In their 18 years as a band, Bobaflex founders Shaun and Marty McCoy have been through plenty of things that would break up a weaker band. They’ve experienced record label bankruptcies. They’ve dealt with lineup changes. They’ve also watched rock being declared “dead” a few times; worse has been said about the metal scene, of course. Yet the Ohio and West Virginia-based Bobaflex is still relevant and very active.
In support of their 2015 album, Anything That Moves, Bobaflex returns to the New York area with a Jan. 7 show at The Gramercy Theater. Touring alongside Orgy and Death Valley High, long-time fans can expect a mix of songs from the band’s six full-length releases. Vocalist and guitarist Marty McCoy spoke to Downtown about upcoming performance, latest album, running a record label, and plenty more a few days after Christmas.
For more on Bobaflex – which also includes guitarist Dave Tipple, bassist Jymmy Tolland and drummer Tommy Johnson – click on over to www.theofficialbobaflex.com. Or, per my Q&A with Marty, look for them at The Carnegie Deli near the cheesecake.
I first learned about your band through its participation on Gigantour. These days, how do you find that most people first learned about Bobaflex? Through the radio?
Marty McCoy: Radio and our constant touring. SiriusXM is a huge help in spreading the word. All hail satellite radio.
Has the current Star Wars craze created any new awareness for your band?
M: It definitely has. Searching for Boba Fett will always lead you to the band. Disturbed’s new cover of “Sound Of Silence” has also shot our YouTube and downloads up quite a bit recently for our version. Sometimes you get lucky.
Given the McCoy roots within Bobaflex, as anyone from your band ever encountered Juliana Hatfield?
M: Unfortunately only during our weekly screening of “Kalifornia” on the bus. It’s a classic. [Editor’s Note: Juliette Lewis was in the 1993 film Kalifornia. Juliana Hatfield had some hits in the 1990s and released a great album called Whatever, My Love in 2015, as recorded at Hoboken’s Water Music.]
Bobaflex has been indie since your old label TVT went under. Was it the plan from the beginning to stay indie?
M: Not really. Labels just don’t like us. We adopted the indie thing when all the labels turned their backs on us. It ended up being a blessing in disguise. We don’t have to answer to anybody and we get to keep all the money.
In your bio, it says the band “embattled a troubled label, legal battles and [is] just looking ahead to the future.” Is there anything you miss about your big label days?
M: Yes! We were on some pretty big tours with some of our heroes. We learned so much about radio and marketing. It was a good experience that gave us a huge advantage as indie artists. TVT [Records] had some amazing people there that cared about us very much. We still have great relationships with many of the old staff.
What do you remember about the first gig you ever played in New York City?
M: I remember driving into the city and being overwhelmed by the size of it all. We were looking at places we’d only seen on TV. I thought we had made it. Then we discovered the nightmare of trying to park a van and trailer downtown. The honking of thousands of horns kicked the stress level up pretty quick. It took a few trips to get used to the flow of things.
When you’re in town for your upcoming show at the Gramercy Theatre, is there a restaurant or bar you hope to make it to within your limited downtime?
M: The Carnegie Deli! We have few restaurants in Columbus that fly in their famous cheesecake. I would like to meet the people who create that kind of purchasable happiness.
For someone who hasn’t seen your band live before, what should they expect from your show at the Gramercy Theatre? Will the setlist be a mix of your six albums?
M: It’s gonna be a high-energy rock show. Four-part harmonies and multiple lead singers. All real and no tracks. No computers will be joining us on stage. As far as the setlist goes, we change it every night. We never know what we are gonna play until about 30 minutes before the set. It keeps things fresh for us.
Anything That Moves came out last summer. Having played these songs live for a few months now, listening back now, is there anything about the album that you wish you could change?
M: Nope. I like the whole thing as is. I feel like we’re at the top of our game writing and recording. I can’t wait to start all over again on the next one.
Has anything been written for the next Bobaflex album? Or does the band usually take things one album at a time?
M: We’re always writing. Although I feel we do our best work when we’re all in a room together and focused on making a record. Lock the door and don’t come out until we’ve written 12-15 songs. All five of us.
Bobaflex has always chosen interesting songs to cover. Has a member of your band ever had a cover idea that got shot down?
M: “The Sound Of Silence” cover was shot down. Everybody said it was a terrible idea. Tommy [Johnson] and I disagreed and secretly recorded it anyway. Once it was finished, the rest of the guys quickly changed their minds. We’ve shot down many cover ideas. There have been some pretty outrageous suggestions.
When you’re not busy with the band, how do you like to spend your downtime?
M: I love to cook and feed friends. I also produce other artists. I’m either in the kitchen or the studio. If I had a studio with a large kitchen, I might explode into the stratosphere.
Did you have a favorite album of 2015?
M: Nothing More [by Nothing More], Highly Suspect [by Mister Asylum], Wilson, Crobot, The Weeknd, Red Sun Rising, Starset, Rival Sons…the list goes on. I’m really excited about rock music lately. It’s not dead and the defibrillator is cranked up to the highest setting. Radio is starting to change and the program directors are taking chances again. It’s a beautiful revolution.
Finally, Marty, any last words for the kids?
M: Life is short. Play your music loud and go to as many of my concerts as possible. Also, heroin will kill you. Don’t do it. This message is approved by Marty Mccoy and Bobaflex. Thank you!
-by Darren Paltrowitz
