Photo credit: Franceska Ludikar
Godsmack has more Top 10 Rock Songs than Foo Fighters or their hometown heroes, Aerosmith. Stretching back to their four-times platinum self-titled debut, initially recorded in 1996 for $2500, the veteran band’s catalog of hits is enough to fill a marathon set without running out. Songs like “I Stand Alone,” “Awake,” and “Voodoo” are certified anthems deeply encoded into hard rock’s DNA.
Like the antiheroes of a heist movie planning one last score, the Lawrence, Massachusetts-bred quartet takes a victory lap with Lighting Up the Sky, dropping one more classic album as they ascend into the celebratory portion of their career. Sully Erna, Robbie Merrill, Tony Rombola, and Shannon Larkin climbed the creative mountain over and over. They are consummate rock fans themselves, so they refuse to finish as one of those bands where fans hit the beer line during “the new stuff”.
Lighting Up the Sky is undoubtedly a stunning swan song, should it truly prove to be the final studio album of new music from Godsmack. “Surrender,” the first new song in four years, earned well over a half million streams on Spotify alone in its first two weeks of release. Songs like “What About Me” and “Soul On Fire” stand up to anything in the band’s rich multi-platinum catalog. “Lighting Up the Sky is packed with melodies”, assures the frontman. The band’s body of work includes eight albums, four Grammy nominations, two iHeartRadio Music Awards noms, and a Billboard Music Award.
Godsmack self-released their debut album, All Wound Up…, in 1997. Republic/Universal Records signed the band to a multi-record deal and re-released a remixed version of the debut as 1998’s Godsmack. The sophomore set Awake (2000) debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified double platinum. Faceless (2003), Godsmack’s first with drummer Shannon Larkin, topped the Billboard 200 and went platinum the same year. Both IV (2006) and The Oracle (2010) debuted at No. 1 as well. 1000hp (2014) topped the Hard Rock Chart and opened at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
When Legends Rise debuted atop Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart in May 2018. Two years later, Godsmack tied Van Halen and Shinedown for the second-most top ten singles in the 40-year history of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart, with 26 songs. When Legends Rise produced three No. 1 singles back-to-back, including the title track, “Bulletproof,” and “Under Your Scars”.
The continued creative and commercial achievement with When Legends Rise accelerated the momentum into Lighting Up the Sky, even as the Covid-related lockdowns temporarily stopped live events.
Erna arranged for a unique recording experience, combining veteran Godsmack collaborators. He produced the album together with Andrew Murdock aka “Mudrock” (Avenged Sevenfold, Alice Cooper), who produced the first two albums, Godsmack and Awake. Dave Fortman (Slipknot, Mudvayne), who previously produced The Oracle and 1000HP, mixed Lighting Up the Sky.
Sophia Radisch had the opportunity to sit down with Robbie Merrill of Godsmack for a one on one conversation with this amazing bass player.
INTERVIEW WITH ROBBIE MERRILL AND SOPHIA RADISCH
Sophia: Godsmack has been hailed as a band with more Top 10 Rock Songs than Foo Fighters or Aerosmith! That's epic and iconic, Robbie! Songs like “I Stand Alone,” “Awake,” and “Voodoo” are certified anthems deeply encoded into hard rock’s DNA. And I'm a booming Godsmack fan!
You guys had been HARD ROCKIN’ for many years, when in 1996 you put out your four-times platinum self-titled debut, initially recorded for $2,500 dollars. That's wicked! Then, Universal Records signed your band to a multi-record deal and re-released a remixed version of your debut album, as 1998’s Godsmack. Damn! That's brilliant! Winning! I heard that you and Sully had an agreement that if you didn't make it by the time Sully turned 30, you guys would pack it in. Is this true, Robbie?
