As the definitive engine behind Queensrÿche’s complex, conceptual masterpieces, Scott Rockenfield has spent more than two decades re-defining what a heavy metal drummer can achieve. From the multi-platinum cinematic heights of ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ and ‘Empire’ to his brand-new, stripped-down alternative rock project, Slave To The System, Rockenfield continues to push the boundaries of modern percussion.
We sat down with the legendary timekeeper to discuss how he balances his endless list of active side ventures, the creation of his custom drum gear, his upcoming instructional history book, and what fans can expect from the highly anticipated, star-studded sequel, ‘Operation: Mindcrime II’. Read on…
Blast Magazine: You have absolutely no formal music school training. How did you initially teach yourself to play the drums?
Scott Rockenfield: I just locked myself in a room and started playing along to all of my favorite records!
Blast Magazine: Master progressive drummer Neil Peart of Rush was obviously a massive, defining influence on your early playing style. Were there any other drummers or specific musical genres that heavily influenced your growth?
SR: Honestly, a little bit of everything. I listened to everything from Rush to Boston, Van Halen, and classic arena rock.
Blast Magazine: Outside of your studio work, you’ve actually created your own signature line of premium drum accessories called Rockenwraps. How did that business venture come about?
SR: It actually started a few years ago purely as a personal project that I wanted to do exclusively for my own live drum kits. I have always wanted my gear to look entirely unique on stage. Once I started designing and using them on tour, all sorts of professional drummers became intensely interested in the concept. The massive wave of feedback from the drum community is really what inspired me to officially launch the company globally.
Blast Magazine: You also have your own comprehensive drum book in the works. What will that project consist of?
SR: It’s titled Operation: Rockenfield, and it essentially covers my entire drumming history and technical performance layout with Queensrÿche. It includes a massive selection of great notation diagrams, vintage behind-the-scenes pictures, and an accompanying audio CD featuring isolated tracks of some of my most notable drum performances. I am very happy with how it finally turned out!
Blast Magazine: What would you say is the absolute main structural difference between touring the world with an arena act like Queensrÿche and hitting the road with your new band, Slave To The System?
SR: No luxury tour bus with Slave To The System… [laughs] !!
Blast Magazine: Outside of Queensrÿche, you have several vastly different business and creative projects running concurrently. How are you able to keep everything balanced while giving each individual venture 100% of your time?
SR: Practice. I work incredibly hard every day at meticulously balancing everything that comes my way.
Blast Magazine: Over the years, you have created some undeniably iconic drum patterns and fills. When you prepare to track a record, do you go into the studio with a rigid, general idea of what you want to execute? Or do you prefer to create your parts completely on the fly?
SR: It’s always a little bit of both, depending on the vibe of the track.
“We really wanted to just let our inner selves get released… No pressures, no stress.”
Blast Magazine: It reportedly took you guys just three weeks to completely write and record the entire Slave To The System release. Were you guys just in that big of a hurry to finish, or did the songs naturally come out that easily?
SR: The songs just flowed. We really wanted to just let our inner selves get completely released in the room. There was no corporate pressure and absolutely no stress involved in the tracking. I suppose that relaxed atmosphere really worked for us! [laughs]
Blast Magazine: How heavily involved were you personally in the core writing process for the record?
SR: We were all completely hand-on and very heavily involved with the collective collaboration.
Blast Magazine: How much of the Slave To The System album was actually tracked in your own home studio setup?
SR: We actually set up a makeshift studio environment over at guitarist Kelly Gray’s house and just dug ourselves in for the duration. Everything on the album was completed right there, except for two specific tracks: “Ragdoll” and “Cruise Out of Control.” Because of the specific vocal and mix requirements, those two tracks were tracked and completed at a local commercial studio in Seattle.
Blast Magazine: If given the opportunity down the line, do you think Queensrÿche will ever perform any of these Slave To The System tracks live?
SR: No!
Blast Magazine: With the upcoming blockbuster release of Operation: Mindcrime II, how much active promotion and touring will you realistically be able to dedicate to Slave To The System?
SR: We are constantly, carefully juggling the scheduling calendar between Queensrÿche, Alice Cooper, and Slave To The System. You just have to keep digging in and pushing forward, that’s all.
Blast Magazine: Looking back to your early days in Bellevue, did you ever anticipate or expect Queensrÿche to sustain a career and stay relevant for as long as you have?
SR: I don’t have a crystal ball!
Blast Magazine: Within the context of Queensrÿche, how deeply involved are you with the fundamental songwriting duties?
SR: We have always functioned as a unit. We work together closely to push each individual album project across the finish line.
Blast Magazine: I actually got to see the band live on the legendary Empire tour in Evansville, Indiana. How difficult was it for you technically to perform the original Operation: Mindcrime album in its entirety every night alongside all of those complex video cues and theatrical visuals?
SR: Piece of cake… [laughs] !!
Blast Magazine: Was re-visiting the narrative concept of Mindcrime for a sequel something that the band has actively discussed over the years?
SR: Absolutely! It was always a matter of timing.
Blast Magazine: This time around, the legendary Ronnie James Dio plays the iconic character of Dr. X. When you were recording the original Mindcrime back in 1988, was his involvement something that was originally discussed, or is his casting a completely fresh idea for the sequel?
SR: Bringing Ronnie into the fold was a completely fresh, modern idea.
Blast Magazine: Without giving away too many top-secret production details, what kind of live visuals are planned for the upcoming tour? And please tell me there are solid plans for a live DVD release!
SR: If I told you the visual secrets now, then I would have to kill you! [laughs] But yes, there are always active plans in place for future live DVD releases… more definitive news is coming soon. Thank you!
And there you have it from the man himself. Blast Music Coalition will keep you completely locked in on the fast-approaching arrival of ‘Operation: Mindcrime II’, alongside full reviews of the ‘Slave To The System’ side project. Keep your eyes on the official links above for upcoming regional tour dates!
