← Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
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- [00:00]
Buzz Knight
This is an I heart podcast.
- [00:04]
Erica
The OGs of uncensored motherhood are back and badder than ever. I'm Erica. And I'm Mila, and we're the hosts of the Good Moms Bad Choices Podcast, brought to you by the Black Effect Podcast Network every Wednesday. Yeah, we're moms, but not your mommy. Historically, men talk too much and women have quietly listened. And all that stops here. If you like witty women, then this is your tribe. Listen to the Good Moms Bad Choices Podcast every Wednesday on the Black Effect podcast network, the iHeartRadio app app podcast or wherever you go to find your podcast.
- [00:35]
Unknown
When your car is making a strange noise, no matter what it is, you can't just pretend it's not happening.
- [00:43]
Buzz Knight
That's an interesting sound.
- [00:45]
Unknown
It's like your mental health. If you're struggling and feeling overwhelmed, it's important to do something about it. It can be as simple as talking to someone or just taking a deep, calming breath to ground yourself. Because once you start to address the problem, you can go so much further. The Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the AD Council have resources available for you at.
- [01:06]
Michelle Williams
I also want to address the Tonys. On a recent episode of Checking in with Michelle Williams, I open up about feeling snubbed by the Tony Awards, Do I? I was never mad. I was disappointed because I had high hopes to hear this and more on disappointment and protecting your peace. Listen to Checking in with Michelle Williams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:36]
Buzz Knight
If you've ever wondered what diseases, medieval pee tests and cocktails have in common, you're in the right place.
- [01:41]
Kate Winkler Dawson
On our show, this Podcast Will Kill youl, we explore the wild world of diseases, their history, biology, and impact. Today, vaccines are, in part a victim of their own success. They have been so effective in preventing disease and death that we take them for granted.
- [01:57]
Buzz Knight
New episodes drop every Tuesday on the Exactly Right Network.
- [02:00]
Kate Winkler Dawson
Listen to this podcast will kill you on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A body, a suspect, and a hundred years of silence. Buried Bones is a podcast about the forgotten crimes history tried to leave behind.
- [02:15]
Paul Holz
A common misperception about serial predators is that every single time they commit a crime, they commit it the same way.
- [02:25]
Kate Winkler Dawson
The past is a way of talking if you know what to listen for.
- [02:28]
Paul Holz
New episodes every Wednesday on the Exactly Right Network.
- [02:32]
Kate Winkler Dawson
Listen to Barry bones on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [02:40]
Rome
Taking a walk.
- [02:41]
Buzz Knight
I never thought in a million years that I would be fronting the band that was plastered all over my wall as a kid. Life kind of unfolds, you know, the journey kind of opens doors for you that, you know, you probably wouldn't have opened or even, like, fathomed as possible. Never in a million years when I was listening to Sublime as a kid did I think that one day I'd be jamming with Bud and Eric, singing those songs. It's crazy.
- [03:07]
Rome
Welcome to another episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. The podcast where we dive deep into the stories, the journeys, and the passions of incredible artists and creators. And today, Buzz Knight welcomes Rome, a musician whose roots run deep in California and Mexican heritage. And his guitar has been shaping his sound since he was just 11 years old. You might know Rome as the voice and soul behind Sublime. With Rome, the band that's carried forward the legacy of the iconic Sublime. From learning his first song by Sublime as a kid to touring and recording with the surviving members, Rome's journey is one of passion, perseverance, and evolution. Rome's got new music out called why Me? And he talks with Buzz Knight on the Taking a Walk podcast right now.
- [04:00]
Unknown
Hello, Rome, and welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast.
- [04:03]
Buzz Knight
How's it going, man? Thank you for having me.
- [04:06]
Unknown
It's going fantastic. Thank you. So since the podcast is called Taking a Walk, I wanted to ask you, Rome, if you could take a walk with somebody, living or dead, preferably around music, but that's not mandatory. Who would you like to take a walk with, and where would you like to take that walk?
- [04:29]
Buzz Knight
Man, That's a good question. Well, the. The first person that comes to mind would probably be my grandpa, just because, you know, I feel like, as a man now, he. He passed away before I could, you know, kind of get to know a little more about or get to the point where I wanted to know more about the family, you know, so probably walk with him, ask him some questions, you know, probably explain a lot of stuff that goes on in my head anyway. But then in terms of, like, entertainment, you know, if I could take a walk with somebody, man, off the top of my head, like, first person that came to mind was Jimi Hendrix. Just, you know, I mean, for obvious reasons, but he's just such a creative guy. I would just love to, you know, hear what kind of, like, stuff he had to say about, you know, just. Just movies and. And, you know, art and just. Just kind of pick his brain, you.