Robbie: Yeah, in 1996, we did the demo, and we were doing showcases for almost a year, and we were doing well in Boston. And we're like, if we don't make it here, you know? Let's try to get signed. Let's go for another year, and then if we don’t, we're just gonna hang it up! Luckily, right around that time, we were on the radio, and it started blowing up locally and then we got signed in '98. And the rest is history!
Sophia: Your fans are so incredibly thrilled that you kept rockin' Robbie! Godsmack is truly a powerful machine! How many years had you been playing in other bands, before writing and performing your original music with Godsmack? How long before signing the record deal?
Robbie: It's been a lifetime! Hahaha I was a little older when we got signed. I was 35 years old. Basically, I've been playing in clubs since I was 16. I was playing a lot of cover stuff, and weddings and all kinds of music just to make a living. Then I got hooked on original bands, and I was doing that for probably 8 or 9 years before I met Sully! So yeah... a lifetime!
Sophia: Skills Robbie, skills! It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock'n'roll! Hahaha And, the rest is history!
Robbie, how do you feel that the universe pulled you and your bandmates together in Lawrence, Massachusetts? Who were your band's influences, and how did your sound come about and create your band's iconic and legendary vibe?
Robbie: Sully and I both come from different eras. He's a little younger than me. He was more into the thrash scene, where I was more into the 70's...Led Zeppelin and Rush and many more!
My dad also played. So, I was influenced by all kinds of music and lots of styles. It was fun playing hard rock with Sully. When I joined the band, it was more riffs, and the music was exciting to play! It was aggressive! So, I liked it. It was really a thrill to play.
In the beginning, we got together in an attic with another guitar player, and we just started writing. Sully was new at it. He was a drummer. At first, he wanted to be in a punk band, and he wanted to be a punk-rocker! But he just started writing, and things just progressed. It got to the point where he got better and better at it. And you know, the first songs he wrote were "Voodoo" and "Keep Away"!
He would hum the tunes. Then, he would learn what he was humming because at that time, he didn't really know how to play guitar. He was a drummer. But he's very musically gifted and he just had this vision. And our first album showed it!
Sophia: Brilliant story! I love your band! Hell, I was born the year you were first signed to Universal and released your debut album, Godsmack. You have been playing' a lifetime, for sure! Hahaha
It's a great honor to speak with you about your extraordinary career, Robbie! So well-deserved! Congratulations to you and Godsmack! You guys are rock warriors. Rock 'n' Roll heroes! Your story is amazing, Robbie!
When so many bands break up, or in some way or another fate or destiny doesn't allow it, what do you think has set you apart?
Robbie: Sully had a vision. At first, everybody wanted to write and be part of it. And you must learn to just adapt and fill your role. My role was bass player. You know? And same thing with the guitar player. Tony played leads. He could rip. But, if there were times where the song didn't need a lead, he was okay with it. I think what happens with bands is everyone wants a part of it all, but sometimes the music doesn't call for that. So, for us, it was more about having a leader, and we just did our jobs!
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Sophia: You're right Robbie! So well said! Being true to the song paid off big-time for you guys! And the ability to work together. Like you said, teamwork! Wise words.
And the million-dollar question. Can you share the most powerful reason as to "why" you think your band succeeded and the secret to your band's powerful legacy, for over a quarter of a century!
Robbie: We're able to work as a team and adjust to Sully's vision. That's it. You know? We put on a great show, and we're passionate about our music! When we write, we're all in the room together. When we record, we feel these songs are truly good. We don't just write a song and put it on the record. Anything that we record, we're passionate about! I think that's the big one. Being passionate.
Sophia: Exceptional!
Your band has released three consecutive number one albums (Faceless, IV and The Oracle) on Billboard 200. You have 25 top ten rock radio hits, including 18 songs in the top five, and 12 at #1. You've received highly notable awards and Grammy nominations!
You and your bandmates are Rock 'n' Roll legends, Robbie! Your journey has been a true inspiration for many bands, and your fans continue to show fabulous support, rockin' out to your powerhouse band! Perfect synchronicity.
