Getting to Know… Rocklust | Interview

In the 517^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from the Italian hard rock band, Rocklust.

What more can you say but rock on, Rocklust! The Italian hard rock band adds, “Our sound is deeply rooted in classic influences, but we bring it to life with a modern attitude and a lot of personality.” We get the inside scoop on the hard rock band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Rocklust: Interview No. 517!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

What makes Rocklust stand out is our raw, authentic approach to hard rock. Our sound is deeply rooted in classic influences, but we bring it to life with a modern attitude and a lot of personality. On stage, we focus on energy, connection, and honesty—we don’t just play songs; we live them. That intensity is what really gets the audience involved and makes every show feel real and powerful.

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Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Rocklust form, and what were some of your goals early on?

Rocklust was formed in May 2023 from an idea by our drummer, Alessandro Damiani, after years of experience in hard rock tribute bands. He wanted to create something original, and soon after, Andrea Palmieri (guitar) and Federico Cicconofri (bass) joined for the first compositions. The lineup was completed with Francesco Bravi on vocals and harmonica. From the beginning, there was a strong chemistry between us. Our early goal was simple: create original music with no compromises and build a solid identity based on what we truly love to play.

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Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or perspectives changed since you first started? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Our core vision hasn’t changed—we still want to create honest, powerful music—but now we’re more focused on growing and reaching a wider audience. With the release of our debut album Smoking Wheels, we’re aiming to establish ourselves in the rock scene and keep building momentum. We would like to experience bigger stages, bigger crowds, and to keep evolving without losing our identity and connecting with fans.

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Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

Our influences come mainly from classic hard rock and heavy metal: bands like AC/DC, Scorpions, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Black Label Society. There are also some more modern touches, like Airbourne. These artists have shaped our sound in terms of energy, songwriting, and attitude, giving us that mix of vintage feeling and powerful impact. They taught us the importance of groove, riffs, and attitude. It’s not just about technical skill—it’s about feeling. That’s something we carry into everything we do.

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Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

One of the funniest things about playing live is that something unexpected always happens. We’ve had moments where things didn’t go exactly as planned on stage—but instead of stopping, we just embraced it and turned it into part of the show. One time during a live show, right in the middle of a high-energy track, part of the power went out—but the drums kept going, and the crowd started clapping in rhythm. Instead of stopping, we turned it into a raw, almost tribal jam. When the power came back, we hit the chorus even harder. It wasn’t planned, but it became one of those moments you never forget.

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To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

It’s hard to choose, but “Child Spirit” has a special place for us. It’s a bit different, more emotional, dedicated to our children, and it shows another side of the band.

Live, though, songs like “Smoking Wheels” really explode and let the audience sing—there’s something about that energy that just connects instantly with the crowd.

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Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

A cool detail is that our drummer Alessandro also created the entire artwork for the album, including the cover and physical formats like CD and vinyl. It shows how much we like to keep everything connected to our vision, not just the music but the whole artistic identity of the band. Also, our singer Francesco throws in harmonica parts sometimes; that adds a cool old-school vibe people don’t always expect.

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What is Rocklust currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Right now, we’re promoting our debut album Smoking Wheels, recorded at Dyne Engine Studio and released in April 2026. We’re working closely with Volcano Records for its promotion, and we’re also playing live shows, such as our release party in Macerata and upcoming dates this summer, including the Sanremo Rock tour. At the same time, we’ve already started writing new material—two new songs are ready—and we’re looking ahead to our next album while continuing to grow this project.

Thanks for having us—see you on the road

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

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Getting to Know… Rocklust: Interview No. 517 (2026) [📷: Rocklust]

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