“Only More Is Enough” (2025) - Royal Blunder | Interview

''Seattle and the PacNW is the perfect breeding ground for the cloistered musician to break out and shake up the world''

The return back to the origins of the “Seattle sound” (tasty power pop, smart garage bomp) is guaranteed with Seattle’s Royal Blunder. The four member band is set to release the debut album Only More Is Enough (2025) on 25th of April.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Rob Cochran's kinetically captivating and wondrously melodious songs on Only More is Enough who also produced the album with assistance and "guitar spice" from veteran engineer and solo artist David Zaffiro (Julie Miller, among many others). Rob is backed by Bruce Watermann on bass, Danny Wood on lead guitar, and Neal Erickson on drums. It's a bit of a family affair with Rob’s son Cullen Cochran playing organ and adding vocals to “Sherlock Holmes," and other son Devin's killer guitar hook added to the title track as well.

Here’s an interview with frontman Rob Cochran !

Danny Wood, Rob Cochran, Bruce Watermann, Neal Erickson | © Mike R. Mitchel

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How has the English writer and philosopher G.K. Chesterton inspired your music? Has his philosophical work influenced how you view and approach music?

RC: To me, the question of life follows this line of thought, it, "...turns on the question of whether a man who was born upside down can tell when he comes right way up." -GKC In my song writing i think I'm still just trying to find what way is up.

How do you feel about the expression that music is a form of religion? Is it an idea you apply to your own music?

RC: What is religion? I believe music is the most occult creation on earth. It is pure magic and I think musicians are magicians. Songs will find their way into your mind, your heart, they can release you from fear, trauma or be the light that draws you out to become the real you. For me, songwriting is more like medicine though, I do it to stay sane and healthy.

You have mentioned that songs such as "The Clock” has taken their inspiration from 1960s artists. Lately, there has been an influx of great rock musicians from Seattle (including yourself) who have been inspired by this decade. What is it about the 1960s rock revolution that you find notable?

RC: Book volumes are needed to answer this question! It was a moment in time where alignment occurred and music mirrored, influenced or maybe, in some way, triggered the alignment. Sprouting with cultural diversity every tribe had their patron saints, diverse and beautiful.

The band has previously released a song called ‘’Mr Pike’s Place’’ (2022) which references Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market. What is the connection between Seattle and rock music as it seems that both are inevitably bound together? Is it the ultimate city for rock music?

RC: Rain, gray...for nine straight months. A friend said, "beauty has its price." Seattle and the PacNW is the perfect breeding ground for the cloistered musician to break out and shake up the world.

Have you been influenced by grunge music or Christian grunge music from Seattle?

RC: Not really...1990s-2010 I mysteriously vanished and have no recollection of any form of music. I do recall during this period lots of diapers....I think it was on the order of 15,000. OK, yes...I did briefly surface to enjoy Poor Old Lu and Soul Food. But like I said, I was beautifully distracted.

Is there a certain musician or band from Seattle whose significance has been undermined or neglected over the years?

RC: There's so many wonderful musicians in this area worthy of local and national attention. But i think the real culprit is the spotify culture. Art shouldn't be free. It says alot about us if we look in the mirror. We are the ones undermining them. So THANK YOU for those who go to shows and support your local musicians, music venues, magazines etc., they need it. Both my sons are in bands Devin (DOTGOV) and Cullen (Abserdia) they should both be touring reaping the fruit of their gifts. Whoops, sorry...that was my soap box moment.

I can really hear punk influences on ‘’Only More Is Enough‘’(2025) so what would you say is the best punk album of all time ?

RC: Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bullocks. I mean it MAN!

The band is made up of previous bands such as The Leroys, Daffodil Daydream, Ozen Band, Echo Tonic, Crystal City Rockers, The Macs Band. What is different about Royal Blunder?

RC: Royal Blunder is a return to energy rock. Driving, thunderous drums, guitars on 11 deep resonant bass tones stabilizing the chaos. Does it get any better? We enjoy it.

What is your favourite song on the album and why?

RC: Blink-its lunacy, chaotic and a song i could never write, but i did! The band really has fun with it too. Our live performances just become zanny, unglued.

As you are the main songwriter and lead singer of the band, what is your song writing process like? Is it spontaneous? Or are you writing songs with a specific theme or sound you wish to achieve?

RC: Like I told Chris [Estey], my gift is knowing when I make a good mistake. So I'll be noodling on my guitar, which is kind of like fishing, waiting for something to bite. When it does, it's typically unexpected, something I didn't intend..."hmmm...that's interesting" piece by piece the music comes together, melody, lyrics in a similar way. I like the idea of songwriting with angels who are the source of every good mistake.

What is a song you would never ever want to hear again?

RC: Seasons in the Sun. Funny story...in 2005 or 6 Devin and I participated in relief work after Hurricane Katrina. He was just discovering his love for music so we bought a b-side 70s cassette for our listening pleasure. For some unknown reason I mentioned how that song wasn't my favorite. Well, as I recall, it suddenly became his favorite song. So we're driving down in Biloxi MI, its hot and humid and no escape from the heat or this song. Did we listen to it 200 times? Maybe? It sure seemed like it. Actually, it's now a very fond memory....but I still don't EVER want to hear that song again!!!

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