Interview: Robotic Hawks on new singles ‘Quitter’ and 'Superman'
The third 2021 single from the New Hampshire power-pop trio is backed with an R.E.M. cover. Here's the story behind both tracks.
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The wildly infectious ‘Quitter’ is billed as a ‘freight train of determination’
HUDSON, N.H. [December 1, 2021] -- There’s an old adage that it’s never too late to change one’s ways or habits. And in the case of new music, it’s never too late to release one of the catchiest songs of the year, even as the seasons change from fall to winter and most people are busy paying attention to what came out months ago through endless Year In Review coverage.
Such is the case -- the former and the latter -- regarding Robotic Hawks’ infectious new single “Quitter,” set for release on Wednesday, December 1. It’s backed with a cover of “Superman,” the 1969 single from The Clique made famous in the ‘80s by R.E.M., and arrives with eye-catching artwork painted by Joe Keinberger, a longtime friend and collaborator of the New Hampshire power-pop trio who crafted the art for their 2020 debut album, Rock ‘N Roll Relapse.
“Quitter” is all about our never-ending quest of making ourselves better -- for ourselves, for those around us -- and it just so happens to be perhaps the finest effort from the band thus far. And that’s saying a lot, as the band is flying high in 2021 after a pair of previous singles -- May’s “Security”, a cover of the Otis Redding song made famous by Thane Russal & Three, and October’s “Ansonia” -- have generated global airplay across indie and satellite radio, including a spot on The Rodney Bingenheimer Show on SiriusXM.
We caught up with Robotic Hawks’ vocalist and bassist Tyler Pollard to get the scoop on the band’s new single, new cover, and that killer single artwork (see it below).
publi*sist: Right off the bat -- what is Quitter all about?
Tyler Pollard: “Quitter” is meant to sound like a personal pep talk that one would have with themselves when struggling to make positive changes. Change is hard, especially when it comes to bad habits and behaviors, but you have to give your goals a voice. The internal dialogue can either foster change for the strong or provide massive guilt for the weak. Either way, we wanted the song to sound as upbeat and determined as the lyrics.
What was the creative approach in writing this one? We hear some English Beat and XTC in it..
We developed the music for “Quitter” before the lyrics and initially it felt very Murmur-era R.E.M. I am paraphrasing, but R.E.M. has loosely said that their creed in the early years was to “make the girls dance.” We wanted to keep that as the priority no matter where the song ended up. As we really began to know the song and became more comfortable banging it out, it progressed into a potent English Beat-sounding song. It’s a freight train of determination. Also, that outro guitar solo is the cherry on top and serves as a slight homage to Elliot Easton of The Cars.
How does this new single reflect the sound of Robotic Hawks in 2021?
“Quitter” was written pre-pandemic, but never got the detail work it deserved until we were able to resume active practices last summer. I think the song kept us from going down weird song writing rabbit holes. We were able to hold other new material up to “Quitter” as the measuring stick.
How does this new single set the tone for what’s to come from Robotic Hawks in 2022?
Some of the singles we released so far are standalone recording pieces, but “Quitter” is going to be a hot spot in our live set. All of the writing we did last year was very insular and cerebral, “Quitter” serves as a reminder to get back to writing songs with LIVE energy and an audience in mind.
Why did you decide to cover The Clique's "Superman," a song, as everyone knows, made famous by R.E.M. in the ‘80s?
As we talked about which cover would pair well with “Quitter,” I recalled the R.E.M. feel it began with, and it got me thinking about my band from 1991, Chapter XI that used to cover the R.E.M. cover of ‘Superman’. The guitarist from Chapter XI, ‘Cosmic Tom’ Simonalle was essential to waking my ears up to harmony and the work required by a band to pull it off. Singing together with Tom on ‘Superman’ was such an important piece for my personal growth. So, I cold called Tom -- who I haven’t seen in person since 1991 -- and asked if he was set-up to contribute a vocal track. Tom delivered the goods! It was such a gift to be able to revisit such a fond memory with my mentor and ex-bandmate. Additionally, the Hawks guys liked that we were again covering a cover rather than the original. In May 2021 we covered the Thane Russal and Three’s cover of the Otis Redding original “Security.”
What does the band have coming up?
We are currently working on our fourth original/cover combo installment for our five planned ‘singles’ project. Single number four will most likely arrive in late January. We have also started reaching out for gigs and hope to be seen LIVE in 2022!
What else should we be talking about?
Let’s talk about that cover art! We commissioned good pal Joe Keinberger to help out with the original painting and layout. Joe previously did all of the artwork for our 2020 debut release, Rock ‘N Roll Relapse. The colors for the painting fit right in with our fall release and we knew we wanted to feature a gritty character. We couldn’t love it any more than we do! Joe’s work is amazing, go spend some time with it: www.joekeinberger.com
Contact michael@publisist.co or richie.tyler.pollard@gmail.com for more information.
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Robotic Hawks are:
Tyler Pollard - vocals + bass
Brian Sturk - drums
Shawn Doherty - guitar + keys on ‘Quitter’
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All songs recorded by Robotic Hawks in Nashua, N.H. - September to November 2021
Produced, Mixed and mastered by Andrew James King
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The music of Robotic Hawks has been heard and featured on:
The Rodney Bingenheimer Show on SiriusXM’s Underground Garage; Blood Makes Noise; Bay State Rock; Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood; Your First Listen on KNNZ 89.1 FM (Fargo, ND); Belter Radio (UK); Christian’s Cosmic Corner, Marc’s Alt-Rock Playground, and Original Music Showcase on Mark Skin Radio; BumbleBee Radio (Boston); Tinnitist; Citywide Blackout: Ricky’s Daily Bangers; Lonely Oak Radio; Everything You Know Is Wrong on WMWM Salem State Radio; Garagerocktopia with Robert Kreutzer, Rising with Skybar on WMFO Tufts Radio; Laura Beth’s Mixtape Show on Reclaimed Radio (UK); Wave Radio Boston; On The Town With Mikey Dee on WMFO Tufts Radio; Volatile Weekly, and other fine shows, blogs, websites and radio stations.
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‘Quitter’ single artwork by Joe Keinberger:
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Robotic Hawks short bio:
Founded on pub rock energy & teeming with pop hooks, Robotic Hawks are a 3 piece out of Boston and New Hampshire. Three bald dads… just fucking going for it. In a nutshell, work days are easier when you have band practice to look forward to… ROCK 'N ROLL FOREVER!
Media contact and all press/radio inquiries: michael@publisist.co or richie.tyler.pollard@gmail.com
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