- [05:23]
Unknown
Know, I got chills thinking about both of them, including the Jimmy response. And I have this feeling you and Jimmy would be kindred spirits because Jimmy seemed to emote this tremendous sense of certainly creativity and passion, but amazing sense of, of gratitude. And I, I see you at this place in time in your career and I feel like you are exuding your own sense of this tremendous gratitude. Am I right on that?
- [06:05]
Buzz Knight
Oh, thanks, man. I'm for sure. I mean, you know, it's like for me, I've already like, like done more than I've ever could have imagined, you know, and there's still things that I 100 want to like, accomplish and, and do. But like, once you get to a point where you're actually able to like, you know, put food on your family's table through music, you know, that's a very, very, like, that's a blessing. And I don't know, I just, I, I'm like at that point now, you know, I have three children and my wife and you know, it's like I'm like very grateful to be able to be still playing music and having like fans that listen to the music that I make and music that I've been associated with. And you know, I've gotten tour of the world with my favorite band for more than a decade and you know, I made it out all right. You know, I'm in a wonderful marriage and I have beautiful children and I'm very grateful for that. And I think, you know, that's, that's a huge contributor to even why I continue to, to want to do this professionally. You know, I want to put that message out into the world.
- [07:23]
Unknown
Fantastic. We're going to talk about why me and the behind the scenes creative process that led to it. It's out. And also I want you to be able to tell everybody about the music festivals and performances that you're going to be certainly, you know, making the rounds at as well. Oh yeah, but you just turned 37. How do you feel about this milestone? Does it change how you look at your music or your life in general?
- [07:57]
Buzz Knight
You know, for me, it's like I was just having this conversation with my mother in law because I love growing older and I know people hate it. You know, I'm just kind of figuring out like the health part of it, you know, like working out and eating right. Like, I've been in that world for the last like six months now. But in terms of like, you know, mentally and emotionally, like, growing up is awesome because you just like, you get more and more in tune with what you like and my mother in law was saying, which, which I couldn't help but agree with, but like, you know, and she's, she's got like 20 years on me. You know, the older you get, the less like you give a shit about what people think. And, and like, you just get more sure of yourself. And I just like, I couldn't help but agree, you know, even at my age of 37, you just get to this point, you know, where you're like, man, I got three kids that are like doing all right, like, I'm gonna be fine, everything's gonna be all right. And that's not a big deal. That's not a big deal, you know, and, and, and you place so to, you know, make a long, long answer shorter. I definitely love the fact of growing and becoming smarter and more aware. And you know, the flip side of that is, you know, time becomes less and less of, you know, something that you have, you know, just in terms of your responsibilities and that can put a real big damper on your creative process. So that's one thing has been, you know, a little less than favorable with like growing up is like, you know, I definitely missed the time of just sitting around and just sitting in the studio all dang day and making music, going to bed and waking up and doing the same thing. But that's probably not a very healthy lifestyle either. So I'm, I, I, I'm rolling with it, man. I love it.
- [09:55]
Unknown
Tell me what it was like being born and raised in, in California. What was childhood like? And talk about, you know, just that, that aspect of your, your journey in California.
