Robert Sweet (musician)

Last updated

Robert Sweet
Robert Sweet House of Blues Orlando September 2016 (cropped).jpg
Sweet performing in September 2016
Background information
Birth nameRobert Lee Sweet
Born (1960-03-21) March 21, 1960 (age 64)
Lynwood, California
OriginU.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Drummer, producer
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion, vocals
Years active1975–present
Website www.stryper.com

Robert Lee Sweet (born March 21, 1960) is the drummer of the Christian metal band Stryper. He and his brother Michael founded the band as Roxx or Roxx Regime. Robert became known as the "Visual Time Keeper" for his wild drumming and captivating drum kits. Unlike most drummers, Sweet faces in the direction of stage left or right while playing, not straight ahead, so that the audience can see him and not have their view of him obscured by his drumkit. [2] He began using a sideways setup in 1978 as a way to enhance his showmanship and connect with the audience. [3] Sweet also played a key role in the visual direction of the band itself as well as being a significant contributor to the group.

Contents

Sweet's interest in drumming began in early childhood. He cites a stop at a club during a trip to Las Vegas when he was 10 years old as a defining moment. A blue sparkle Ludwig drum set caught his attention and he "fell in love". [4]

Sweet attended Pioneer High School in Whittier, California. [5] During high school, instead of participating in a traditional school music program like marching band, he worked with the school's music director to put together a rock band. He is a self-taught drummer, honing his craft playing along with other drummers while developing his style at the same time. After high school he went to college to study music but left after a month. [4]

At the age of 15, in April 1975, Sweet became a Christian, an outgrowth of a lifelong belief in God. [6]

Post Stryper

After Stryper broke up in 1992, Sweet played in a variety of acts and projects largely Christian-oriented. He participated in the band King James with former Stryper bassist Tim Gaines and former Whitecross guitarist Rex Carroll, and toured with them until 1996. [7] He also participated in other projects, such as Shameless and Titanic. Sweet recorded a solo album titled Love Trash which demonstrated an eclectic side of his writing and performing capabilities. [8] Later, Sweet performed for a number of metal bands' albums including Blissed, Final Axe, Menchen (with guitarist Bill Menchen), Seventh Power, Subdux, and Dbeality as well as guest appearing on a few tracks for Titanic and the supergroups Shameles, 7 Hours Later and Cleanbreak.

Stryper reunion

Sweet played a key role in the reappearance of Stryper by taking part in 2000s "Stryper Expo" and a reunion show in Costa Rica. The successful reception led Sweet to push for a reunion of the band which came in the form of a request by Hollywood Records for a new Best of collection. The band decided that rather than doing another compilation, they would record two new songs and go on tour in support of the new release. [2] 2003 saw Sweet tour with a re-formed Stryper that featured the departure of bassist, Tim Gaines, who was replaced by Tracy Ferrie. In 2004, Stryper returned to the studio to begin working on its August 2005 release, Reborn , which marked the band's first full-length recording of original material in over 15 years, since 1990's Against the Law . The Stryper Murder by Pride album, released July 2009, marked the first Stryper album Sweet did not record drums for, this position was filled by studio musician Kenny Aronoff. He did however play in Stryper's 25th Anniversary Tour in support of the album. Sweet has appeared on every Stryper album since.

Influence

Equipment

As of September 2019, Sweet endorses Yamaha drums [14] (previously Crush drums [15] ), Stagg Cymbals, SKB Cases, Regal Tip by Calato Metal X wood tip drumsticks, [16] Kickport, May acoustic drum miking system, Solomon Design mics, Aquarian Drumheads, Affliction clothing, Ahead drum gloves, and Trick drums. [17]

Discography

Solo

Final Axe

Menchen

The Seventh Power

Guest appearances

Other works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Sweet</span> American singer and guitarist

Michael Harrison Sweet is an American musician; he is the co-founder, songwriter, guitarist and lead singer of the metal band Stryper. He has also had a successful solo career and served as singer and guitarist for Boston from 2007 to 2011.

