10 Questions with ... Robert England

1. When you were a wee Robert England, did you ever think you’d make a living promoting Rock music and at what point did you know this was what you wanted to do?

From first grade, my goal was to be a comedian. Then I thought I wanted to be in advertising, because I wanted to work for McMann & Tate. Then I thought I would like to be a movie director and I would practice my Oscar acceptance speech in the shower. I got into this business by a total fluke. I got a job working as a messenger, and it turned out the company specialized in the music and entertainment industry. It was really fun. I dropped off film (which was a thing back then) at the Playboy Mansion and picked up furniture and stuff for photo shoots. On the weekend I worked on music videos as a gopher. Two of my favorites were Wall of Voodoo “Mexican Radio” and Rockwell “Somebody’s Watching Me,” which included a trip to Barry Gordy’s house where we were to go over the storyboards. So it ended up that I had to sit in the car for two hours while everybody else had the meeting in the air conditioned house. Barry Gordy couldn’t verify me with his security people. So I guess in point of fact, I never got to meet Barry Gordy.

One of the regular clients of the messenger company was Album Network, and the rest was history. But to answer the question, I never knew this was what I wanted to do. I still don’t want to do it. I kid. What’s interesting is that I have two other family members who are also in radio but it never was a discussion or suggestion that I should do it too.

2. How long ago did you launch Bob UK Enterprises and can you remember the first few projects you worked?

In 2003, after Album Network closed its doors, I rented a moving truck and removed all the furniture and even the custom cd shelves attached to the walls in my old office. I mean I took everything. A big TV, stereo, speakers, and leather couches and chairs, everything. Of course I didn’t have a plan for what I was going to do or where I was going to put this stuff. Thinking back, I wish I had taken the desk chair too. It was very comfortable. So I had everything I needed to build a promotions empire at my house and then Bill Burrs asked me if I would like to work a couple of records to hold me over while I looked for work. It never really gelled into a full plan until maybe a year in. I’m a social guy and like to work with people around me and I didn’t seriously consider going on my own for a while, but I came to realize that I really liked not having a commute and being my own boss.

Some of the early artists I worked were 3 Doors Down, Chevelle, Mudvayne, Breaking Benjamin, Foo Fighters and my favorite project that first year was 10 Years, “Wasteland.” We worked that record for a full year, and I know this because my invoice had a birthday. It went to #1 for six weeks.

3. I’m sure you also have some great radio promotions you’ve helped to set up. Care to share with us some of the better ones?

One of the best radio promo I worked was Queensryche with Barry Lyons. It was Operation Mindcrime II. We had winners from different stations get to sit in the jury box onstage during the performance.

4. Give us a rundown of some of the artists and bands you’ve had a hand in breaking via Bob UK Enterprises?

Of course 10 Years, as I mentioned earlier. Pop Evil, Cage the Elephant, Red Sun Rising, Adelitas Way, Bring Me the Horizon, Royal Blood, Pretty Reckless, All That Remains, Black Keys, Saving Abel, Hinder, Nothing More, Highly Suspect, Kings of Leon and Volbeat, to name some off the top of my head.

5. What are some of the projects you are currently working with and how are they are doing at Rock Radio?

Everything is a team effort. A few I’m very proud of moving up the chart are Asking Alexandria “Antisocialist,” The Hu “Wolf Totem,” Pop Evil “Work,” Starset “Trials,” Killswitch Engage “I Can’t Be The Only One.”

Robert England Fighting for Adds!

6. Who do you think are some of the hot new Rock bands or releases to watch for this year?

Bad Omens- the first track is “Limits.” The Violent- the first track is “Fly On The Wall.” The band includes three original members of Red Sun Rising. As of this time they are unsigned. Avatar “Colossus,” which drops July 13.

7. Let’s talk about the Active Rock format as a whole. What’s your take on the State of Rock Radio today?

I love currents based rock radio. KLOS in Los Angeles is now dropping some great currents like Ayron Jones, The Hu, Volbeat and Five Finger Death Punch. I think the format is solid, but I’m concerned for my friends and colleagues who have been furloughed. There’s a lot of heroes out there working ten different jobs and being as creative as possible without being able to go out and see the listeners or live bands. Terrie Carr at WDHA is really good with Zoom. She’s done “Virtual Happy Hour” for listeners with live music, the latest coming will be with Crobot. I think the format is currently having to reinvent itself while trying to work around the covid crisis.

8. How has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the way you do your business in working with Active Rock radio?

I work out of the house. One of my favorite things to do was to see live music and my friends and associates in person. I look forward to when we’re paroled. Other than that, my work hasn’t really changed, with the exception of going out buying office supplies in a biohazard suit. I’m just trying to be creative and help artists connect with stations and listeners.

9. On a personal note, what do you like to do for fun and relaxation when you’re not in “work” mode?

I walk my dog through the hills where I live, I watch a lot of streaming and recorded TV - I’m liking the latest season of The Last Kingdom, Penny Dreadful Los Angeles, and NOS482 as far as most recently. Anything TV beyond a week or two ago I can’t remember.

10. Finally, Covid-19 has been stressful for all of us so let’s end with some levity. You’ve built up quite the reputation as a joke teller through the years. Can you leave us with one of your favorite jokes?

So a man is sitting on the couch watching Monday Night Football when he hears a knock at his front door. He gets up and walks to the door and opens it and finds nobody there, so he closes it and sits back down.

There’s another knocking at the door. He gets up, opens the door and finds no-one there again, but just when he’s about to close the door, he sees a snail on his doormat. He picks it up and throws it.

A year later, there’s a knock at the door. The man goes to the door, opens it, sees no one at first, but then he sees a snail on the doormat. The snail looks up at him and says “What in the Fuck was that all about?”