- [10:06]
Buzz Knight
Yeah, man, well, so I, I grew up in the 90s, like your typical 90s child. You know. My earliest memories of music were Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Motown, you know, so that was like the Supremes and you know, anything from Stevie Wonder or Smokey Robinson, of course, and Rolling Stones and, and Led Zeppelin and hip hop that was on the radio. So I was like a pretty eclectic, you know, mix of music and, but I mean, it was like my mom and my dad and those were, some of my earliest memories, were musical memories really. I was very much a fan. You know, where I grew up in the Bay Area, it was, you know, heavily inspired like by like gang culture. There was, you know, the Bay Area is synonymous for its own music industry. It's its own music, you know, genre really. It's like hip hop. But, you know, we got like artists that have just really been fundamental to west coast rap. You know, shout out to E40 too short and stuff like that. Mac Dre. So needless to say, all my peers in school, everybody I knew, it was like, hip hop, hip hop, hip hop. And, you know, I would hear all this, like, soul and. And other kind of music from my parents, and I took a trip down to San Diego, where my family was from, and I, like, heard, like, Sublime for the very first time, which was kind of a trip because it kind of put all of this. All that music that I was talking about, it put it all into one, which I thought was just so awesome. It was so fresh to me. I think I was, like, 11 at the time, and I just remember hearing this music and, you know, it would be borrowing melodies from, like, the Supremes, and it would be like, you know, doing, like, punk rock stuff, which I hadn't even really heard punk rock yet at that point. Sublime was my introduction into punk rock. And, you know, so hearing that for the first time and. But, like, you know, had some stuff from, like, hip hop samples in there, and so it just really blew my mind. And from that point on, like, honestly, from, like, listening to Sublime, it really transitioned me from, like, being, like, a listener to, like, me wanting to learn how to, like, play an instrument, you know, And I got a guitar. And then shortly after getting a guitar, you know, I just started to. I played that thing all the dang time. And the more I played guitar, the less I was skateboarding. And I could kind of, like, I got to a point where. Because the only thing I loved in the world was skateboarding. So I got to this point where I was just like, you know what? Like, I think I can probably be a better guitar player than a better skateboarder. And I just really started investing all my time in a guitar playing. And, yeah, eventually that, you know, a lot of the stuff that was going on in my family, you know, my. My dad had his stint with drugs for most of my childhood, and so that just created all kinds of chaos in the house. Everything that you would imagine. And that was really monumental in, like, my growth as, like, becoming a songwriter. Leaving the guitar, you know, like, guitar player mentality, and stepping into, like, singing and writing songs about all that stuff. And that's when, like, music really, like, transformed for me, where, like, you know, the dip in my grades was, like, for real. It was like I was, like, all in. I just wanted to go to la, start meeting people, and just start recording these songs. And, yeah, that was like the, you know, pretty much the start of, like, high school. And that was, like, a really troubling time because I just like couldn't get my together in school, man. I just wanted to play on that guitar and start bands. So. But yeah, that's, that was kind of like, you know, the, the cadets version of a, of a up and down lifestyle up and down California between Northern and Southern California in my upbringing.
- [14:16]
Unknown
But it's really a storybook, really, life here. When you get to, you know, join a band that you were a fan of and tour and record, I mean, you must have just, you know, pinched yourself in amazement of what you had accomplished.
- [14:34]
Buzz Knight
Dude, it was crazy. Like all I ever wanted to do when I was a kid. You know how like they tell you to like hold your breath when you're going under like a bridge or you're going like in an underpass or like you're going over a bridge. You know, hold your breath and make a wish, right? Ever since I was a kid, man, all I could remember was like when I blow out the candles and I'd make a wish and you're not supposed to tell anybody. All I would wish was to, to be a professional musician. And I would say those words because I wanted to at least be able to live off music, you know, Like I had a couple uncles that like play guitar and they were just like, you know, just living a miserable life. And, and I just at least wanted to put some food on my table. Playing, playing the guitar. I didn't want to go to college to like get to this point now, like, that's where a lot of the gratitude comes from. And you know, moving to LA was like, it took so much to like then get to la. But then like, you know, what happened in Los Angeles really didn't pan out the way I thought it was going to pan out either. Like, I never thought in a million years that I would be fronting the band that was plastered all over my wall as a kid. That was just something that, you know, life kind of unfolds. You know, the, the, the, the journey kind of opens doors for you that, you know, you probably wouldn't have opened or, or even like fathomed as possible. Never in a million years. When I was listening to Sublime as a kid that I think that one day he had me jamming with Bud and Eric singing songs. Those, it's crazy. And during that journey, I met this band called the Dirty Heads. And this was, I've heard of them. This was a year before I even met anybody in Sublime yet. So I, I introduced to, I was, I was introduced to the Dirty Heads. And I started hanging with those guys, and they were, like, just playing, you know, probably like 50 people in. In, like, bars and clubs and stuff. Just, you know, just like, getting that phase going in the van, you know. And when I met them, like, I listened to their music. I saw, like, their YouTube stuff, and I was like, oh, dude, they're so good. Like, their music is so rad. I was a little more and, like, funny enough, kind of doing what I'm doing now, like, more music that is, like, I'm making now. That's kind of where I was before I joined Sublime. And so when I met the Dirty Heads, I was listening to what they were doing, you know, with their first record, and I was like, man, it's such beautiful music. I love their mixture of everything, everything. So naturally, you know, we were like, let's write a song together, man. You know, I was living in my van at the time. They all had day jobs. And we wrote this song, this little old song, Lay Me down, and we liked it. It was cool, you know. But they already had a record that went out just eight months prior, so they weren't in no rush. Their label wasn't in any rush to go and get in the studio and record a song. And, man, that song sat around for like, a year. And one day, our manager, who I later ended up being managed by the same manager as the Dirty Heads manager. The Dirty Heads manager took their demo step, like a CD of, like, a stack of songs. So like, maybe four or five songs, took them up to Kevin Weatherly over at kroc, who's, like, the most influential man in alternative radio.