<i>To Hell with the Devil</i> 1986 studio album by Stryper

To Hell with the Devil is the third studio album by the Christian metal band Stryper, released in 1986. It was the first Christian metal album to achieve platinum status, selling over one million copies. It remained the best-selling Christian metal album until P.O.D.'s Satellite in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warrant (American band)</span> American glam metal band

Warrant is an American glam metal band formed in 1984 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, that experienced success from 1989 to 1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. The band first came into the national spotlight with their double platinum debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989) and one of its singles, "Heaven", which reached No. 1 in Rolling Stone and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band's success continued in the early 1990s with the double platinum album Cherry Pie (1990), which provided the hit song of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracii Guns</span> American guitarist

Tracy Irving Richard Ulrich, known professionally as Tracii Guns, is an American guitarist best known as the co-founder of glam metal group L.A. Guns, as well as the supergroups Brides of Destruction and Contraband. He was also a founding member of Guns N' Roses, but left shortly afterwards and was replaced by guitarist Slash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oz Fox</span> Musical artist

Richard Alfonso Martinez, better known by the stage name Oz Fox, is the lead guitarist of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. Martinez' high school friends called him Oz in honor of Ozzy Osbourne due to his ability to emulate the vocals of Osbourne while playing Black Sabbath covers in his pre-Stryper days. He was recruited by the Sweet brothers in 1983 to form what would become Stryper. As a founding member of the band, Fox recorded and toured with Stryper until the band's first break up in 1992 but has since rejoined the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Gaines</span> Musical artist

Tim Gaines is an American bass guitarist best-known as the long-time bassist for the Christian metal band Stryper until his departure in 2017.

<i>Reborn</i> (Stryper album) 2005 studio album by Stryper

Reborn is the sixth album from the Christian metal band Stryper, and the first full-length album of new material since Against the Law in 1990. Reborn was slated to be a Michael Sweet solo record, but after their reunion tour, Sweet played it for the other members, at which time Oz Fox suggested it should be a Stryper record. So the other members came in and learned their parts from the original demos. Sweet says in his autobiography, Honestly: My Life and Stryper Revealed, that he convinced Big3 Records, which had signed him for a solo release, to make it a Stryper record deal. Thus, Reborn became the first all-original Stryper record in 15 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guardian (band)</span> American Christian hard rock/metal band

Guardian is an American Christian hard rock and metal band. The band has released seven studio albums, three additional albums in Spanish, and toured extensively worldwide. There are also numerous compilations, independent releases, live records and bootlegs available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King James (band)</span> Heavy metal band

King James is a heavy metal supergroup formed in 1993 with guitarist Rex Carroll (Whitecross) and frontman Jimi Bennett. Some time later, they recruited Tim Gaines and Robert Sweet of Stryper, and released their first album in 1994. The band supported the album with a tour without Gaines, who declined to join after the recording. Sweet toured with the band into 1996, but did not participate in their second release. Carroll and Bennett remained together and released a second album, The Fall, in 1997.

Bride is an American Christian rock and metal band that formed in Louisville, Kentucky by brothers Dale and Troy Thompson in 1983. During the band's peak years, it was known for covering a wide range of musical styles and remains popular in places like Brazil. Their song "Same 'Ol Sinner" is on the Digital Praise PC game Guitar Praise.

Hurricane is an American heavy metal band formed in 1985. The original line-up featured singer Kelly Hansen, guitarist Robert Sarzo, bassist Tony Cavazo (ex-SNOW) and drummer Jay Schellen. Tony and Robert are the brothers of Quiet Riot's Carlos Cavazo and Rudy Sarzo.

<i>The Roxx Regime Demos</i> 2007 compilation album by Stryper

The Roxx Regime Demos is the eleventh release and third compilation album by Stryper consisting of songs originally released under the band's previous name, Roxx Regime, except for the track "Honestly", which is taken from a later demo. While the album's general release was on July 10, 2007, pre-sale purchases at Stryper.com shipped on July 7, 2007, a reference to 777, a number that used to appear onstage at Stryper concerts.

