For everyone unfamiliar with Rev Theory, describe the band in one sentence.

We are a high energy, in your face rock band who works extremely hard and takes pride in putting on the best show we can every night.

Now that’s out of the way – Rev Theory didn’t just happen over night, in fact you have recently changed your name from Revelation Theory to Rev Theory. Does the change in name represent an evolution in your music and/or personal lives?

I guess in a way it does. We changed our name because a lot of people were saying it wrong and most of our fans would call us Rev Theory anyway. We have a new record, a new sound, and a new band member, so it just felt right to change our name.

People have described your single “Hell Yeah” and title track “Light It Up” as stadium ready rock anthems. Do you go into the studio with the mindset of writing songs that will easily translate to arena settings?

For this record we definitely wanted to write songs that appealed more to the masses.  I don’t think we really tried to write “anthems,” but we were definitely trying to go for those fist pumping, straight ahead rock songs that everyone can sing along to. We have never really written songs like that so it was a challenge for us but we also had a great time doing it.   

The video for “Hell Yeah” recently premiered on XBOX Live, making it the first ever music video premiere there. What is that feeling like?

It is an incredible feeling knowing that this is the first time that XBOX has ever done that. We are honored that they chose us and it is a great opportunity for a large audience to see our video. Hopefully we can continue working with them in the future on other projects. 

What other firsts are there in the pipeline for Rev Theory?

We are playing at the first ever Maloof money cup which is a skateboarding festival in Orange County produced by the Maloof brothers. The performance will be aired on CBS in July.  We are also playing the Sturgis bikefest motorcycle rally in August which I believe more than half a million people will be in attendance.

Both “Hell Yeah” and “Light It Up” have been used by the WWE and Nascar. It seems like your music really resonates with fans of both sports, do you have any insight into that? It has to be more than the music just being featured during events and in games.

A lot of WWE and Nascar fans are rock fans and they have really embraced our music.  Both sports are high energy and fast paced and that’s what both songs are as well.  When fans go to sporting events they want to have a good time and get pumped up, and both songs seem to have that affect on people.  

Speaking of the WWE, you wrote and recorded an original song (“Voices”) for Randy Orton. Tell us about that experience and how it came to be.

After the WWE used “Light it Up” for wrestlemania, we talked about working on other projects.  They asked us if we would do the new theme music for Randy Orton so we recorded it on our days off in between shows.  We have had an amazing response from fans saying that they really like the song.        

Can fans expect to hear “Voices” on Light It Up?

 ”Voices” will not be on “Light it Up.” It is only being used as the entrance music for Randy Orton. Hopefully it will be available on a WWE compilation CD. 

Where do you pull your influences from? Any metal influences that shine through on Light ItUp?

We like all types of music as a band.  For this record we were listening to a lot of Guns N Roses, Motley Crue, and STP.  We wanted to get back to our roots and write songs with those bands in mind.  As far a metal influences, a lot of people have said that the song “Ten Years,” has a Metallica sounding intro. They are one of my favorite bands of all time so that is a huge compliment. 

You recently added a5th member to the band with Rikki Lixx (previously of Operator)– what is it like going from a 4 piece to a 5? Is there a certain dynamic and/or sound that was missing from the band that Lixx brings to the table?

It has been amazing.  We have been a 4 piece for a long time but new music we were writing called for 2 guitar parts so we decided it was time to add another guitar player.  We feel our sound has reached a new level with Rikki.  He is a great guitar player and adds a whole new element to our sound that we have never had. 

If you had one goal for the band in the coming year, what would it be?

Our goal is to just continue to work hard in everything we do and not lose focus.  It going to be a crazy year and we can’t wait to see what happens next

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