- [17:57]
Unknown
I know that guy, you know, Kevin Weatherley.
- [17:59]
Buzz Knight
Big shout out for changing all of our lives. Big shout out to Lisa Warden. Love you so much. You know, These are great times, man. And our manager, Cheese, like, he played him, you know, the song. They. They had this song with Slash playing guitar. And that was like, the one. You know, he's like, okay, this is the one. We loaded it up, you know, this is the good song. We got Slash as a feature. This is. This is the one. But our manager's assistant, her favorite song was Lay Me down, the song that me and the guys did, which was just a crappy old demo we just put together at Homey Studio. And so she put that song at number one, God bless her heart. Shout Out, Tamara. And, man, Kevin Weatherly popped that CD in hit play in the meeting and, oh, freaking Lay Me down started. And she's my manager and damn near had a heart attack but, you know, he. He already started vibing, so you don't stop. The man, he's. He's already tapping his toe and shaking his head. So he's like, whatever, man. He loved the song. He played it back four times in a row. He was like, play it again, play it again, play it again. He loved the song, was like, this is a hit. This. You know how it used to go back in the day, which it still does sometimes. And you know, man, the rest was history. You know, he put it on, he's like, let's hear how it does on the phones. That was like a demo, you know, our manager was like, it's not even mastered yet. He's like, oh, you want to hear how it sounds mastered on the radio? Here you go. We're gonna go play it. And he just goes and plays it. And the phones blew up like crazy. And I mean, that song really changed our lives overnight. You know, I got a publishing deal within a month from Sony atv. And, you know, because I wrote half that song with guys and they were like, hey, do you got more songs? And I'm like, that's all I do is sit and write songs. Like, of course I got more songs. And so they were like, here's the deal. Can you write more songs for other artists? And I didn't even know that that was a thing. So I started writing all these songs for all these other artists and getting introduced to all these just amazingly talented people where I am like the easily the least talented person in the room for like years and just soaking it up, man. And it, I mean, it's just been such a fun ride, like, to, you know, that part and then like, boom, joining in with Sublime and then getting to tour around the world. So I mean, you just never know, like, keeping an open mind and. And I think that sort of like, humility of like, I just still can't believe that, like, you know, this is what I can do for a living. I don't have to go work at like, you know, do roofing anymore. So it's like, yeah, it's rad. I'm. I'm very grateful for that. And I think that sort of energy is like what keeps me waking up in the morning and like, after it, you know.
- [20:49]
Unknown
Oh, no doubt, no doubt.
- [20:51]
Rome
We'll be right back with more of the Taking a walk podcast.
- [20:56]
Erica
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- [21:56]
Paul Holz
A murder happens, the case goes cold. Then, over 100 years later, we take a second look. I'm Paul Holz, a retired cold case investigator.
- [22:05]
Kate Winkler Dawson
And I'm Kate Winkler Dawson, a journalist and historian.
- [22:08]
Paul Holz
On our podcast Buried Bones, we reexamine historical true crime cases.
- [22:12]
Kate Winkler Dawson
Using modern forensic techniques. We dig into what the original investigators may have missed. Growing up on a farm, when I heard a gunshot, I did not immediately think murder.
- [22:21]
Paul Holz
Unless this person went out to shoot squirrels, they're not choosing a.22 to go hunting out there.
- [22:28]
Kate Winkler Dawson
These cases may be old, but the questions are still relevant and often chilling.
- [22:33]
Paul Holz
I know this chauffeur is not of concern. You know, it's like, well, he's the last one who saw her alive. So how did they eliminate him?