<i>Murder by Pride</i> 2009 studio album by Stryper

Murder by Pride is the seventh studio album by Stryper. It was released on July 21, 2009 by Big 3 Records. The first single for the album, "Peace of Mind", debuted at No. 27 on Christianrock.net on October 24, 2008 and peaked at 1 on February 22, 2009. The track is a cover version, originally performed by rock band Boston on its debut 1976 self-titled album. Michael Sweet was a touring member of Boston for several years, before parting ways amicably in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stryper</span> American heavy metal band

Stryper is an American Christian metal and heavy metal band from La Mirada, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet, Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson (bass), and Robert Sweet (drums).

<i>The Covering</i> 2011 studio album by Stryper

The Covering is the thirteenth release and eighth studio album by American Christian heavy metal/hard rock band Stryper, released by Big 3 Records/Sony on February 15, 2011. The album is a collection of twelve cover songs from bands that inspired Stryper and helped to shape the band's sound and musical identity. The album also includes "God", a new original recording.

<i>Second Coming</i> (Stryper album) 2013 studio album by Stryper

Second Coming is the fourteenth release and ninth studio album by American Christian heavy metal/hard rock band Stryper. The album features re-recorded versions of earlier material as well as two new songs.

<i>No More Hell to Pay</i> 2013 studio album by Stryper

No More Hell to Pay is the fifteenth release and tenth studio album from Christian glam metal band Stryper, produced by band frontman Michael Sweet and released on November 5, 2013 by Frontiers Records. The album garnered positive critical reception from music critics as well as commercial success.

<i>God Damn Evil</i> 2018 studio album by Stryper

God Damn Evil is the seventeenth release and twelfth studio album by Christian metal band Stryper, produced by frontman Michael Sweet and released on April 20, 2018. Bass guitar was played by John O'Boyle as current bassist Perry Richardson could not due to scheduling conflicts.

ZO2 is a New York rock band with Brooklyn roots formed in 2003 when Paul Zablidowsky and his brother David Zablidowsky approached drummer Joey Cassata to join their band. The trio is known for making throwback rock with Paulie Z on vocals and guitar, David Z on vocals and bass, and Joey Cassata on drums, percussion, and vocals.”

References

  1. ↑ Portell, Paul (August 21, 2005). "Stryper Reborn Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Erickson, Sturdevant (2006). Stryper: Loud n' Clear (unabridged audio ed.). Maryland: Classic CD Books. ISBN   0-9764805-4-9.
  3. ↑ "STRYPER Drummer ROBERT SWEET Talks Gear, Rock Stars And Stripes In New Career-Spanning Interview". BraveWords. March 17, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Aubrecht, Michael (February 28, 2017). "Interview: Robert Sweet (Part 1)". Off Beat with Michael Aubrecht. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  5. ↑ "The Stryper Historian presents...." The History of Stryper "". Stryper Historian - Stryper History. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  6. ↑ Jackson, Zik. "A Voice In The Wilderness An Interview with Robert Sweet". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  7. ↑ Christensen, Brett (March–April 1997). "STRYPER: Can't Stop The Rock?". HM Magazine (64 He also recorded drums and produced a project for guitarist Ken Zehner in 1997 called Xd out- Out there). Archived from the original on September 18, 2000. Retrieved April 30, 2007.
  8. ↑ Jackson, Zik (February 17, 2001). "Love Trash". The Phantom Tollbooth.
  9. ↑ "Joey Cassata of ZO2 and Z Rock". Modern Drummer. July 2, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Bio". Lucid Dreamer Christian Rock, Praise and Worship. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  11. ↑ "The Band". Black Light Rock Satx. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Marc Anthony". EricCarr.com. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  13. ↑ "AHEAD Artist Gustavo Munoz". AHEAD. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Yamaha Welcomes Seven Drummers to Company's Artist Roster". DRUM!. February 9, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Robert Sweet - Stryper". Crush Drums & Percussion. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Robert Sweet". Regal Tip. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Endorsement - Robert Sweet". WWW.STRYPER.COM - The Official Web Site. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  18. ↑ "TITANIC - SCREAMING IN SILENCE (CD, 2010, Retroactive) - Boone's Overstock". Boone's Overstock. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.