RIDE THIS TORPEDO by Mark Roberson Book

Synopsis

Ride This Torpedo – More Adventures in Rock ’n’ Roll is the follow‑up to The Devil’s Rhythm and tracks Mark Robertson’s drumming journey after he left The Meteors. The book charts his time with bands such as Chelsea, The Deadbeats, The Escalators, Ruffhouse All Stars and The Tall Boys, weaving in colourful encounters with Johnny Thunders, Jeffrey Lee Pierce and Shane MacGowan’s Pogues. Robertson recounts a life spent on the road – full of raw rock’n’roll, hard partying, and fleeting love affairs – while reflecting on how these experiences shaped the psychobilly and neo‑rockabilly scenes. The cover art is by Antoine Bernhart, known for the iconic Tall Boys skull.

About the Author

Mark Robertson is the original drummer and co‑founder of psychobilly pioneers The Meteors. He started drumming in his teens and helped create the band’s signature fusion of punk and rockabilly in 1980. After leaving the Meteors in late 1981, he joined Theatre of Hate, later re‑uniting with bassist Nigel Lewis in The Escalators and co‑forming The Tall Boys. Over the years he has played with numerous bands across punk and rockabilly subgenres. Robertson documented his early career in The Devil’s Rhythm and continued the story in Ride This Torpedo, establishing himself as both a musician and chronicler of the scene.