- [22:42]
Kate Winkler Dawson
Join us as we take you back to the cold cases that haunt us to this day.
- [22:47]
Paul Holz
New episodes every Wednesday on the exactly right network. Listen to Buried bones on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or radio, wherever you get your podcasts.
- [22:57]
Unknown
I know a lot of cops and they get asked all the time, have you ever had to shoot your gun? Sometimes the answer is yes. But there's a company dedicated to a future where the answer will always be no.
- [23:12]
Paul Holz
Across the country, cops called this Taser the revolution.
- [23:16]
Unknown
But not everyone was convinced it was that simple. Cops believed everything that Taser told from Lava for good. And the team that brought you Bone Valley comes a story about what happened when a multi billion dollar company dedicated itself to one visionary mission. This is Absolute Season 1 Taser Incorporated.
- [23:37]
Kate Winkler Dawson
I get right back there and it's bad.
- [23:40]
Buzz Knight
It's really, really, really bad.
- [23:44]
Unknown
Listen to new episodes of Absolute Season 1 Taser Incorporated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Binge episodes 1, 2 and 3 on May 21 and episodes 4, 5 and 6 on June 4 ad free at Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.
- [24:06]
Buzz Knight
So what happened to Chappaquiddick? Well, it really depends on who you talk to.
- [24:10]
Unknown
There are many versions of what happened in 1969 when a young Ted Kennedy drove a car into a pond and.
- [24:16]
Buzz Knight
Left a woman behind to drown. There's a famous headline, I think in the New York Daily News it's Teddy Escapes, Blonde Drowns. And in a strange way, right, that sort of tells you the story really became about Ted's political future, Ted's political hopes. Will Ted become President?
- [24:34]
Unknown
Chappaquiddick is a story of a tragic death and how the Kennedy machine took control.
- [24:38]
Buzz Knight
And he's not the only Kennedy to survive a scandal.
- [24:41]
Unknown
The Kennedys have lived through disgrace, affairs, violence, you name it.
- [24:46]
Buzz Knight
So is there a curse?
- [24:47]
Unknown
Every week we go behind the headlines and beyond the drama of America's royal family.
- [24:52]
Erica
Listen to United States of Kennedy on.
- [24:54]
Michelle Williams
The iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever.
- [24:57]
Buzz Knight
You get your podcasts.
- [25:04]
Holly Fry
Explore the winding halls of historical true crime with Holly Fry and Maria Tremarky, hosts of Criminalia, as they uncover curious cases from the past. The legend of the Highwayman suggests men dominated the field, but tell that to Lady Catherine Ferrers, known as the wicked lady who terrorized England in the mid-1600s. Her legend persists nearly 400 years after her death. Hear the story of the gentleman robber, the romantic darling of the ladies, and a tale about a wager over a sack of potatoes. But you'll have to tune in to learn who won that one. Some highwaymen were well mannered or faked it. People were concerned about the romanticism of robbers, but most were just thugs. Highwaymen are in the hot seat this season. Call them robbers or bandits. Some are legendary figures. Listen to stories about historical crimes on Criminalia now. Plus the cocktails and mocktails inspired by each. Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [26:10]
Rome
Welcome back to the Taking a Walk podcast.
- [26:13]
Unknown
So let's play this little game called Fast five. I'm gonna ask you five fast questions and get your, get your your comments here. First of all, first album you ever.
- [26:23]
Buzz Knight
Bought, self titled Sublime.
- [26:27]
Unknown
First concert you ever attended, Dance Warp tour.
- [26:31]
Buzz Knight
I wanted to see 311 in Bayside.
- [26:35]
Unknown
First time you heard your music on the radio.
- [26:38]
Buzz Knight
Oh, man. I was. I was like, sitting on my friend's couch watching tv. It was actually his girlfriends and my manager about that. It was that day he called me and was just like, hey, what are you doing? I'm like, I'm just sitting on the couch watching tv. He's like, turn on KROC in five minutes. And then he's like, call your mom. You're. You're gonna be a rock star. And that's what he said. And I was like, what are you talking about? And, yeah, I heard Lay me down on. We. We went in my homie, his girlfriend's. She used to drive like this baby blue, like VW bug. It's like a 2012 or something. And. No, it's older than that. So 2007. Because the song came out in 09. And. Yeah, man, we just sat there and I almost blew her speakers out. We turned it up so dang loud and. Yeah, you just. You never forget that moment, even to this day. It don't matter where you're at when. When you hear yourself on the radio or, you know, come on, on the satellite radio at a restaurant or something, it's like the most just takes you right back to being a kid. You're like, this is like, why I do it, you know, I love this. I love that this is possible.