And now, twenty-five years later, you release your eighth studio album, Lighting Up The Sky. You and Sully Erna co-founded Godsmack. After the release of Lighting Up The Sky, Sully said, “I don’t know if there’s another record after this. I feel this is very final for us. All these stories came together, and when I put them in order, I realized it’s one whole story. It’s a very emotional album for all of us."
I was really impacted by Sully's statement as a fan, and as a songwriter and musician. The emotional integrity, honesty and sincerity of his words are palpable. And, I think it demonstrates exactly "why" your music has touched so many! This is just one of the myriads of reasons your fans love you, aside from your 'GODsmack'-given talent! Haha
Your band has had and continues to have a phenomenal journey! Thanks for making truly powerful and exceptional music! Can you please describe the process of writing and recording your last album, Lighting Up The Sky? What was it like from your perspective, Robbie? And who was involved in the production of the album?
Robbie: This album is unique in many ways. First, we worked through COVID-19. And, during COVID, I also went through a divorce and had shoulder surgery! So, I wasn't around during the first writing session. Mostly, I was in recovery, preparing to get healthy again to get back at it!
When we came back together, we had to finish up the record. We just wrote and wrote and wrote. And it got to a point where it felt like our story! Best Of Times was written about the band. So, it was pretty emotional for all of us! I think it's a great record. It's a little different from the heavier Godsmack vibe. It's unique.
We went back to our first producer, Andrew Murdock, "Mudrock". He produced the first two records, Godsmack and Awake. So, it was kinda like a full circle thing for us! And we hired Dave Fortman to mix Lighting Up The Sky. We worked with Dave on our albums 1000hp and The Oracle. So, it was like one big happy family! Haha
Sophia: That's heavy! What you went through during COVID, and you still nailed it! Solid! Love that story, Robbie! And I respect that about your band Godsmack! You're very dedicated and loyal to one another and your music. And going back to your roots. That's so admirable! Yeah! Mudrock is best known for producing your first two iconic albums! But he's also produced Alice Cooper, Avenged Sevenfold and early Linkin Park! Outstanding!
Robbie: Yeah! We have had the same crew guys for years and years. Same sound guy too! We're very family oriented!
Sophia: Beautiful! Lighting Up The Sky is a tremendously powerful album. A montage of all things Godsmack. Catchy riffs and lyrics! melodic! The title track "Lighting Up The Sky" is quintessential Godsmack! Hard core! Love it!
You guys play hard, fast and heavy! Masterful story-telling and musicianship! And I love that it is a full-circle moment in time for you and your bandmates. Over the span of your decades-long music career, you've toured the planet with many legendary and iconic bands, like Metallica, and many more! Your 2025 world tour starts in Europe in March. Many of your shows are already sold out! Impressive!
How does it feel to have so many hardcore fans that continue to support you and your music? They come out, and new fans come out in ever larger numbers to your concerts! Do you have anything that you want to say to your loyal fanbase and Guitar Thrills Magazine?
Robbie: For me, it's most about respect. I must pinch myself. I still can't believe that we're still doing it and selling out shows! We've been touring Europe for a while and it's paying off now! There's lots of hard work. And, I also have lots of respect for our fans. We've been doing it for so long! Our original fanbase are parents now, and they're bringing out their kids! It's pretty mind-blowing. I have a lot of respect for our fans! Like I said, I got signed older than most, so I've always been aware and respected this. And, seeing bands come and go, you know? We just must pinch ourselves! And we do that often! Hahaha
Sophia: I respect you and your band so much! You guys are charismatic and dynamic! You have a colossal loyal fan base! And I see why! I absolutely loved the intimacy of your Vibez Tour in 2024. You performed in some magnificent theaters with the best acoustics! You shared your music inspirations in your set list, by covering Mega superstar bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Metallica. The mix was intoxicating, and I can tell that you all enjoyed it. And it thrilled your audiences!
