If you counted Saliva out when you heard that they had parted ways with singer Josey Scott, you have been proven dead wrong – all you have to do is give a listen to the group’s upcoming single, “Rise Up” (impacting radio and available for purchase via all digital stores on February 18th), and album of the same name (April 29th, via Rum Bum). And with new singer Bobby Amaru firmly in place, it appears as though there is a bright future for the new-look Saliva line-up, which also includes guitarist Wayne Swinny, bassist Dave Novotny, and drummer Paul Crosby.
“We’re lucky to have found him,” says Swinny about his new band mate. “We discovered him through one of our old crew guys. He really energized the rest of us. He’s a great songwriter, and a top-shelf producer in his own right.”
With acclaimed producer Bobby Huff (Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, Tim Finn) on board, all the pieces seem to be in place. And Saliva has delivered with their new single, “Rise Up.” “‘Rise Up’ …it’s a statement on where we’re at,” adds Swinny. “The title just has that fire to it.”
And if you are a longtime Saliva fan, you are sure to be extremely pleased with the full-length ‘Rise Up’ – a bold record full of big hooks, swagger and plenty of guitars. And, outside of the ballad “Lost,” it’s first and foremost a rock record. These are songs that kick hard, from the immediacy of the aforementioned “Rise Up,” to the slow build of “Choke,” and the rollickin’ “Redneck Freakshow,” a song the band seems particularly proud of.
Saliva has already debuted a number of new songs live, with Amaru seamlessly working his way into the line-up. “The audiences have been great,” says the singer. “I think we have a whole new energy on stage.” Expect to see the band on tour the rest of the year and well into next. “It’s definitely a throwback, fun, party rock show,” adds Swinny. “And Bobby’s putting his own spin on the older material.”
Another piece to the puzzle has been uniting with a new independent label, Rum Bum Records, founded by Luis Bacardi, based in Miami, FL. Led by a team of industry veterans dedicated to finding original talent of all genres, the label offers worldwide distribution, and provides artists with the resources necessary to develop and expand their careers. By utilizing a variety of platforms including imaging, video production, marketing, social media, and publicity, Rum Bum Records is able to create versatile portfolios for talent, opening the doors to as many opportunities as possible. Additionally, the label has a full state of the art HD Film studio to successfully build an artist’s image and brand identity into one that is fully recognized and sought after by the public.
There’s certainly a lot of revitalized energy on display throughout ‘Rise Up.’ And despite his late arrival, Amaru thinks he knows why Saliva in 2014 sounds as vital as they were in 2001. “We’ve just gone back to the basics. You know, being a rock band.”
Saliva:
Wayne Swinny – guitars
Dave Novotny – bass
Paul Crosby – drums, percussion
Bobby Amaru – vocals
‘Rise Up’ Tracklisting [subject to change]
1-“Rise Up”
2-“She Can Sure Hide Crazy”
3-“No One But Me”
4-“Lost”
5-“1000 Eyes”
6-“Redneck Freakshow”
7-“Choke”
8-“Army”
9-“Closer”
10-“In It To Win It”
11-“The Enemy”
12- “I Don’t Want It”