- [27:49]
Unknown
First moment, you knew you were going to have a life of music.
- [27:54]
Buzz Knight
Oh, man. You know, part of being an artist is like, that unshakable fear that all this is going to go away. But I just started to kind of get rid of that whole thing, funny enough. Leaving Sublime. I know that sounds ridiculous. There's this kind of feeling with artistry where it's like. It's like almost too good to be true. That can drive you mad. But when you're kind of by yourself, when you're on your own, before you're, like, married with children and stuff, you don't really care, you know, young and dumb, young and reckless. You know, live fast, die young, right? You're just living for the moment. But once you start packing on, like, responsibilities, you know, to people that you love, your children, you know, God, you know, bless it. Like, God forbid you even become, like, somewhat remotely successful where you start hiring some of your family, like, you start to, you know, build something that becomes greater than yourself. So you think it starts to make the art part and this whole dream and the career thing, like, it starts to put pressure on it and a little squeeze on it, and things get complicated. And, you know, you See, a lot of artists that just can't handle that, either they quit or, you know, they harm themselves with drugs and alcohol or, you know, even worse, you know, they take their own lives. I mean, everything in between. I think it's important to kind of shake all that and. And, you know, to make a long story short, just within the last year, honestly, leaving Sublime was kind of. When I was, like, kind of figured out and trusted myself and trusted the world and God and just was like, I don't know. I don't know what's gonna happen. But I. I know, like, I'm happy and I know I'm committed. And this is like, I have music that. That I die for, and. And that. That's. That's the energy, you know?
- [29:50]
Unknown
I love it. I love it. Okay, one more on the fast five. First instrument you ever bought?
- [29:54]
Buzz Knight
First instrument. Guitar. Electric guitar. Yeah. My dad, he got one in pawn shop and brought it home and haven't. Haven't put it down since, like, 11 years old.
- [30:07]
Unknown
11 years old. I love it. So take us behind the Creation of why me? It's such a. An awesome project. And, you know, this you described a little while ago, you know, the confidence that it took to make this move. You're at this moment in time. I think that is a amazing moment. So take us a little bit behind the curtain on the creation of why Me?
- [30:32]
Buzz Knight
I'd love to. Well, it all kind of stems from, like, the pandemic, because Sublime with Rome had been touring, you know, every year since its formation. And like many other artists, when the pandemic happened, you know, we were forced to kind of throw in the towel for a little bit, and. And, you know, kind of had some time off, so I started, like, live streaming. And a lot of people were sitting at home, too, so these rooms were getting, like, really full. And, you know, I started getting all these fans. And after I ran through all the catalog and all the Sublime stuff and Sublime with Rome stuff, people were just like, dude, do you got any music that you're working on? And the honest answer was like, no. Like, I hadn't worked on music for myself in so long. I mean, I'd just been writing songs for other people, and that was like, I had all this time. So I was like, you know what? That sounds like a lot of fun. So I started waking up in the morning and going to studio and just, like, putting together these songs and kind of putting together my whole, like, sound that I was like, really after. In my head, like, the. The sounds that I Loved. And the music that had the most inspiring, like, that was the most inspiring to me. And I wanted to just kind of fuse all that together and. And, you know, see what happens, you know, because it wasn't like I was gonna, like, put an album out and go on tour. It was like the pandemic, you know? And once I started doing that, man, it just like, became such a labor of love, like, because most other songs that I would write, they were for a reason. They were for an artist or for, you know, an ANR would hit me up or, you know, we need this kind of record for this artist. Are you interested to take a session? Here's a couple songs, you know, or. With Sublime, you know, I had other people, you know, I had to listen to the music. And so this was something that was just so free and so creative and. And it. You know, and it just created, like, a. A sound for me and an outlet. So after a while, I just, like, really couldn't. Couldn't, like, get away from the music. It was like, all I really wanted to do. You know, even being on the road with Sublime with Rome, I would start really thinking about, you know, once it opened up the world, I would just be thinking about wanting to be at home and, like, record this music and, like, you know, oh, man, I want to play this song of mine live in front of all these people. But, you know, you can't do that. It don't work like that. And. And that's, you know, why Me was one of the later songs that I really tacked onto the album. And it was because it was like my kind of just wrapping up my entire tenor with Sublime. And even, like, the single artwork of the song is a picture of me when I was 12 on my bed. And you can see, like, six sublime posters in the background because, you know, that's my favorite band. Getting to tour around the world with them. And then now stepping into, like, my solo venture and putting out my first bit of music. I wanted to pay homage to that. And, you know, the song is just really about being grateful and. And about seeing the world through, like, a better lens, you know, I don't know who said it, but I heard this really cool quote where it's like, one of the most important decisions you'll ever make is when you wake up if the world's gonna be a good place or if it's like a harmful, terrible place. And I'm, you know, butchering that. But I just think that that is, like, so true. So I wanted to Flip an old age, old saying, like, why me? Kind of flipping on its head and turn it into. About something, you know, about, like, why me? Like, I'm so grateful.
