Desert-rock group VOLUME recently reunited, as singer/guitarist Patrick Brink found new members to help him revive his heavy-rock outfit that once toured with Queens of the Stone Age and Mastodon. VOLUME’s psych-driven stoner-sludge riffs hit just as hard in 2024 as they did 20 years ago, and as the band sets out to play live again across the desert and beyond, they are releasing new music after remastering 2003 epic Requesting Permission to Land. For more information, visit instagram.com/volume_rocks. Patrick Brink is the latest to take The Lucky 13; here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
Billy Idol and Chequered Past (Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols) in 1982.
What was the first album you owned?
Elvis Presley’s Greatest Hits, but the first record was Ernie’s “Rubber Duckie” single.
What bands are you listening to right now?
1980s era Soul Asylum, Thee Hypnotics, and MC5.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Most of today’s hip hop/rap. I love old-school rap from the ’70s/early ’80s.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
The Stooges (OG lineup) and MC5.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Country pop, Taylor Swift.
What’s your favorite music venue?
The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
Too many. Lots of craziness going on in there vying for my attention.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Sex Pistols totally changed how I approached music and gave me the courage to join a band. It was perfect timing that helped me channel my energy in positive ways, like writing and playing most of all.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Ron Asheton (of the Stooges): How were you able to handle going from being the guitarist to playing bass? The humility in that and still kicking butt is inspiring!
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Psalm 138” by Sons of Korah.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Even with the finger on the trigger, you’re not getting a single album. I’ll go to my grave jamming out to Fun House (Stooges), Spine of God (Monster Magnet) and High Time (MC5).
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Colossal Freak” of course!