Robert Sweet (musician)

Robert Sweet
Birth name Robert Lee Sweet
Born (1960-03-21) March 21, 1960
Origin U.S.
Genres Christian metal, glam metal, heavy metal, hard rock, nu metal[1]
Occupation(s) Drummer, producer
Instruments Drums, percussion, vocals, guitar
Years active 1975–present
Associated acts Stryper, King James, Blissed, Dbeality
Website www.stryper.com

Robert Lee Sweet (born March 21, 1960) is the drummer of the Christian metal band Stryper. He and his brother Michael founded the band as Roxx or Roxx Regime. Robert became known as the "Visual Time Keeper" for his wild drumming and captivating drum kits. Unlike most drummers, Sweet faces in the direction of stage left or right while playing, not straight ahead, so that the audience can see him and not have their view of him obscured by his drumkit.[2] Sweet also played a key role in the visual direction of the band itself as well as being a significant contributor to the group.

Post Stryper

After Stryper broke up in 1992, Sweet played in a variety of acts and projects largely Christian-oriented. He participated in the band King James with former Stryper bassist Tim Gaines and former Whitecross guitarist Rex Carroll, and toured with them until 1996.[3] He also participated in other projects, such as Shameless and Titanic. Sweet recorded a solo album titled Love Trash which demonstrated an eclectic side of his writing and performing capabilities.[4] Later, Sweet performed for a number of metal bands' albums including Blissed, Final Axe, Menchen, Seventh Power, Subdux, and Dbeality as well as guest appearing on a few tracks for Titanic and the supergroups Shameless and 7 Hours Later.

Stryper Reunion

Sweet played a key role in the reappearance of Stryper by taking part in 2000's "Stryper Expo" and a reunion show in Costa Rica. The successful reception led Sweet to push for a reunion of the band which came in the form of a request by Hollywood Records for a new Best of collection. The band decided that rather than doing another compilation, they would record two new songs and go on tour in support of the new release.[2] 2003 saw Sweet tour with a re-formed Stryper. In 2004, Stryper returned to the studio to begin working on its August 2005 release, Reborn, which marked the band's first full-length recording of original material in over 15 years, since 1990's Against the Law. The Stryper album entitled Murder by Pride, released July 2009, marked the first Stryper album Sweet did not record drums for, this position was filled by studio musician Kenny Aronoff. He did however play in Stryper's 25th Anniversary Tour in support of the album. Sweet has appeared on every Stryper album since.

Equipment

Sweet plays Crush drums.[5]

Discography

Solo

  • 2000: Love Trash

Final Axe

  • 2006: The Axe Of The Apostles
  • 2010: Beyond Hell's Gate Collector's Edition

Menchen

  • 2008: Red Rock
  • 2011: In The Light

Seventh Power

  • 2006: Seventh Power
  • 2008: Dominion & Power

Guest appearances

  • 1989: First Watch, Guardian (backing vocals on "Hyperdrive")
  • 1996: X'd Out, Out There, Ken Zehner (producer and drums)
  • 1999: Backstreet Anthems, Shameless (drums on "Just 1 Night" and "What's Goin' On")
  • 2000: Maiden Voyage, Titanic (drums on "Don't Care", "Freak Show", and "Suicide Doctor")
  • 2003: It's About Time, 7 Hours Later (drums on "Perfect")

Other works

  • 1994: King James, King James
  • 2002: Waking Up The Dead, Blissed
  • 2002: Subdux One, Subdux
  • 2005: Dbeality, Dbeality

References

  1. ↑ Portell, Paul (August 21, 2005). "Stryper Reborn Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Erickson, Sturdevant (2006). Stryper: Loud n' Clear (unabridged audio ed.). Maryland: Classic CD Books. ISBN 0-9764805-4-9.
  3. ↑ Christensen, Brett (March–April 1997). "STRYPER: Can't Stop The Rock?". HM Magazine (64). Archived from the original on 2000-09-18. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
  4. ↑ Jackson, Zik (2001-02-17). "Love Trash". The Phantom Tollbooth.
  5. ↑ "Robert Sweet - Stryper". Crush Drums & Percussion. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
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