Interview: The Raskins Ready to Rock PNC

Fans going to Saturday’s Motley Crue/Alice Cooper show at the PNC Bank Arts Center should definitely come out early to see opening band The Raskins. The New York City group led by twin brothers Logan (vocals) and Roger (guitar) Raskin lay down raw, gritty and edgy Big Apple rock-and-roll at its street-smart best. The band released its self-titled debut album on its own Bergen County-based Miral Records in May.

Album-opener “We Had It All” bursts out of the gate with huge guitar hooks and an infectious chorus. “Scream Out Loud” and “Save Me” showcase the band’s penchant for mixing pop sensibilities within a rock format while the upbeat “On the Radio,” well, deserves radio play.

The brothers have an impressive pedigree. Their father, Tommy, was well known for his musical career on Broadway starring lead in such shows as West Side Story, Oklahoma, South Pacific, and Annie Get Your Gun. Their mother, Judith, was a world renowned jazz singer/entertainer known for her tremendous live shows.

The brothers began their musical endeavors early, writing their own music at age 7. By their pre-teens, the rock-and-roll bug had bit and they were performing in downtown Manhattan by age 14.

We spoke with Logan Raskin.

Tell us about your debut album

We worked really hard at getting these songs just right. It was a year and a half of songwriting for us and we recorded about 60 demos. We then took the 12 songs we felt that would represent us best: a bunch of rockers, some pop stuff, a couple very cool ballads. It represents who The Raskins are as songwriters. We were looking for the first album to provide a solid foundation and I think we accomplished that.

You grew up in a very musical family. Did your parents encourage you to pursue music?

We didn’t have a TV in our bedroom; we had a piano. At a very young age we were writing duets and singing harmonies.

When did you start gravitating toward rock music?

When we got old enough to get into the club scene our influences started expanding and shifting from people like Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra to bands like The Ramones, The Stooges and the Velvet Underground. Our roots are very important. That urban feel, New York City vibe, it’s a huge part of who we are as musicians and as people.

They say twins finish each other’s sentences. Do you do that musically as well?

Even though we have a lot of the same influences our personalities are pretty different and that comes through in our writing styles. But having a writing partner is huge. There are plenty of times when I’m writing a song and I can’t get any further and I’ll give it to my brother and he’ll take it to a new level, and vice versa.

How did you guys get the opening slot on the Motley Crue and Alice Cooper tour?

We were talking to our agent and me being the optimist, I saw there were all these big rock tours this summer like Motley Crue-Alice Cooper and Kiss-Def Leppard. I said why not go for it and ask to be on the tour. The great thing about it is we had to get Motley Crue’s seal of approval. They got together and listened to the album and watched our videos and they were like, ‘hell yeah.’ Nikki Sixx told my brother it’s the first time they’d done anything like this. It’s an honor that they dig what we’re doing.

How have you been going over?

We were all nervous about how Motley Crue and Alice Cooper fans would react to us but I have to tell you the response has been overwhelming. The people that come out early aren’t just Crue fans, they’re rock enthusiasts and we’re rocking out 100 percent and they’re getting it.

What have you learned from the Crue and Alice?

You see how professional these guys are, how they prepare, what it takes to put on this kind of show and performance, what goes on behind the scenes. To be able to do that night in and night out, the professionalism is amazing. We’re taking mental notes everyday. We’ve grown so much from being on this tour.

You’re also going to be opening the show on Oct. 28 at Madison Square Garden.

It’s a dream come true. My first album was Kiss’ “Alive.” I would just stare at the back cover looking at the huge crowd in Madison Square Garden and dreaming about that. But we try not to look too far ahead and take it one show at a time.

What does the future hold for The Raskins?

The main thing is to get this music heard by as many people as possible by playing as many shows as possible. We want to keep the train moving forward.

www.theraskins.com

IF YOU GO: The Raskins, opening for Motley Crue and Alice Cooper. 7 p.m. Saturday Aug. 30. PNC Bank Arts Center, Garden State Parkway, exit 116, Holmdel; 732-203-2500 or livenation.com. $25 to $125.