- [34:19]
Unknown
Like, you know, can you talk about some of the other songs that really excite you to go out and, you know, show people at the festivals and other shows you'll be playing at?
- [34:29]
Buzz Knight
Yeah, totally. So I have this other song that I'm just so excited for everyone to hear. It's called Slow and Easy. And this song is like, you know, really, it's. It's about like, me and my wife and just like, you know, focus on so many things and trying to have control over all these aspects of our life and make sure everyone's living optimally, you know, ourselves last on the totem pole always. And I wanted to write about that and just kind of take a, you know, write a song about unplugging and just taking it slow and easy and just kind of like getting back to the simpler kind of things and just, you know, disconnecting a little bit. And, you know, it, it. It has this vibe of, of the music that I love so much. You know, it's like this, you know, it's got like some rhythmic notes and the soulfulness of reggae, but it fuses like almost really, really effortlessly with like, you know, soul and like, like, you know, folk, like Van Morrison, almost. So it's like this tone, like this sound that I'm just obsessed with that I think I've kind of stumbled into. And, you know, I'm just. It was so awesome the way it was, but then I was like, you know what, how rad would it be to like, put the dirty heads on here? Because one, they're my brothers, and this is like one of my favorite songs on the record. So it would just be awesome for like a full circle moment, you know. Like, everyone is so used to, you know, like, laying me down, like whenever we're on tour together, Austin lay me down with them. And, you know, it's like, it's kind of like a summer anthem for like, our. Our age generation. So I was like, this is like the most summer anthem track that I have on the album, and I gotta put my boys on it. So it's like almost full circle, you know, and. And that's. That's a song that's like, really, you know, near and dear to me. And one of the other songs that I definitely want to highlight on the record is a. Is a song called New Me. And, you know, it's. It's Kind of like a double entendre where, you know, it's, it's, it's talking about like you say you knew me, but you never knew me at all, you know, because like, it's like a newer version of yourself that sometimes people, they'll take for granted what's in front of them and then like, you know, expect to keep you in like a box or whatever. And you know, it can happen in relationships very often, but you know, it could also happen in, you know, business relationships and in bands and, and all kinds of anytime you're dealing with another people in general, you know. And I wanted to write about that sort of feeling and that sort of experience. So that's, that's another song that I'm really excited for the world to hear. You know, it's. It's cool being able to. I have these shows in these festivals that I've been playing, you know, Cali Vibes and Cali roots and Summerfest, July 15th and all these cool festivals. And I feel like I'm kind of doing it like my music career now. I'm kind of doing it in like a, like a little more of an old fashioned way where I'm. I'm writing these songs on like that guitar, you know, and then I'm going live and I'm just playing them and I'm getting the feedback and I'm like seeing what's moving. I'm like, that bridge is too long, you know, or like this sounds boring, you know, or, you know, and I'm kind of like, and then I'm coming home and then I'm like, these are the songs that I want to record and it's awesome. You know, it's like so much different than like how a lot of it's done now where it's like, you know, it's just you in a little room like this and a little camera like that. And you just make and make and make and self mix and put it out and shoot and shoot and shoot and shoot and put it out and shoot and put it out and that. I mean, as an artist, it sounds awesome, but it's, it's not very fair to the art, is it? So I like living and I like being with my fans and letting them kind of determine. Help me determine the songs that we need in the movement.
