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Rich Cole Interview
(The Romantics')
Once again Detroit is making news with their music. This time it's with The Romantics, a four-piece rock 'n' roll group. "National Breakout" (Nemperor/Epic Records) is the title of their current album. Just back from a whirlwind tour of Australia, The Romantics have hit the U.S. concert trail. Some of their dates have included opening gigs for The Cars.
Bassist/vocalist Rich Cole spoke with us.
Q. How was the group received in Australia?
A. I'll tell you it was one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me, as well as the other guys. We did thirty dates in five weeks, with only one day off a week. We did a lot of press. We were on TV over there at least once a week. They really know how to treat people, music is really a big industry in Australia.
Q. Why is the Midwest producing most of the new rock 'n' roll groups today?
A. We've been doing what we've been doing all along. It seems so strange.
Q. I notice you included a song on the album written by your booking agent (David Leone, DMA). Why is that?
A. David Leone used to play in a band before he was an agent. His band played at a place called The Hideout which was the scene back then. They recorded "Friday At The Hideout" on the Hideout record label. We liked the song, we knew him and asked if we could record it. He said ok.
Q. Your third gig as The Romantics was and is very impressive. How did you manage to get on the same bill as Peter Frampton and J. Ceils?
A. We were doing this club and opened for the new reformed MC-5. There were no people there, just press and the media. They liked us better than they did the 5, which was too bad for the 5. Our second gig we opened for Mink DeVille. People just kept approaching us. Then we got the offer for the Peter Frampton, Pontiac Stadium gig. We rehearsed eight hours a night and I think we only played for half an hour.
Q. Do you have any idea what you'll be doing in 1981?
A. We're doing a European tour in March.
© Gary James All Rights Reserved
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