Robo (musician) - Life and Career

Life and Career

Robo (at the time known by his birth name, Roberto Valverde), was a Colombian army defector, born in Cali, who came to the United States on a student visa in early 1975. He stayed after the visa expired, making him an illegal alien.

Robo began playing drums in 1976, while living in El Segundo, California and working in a plastics factory. In 1978, he joined Black Flag as the band's second drummer, replacing Brian Migdol. He toured and recorded was with them through 1981, performing on the EPs Jealous Again, Six Pack, and their first full-length album Damaged. He later toured and recorded with The Misfits on the Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood album.

Robo's drum style is brash and brutal, relying heavily on open high-hat to generate the frenetic sounds on Black Flag's albums. His signature drum kit during that era was transparent to match Greg Ginn's see-through Dan Armstrong guitar, and was unique in that all of the drums and cymbals were level. He was also known for wearing plastic and metal bracelets during concerts and recording sessions; they can sometimes be heard faintly clattering on recordings. His stage name was given to him by his Black Flag bandmates, and is both a play on his name (Roberto) and a reference to his drumming style. Whereas many drummers utilize a style which uses quick movements originating from the wrist, Robo's style consists of stiff, robotic movements of the entire arm.

In 2003, Robo drummed for Black Flag during their reunion shows. He was joined by Dez Cadena on vocals and rhythm guitar, Greg Ginn on lead guitar, and C'el Revuelta on bass. In 2005, he rejoined with the Misfits, now featuring Jerry Only on bass and vocals and fellow former Black Flag member Dez Cadena on guitar. When touring, the band plays Misfits songs as well as Black Flag songs, with Cadena singing the Black Flag songs. He appears on the "Land of the Dead" single.

He was briefly mentioned in the Jim Jarmusch short film "Coffee and Cigarettes: Somewhere in California" by Iggy Pop, who suggested using Robo's drumming talents to an offended Tom Waits.

Robo has been married once, to Barbara Mazzone Valverde, and they have one son, Vincent Valverde, who was born in December 1985. Robo and Barbara subsequently divorced.

In 2010, Robo dropped out of both Black Flag and The Misfits due to passport troubles.