Bobby Amaru of Saliva on Nu Metal Revival Tour, Band Reunion + More – Interview

2020-03-05

Saliva – Story by Anne Erickson, photo by Stephen Jensen

Bobby Amaru speaks with Anne Erickson about Saliva and the group’s upcoming Nu Metal Revival Tour, the Saliva band reunion in the works and more in this in-depth interview

Saliva is hitting the road hard in 2020 with a new tour, dubbed the Nu Metal Revival Tour, which will see the rockers headlining each night with support from Powerman 5000, Adema, Flaw and Andrew W. Boss.

The first leg of the tour kicks off June 25 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and runs through the end of July. Bobby Amaru of Saliva tells Audio Ink that the hope is to extend the trek into this fall with some additional acts.

The timing of the tour is apt, as the “nu-metal” genre has been around roughly two decades at this point. Amaru spoke with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink about the upcoming tour, his other projects and Saliva’s major 20th anniversary plans, which will include original band members. Read the full interview below and listen via the Audio Ink podcast.

Saliva just announced the Nu Metal Revival Tour with Powerman 5000, Adema, Flaw and Andrew W. Boss. What can fans expect from this tour?

Bobby Amaru: I think every band is going to bring it, and it’s going to be fun. Powerman 5000 is one of those bands that no one person dislikes. They have great energy and always bring a great show. I think it’s going to keep Saliva on our toes a bit! We’ll have to bring it. As far as Adema and Flaw, those are bands I saw years ago, and they’re great bands. I think it’s a really solid lineup.

What do you think it is about the nu-metal era of music that still draws people to that music today?

I think it’s kind of like the ’80s came back the ’90s came back, and I think people from that time have good memories, and people want to relive that stuff. Especially if you compare it to today, those times were so much more fun for music all around, I think. People are older now and can go, “Man, I saw those bands 20 years ago,” and they can bring their kids, so it’s full circle.

What do you think really defines the term “nu metal?”

I think it’s just the genre. Saliva is one of those bands lumped into it, and a lot of bands are lumped into it. I know some bands have taken offense to it and say, “We’re not metal,” but I don’t really think it has to do with that. I don’t think Limp Bizkit would say they’re metal, but they’re lumped into that, too, and they’re one of my favorite bands of all time. People have to lump bands into a category, and we don’t take offense to it.

There are so many rock and metal bands touring this year. Why do you think so many bands picked 2020 to get out there on the road?

It’s a big year. I think people like decade stuff like that. I remember 2020 was a big year, and 2010 was kind of a big year, too, but 2020 is much bigger. I’m just glad to be alive! (Laughs) It’s a crazy world we live in. Everybody is scared of something, but music is a good release. Rage Against the Machine is touring, and that’s pretty amazing. There are a lot of bands that are coming back out, and it’s a great year for it. All the Danny Wimmer festivals are banging, and it’s proving that rock is becoming a lot more stable and this giant animal in America now.

Of all the bands touring this year, besides Saliva, who are you most excited to go see?

Well, I’m taking my daughter to see Billie Eilish, so I’m pretty excited about that! I’m half-joking, but she’s stoked, so I’m stoked, too. She’s eight years old. I’m stoked to see Billie, because I think she’s fantastic. The stuff I’ve heard on the Howard Stern show and the acoustic stuff is amazing.

Saliva has been around for a few decades at this point, and fans still rock out to your music and go to see you live. Why does Saliva still have such staying power?

You could say that at the time when the band broke, it was a time music was thriving and selling, and I think they’re one of the lucky ones, because it’s very hard to make it these days as a new artist, especially in rock. I think it goes back to the songs. They had a lot of great songs that connected to people, and MTV helped at the time, because they were supporting videos then. I’ve met a lot of cool fans that have been here since day one, and I’ve been here eight years, and it’s been a great run.

They’re going to be doing the 20th anniversary next year, and Josey (Scott) and Wayne (Swinny) and Chris (D’ABaldo) are all working that out now, and I think that’s going to be great for the Saliva fans and in general.

So, the big Saliva reunion tour is next year for the 20th anniversary?

Yeah, which is 2021, since Saliva’s record “Every Six Seconds” came out in 2001, so they’re trying to target it to that. We still have a lot of shows booked this year and the Nu Metal Revival Tour, so we’ll do that and transition into other stuff.

Can we expect new music from Saliva?

Yeah, I think that’s the goal is for them to try to do a record. I’ve got a completely different band I’m working on and project. I have a record done that I’m going to be trying to release this fall, and I’m stoked about that, as well ,and I think all the stuff Saliva will do next year will be with Josey and Wayne and Chris, and I think it will all be great.

Tell me about your other band.

It’s called Misery Down, and I’ve got the record done. Right now I’m shopping it and working out that stuff and going to tour next year with it and do all the fun rock ‘n’ roll stuff.

You guys should tour with Saliva. I think that would be really fun for fans.

That would be awesome, wouldn’t it? I would never say never on any of that. For me, I like creating music and being able to release the music to people who are rock ‘n’ roll fans, and a far as the touring aspect, I love playing live, so I’m sure we’ll play wherever we’re allowed!

What’s the direction of your new music with Misery Down? Is it anything like Saliva?

It’s different. It’s heavier than Saliva, but the melodies are massive. I just completed it and worked on it in Nashville with a couple of closer friends and knocked out the whole thing. I’ve played it for just a few people that are super critical, and it’s been nothing but positive, and I can’t wait to share it.

Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Features, Interviews, Music, Rock

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