Robex Lundgren virkblogg.

What´s the name of your band? Edge of Forever a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd

How was the band formed? My brother and I borrowed (ha ha) members from other bands to put this band together.

Can you tell about your band? Skynyrd was one of my brother's and my favorite bands as we were growing up and learning to play music and it was kind of a dream of ours to put a band together with members who would enjoy playing Lynyrd Skynyrd's music as much as we do.

Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band? The band is based out of Kansas City Missouri and Kansas.

I (Eric) have stayed with the band since it's beginning and have had to be the utility guy. To date, I have played guitar doing the Gary Rossington part, the lead vocalist doing the Ronnie Van Zant part and back to the guitar doing the Allen Collins part.

A. Current lineup...

Larry Pearson - As Ronnie Van Zant - Vocals

Eric Gassen - As Allen Collins - Lead Guitar

Willis Christopher - As Gary Rossington - Lead Guitar

Leslie Poston - As Ed King - Lead Guitar

Stephen Mellott - As Leon Wilkeson - Bass Guitar

Ed Chapman - As Billy Powell - All Keyboards

Richard Miller - Drums

Debra Cordero - Backing Vocals

Roberta Riddle - Backing Vocals

What was the ambitions of the band when you started? To be the best at doing a respectful tribute to the pre-plane crash, Ronnie Van Zant Lynyrd Skynyrd...the look, the sound, the whole thing as if you were seeing the real band in concert alive and in the flesh.

Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? The music is a mixture of classic rock & roll, country and blues.

Where was your first gig? We played our first show in a bar called The Eclipse

Where was the latest gig? We just played at a club called The Horny Toad at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Who has the best sense of humor in the band? I am the court jester of the band. I have many tricks up my sleeve and none of the band members are ever surprised with anything I do.

Do you have any clips on YouTube? We have many videos on YouTube

How old are you?/What got you started in music? I am 50 years old and I come from a musical family.

At what age did you start playing? I took an interest in drums when I was 5 yrs old and played them for a few years and then switched to guitar.

How old were you when you first stood on stage? I was 8 yrs old and me and my friend entered a talent contest as a band at our elementary school. We played "Wild Thing" the Jimi Hendrix version and we won.

What year was the band started? 2004 was when my brother and I started getting serious about this project.

Best/worst gig you've played? We play the big stages that all the signed bands play and they are mainly big outdoor events during the summer season. We have played several shows that were dangerous due to strong storms. Our drummer was carried through the air as he tried to save the band's backdrop and we've literally had to pour water out of our musical gear and dry it all out before we could use it again. This has happened several times. We have no complaints about any shows we've done. We always have fun!

What places will you be playing in in the imidate future? We have 1 show left this year. We will be at the VooDoo Lounge in Harrahs Casino in Kansas City Missouri on December 27th.

Where have you played from then till now? Wow... This would be a long list... We have played all over the United States.

Which band is the best you´ve seen? I would have to say.... I don't know, I like them all!

Is it always the same songs live? We try to switch things around so that our show doesn't get boring. We also have the element of surprise so there's always something new to provide shock and awe. We have come out onstage with 5 guitarists at one point in our show. Our show is different every year to keep it interesting.

What has been the best/most promising gig so far? Sandstone Amphitheater in our hometown. It's a huge stage and we played for 22,000 people.

How big crowds do you usually play for? They can range from 100 to 22,000. Typically somewhere in between those two numbers.

What are the plans for the rest of the year? To spend quality time with my family and enjoy the holidays.

Where do you usually play? We play all over the United States.

How do you get psyched up for a gig? I usually go into "my shell" to get in my stage personality.

What are your goals with your music? To have fun of course.

When did you decide to go all in for the music? When I was old enough to realize how to create music.

Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? All music is inspiring to me.

What is the first step when writing a new song? If your inspiration is coming from a lyric, write it down before you forget it. If it comes from a riff in your head, record it before you forget it or lose what you were feeling.

How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? I feel bad for the songwriter losing money but it is good for the listener to be able to access his/her favorite song.

What would be your dreams for the band? To play lots more shows.

Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? I listen to everything. I'm not big on hip hop or rap.

What do you hold most dear? My family and my friends.

What would be your greatest fears for the future? I am kind of facing that right now. I've had multiple surgeries on my shoulder and it has handicapped my guitar playing abilities. I can still play but it causes me great pain and I sometimes lose the feeling in my left (fingering) hand. Losing my ability to play guitar would be my greatest fear as a musician. As a person, my greatest fear is losing my wife, a family member or a friend.

When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? I'm "at home" when I'm onstage. I just deal with whatever happens, when it happens. I think what scares me though is being shot like what happened to Dimebag Darrell (RIP).

Have you been in any other bands? I have been in many other bands. Mortal Reign being the biggest. I was their lead guitarist. They were heavy thrash metal and were on Metal Blade Records "Metal Massascre Eleven" compilation album. There are several videos of them on YouTube as well.

How important are your fans? They are very important. They are who keep music going!

What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? When I was in Mortal Reign, I fell off the stage and some head banging fans caught me before I got hurt and they lifted me back up to the stage

How often do you rehearse? Every week.

Where do you rehearse? In my home studio.

What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Their love for music.

Do you have any webpages? The only page I currently have open is a Facebook page entitled "Edge of Forever a Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Describe your show, visually and musically A steroid injected, pre-plane crash Lynyrd Skynyrd show. See for yourself on YouTube

What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Egos, drama, politics, drugs, alcoholism, small-time promoters who take your hard earned money... etc etc etc.

What is best/worst with playing the clubs? Clubs are good for musicians early in their career for them to be able to pay their dues and kind of learn how things work in the music business on a small scale first.

Tell us about upcoming gigs and why we should be at them? Edge of Forever a Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd will be performing on December 27th 2014 at the VooDoo Lounge in Kansas City Missouri. This will be the last show of the 2014 season and it will be video taped for our 2015 Electronic Press Kit. There will be a few videos posted on YouTube.

What is your favorite crappy instrument? A metal trash can lid of course! ;)

What was one of the most quarrelsome times for you in the band? Disgruntled band members creating animosity.

Whats your Pre-show ritual? Warm up and tune up guitars, get dressed, relax and a little meditation and a beer if possible.