- [38:38]
Unknown
You know, you are in a zone. You know the term the zone. You are in a zone. I could absolutely tell with, with this new music and hitting the road. By the way, you mentioned Van Morrison. Shout out to Van if you haven't checked out his brand new song called Remembering Now. Check it out.
- [38:57]
Buzz Knight
I'll check that out. I haven't heard that.
- [38:59]
Unknown
It's outstanding. It's one of his best things he's done in, in years, but I wanted to, to mention that for sure. So in closing, Rome, when you sort of think about younger Rome and Rome at this age, what would you tell younger Rome in terms of advice that, you know, you think about now as the older Rome?
- [39:25]
Buzz Knight
Drink less alcohol for sure. But you know, like, honestly, if I didn't drink less out, if, if I didn't, if I drank less alcohol, I don't know if I would be chiller right now if I had learned, you know, I had to go make a fool of myself a couple of times in the world for me to calm down. Just like I had to touch the fire, you know, I'm one of those people, unfortunately, where like, no matter how many times you tell me, no matter how many videos or how many books, I just got to learn it on my own. And I learned, I learned a lot about life watching my old man. So I'm very grateful for that. I tell him that all the time. I love him for that. I wouldn't change a damn thing about it every night. Every thing that we went through, it made me who I am. I'm a good ass dad and I take pride in that more. That's the thing that I'm the most prideful about. All that stuff led me to this point now, so. But I would go back and say, you know, hey, man, like, chill out all the booze a little bit and call your mom more, you know, I love it.
- [40:33]
Unknown
Rome, congratulations on your solo debut. It's, it's incredible music. I'm so happy for you and I'm so honored that you came on the Taking a Walk podcast. Thank you, Rome.
- [40:44]
Buzz Knight
It's an honor, Buz. Thank you for having me, brother.
- [40:48]
Rome
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app app, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.
- [41:06]
Erica
The OGs of Uncensored Motherhood are back and badder than ever. I'm Erica. And I'm Mila. And we're the hosts of the Good Moms Bad Choices podcast brought to you by the Black Effect Podcast Network every Wednesday. Yeah, we're moms, but not your mommy. Historically, men talk too much and women have quietly listened. And all that stops here. If you like witty women, then this is your truck. Listen to the Good Mom's Bad Choices podcast every Wednesday on the Black Effect podcast network, the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you go to find your podcast.
- [41:37]
Unknown
When your car is making a strange noise, no matter what it is, you can't just pretend it's not happening.
- [41:45]
Buzz Knight
That's an interesting sound.
- [41:46]
Unknown
It's like your mental health. If you're struggling and feeling overwhelmed, it's important to do something about it. It can be as simple as talking to someone or just taking a deep, calming breath to ground yourself. Because once you start to address the problem, you can go so much further. The Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council have resources available for you@loveyourmindtoday.org.
- [42:07]
Michelle Williams
I also want to address the Tonys. On a recent episode of Checking in with Michelle Williams, I open up about feeling snubbed by the Tony Awards, Do I? I was never mad. I was disappointed because I had high hopes to hear this and more on disappointment and protecting your peace. Listen to Checking in with Michelle Williams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [42:37]
Kate Winkler Dawson
A body, a suspect, and 100 years of silence. Buried Bones is a podcast about the forgotten crimes history tried to leave behind.
- [42:46]
Paul Holz
A common misperception about serial predators is that every single time they commit a crime, they commit it the same way.
- [42:57]
Kate Winkler Dawson
The past is a way of talking, if you know what to listen for.
- [43:00]
Paul Holz
New episodes every Wednesday on the Exactly Right Network.
- [43:04]
Kate Winkler Dawson
Listen to Buried bones on the iHeartRadio Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [43:11]
Buzz Knight
If you've ever wondered what diseases, medieval P tests and cocktails have in common, you're in the right place.
- [43:17]
Kate Winkler Dawson
On our show, this Podcast Will Kill youl. We explore the wild world of diseases, their history, biology and impact. Today, vaccines are, in part a victim of their own success. They have been so effective in preventing disease and death that we take them for granted.
- [43:32]
Buzz Knight
New episodes drop every Tuesday on the Exactly Right Network.
- [43:35]
Kate Winkler Dawson
Listen to this podcast will kill you on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [43:41]
Michelle Williams
This is an iHeart podcast.