Robert Sweet (musician)

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Robert Sweet
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Robert Lee Sweet
Alias =
Born = Birth date and age|1960|3|21
Died =
Origin = U.S.
Instrument = vocals, drums
Genre = Rock, Heavy Metal
Occupation = drummer, producer
Years_active = 1984-present
Label =
Associated_acts = Stryper King James Blissed Dbeality
URL = [http://www.stryper.com www.stryper.com]

Robert Lee Sweet (born March 21, 1960 in Lynwood, California) is the drummer of the Christian metal band Stryper. He and his brother Michael originally founded the band as Roxx or Roxx Regime. Robert became known as the "Visual Time Keeper" for his wild drumming and captivating drum kits. Unlike most drummers, Sweet faces in the direction of stage left or right while playing, not straight ahead, so that the audience can see him and not have their view of him obscured by his drumkit.cite book |last=Erickson, Sturdevant |title=Stryper: Loud n' Clear |year=2006 |publisher=Classic CD Books |location=Maryland |edition=unabridged audio |isbn=0976480549 ] Sweet also played a key role in the visual direction of the band itself as well as being a significant contributor to the group.

After Stryper broke up in 1992, Sweet went on to play in a variety of acts and projects largely Christian-oriented. He participated in the band King James alongside former Stryper bassist Tim Gaines and former Whitecross guitarist Rex Carroll, and toured with them until 1996.cite journal |last=Christensen |first=Brett |year=1997 |month=March/April |title=STRYPER: Can't Stop The Rock? |journal=HM Magazine |id=ISSN|1066-6923 |issue=64 |pages= |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000918053820/www.hmmagazine.com/archives/Stryper.htm |accessdate=2007-04-30 ] He also participated in such projects such Shameless and Titanic. Sweet went on to record a solo album titled "Love Trash" which demonstrated an eclectic side of his writing and performing capabilities.cite web |url=http://www.tollbooth.org/2001/reviews/rsweet.html |last=Jackson |first=Zik |title="Love Trash" |publisher="The Phantom Tollbooth" |date=2001-02-17] Later, Sweet joined Blissed.

Sweet played a key role in the reappearance of Stryper by taking part in 2000's "Stryper Expo" and a reunion show in Costa Rica. The successful reception led Sweet to push for a reunion of the band which came in the form of a request by Hollywood Records for a new "Best of" collection. The band decided that rather than simply doing another compilation, they would record two new songs and then go on tour in support of the new release.cite book |last=Erickson, Sturdevant |title=Stryper: Loud n' Clear |year=2006 |publisher=Classic CD Books |location=Maryland |edition=unabridged audio |isbn=0976480549 ] 2003 saw Sweet tour with a re-formed Stryper. In 2004, Stryper returned to the studio to begin working on its August 2005 release, "Reborn", which marked the band's first full-length recording of original material in over 15 years, since 1990's "Against the Law". The new album, entitled "Murder by Pride", is tentatively due in early 2009, although it has been confirmed that Sweet does not play drums on the album, as this position was filled by studio musician Kenny Aronoff.

Non-Stryper Discography

*"King James" (1994)
*"Love Trash" (1998)
*"Blissed, Waking Up The Dead" (2002)
*"7 HOURS LATER, It's About Time (2003)
*"Dbeality, Self-Titled Debut" (2005)Other bands include Final Axe and The Seventh Power.

2003 Metal Mayhem Release "It's About Time" with former Tainted Angel guitarist Lynn Edward Glezen and Guardian's Jamie Rowe. 7 HOURS LATER were tourmates with Stryper on both the 7 Reunion Tour and the Reborn Tour.

External links

* [http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=18 Interview with NewReleaseTuesday.com]

References