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Photo credit: Sam Mcgill
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In an era dominated by genre-blurring experimentation and digital production, a wave of contemporary artists is reaching backward to move forward—reviving the spirit of rock’s golden decades while infusing it with a distinctly modern edge. These musicians aren’t simply imitating the past; they’re reimagining it, channeling the swagger, grit, and emotional rawness of classic rock into fresh sounds that resonate with today’s audiences.
Few exemplify this trend more vividly than Des Rocs, whose electrifying blend of vintage rock theatrics and modern alt-rock production pays homage to legends like Elvis Presley and Queen. With bombastic guitars, dramatic vocal delivery, and a flair for storytelling, he revives the showmanship and emotional intensity that defined rock’s early pioneers.
Similarly, Greta Van Fleet has become one of the most recognizable names in the retro-rock revival. Their soaring vocals, blues-heavy riffs, and mystical lyricism evoke the grandeur of Led Zeppelin and the psychedelic rock acts of the 1970s. While often compared to their predecessors, the band’s youthful energy and contemporary production give their music a distinct identity within the modern rock landscape.
The Struts channel a glam-rock flamboyance reminiscent of Queen, The Rolling Stones, and T. Rex. Fueled by charismatic frontman Luke Spiller, their arena-ready anthems and theatrical performances capture the glitz and exuberance of 1970s rock while remaining accessible to mainstream listeners. Their approach demonstrates that the spirit of glam—flashy, joyful, larger-than-life—is far from forgotten.
Elsewhere, artists like Måneskin and The Lemon Twigs show how deep the retro influence runs across genres. Italy’s Måneskin blends punk, glam, and classic rock attitude with modern pop accessibility, propelling them to global fame following their Eurovision victory. Their stylistic cocktail echoes the rebellious energy of bands like The Clash and Mötley Crüe. Meanwhile, The Lemon Twigs draw inspiration from 1960s and ’70s power pop, channeling The Beach Boys, Big Star, and early prog influences through meticulously crafted melodies and lush vocal harmonies.
Even beyond rock, the influence of retro icons reaches into adjacent genres. Artists such as St. Vincent, who fuses angular guitar work with Bowie-esque art-rock aesthetics, and Harry Styles, whose solo albums borrow liberally from ’70s soft rock and Britpop traditions, underscore the widespread cultural resonance of earlier eras.
Together, these artists are shaping a musical renaissance built on nostalgia, admiration, and reinvention. By drawing inspiration from the giants of classic rock—whether through bombastic guitar solos, analog warmth, or theatrical flair—they’re crafting a new sonic landscape that bridges generations. In doing so, they reaffirm a simple truth: great rock never dies; it evolves, passing through the hands of new creators who reinterpret its timeless power for a new age.
Inspired by retro sounds and unforgettable classics is Des Rocs. Artist and guitarist that is headlining our interview today.
ABOUT DES ROCS
Des Rocs, the stage name of New York–based musician Daniel Rocco, is an alternative rock artist known for his theatrical, high-energy style that blends classic rock influences with modern alt-rock production. Since emerging in the late 2010s, he has released several EPs—including Let the Vultures In, Martyr Parade, and This Is Our Life—as well as full-length albums such as A Real Good Person in a Real Bad Place (2021) and Dream Machine (2023). His music is defined by gritty guitar riffs, retro-inspired vocals, and dramatic, emotionally charged songwriting, often exploring themes of identity, resilience, and rebellion. A striking live performer, Des Rocs has built his reputation through intense, charismatic shows and tours with acts like Muse and The Struts, all while maintaining a strong DIY ethos in his writing and production.
Des Rocs: The Electric Prophet of Modern Rock
In a rock landscape desperate for genuine electricity, Des Rocs stands out like a bolt of neon lightning—a guitarist who doesn’t just play his instrument but wields it. From the moment he steps on stage, there’s an unmistakable sense that the guitar isn’t a tool for him; it’s an extension of his pulse, his philosophy, and his rebellion. It’s this devotion to the craft—this fiery, borderline-obsessive relationship with tone, texture, and tension—that makes Des Rocs one of the most compelling guitar voices of the modern era.
What separates him from the pack is his ability to merge vintage spirit with modern ferocity. He draws from the raw swagger of early rock ’n’ roll, the grit of blues, and the arena-scale theatrics of the ’70s, then blasts it through a contemporary lens that feels urgent rather than nostalgic. His riffs strike with the confidence of someone raised on the kings—Page, White, May—yet shaped by the restless energy of New York streets. Every phrase is tight, purposeful, and delivered like a dare.
But Des Rocs’ true magic lies in how he treats the guitar as a character in the story rather than a backdrop. His leads aren’t thrown in for technical flair; they’re emotional detonations. In his recordings, the guitar howls, cracks, whispers, and lunges, moving with the unpredictability and swagger of a living thing. You feel the sweat, the push-pull between control and chaos, the sense that the instrument is on the edge of combustion.
