Robo (musician)

Robo (born Roberto Valverde in Cali, Colombia in 1955 [His year of birth is found in the timeline of [http://www.misfitscentral.com/misfits/timeline.php MisfitsCentral.com] ] ) is a Colombian-American drummer. He has played in the American punk groups Black Flag and The Misfits.

Life and career

From 1978 to 1981, he was the third drummer for Black Flag, performing on the EPs "Jealous Again", "Six Pack", and their first full-length album "Damaged". He later toured and recorded with The Misfits on the "Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood" album. Robo was a member of what many consider the "classic" Misfits lineup, along with Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only, and Doyle.

Robo's drum style is brash and brutal, relying heavily on open high-hat to generate the frenetic sounds on Black Flag's albums. His signature drum kit during that era was transparent to match Greg Ginn's see-through Dan Armstrong guitar. He was also known for wearing plastic and metal bracelets during concerts and recording sessions; they can sometimes be heard faintly clattering on recordings.

In 2003, Robo drummed for Black Flag during their reunion shows. He was joined by Dez Cadena on vocals and rhythm guitar, Greg Ginn on lead guitar, and C'el Revuelta on bass. In 2005, he toured with The Misfits on their first US Tour in 2 years with Jerry Only on bass/vocals and Dez Cadena on guitar.

He was briefly mentioned in the Jim Jarmusch short film "" by Iggy Pop, who suggested using Robo's drumming talents to an offended Tom Waits.

Presently, Robo lives with his wife and son in the United States. He has rejoined the reincarnated Misfits along with Dez Cadena from Black Flag. (He has also become an actual member of The Misfits, stated by Jerry Only.)

Besides the old and new Misfits songs performed live, they play 4 or 5 Black Flag covers in their set with Dez on vocals. The Misfits' next album is slated for a 2008 release and is set to be recorded when the Fiend Fest tour ends.

Discography with Black Flag

* Jealous Again (1980) - EP
* Six Pack (1981) - EP
* Louie, Louie (1981) - single
* Damaged (1981) - album
* Everything Went Black (1982) - compilation

Discography with the Misfits

* Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (1983) - album
* Die, Die My Darling (1984) - EP
* Cuts from the Crypt (2001) - compilation
* Untitled Misfits Album (2008) - album

Notes

External links

* [http://www.misfitscentral.com/bios/robo.php MisfitsCentral.com] - band bio of Robo
* [http://www.archive.org/details/The_Misfits_January_07_1983_Dearborn_Michigan_Live Recording of Robo playing with the Misfits]