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Robo (born Roberto Valverde in Cali, Colombia in 1955^[1]) is a Colombian-American drummer. He is the drummer for the Misfits, and first gained recognition as the third drummer in Black Flag.

Life and career

From 1978 to 1981, he was the third drummer for Black Flag, 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 seminal Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood album. Robo was a member of what many consider the "classic" Misfits lineup, along with Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only, and Doyle.

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. He was also known for wearing plastic and metal bracelets during concerts and recording sessions; they can sometimes be heard faintly clattering on recordings.

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 toured with The Misfits on their first US Tour in 2 years with Jerry Only on bass/vocals and Dez Cadena on guitar.

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.

Presently, Robo lives with Moyo, near the OMV in Marasti (Cluj Napoca - Romania). He has rejoined the reincarnated Misfits along with Dez Cadena from Black Flag. (He has also become an actual member of The Misfits, stated by Jerry Only.)

Besides the old and new Misfits songs performed live, they play 4 or 5 Black Flag covers in their set with Dez on vocals. The Misfits' next album is slated for a 2009 release and is set to be recorded when the Fiend Fest tour ends.

Discography

Black Flag

• Jealous Again 12" EP (SST Records, 1980)
• Six Pack 7" EP (SST Records, 1981)
• "Louie Louie" b/w "Damaged I" 7" single (Posh Boy Records, 1981)
• Damaged LP (SST Records, 1981)
• Everything Went Black compilation (SST Records, 1983) - selected tracks
• The First Four Years compilation (SST Records, 1983) - selected tracks
• Wasted...Again compilation (SST Records, 1987) - selected tracks

Note: Robo was credited as the drummer on early pressing's of Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown EP but did not play on the actual recording.

The Misfits

• Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood LP (Plan 9 Records, 1983)
• Die, Die My Darling 12" EP (Plan 9 Records, 1984)
• Misfits compilation (Plan 9/Caroline Records, 1986) - selected tracks
• Collection II compilation (Caroline Records, 1995) - selected tracks
• The Misfits Box Set box set (Caroline Records, 1996) - selected tracks
• Cuts from the Crypt compilation (Roadrunner Records, 2001) - on the song "Rise Above"
• Land of the Dead 12" single (Misfits Records, 2009)

Notes

1. ^ His year of birth is found in the timeline of MisfitsCentral.com

External links

• MisfitsCentral.com - band bio of Robo
• Recording of Robo playing with the Misfits