Live, this connection is even more explosive. Des Rocs plays with the raw abandon of an artist who believes the stage is a battleground and every riff is a declaration of intent. He summons the old-school electricity of rock’s early icons—the kind who treated performance like ritual—while maintaining a razor-sharp sense of modern dynamics. There’s no digital buffer, no clinical perfection. It’s analog heat, human grit, and a guitar tone built to shake your ribcage.
In an age where guitar heroes can feel like relics, Des Rocs reminds us that the instrument still has the power to shock, seduce, and transform. He doesn’t chase trends, algorithms, or retro cosplay. Instead, he channels the spirit of rock’s greats while forging his own bold, unconventional path. And that’s the true thrill: watching a new artist carve out a mythos not by imitating the past, but by amplifying it into something fiercely and unapologetically alive.
Des Rocs isn’t just keeping the guitar alive—he’s setting it on fire again.
INTERVIEW WITH DES ROCS AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Your music channels a lot of vintage rock spirit while sounding distinctly modern. What’s your philosophy on blending those worlds without falling into nostalgia?
Des: There is no conscious philosophy behind any of it. It is the result of what I was raised on running head-on into the tools available to me to create music. I’m also just not interested in re-creating anything. I’ve always wanted to forge my own path and add a new chapter to rock. I have no interest in re-visiting what’s been done.
Guitar Thrills: When you pick up a guitar, what’s the first thing you look for—a riff, a feeling, a story, or something else entirely?
Des: I let the moment dictate. For example, soundcheck is the first time we get to hear guitar that day. I want the first thing I play to be deliberate. Like a single chord. Just let it ring. Bath in the tone and frequency range. Let it breathe. Like a chime calling to prayer. When we’re towards the end of a show and the tension has built to a fever pitch, I want the playing to erupt into a dramatic solo that feels like the world is ending. The moment decides what is played.
Guitar Thrills: Your recordings have a very raw, almost live-wire energy. How do you capture that intensity in the studio without losing control or clarity?
Des: I’ve painted with these types of distortions for a minute now and have a good instinct for how they react under my hands. So much of the Des Rocs sound just comes from my fingertips. That performance is far more important than any piece of gear.
Guitar Thrills: You’ve cited a range of classic influences. Which guitarists—or even non-guitar heroes—shaped your approach the most?
Des: Prince is a huge one because of the purpose his solos serve in a show. They’re like characters in a story. Or perhaps some kinda super-hero sidekick. Often the solos are literally funny and make you laugh. Then he gives you permission to laugh when he smirks after playing it. The next minute he’ll play something so emotional that it brings everyone to tears. And after that he’s ripping something that’s just showy and over-the-top. There’s a versatility to the intent of a Prince solo that is tremendously inspiring.
Guitar Thrills: Your live show has become a signature part of your identity. What happens internally when you step on stage and the first note hits?
Des: It might sound a little dramatic (then again so am I), but I will in all seriousness think about my entire life before every single show. I think of the whole damn thing, up until that very moment. I reflect on the ups & the downs, the hell of the whole journey, even my first crush. Then I cleanse it all from my brain and walk out on stage.
Guitar Thrills: Modern rock is evolving fast. Where do you see the guitar fitting into the future of the genre, and how do you want to push it forward?
Des: I want to experiment with the purpose the guitar serves. I view it as a magic wand that can be used in so many ways. I don’t care about being the best player – I can barely keep up with the things I write – I just want to push the range of emotions it can conjure.
Guitar Thrills: There’s a theatricality in your performance style. How intentional is that, and how much comes from instinct and emotion in the moment?
Des: That’s just who I am. It’s intentional in the sense that I’m allowing myself to be my truest self. I always say that the real performance begins when I’m off stage.
Guitar Thrills: You often write, produce, and conceptualize much of your work yourself. How does that creative independence shape the final sound?
Des: It ensures that the place I wind up is one I stand behind fully. Don’t get me wrong - I have an incredible network of friends and musicians who help bring the vision to life. I couldn’t do it without them. But at the end of the day the work is pure in the sense that it is from my soul directly to your ears without interference.
Guitar Thrills: If you could collaborate with any artist—past or present—who would create the most explosive chemistry with your style?
Des: Barbara Streisand 100000000%
Guitar Thrills: What’s one emotion or idea you hope fans walk away with after hearing your music or seeing you live?
Des: That I really mean it. That I’ll live & breathe this lifestyle for as long as I can. That rock n roll is in my blood. That I really care. I care a lot. Maybe too much. That if there ever comes a day that I can’t do what I do, I will sink into an unimaginable depression that will ruin me.
Conclusion
In a musical era often dominated by fleeting trends and digital polish, Des Rocs stands out as a fearless torchbearer of rock’s raw, electric soul. By fusing the swagger and drama of classic rock with a modern edge, he proves that the guitar—and the spirit behind it—still has the power to captivate, challenge, and inspire. Whether on stage or in the studio, Des Rocs isn’t just reviving the sound of rock; he’s redefining it for a new generation, reminding us that true energy, passion, and authenticity never go out of style.
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