Nonpoint erupted on the music scene in 2000 with its major label release Statement and have not looked back since. Eight years later, the band has six full-length releases in its catalog and been at the front line of aggressive music through the entire decade. In its near ten-year history, the band has shared the stage with the likes of Sevendust, Machine Head, Mudvayne, Staind, Disturbed, Stone Sour and Snot, also taking part in some of music’s biggest festivals, including Ozzfest and Warped Tour. After the release of 2007’s Vengeance, the band still shows no sign of slowing down. Nonpoint drummer Robert Rivera recently took some time to talk to S*KM about being a workaholic, his inner-drumming demons and some Nonpoint tour shenanigans.
S*KM: Bands like you and Sevendust seem to put out albums at a fairly steady clip, others like Tool and Slipknot release albums at much slower pace. What is your method behind releasing material more consistently?
Nonpoint: Well, with bands like Sevendust and us, we are the type of bands that find it hard to take time off. I am a workaholic and after a few weeks at home I start to go stir-crazy. Maynard Keenan always is busy with either Tool or A Perfect Circle. Same as Corey and Jim from Slipknot are always busy with the Knot or Stone Sour. I see it as when we are not busy there are fans that we are losing. For 10 years we have been doing something with Nonpoint and there is no stopping us.
S*KM: With that being said is it too early to talk about a follow up to 2007’s Vengeance?
Nonpoint: Way too early, but we are working on songs. As I mentioned above, we do not stop working. We are going to record some acoustic stuff, but wait SHHHHHHH. Ha-ha!
S*KM: In your bio sent over from Bieler Bros. Records, it says you are the proud owners of one of the greatest live shows in hard rock music today. Having seen you guys live several times, I can attest first hand to that statement. What is the secret behind putting on one of the best live hard rock shows?
Nonpoint: We are the type of band that does not write number one hits and sell a shit load of records, but when it comes to our live shows, that is the bread and butter. I think, as a fan, if I am paying money to see someone they better give me my moneys worth. I don’t want to see a band that looks like they are rehearsing for a 1,000 people. I want to see a band scar themselves and pour their entire heart into their live show.
S*KM: A large part of that live intensity comes from you behind the kit.
Every time I have seen you play live, it looks like you are trying to murder your drum set. What fuels that inner-drumming demon?
Nonpoint: Well, I have had a pretty shitty life growing up. I don’t talk about it to anyone, but I take it out on the drums. It’s the only voice I have to release the anger out of my system. That way I don’t go to jail.
S*KM: Taking Nonpoint virtual, who is the best “Guitar Hero” player in the band?
Nonpoint: Since Elias is the only one I have seen actually play it, I think it would be him. However, the best video game player in the band is by far Ken. He will do anything to win and really pays attention to a lot of detail. I think he should take it as a career to be honest. He takes it very serious when he loses, especially to someone that is not nearly as good as he is. He loses once and that is pretty much it, just once then he feeds your heart to you.
S*KM: A lot of the local and regional bands we cover would consider opening for Nonpoint a highlight in their career. Of all the great bands you have shared the stage with, which have you considered highlights in your careers?
Nonpoint: When we tour with bands like Sevendust, Machine Head, Hed pe, Mudvayne were highlights because we learned a lot from those bands. It was opening for the much-missed and mighty Snot that fueled the fire in our ass. The intensity that band put out was truly a beautiful experience.
S*KM: You will be headlining this years Most Wanted Tour, which kicked off May 10 in Huston Texas, what songs can fans expect to hear on this tour? Have you cooked up any new arrangements of Nonpoint standards for the live performance?
Nonpoint: We have a couple of things we are working on, some songs that haven’t been played in a long time and differently arranged songs. It will be a treat for our long time fans.
S*KM: Being out on the road, you guys have to spend a lot of time with each other and it probably gets a little dull driving from city to city. What are some standard Nonpoint shenanigans that are a must out on tour?
Nonpoint: Xbox and DVD’s. Nuff said.
S*KM: Throughout your ten years in the business, fad genres have come and gone. In that time, your sound has underwent several slight evolutions as well. Did you ever find yourselves struggling to create a relevant sound in music, or was it something that came naturally to the band?
Nonpoint: We never struggle for a sound. Whatever comes out - that is it. We don’t sit down and plan anything. People around us like to plan for us, but those days are pretty much over. This is our music, and at the end of the day, we will decide what is the best route for the band. But no pressure; we just do what we do.
S*KM: Where do you see Nonpoint’s sound going in the future?
Nonpoint: Hmmmm, can’t tell you.
S*KM: Before we wrap things up is there any top-secret news you want to share with S*KM so we can give Blabbermouth and other music news sites a story for the day?
Nonpoint: Nah, I don’t want to give them the pleasure to take a quote of the middle of an interview and make that the story live. Gossip city. Hahahahaha.
Nonpoint will be out on the Most Wanted Tour till July 24th when it wraps up in Traverse City, Michigan. Check out the bands official website www.myspace.com/nonpoint for up to date tour info and news.
Seriously though, “murdering the drum kit” doesn’t even describe what he does. It’s the only time I’ve actually been afraid of someone on stage before….it was awesome.
He pounces on his kit like a Bengal Tiger. And I LOVE IT!!! Rivera is my absolute favorite drummer.
Nonpoint goes acoustic, what is that going to sound like?
It seems weird, but Sevendust’s acoustic effort sounded pretty good, so I’m hopeful.