DAve Cobb
rival sons’ long-time producer talks about what he brings to the party.
You’ve worked with Rival Sons since their first album. What did you see in them when you first met them?
They reminded me of the records I loved as a kid – AC/DC, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath. And then when they found Jay, they just stepped up another level. He’s one of the best rock’n’roll singers around.
Were they the finished article already back then?
I think they were becoming a band. When you start a band, you’re the sum of all your influences, and those influences start to melt together. They’ve got a sound now, and every record’s been an evolution towards that.
Jay and Scott are chalk and cheese. Was it hard getting them to fit together at first?
They hit it off immediately. Scott went searching for a singer and found Jay, and Scott was a big fan right away.
What’s your role in it all?
Most of those records are done in between one and three takes. My job is to be the guy who doesn’t let them over-think. To pull out attitude in every single person in the band.
What part did you play in getting them signed to Atlantic?
It’s funny, because I have a label on Atlantic [Low Country Sound], but it really happened naturally. An A&R and radio person who fell in love with them said:
“Do you know this Rival Sons band?” I’m like: “Are you kidding me? I’ve known them from the beginning.”
Did Rival Sons pave the way for Greta Van Fleet?
It’s true. And I think it’s great that a band like that are getting a massive lift. Everything happens in cycles, and right now rock’n’roll has a chance.