Ahead of their upcoming UK tour, Des Rocs’ Danny Rocco tells us about the 10 essential items that he cannot hit the road without.
Kiehl’s Hair Cream
“A few years back i got hooked on a very specific hair wax. Last summer i went to pick up a fresh tin and received the bombshell news that it had been discontinued. Around the globe the pompadour community erupted into panic. With a little luck I managed to track down a batch stowed away in a pharmacy on the island of Malta. A lovely pharmacist named Matthais shipped me everything they had in stock. Ever since I’ve scoured the planet tracking down every last tin of wax like some kinda Vidal Sasoon bounty hunter. I’m sitting on a 4 year stock right now. After that i may have to retire from touring.”
Wayfarers
“I’ve worn the same sunglasses since 6th grade. They’re my second skin.”
One Damn Good Book
“I’m a voracious reader. There are so many slow hours on the road – its easy to find yourself doom scrolling unless you’re armed with a solid book. I’m strangely obsessed with presidential biographies. Just take one. That way you can finish strong with a deep sense of accomplishment and not be daunted by the prospect of cracking open the next one.”
The Boots
“I’ve worn the same pair of black boots to every show I’ve ever played. They’ve been through 9 soles & more stitches than Frankenstein’s Monster. I’m not superstitious, but if I played without my precious boots something really bad would happen. I just don’t know what it is yet.”
Eye Masks & Ear Plugs
“I want it dark. Pitch black. Put me in a cave under the sea. Eye masks and silicone ear plugs are a must on the road.”
Combs, Combs & Combs
“I lose those precious pieces of plastic all the time. So i surround myself with em’. In my front pocket? A comb. Reach into my back-pack? Bet you’ll find two or three. Even mid-show i’m touching up. I come from a long line of men slicking their hair back in car mirrors. It’s with great honor that I stand on the shoulder of giants & continue the traditions of my forefathers.”
Gum
“I love to smack. I’m a cow. Gum keeps my mouth moist, which is huge for singing. I chew a whole hell of a lot of it (especially when i’m out west in some bone-dry desert). It’s a much better alternative to the anal suppositories Dennis DeYoung from Styx offered me at a Holiday Inn in New Orleans one time.”
Nespresso Machine
“My blood is mostly coffee. On tour these little pods are clutch when ya need a quick jolt in between cups.”
USB Guitar
“In another life-time I was on tour with an old band and came through the sleepy town of Northampton, Massachuesettes. I stumbled on a quaint guitar shop off the main drag filled with odd-ball pieces (it was there i snagged my first 80s Squier). As I was leaving I couldn’t help but notice this sad looking Behringer guitar with a USB port. I didn’t know Behringer even made guitars. Nobody wanted it. It was sitting there alone for years like some frog waiting for a princess. I guess i’m the princess in this story. So I offered the fella 50 bucks and he happily obliged. I ended up recording a lot of my earliest music with it. Some may view such a guitar as sacreligious, but i couldn’t care less about things like that. As a writing tool – especially in a van or a bus – this little frog is my prince. I travel with it as often as I can.”
Nick Evans
“Nick is our front of house engineer and tour manager. He’s my touring soul-mate & is responsible for nailing so much of the behind-the-scenes chaos. I’d be lost without him and Nick I know you’re reading this so u can’t ever leave but if you REALLY had to i’d understand but please don’t………miss you.”
Catch Des Rocs live at the dates below:
JANUARY
16 – Thekla, Bristol
17 – Bodega, Nottingham
18 – Cathouse, Glasgow
19 – Rebellion, Manchester
20 – The Dome, London
