Nevada and Rado of Texas Hippie Coalition spoke with Side Stage Magazine on Day 1 of Fort Rock. On stage, they were all smiles and it was very clear they were happy to be there. Speaking with us, they were just as enthused and excited to be playing. They’re working hard on tour and in the studio this year.
Side Stage Magazine: How’s the festival for you?
Nevada Romo: God, it’s awesome! We’re in Florida. The weather is great!
Yeah, it’s beautiful! You guys are doing a few more festivals, right?
Rado: Yeah, we’re doing Carolina Rebellion up at Charlotte Speedway, we did Welcome to Rockville.
Nevada: We have two other’s we’re doing. I just know this one is Rockville, right?
Rado: No no. This is Fort Rock.
Nevada: FORT ROCK! Yes! Yesterday was Rockville! Florida’s had two good festivals in the last week.
Rado: And tomorrow night.
I’m excited for Carolina Rebellion. I actually came down from North Carolina.
Nevada: Oh cool, yeah! Carolina’s gonna be cool.
Yeah, it has a really good lineup! This has a great lineup too! Even though it’s only two days, it packs a HUGE metal punch.
Nevada: I mean, Ozzy, right?
Do you guys get to enjoy the festival, or do you have to pack up and go?
Rado: We enjoyed last night [at Welcome to Rockville]. We have somewhere to drive. We have to hit the road by 7.
Nevada: We never get to enjoy the festivals!
Rado: Well, we enjoy playing! I enjoy playing more than I do a while weekend of festivals.
Nevada: Right, yeah. But at the same time, I’m not gonna lie, yesterday I saw Ozzy and it was the best thing in my life.
Rado: It was pretty epic, I have to admit.
You guys looked like you were having so much fun up there!
Nevada: Yeah, yeah. It was a blast! You know, the crowd [was great].
Rado: Yeah, the crowd was really good, and the stage…I’ve gotta say, the two stage setup is my favorite things, cause it allows us all to be together backstage. It was cool cause after [‘68] the crowd just walked over from that stage to our stage once it started. That was very convenient.
Yeah, and it’s cool it’s just constant metal [with that setup]. I’m a little out of breath. I’m running around trying to take pictures, I just ran over from Hatebreed, who’s playing right now, you can hear them in the background.
Nevada: I love Hatebreed! Jamey Jasta is awesome!
What’s going on after the whole festival circuit is over for you guys?
Nevada: Well, we’re on tour right now. That goes into the Fall. This tour, we’re actually in the middle of our new record.
In the middle of everything else!
Nevada: Yeah, we’re writing on the road, recording at home, recording when we get back, doing a festival in Europe. It’s really just trying to make sure we have the right balance to get the time to work it out, but so far, the record’s sounding great. That’s what we’re really focusing on, having the record written and recorded, aaand, I’m not gonna say anything else about when it comes out.
Later this year?
Nevada: Possibly. Maybe. Possibly.
Well, I’ll let you guys go, I know you have a tight schedule.
Nevada: Thank you so much, it was so nice to meet you.
Yeah, you too! Thank you for talking with us, and playing. You guys had a great set!
Nevada: Thank you so much.