Riding With Killers, a heavy rock outfit featuring current and ex-members of Taproot, Cathercist, Avalon Black and Wild Fire, have announced the release of their newest single, “Hostility”. The track comes on the heels of their 2022 single “What Comes Next”, and doubles-down on the bands ferocious energy, being led with a massive 90’s rock inspired guitar riff and vocalist Taylor Roberts’ unforgettable range.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Riding With Killers about the latest music, choosing a favorite song of all time, dream collabs, and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Are you able to choose a favorite song of all time? Or would you label this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?

Oh man. That’s honestly a really hard question because I love so many songs for so many different reasons . I’m going to have to go with the current top 3. In no particular order.. I’ll start with Meal Ticket by Elton John. Elton was my very first concert at age 9 or so? And I absolutely adore Davey Johnstone. He’s one of my favorite guitarists and his vibrato on the solo for that song is insanely good, aside from it just being an absolutely incredible song. I’ve loved that song since I was a kid. My mom wore that record (Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy) OUT. Funny enough I don’t believe that was a single either. 

Second I’ll go with Potions by Puscifer. There’s something so ethereal about that song and it’s a complete departure (or maybe not) for what you’d expect from Maynard. It’s got this spooky, almost dance-like vibe, but it’s so sinister at the same time. It makes you want to move and it gets me incredibly pumped up for being such a quiet song. It’s absolutely brilliant. 

Lastly, oh man…. This question hasn’t been fair even with three answers. It’s still not enough haha, but I’d say Taking Off by ONE OK ROCK out of Japan. That’s a more recent discovery in the last few years for me. The music is stupidly good, from the vocal melody, guitar riffs, fat bass lines, and killer drums that will make you air drum. All of it’s perfect in my eyes. I can play that song 20 times in a row and it just keeps getting better. It makes you feel alive and it reminds me of so many great moments in my life, my best friends, and most of all, the first kiss I ever shared with my partner. If I had to describe in music what that felt like, its that song. She completes my world. 

What about this project makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to

accomplish with this release?

I think the biggest aspect that makes me proud is that I didn’t know if I could step into the vocal position while still being the guitar player, and it seems to be going really well so far. I’m relatively new at being the frontman and guitar player, although in my previous band, I always enjoyed speaking and interacting with the crowd. I’ve had a lot of things I’ve wanted to say that’s been on my mind and heart for many years and I’m finally getting to do that, especially with Hostility. I’ve had a lot of people in my life over the course of the last few years/even decade that have tried to diminish who I am, told me I wasn’t good enough, put me down, and this is that open letter to them. I’m still here and I’m not taking anymore shit. 

What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

I grew up very angry as a young man because I didn’t have a dad, and the one time I did meet him it was such a terrible experience that I sometimes wish I could forget. You spend your entire life dreaming of someone just to be told you were never thought of. On top of that, I was relentlessly picked on as a kid for my left eye. I’ve had probably 5-6 reconstructive surgeries after a forceps mishap when I was born, which lead to countless nicknames, being made fun of, being made to feel undesirable, the stuff kids are good at making you feel. It’s even followed me to a degree into adulthood. Music was always my answer to that anger and sadness. It said everything I never could and it’s my hope that I can create art that speaks to kids and adults alike that are angry and resentful because the world around them wasn’t so kind.  

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.

I’d love to work with Trent Reznor one day or Jerry Cantrell. They both have written some of my favorite music of all time, and they knock it out the park every single time. I’d love to see what direction they could push me in. It’d be an incredible learning experience and I would be a better person and musician coming out of it I’m sure. 

What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

I’ve been going through our new tunes, as I’m currently in Gothenburg Sweden writing/recording a new record with Jakob Herrmann at Top Floor Studios. But aside from that I’d say “Spirits High” by The Exies. It’s so exciting to have a brand new track from them but I’ve connected with the music and lyrics so much. One of my favorite lines from the song is “I believe, I believe I’m right where I’m supposed to be”. And for the first time in my life I’m feeling that way and feeling good about it. 

Favorite artists/bands: Alice In Chains, Linkin Park, Korn, Slipknot,  Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Taproot, Zhu, NIN, Papa Roach, Nothing More, Gunship, ONE OK ROCK, Vola, DeadMau5/Kaskade… There’s way too many to list, but those are the ones I’d say you’d hear most often these days and In general. 

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

You can find me on instagram @taylorrobertsguitar the band @ridingwithkillers_official and on Facebook. We’re the only band out there called Riding with Killers, so we’re pretty easy to find! 

I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?

We’ll have our first debut record coming later this year that was produced by Matthew Laplant that I am incredibly proud of and excited for, that will include our latest single Hostility. Keep your eyes peeled!

You can catch me on tour with Taproot this fall as well, I just joined them as their guitarist. The new record SC/SSRS will be out Sept 29th.

See you on the road!