Hair Band – Relatively Famous

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I was set to meet Robert for the time after a Stryper show in Charlotte, NC on May 11th, 2022 but Covid was still poking around so Meet & Greets were not happening. Well, come August 2023 I now live in San Antonio and Stryper is playing an outdoor show with Vixen as the opening act. A few texts to Michael and Perry and I’ve scored tickets and passes to hang with the band.

The night before the show I went to the hotel to pick up Perry for a night of cigars and catching up on life and Myrtle Beach memories. Before we left to go indulge, the band was in the lobby heading to dinner and stroll down the River Walk. While Perry confirmed Micheal wasn’t coming I chatted with Robert and Oz real quick. Even had a few moments again the next night at the pre-show Meet and Greet. Hard to have a full interview or really get to know someone at a band M & G.

I tell this tale because when Robert I linked up for the podcast interview it was the most he and I had ever talked. To be upfront I did interview Micheal for his episode before I chatted with Robert thus I refer back to Micheal’s episode for certain questions.

Music has always been a big part of my life and as a teen reading the LP liner notes with band bios, lyrics and song info was a must. That is how we learned about the musicians in our favorite bands. Drummers and bass players were members I liked to learn about, even though I can’t play either instrument.

Robert is an amazing drummer. I would say in the Rock & Roll world Robert is way overlooked for his talent and contributions to Rock & Roll. Perhaps because of the fact Stryper is a Christian rock band mainstream music media outlets shy away. Drumming live on stage during a Stryper concert, Robert has so much energy and style it’s difficult to stop watching to see what the rest of the band is doing. I love that he sets his kit up sideways so the audience can see him playing.

As a person who struggles with faith and religion, my conversations with Robert and Micheal were very open and thought provoking. Like Stryper polarizes rock fans I’m sure Micheal and Robert will turn away some of our listeners. Which would be sad. Both Robert and Micheal are awesome guys and have had a wild life as Rock Stars.

From the beginning, to the new Stryper Christmas album, we talk about the bands longevity, their faith, having their equipment stolen, getting to play with KISS and Metallica. Wishing they had played with Van Halen and cars, muscle cars and dream cars.

I hope you enjoy our time with Robert. For me, it was sweet (pun intended).

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There are times I struggle to get guests forgetting I actually know people and just need to look through my fogged memory. It was one of those moments when it hit me, “Dude, you know Michael and Robert Sweet, duh!”. It was around the Christmas Holiday, Stryper just released their first Christmas Album “The Greatest Gift of All” when I reached out.

Michael was game and connected me with his daughter to arrange the ZOOM and to get his brother Robert on board. I confirmed with Ellena that Michael was cool with being billed as Robert Sweet’s brother and vice versa that Robert was cool with being billed as Michael’s brother. All was cool and the schedule locked.

I first met Michael on September 15th, 2020 when myself and the other Electric Jesus producers flew up to Plymouth, MA to personally screen the film for Michael and Lisa, while the rest of Stryper simultaneously streaming it in NV & SC. We were seeking the Stryper stamp of approval on the film. We got it…

Afterwards over dinner, at his and Lisa’s favorite Italian restaurant we had a fantastic time talking with him about the film, the band and life.

Michael and I kept in touch, chatting about a Stryper documentary film they were working to get into production and shows in my local areas. I guess I should have asked about the documentary in the interview.

Eve and I have some friends in Charlotte who are Stryper fans and that is when I saw my first Stryper show. It was at Amos’ Southend in Charlotte and man I was amazed at the power of Michael’s voice, how tight the band was and Robert’s energetic drumming style. They ROCKED and still do.

Then a couple of years later we moved to San Antonio and we got to see them play again. Nothing like an outdoor rock show in San Antonio in August. Yes, I’m being sarcastic. That may the closest to Hell’s heat the band ever played. Yes, I’m being funny.

The night before the show in San Antonio, Perry Richardson and I went out and enjoyed cigars and catching up until about 1am. Michael passed to save his voice. I have also been friends with Perry’s sister Sheri back in Myrtle Beach since the late 70s. I’m working on having Sheri as a guest.

Well, I can say I had a great time talking with Michael about, music, the myth of the Heaven & Hell tour, being a Christian and how people want to bring you down rather than be lifted up. We laughed about literally arguing with people about shows that didn’t happen and that my sister doesn’t own a house on the Blvd.

We talk about the moment when he felt as a musician that the band had MADE IT… How they are still touring, recording and have out survived many Rock & Roll peers.

You know what, To Hell With The Devil, let’s get this episode started. Enjoy your time with Michael Sweet, lead singer for Stryper and brother of Robert Sweet the world famous drummer for Stryper.

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https://www.facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet