THE ROCKETT MAFIA, a new music group featuring POISON drummer Rikki Rockett, has unveiled its first single, a cover of “I Think I Love You,” originally written by Tony Romeo for “The Partridge Family” in 1970. The band is composed of Brandon Gibbs (DEVIL CITY ANGELS) on vocals and guitar, Mick Sweda (BULLETBOYS) on guitar and backing vocals, and Bryan Kimes on bass and backing vocals. Their debut live performance is set for this Friday, February 21, at the Whisky A Go Go, with additional performances planned throughout the year, including shows at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, Illinois on March 8, Warner Vineyards in Paw Paw, Michigan on July 2, and Milwaukee Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 2.
Rikki Rockett explained the formation of the band during a February 19 interview With Eddie Trunk.” Rockett expressed a long-standing interest in collaborating with Brandon Gibbs, having previously worked with him in DEVIL CITY ANGELS. The idea for forming a new band emerged when Rockett was asked to provide entertainment for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a worldwide motorcycle charity event. With previous collaborations in mind, Rockett assembled the current lineup, which includes Bryan Kimes, whom he met through a mutual connection in Maryland, and Mick Sweda, a guitarist Rockett admired for his talent.
The band intends to present unique interpretations of cover songs during their live shows, described by Rockett as “satanic pop.” Their approach involves reimagining songs that aren’t typically performed by rock bands, giving them a fresh edge while also working on original material for future performances.
The decision to cover “I Think I Love You” was inspired by Rockett’s admiration for the song’s well-crafted structure and his personal connection to the era in which it was released. Rockett felt the song deserved a new interpretation, considering its potential as a hard rock piece despite its original pop arrangement.
Rockett and Gibbs previously collaborated in the band DEVIL CITY ANGELS, which released its debut album in September 2015. Over the years, the lineup saw several changes, including the involvement of musicians like Tracii Guns and Eric Brittingham. Despite some public disagreements in 2019, Rockett and Gibbs have reconciled and continue to work together in this new venture. Rockett has previously praised Gibbs for his ’70s-inspired sound and professional demeanor, qualities that drew him to include Gibbs in this latest project.
In 2015, Rockett and Gibbs also performed with POISON members Bobby Dall and C.C. DeVille as THE SPECIAL GUESTS, signaling that they were not content to remain inactive while Bret Michaels pursued solo projects.
