, still am. I always had a lot of song ideas, and I was really into engineering and recording. I couldn't get my songs across with just the bass so I picked up a guitar to write music. After years of playing guitar to write I woke to realize, "hey, I'm also a guitarist!" It was always hard to find good bassists so I did the job in previous bands, including my past band Dust to Dust with whom I released two albums. Back in the day when I would write I couldn't find anyone to sing my songs, vocalists are hard to find. I was tired of looking for vocalists so I gave it a shot. I did a lot of recording and eventually started singing to get my songs across. People seemed impressed with my voice so I stuck with it, mainly for writing. I still looked for singers in past bands, but eventually took on the part. So I evolved from a bassist to a vocalist/guitarist. Go figure. Necessity truly is the mother of invention. I reinvented myself. If you would have told me 15 years ago I would be a vocalist fronting a band and playing guitar I would have never believed it. My teenage dreams were to be like Steve Harris of Iron Maiden!

MUEN: How has music affected your life?

Rob: I would have to say positively. Although sometimes it's hard to say. I'm not a rich man, but I have a passion in life. Sadly, many people dont. I believe the meaning of life is to pursue your dreams and feed your passions. I am truly passionate about my music. I have sacrificed much in my life to be able to pursue my dreams. But ultimately I believe those sacrifices are a small price to pay for following your dreams. To me there is no greater honor than being able to touch other people with your art in a positive way. When people tell me they are moved by my music I feel fulfilled. But it also sucks to be a broke ass musician, but thats life!

MUEN: Who wrote the killer beat to the song "Hate Machine"? To me this song sounds like a mondern day metal beatles and is one of our fav tunes that you do.

Rob: Thanks, I'm glad your diggin the tune. "Modern day metal Beatles" wow! Thats a big compliment. I wrote all the music for the coming debut. Many of the songs including "Hate Machine" were actually written before the band was assembled. I have been writing for this album for the past two years, maybe more. I have a recording studio and I'm always writing. I'm already writing for the next album, plus the guys have ideas as well to throw in the soup for future BWR records. No shortage of material here!

MUEN: What are the bands current objectives?

Rob: World domination! We just want to play as much as possible and get this music out there. After all isn't that what Rock is all about, playing live? This band needs to tour, and we are working on it. Right now we are preparing to shop for a deal. We need the right label to take BWR to the next level and get this music out to the masses. The album is just about finished and 08' will be our year.

MUEN: What is the biggest venue you have played so far?

Rob: The Crazy Donkey in Long Island NY.

MUEN: As I ask this next question I want you to be aware this isn't a tabloid and my concern and question about this issue is genuine. The Loss the fans and music industry , as well as their families endured with the misfortune of both Robin Crosby and Ray Gillen can attest to this, as well as the break up of the original KISS, or the original VH How focused is your band? Are there any bumps in the road between any members? And are there any drug or alcohol probs in the band?

Rob: Some weed and a little booze is about as bad as it gets here. And I'm not speaking for the whole band of course. Just for me. We aren't without our past experiences both good and bad. Like most people. I was a real big pothead for many years. I like weed, I'm not going to lie. Some people come home after work and drink a beer to unwind and some people like a little herb, well maybe a lot of herb. That's me, I have recently cut back on the consumption, but I don't plan ..ping all together. There are no hard drugs in the band. It wouldn't work if there was.

MUEN: Who are your vocal influences?

Rob: Ray Gillen, Ian Gillen, Ozzy, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, etc.

MUEN: Who are some of your fav bands to listen too?

Rob: Clutch, COC, Sound Garden, Alice In Chains, Sabbath, ect.

MUEN: seen any cool concerts lately?

Rob: Actually, no. I need to get out more often.

MUEN: For those of us that dont know, Rob are you a family man?

Rob: Yes, I'm married now almost 10 years and I have fraternal twins a boy and girl named Thomas and Taylor who are going to be 4 this year and they rock hard. Real hard.

MUEN: how hard is it to balance your personal life with your professional life?

Rob: Hard, but I make it work. Lots of caffeine.

MUEN: Lastly, how soon till a release of your music? and is there a name yet for this CD?

Rob: Debut will be out hell or high water in 08' and the album will be self titled.

Well there ya have it hope it is up to your expectations Metal Mike and The Montalian It was a pleasure guys.

Interview by Metal Mike