Rockett Mafia Releases New Single!
THE ROCKETT MAFIA, a fresh rock outfit led by POISON drummer Rikki Rockett, has dropped its debut single—a gritty reworking of "I Think I Love You," originally penned by Tony Romeo in 1970.
THE ROCKETT MAFIA, a fresh rock outfit led by POISON drummer Rikki Rockett, has dropped its debut single—a gritty reworking of "I Think I Love You," originally penned by Tony Romeo in 1970 for the fictional TV band The Partridge Family. The group features Brandon Gibbs (formerly of DEVIL CITY ANGELS) on vocals and guitar, Mick Sweda (ex-BULLETBOYS) on guitar and backing vocals, and Bryan Kimes handling bass and backing vocals. You can check out the track below.
The band is set to hit the stage for the first time this Friday, February 21, at the iconic Whisky A Go Go. They’ve got more gigs lined up for 2025, including March 8 at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, Illinois, and dual performances on July 2 at Warner Vineyards in Paw Paw, Michigan, and Milwaukee Summerfest in Wisconsin.
Rikki recently shared the band’s origin story on SiriusXM’s "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" on February 19 (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). He’d long had Gibbs in mind for any side projects, having worked with him in DEVIL CITY ANGELS. The spark came during The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a global motorcycle charity event Rikki co-hosts. When organizers asked for entertainment, he realized he didn’t have a band but seized the chance to form one. After jamming with CHEVY METAL’s crew for a couple of gigs, he decided to build something permanent. Enter Bryan Kimes, a bassist he met by chance at a salon. Despite sharing mutual friends and East Coast gig circuits, they’d never crossed paths. Next, Kimes suggested Mick Sweda, a powerhouse guitarist Rikki quickly recruited after confirming his commitment. Gibbs rounded out the lineup, inspired by advice from the late Taylor Hawkins (FOO FIGHTERS) to keep things fun and loose instead of diving straight into originals—a lesson Rikki’s now embracing.
Live, THE ROCKETT MAFIA will deliver what Rikki calls “original versions of cover songs.” They’re tackling tunes most hard rock bands skip, giving them a dark, edgy twist Mick jokingly dubs “satanic pop.” Think catchy hooks and big choruses reimagined with a heavier bite, alongside staples like FACES covers. Original material is in the works, but for now, expect a setlist packed with surprises—“Oh, I know that song!” moments guaranteed.
The choice of "I Think I Love You" came from Rikki’s fondness for its craftsmanship and a childhood crush on Susan Dey. He admired David Cassidy’s talent, too, lamenting how the Partridge Family image overshadowed his serious musicianship. For Rikki, it’s a song begging for a hard rock revival, and THE ROCKETT MAFIA’s take proves it.
The band’s roots trace back to a May 2024 gig at the Santa Monica leg of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, where Rikki and Gibbs debuted with guitarist Brent Woods and bassist Wiley Hodgden. With a history in DEVIL CITY ANGELS and a knack for assembling killer lineups, Rikki’s finally found his groove with this crew. Rehearsals are a blast, and the setlist keeps evolving as they uncover new gems to transform. For now, it’s all about the fun—and fans are in for a wild ride.