In his years as part of the Virginia Beach music scene, Robert Walsh has opened for Yellowman, the Dicks, Circle Jerks, and Keith Morris. His new collection is called One Neck. We recently chatted about it…

You’ve been part of the Virginia Beach music scene for over forty years. What are some highlights of that experience?

Highlights  besides opening up for a few big named acts , my highlight would be playing at the 2006 tidewater alternative music reunion.

I played in 2 bands that night . The Basic Riffs and Thermal Heat . Thermal Heat reformed after this gig and have been playing ever since.

Has the scene changed much over the years?

The scene hasn’t changed much , more niche bars ie. Irish and Country . But they do like covers here .
If you are an alternative group doing original music you can get opening slots for other more Bar friendly groups .
Thermal Heat , probably to our own detriment never liked doing sets . We like doing one long set . So recently we have been doing opening slots when we can get them .

A song of yours was featured on a French TV show. What was the song, and what was the show? How did it come about?

I bought a Kong 3200XD multi track recorder in 2004ish . I had not been playing in a group since Thermal Heat lost a few members in 1998 or so .

I began writing more material and recording songs . I went to France for work , I was there six months . When I traveled I always brought work CDs to write Lyrics to . During this trip I handed out a few copies of a 10 song CD to some French acquaintances . Fast forward 6 months I’m in Japan and my wife calls me and says you received $1700 from BMI for “ Treat you Right “ a song that I had added to BMI but had not been recorded yet . The CD had no song info just my name and BMI on it. I called BMI to try and get info on where my song was used etc. But they offered no more information. 

For 3 or 4 years I would get $25 here $13 next quarter etc. The play sheets showed “Fight” a song on CD being played all over Europe . So to this day I really don’t know what song was in a French TV show, but “Fight” is the one I believe was the one .

I noticed that your press materials refer to your forthcoming release, One Neck, as a “collection of ten tracks” as opposed to an album. Do you see a difference between the two? Why might One Neck be more of a collection than an album?

I chose that language to avoid Album or Cd ,to be different , I don’t think collection or album is different .Yet I get why one could get confused.

I’m curious about the title. What does One Neck refer to, and what does it say about the other music in the collection?

The Title has been in my head for sometime . One Neck is referring to us as humans have one neck meaning the Planet our resources etc. 

Then I thought it could also mean I am doing this project all by myself so I guess it means 2 things .

And the first single from that collection is called “Street Parade.” What’s that one about? What makes that one stand out? To put it another way, why did you choose it as the lead single?

Street Parade was chosen because it is most mainstream tune on this record . My thoughts were that listeners could possibly enjoy it. Its a song about following trends and being force-fed how to feel what to feel all the while telling you to be yourself.

My goal in song writing has for the most part been to get songs placed in Movies or TV . Possibly having other Artists record a song of mine would be pretty cool as well.

The dreams of becoming a rock star evaporated many years ago , I got married young had a great job and eventually fathered 4 Children . Still Married to same Lovely woman today . Due to her patience ! 

Your press materials note that you’d like to work with friends and other artists as you continue along on your  musical journey. Is there anyone in particular that you’d like to work with?

I would be open to work with another artist ,producer . I seem to work better alone as far as work flow but lose the perspective of others that may hear something different than myself .

What else is on the horizon for you?

I did some research on how to release music in today’s market . That is what I am focused on doing . The promotion side is very difficult for me . I am trying to get through it !