Robert Hecker

Robert Hecker (born 1965, March 7 in Hermosa Beach, California) is the lead guitarist of the current 2006-2008 line-up of Redd Kross. He previously played lead guitar and sang with Redd Kross from 1984 to 1991, in addition to occasional on-stage reunions throughout the 1990s. From 1992 until 2005, he played guitar and sang full time with the band IT'S OK.

music

gear

With Redd Kross during the 'Teen Babes from Monsanto' era, 1984-1985, Hecker's main guitar was a Gibson SG, played through any number of different amplifiers (Peavey, Acoustic Control Corporation, Sunn, HiWatt, Traynor, Randall).

In the mid-to-late 1980s, he played a pair of Carvin guitars: first, a red DC125, which would be enshrined at the Hard Rock Cafe in 1987; and after, a green DC200, 'Cal', which had the lower horn removed.

By 1986, and throughout the 'Neurotica' era, he was playing through a Marshall JCM 800 driving a Carvin 4x12 cabinet. In 1988, he switched to a Mesa/Boogie Quad preamp running through a Mesa/Boogie 295 Simul-Class power amp driving a pair of Mesa/Boogie 4x12 cabinets. He would use this set up throughout the 'Third Eye' era.

Since 1990, Hecker's main guitar has been a custom built Ibanez, 'Ike', built by Mace Baily at the Ibanez Custom Shop in North Hollywood. It is an S body outfitted with a 24 fret Wizard neck, with the lower horn removed to facilitate full access to the 24th fret. This guitar was painted orange in 2006.

His current amplifier rig consists of a Mesa/Boogie Triaxis preamp run through a Mesa/Boogie 20/20 power amp driving a pair of Mesa/Boogie 1x12 EV Thiele cabinets, and a Marshall JMP1 preamp sounding out through a pair of Marshall 1912 1x12 Celestion cabinets. For tours he will often just rent a pair of Marshall JCM 900s driving two Marshall 4x12 cabinets.

Athletics

In 1983, Robert Hecker ran the 110 meter high hurdles in 14.56 seconds, a Mira Costa High School (Manhattan Beach) school record for 23 years, until Drew Johnston (whom Hecker taught to hurdle) clocked 14.39 seconds at CIF prelims in 2006. Hecker ran track at El Camino College, and was the Exemplary Physical Education Major of the Year at California State University, Dominguez Hills. He was runner-up in the 110 meter high hurdles at the USA Track & Field Masters Western Regionals in 2004. In addition to his career in music, he teaches science, physical education and coaches track & field (the Daily Breeze called him the 'hurdles guru coach') in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Robert is currently teaching sixth grade Science and Physical Education at Hermosa Valley School.