Why did you choose to perform a mix of your original music and cover songs, and how do you feel it amplified and enhanced the vibe and the bond between you and your fanbase?
Robbie: We just have a lot of music, and we have a lot of talent. Unsung heroes in some ways. In 2004, we did a little acoustic run, and we always liked that! We wanted to go back and do something like that again, but we also wanted to have, you know, electric guitars. And we just wanted to incorporate the big bands that we were huge fans of. We wanted to pay tribute to them and show our talent too! And we brought out the video screen which was really cool. It was a completely different vibe. The Vibez tour! Hahaha
Instead of playing the heavy stuff that we've been playing for 25 years, we were able to bring out some of our softer stuff. It was an intimate evening of Godsmack! It was fun to play! Think about it. We opened with "Time" from Pink Floyd and we pulled it off!
Sophia: Yes, you did! Super cool idea and super successful too! You guys rock and rule, Robbie! It's always so fascinating and inspirational to see hard rock/metal bands doing soft melodic music. Acoustic songs and shows, just like you did. It must have meant lots to your band. And the shows must be very special, meaningful and memorable for you!
Robbie: Yeah! It was a lot of fun. It was a breath of fresh air!
Sophia: I bet it was. Thanks for sharing, Robbie!
So, do you have a particular guitar work-out before a show?
Robbie: I practice all day! Then, an hour before the show, I basically start stretching and mentally preparing for the show. I kinda like, turn it on. And then after the show, I try to turn it off and relax. That's pretty much it!
Sophia: Rock Star!
What is your gear set-up for your concert tours? I'm sure your fans would love to know, Robbie!
Robbie: Well, I played Spector Basses for the last 20 years. I just switched to Dingwall from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada! And I'm using Darkglass Electronics. I used to use GK amps but now I switched to DNA Amps. I use Ampeg 810's on stage. I don't really need them, but we put them up there for the look! Haha!
Sophia: Hahaha! Yes! Of course! Rock Star image for sure! That's the world of entertainment! And Canada! Dingwall Designer Guitars. WOW! So cool! Well, we love you over here, in Canada! Great choice Robbie, hahaha!
So, about your band's charity work. WOW! impressive! I read that The Scars Foundation was established by Sully Erna, in honor of World Mental Health Day, and in overall support of emotional wellness. To eliminate the stigma that surrounds it. The foundation's motto is, "We are all imperfectly Perfect."
Robbie, you're not only a ROCK STAR, but you also work as an ambassador for The Scars Foundation. Beautiful, healing energy! What a highly noble and charitable pursuit! Kings!
Your band's song "Under Your Scars" off your album When Legends Rise, inspired the start-up of your foundation. Is there a story that you can share with your fans that may have sparked the creation of The Scars Foundation?
Robbie: The song hit home for all of us. I don't tell anybody this, but, you know, I get anxiety and stage fright. I've had to work with that my entire life. So, when Sully started this, it just hit home with me. It was something that I think we all cherish. We're all dealing with things. Sadly, and tragically, we've lost friends to suicide. We just wanted to make a difference. And we wanted to do whatever we could to make that positive difference.
Sophia: That's so humbling! Phenomenal achievement! On top of your phenomenal music career! Thanks so much for sharing this story, Robbie! I really appreciate your sincerity. It's so heartfelt.
Godsmack is an American hard rock/metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts. Formed in 1995. The band is composed of Sully Erna. Guitar, piano, lyricist, singer and frontman. Bassist, Robbie Merrill. Lead guitarist, Tony Rombola. And drummer, Shannon Larkin.
Godsmack has been a mega hard rockin' band and musical force since their inception! Your quarter-century journey is a testament to Godsmack's enduring place at the zenith of hard rock. Thanks for sharing your band's extraordinarily powerful and successful music career, and journey with Guitar Thrills Magazine.
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