Alan Robert (Life of Agony) From Comics to Concerts

Talk Toomey with Joshua Toomey

In this interview, Joshua Toomey welcomes Alan Robert, bassist for Life of Agony and accomplished artist, to discuss his creative projects. Alan shares insights about his latest endeavor, an official Beetlejuice coloring book in collaboration with Warner Brothers, which coincides with the release of the new Beetlejuice movie. He talks about the process of drawing scenes from the movie and how much fun it was to immerse himself in Tim Burton's world.

Alan also reflects on his artistic journey, from illustrating other projects like the Universal Monsters coloring book to his early experiences learning from legendary comic book artist Walter Simonson during his time at the School of Visual Arts. He recalls how comic conventions were much smaller in the early days and how breaking into the comic industry back then was tough. He shares how he eventually balanced music and art, creating iconic band merchandise and album covers for groups like Black Sabbath and Pantera.

The conversation also touches on Alan's roots, his longtime friendship with Biohazard’s Evan Seinfeld, and how watching them succeed inspired his own musical career. Throughout the interview, Alan discusses the evolution of creating art, how digital tools have revolutionized the process, and the importance of meeting deadlines when working on big projects like Beetlejuice.

Alan discusses the creative process behind his comic work, drawing inspiration from music, like Pantera’s Cemetery Gates, which influenced his short story. He also highlights his collaboration with Z2 Comics and other projects like the Type O Negative graphic novel. Alan reflects on balancing his artistic endeavors with touring, recalling his earlier days of drawing comics backstage during tours in the early 2010s. He contrasts that with his recent approach, where he focuses on intricate artwork, like The Beauty of Horror, while at home and reserves touring for music.

Alan also reminisces about his time at the School of Visual Arts and shares a fun experience watching Keanu Reeves live on The Late Show. He appreciates the balance of his current life, splitting time between touring and comics. He mentions recent recording sessions at a legendary NYC studio, hinting at exciting music releases soon. Finally, he touches on the importance of creator-owned comic projects and his freedom to expand his characters across multiple platforms.

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