ROCKIT TO RUSSIA

A tribute band conjures up thoughts of a carbon copy- a lifeless imitation of the real thing.
Not so Rockit to Russia.
Though they carry the label Ramones Tribute Band, they are a tribute to the bruddas Ramone only in the sense that they inspire in their audience that kinship which only bands like the Ramones are capable of.
A typical R2R show has fans singing along with the band, shouting in unison on the "hey ho" and the "gabba gabba we accept you, we accept you, one of us!" choruses, creating a riotous cacophony akin to a punk rock religious revival.
Rockit to Russia originally started in South Florida in 1998.
Several lineup changes later, they now boast a powerful quartet of seasoned pros, each with outstanding credentials of their own in the punk scene.
New York born Russian Decent lead singer Nicky Rocket Ramone has the longest tenure in the band, playing the part of Joey for several years. Nicky was operatically trained (grandson of famed Opera Singer Irina Kavaliauskias and son of Kira Mihailitchenko) has theater training as well as a business degree, (Speaks English Russian Spanish Italian French Portuguese and Japanese, also he can figure out a language or instrument on the spot) and learned from the hard knocks training given to him by R2R’s founder, as well as its former members [who have their own credentials to boast]. He has been called the Fire Bird reincarnation with the added heart and punch that only a true front man can deliver. Nicky has finally come into his own with the new lineup. He says when on stage he can fell the spirit of the Ramones leading him on each night.
Ohio native Johnni Adequit Ramone banged the skins for an earlier incarnation of R2R, as well as playing with Mikey Adequit in Ft. Lauderdale punk band The Adequits and Shakin’ Babys Blooze Band. Considered one of the best studio drummers, he learned 39 Ramones songs in 72 hours when drafted into the fold. Johnni has been called a drum machine with soul, Nicky Rocket calles him the Gene Krupa of our times, as well as the best sticks man to take up the Ramone Drum throne.
Cuban born guitarist Victor Garcia-Rivera, AKA “Victor Ramone”, is a veteran of the 1980’s North American punk scene, and comes from an extended family that includes luminaries such as actors Andy Garcia, Dominik Garcia-Lorido and Jordi Vilasuso, jazz guitarist Al DiMeola, acclaimed Cuban painter Oscar Garcia-Rivera, and drummer Alex Garcia-Rivera [Shelter, Piebald, Saves The Day].
Christened “Johnny Cuba” by Joe Strummer of the Clash, Victor toured with his band The Edge, playing gigs with the most important bands of that scene, such as Dead Kennedys, Husker Du, No Fx, Conflict, Gang Green, Dinosaur Jr., Descendants, DOA, and dozens of other legendary bands. He released several records and CDs and had a video on MTV. Foreign bands as far ashore as Japan have covered and recorded his songs. In the 1990s, he formed one of the first Spanish rock bands in the USA, Arranca, and caused controversy when his punk reworking of the Cuban national anthem was censored, both by the Cuban government and by militant Miami exiles. If you want to know more about him, there is an interview and photo of him in the book "Going Underground: American Punk, 1979-1992" by George Hurchalla.
Bassist George Rodreguez Ramone was Born in Miami Florida. George Ramone began playing bass at the age of 12 on a peeve mile stone bass using a 20 watt amp guerilla with a funk switch. He has played bass in dozens of bands ranging from punk & jazz bands. He played bass for Victor Ramones punk rock band Newport Gestapo and Last Day In Town in South Florida before leaving to Tallahassee where he played with Cheap Thrills while going to college studding International Relations and Russian! George plays bass as if he were the author of “HOW TO PLAY PUNK ROCK BASS”, described as the perfect example of Punk Rock bass guitar playing. Cuban with a massive knowledge of Russian history and language, finally Nicky can speak Russian with some on on long tours while enjoying Vodka and good wines (George is a professional wine taster) a Clash fan. He got the 10 ½. Did you know both Nicky and George drive the same PT Cursers and have the same flame chucks, Russians. Cheers!
Rockit to Russia stays true to the original blueprint of the Ramones, while adding their own personal touch.
Their sets consist of favorites from the Ramones catalog, as well as including their own original compositions. These originals inspire the listener to comment: these are the kinds of songs the Ramones would have recorded if they were still around!
They have reworked the classic ‘The KKK Took My Baby Away’ into a Spanish version titled ‘Quien Quien Quien’ (Who Who Who Kidnapped my love- a tongue in cheek parody of the current “secuestro” or kidnapping problem plaguing Latin America today). Victor and Nicky are working on more bilingual songs for a South American tour. Rockit to Russia recognize the devotion that the Ramones inspired in South America, where they could fill 50,000 seat football stadiums, while they struggled to fill a 1000 seat club in their own home country. Nicky and Victor Speak Spanish and Portuguese. In addition, Nicky speaks Russian, Japanese, and Italian, and can get by in German. So Europe and Asia, get out your old school chucks out. Hawai’i too- get ready for the hula bop!
Nicky wrote ‘Ramones Radio’, a tribute song from a tribute band, in the same manner that the Ramones wrote “Rock N Roll Radio” as a tribute to their favorite bands from the 1960s.
‘Lets Go Orlando’ is a fun Beach Boys style song dedicated to the fans, in appreciation for their love at the shows.
‘Play On’ touches on the absence and loss of the Ramones members that have passed away, yet that still spark a universal emotion in each of their fans. These fans still keep the flame burning for their love of Rock n Roll.
R2R have also put a Ramonish spin to songs like the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ (a crowd favorite) and ‘Take me out to the Ball Game’.
The band is currently recording and mixing demos, with mp3s already available for download. A full length CD should be out in the not so distant future.
Rockit to Russia proves, there’s no stopping the cretins from hopping.
So, hey, ho, go to their show!
http://rockittorussia.us
FOR BOOKING CALL NICK M @ 786-258-0546 ..