by Poison drummer Rikki Rockett discussed the band’s musical direction in a recent interview with 96.9 The Eagle KKGL.
“If I had my druthers, this would be the Poison 40th-anniversary tour, but also call it ‘Poison Versus The World 40th Anniversary’ because for 40 years we’ve been the underdog,” Rockett said. “I think it honestly helps us. People love to root for the underdog, and it keeps it fresh in a lot of ways.”
“We’ve never been the industry darlings. I kind of wear that with a badge of honor — honestly, I do,” he continued. “I have no desire to change course because of what’s happening in music. What are we gonna be — suddenly sound like Olivia Rodrigo? [Laughs] Or Chappell Roan? [Laughs]”
“You should pay attention to what’s happening in music. You should have your ear to the ground,” Rockett explained. “But if you completely sell out to change, everyone’s gonna see that. It doesn’t work.”
“When the grunge thing happened, I watched a lot of our contemporaries, all of a sudden they changed the way they dressed, they changed the way they sounded, what they were saying in interviews and everything, and it’s, like, ‘Dude, nobody’s buying it.’ And it didn’t work,” he added. “It didn’t work for any of them — not one… Evolving is one thing, but making a left from a right, that’s a whole different thing.”
Rockett’s comments emerge as Poison approaches a significant milestone in their career. The band has already begun planning their 40th anniversary celebration.
A report from Metal Wani revealed the band’s preparation for an extensive anniversary tour. The celebration could feature up to 40 shows showcasing their distinctive glam metal sound.
Ultimate Classic Rock highlighted Rockett’s long-term vision for the band. He hopes to continue performing until their 50th anniversary while maintaining their high-energy performances and musical standards.
Frontman Bret Michaels currently focuses on solo performances, as reported by MetalSucks. However, he has expressed interest in reuniting with the band for the 2026 celebration. This aligns with Rockett’s plans for the 40th-anniversary tour.
The band’s commitment to their original sound and image creates a stark contrast. Many of their contemporaries attempted to adapt to changing musical trends during the grunge era of the early 1990s.
