Behind the Wheel: Riding With Killers

Riding With Killers, fronted by Taylor Roberts (guitarist, Taproot), is a Detroit-based band, blending hard rock and alternative metal which has garnered them over 140,000 streams on Spotify. Here, Roberts answers questions about his approach to songwriting, and the drive behind the band's music.

Q. Riding With Killers is a relatively new project, although you are not unfamiliar with the music industry, considering your connection to Taproot. What sparked the initial idea for this band, and how did it evolve into what it is today?

A. I actually started Riding With Killers during the summer of 2018 after I quit the band that I had started when I was 14 and then left my hometown in Gulfport, Mississippi. I had a pretty successful career with music for about 14 or 15 years since I was a kid. I opened for Avenged Sevenfold, Atreyu, and Bullet For My Valentine on the Taste of Chaos tour in 2008 when I was 18 and played various Danny Wimmer fests over the years, such as Welcome To Rockville in 2014 and multiple CPR fests with bands like Chevelle, Evanescence, Seether, 3 Doors Down, HIM, and Foxy Shazam, with my hometown radio station 97.9 CPR FM (kind of like Riff Fest up here!). I had also done various fests and club dates along the southeast with bands like Hell Yeah, Korn, Starset, Nothing More, Trivium, All That Remains… and so many more. So, I’ve definitely been around the block!

I started recording music for RWK in early 2019. So, it’s been a huge work in progress for about 7 years now. COVID of course delayed this band big time; but the idea was developing, and I was writing a lot until we landed on the songs that would make the record.

Roberts performing with Taproot (Sonic Temple, 2024)

My first real deal North American tour was in 2013 with my old band Cathercist from the Gulf Coast, and we opened for Taproot on the Winter Tour, so I’ve known those guys very well for the last 12 years and when they learned I had moved up here and heard the first record “Full Circle”, Phil gave me a call after hearing the record and the rest is history!

The initial idea for this band was me breaking away from my old band that I started when I was 14 and going out in my own. I had some things go down to where I had copyright and music rights taken away from me from behind my back. I decided I didn’t want to deal with another vocalist and that I would just do it and still play guitar/compose the music as well. I have a lot of things on my heart and mind that I’ve wanted to put into words and melodies for years and this was my chance to do it.

Q. What were you looking to explore musically with Riding With Killers that might have been different or new?

A. Well, it was the first time I was going to be the main vocalist and so that was really new for me. I wanted to do more straightforward rock music and touch on my metal roots, but now with the second record that I’m finishing this year, I feel like I’m going back to my roots with heavier music. I was also looking to explore and develop my voice.

Q. Your sound is reminiscent of hard rock and alternative metal with a noticeable edge, drawing comparisons to bands like Three Days Grace. Is this an accurate description? What other bands or artists have significantly influenced Riding With Killers' sound?

A. It’s definitely a mix of rock, grunge, and nü-metal. I’ve got quite a few influences for the first record, Alice In Chains, Korn, Nine Inch Nails (we did a cover of Everyday is Exactly The Same), just to name a few. I really enjoy the 90s, ha-ha.

Q. What are your goals for Riding With Killers in the next1 year or two? Where do you see the band heading?

A. We’re starting to truly tour this year now that I’ve bought a new RAM ProMaster 3500. It’s the first time I’ve owned a vehicle that can allow the band to tour. So definitely more touring and landing bigger festivals. I’ve got a second record to release which I’ve been recording for the last few years in New Orleans, Detroit, and in Gothenburg, Sweden with Jakob Herrmann (In Flames, Vola, Devin Townsend, Machine Head, Anthrax). There’s a lot on the horizon and I’m ready to meet any and all challenges.

Image credit: Elise Coates

Q. How does your experience with Taproot inform your approach to leading and developing Riding With Killers? What are some key lessons you've carried over?

A. It kind of doesn’t in a way because I’m following my own heart on this and I’m very familiar with the business. I like keeping the two bands separate because I don’t want RWK to start sounding like a copy of Taproot.

I already had a pretty good knowledge base and had been around the block quite a few times with recording, touring, festivals etc. With Taproot I’ve started playing the bigger stages, later in the day, and doing headline dates. It’s definitely felt more like continued education versus a brand-new experience for me.

Q. For those who haven't yet heard your music, what song would you recommend they start with to get a good feel for what Riding With Killers is all about?

A. It’s funny because the second record is going to be such a left turn from Full Circle, but on Full Circle there’s a few tunes, Vultures, Hostility, and Novelty would be where I would start to get an idea of who I am.

Q. What's the best way for our readers/listeners to stay up to date on Riding With Killers, and is there anything else you'd like to share with them before we wrap up?

A. First and foremost please visit our website. It has links to show dates, tickets, music, merch, and all the happenings. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, basically any digital music platform.

I have the only band called Riding with Killers, so it’s pretty easy to find us. New music is on the horizon and the second record is being completed as we speak. We’ll be on the road later this month as well.