Born To Rock

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, gather 'round the turntable 'cause we're divin' deep into the groovy world of Von Groove and their rockin' anthem "Born To Rock." You know, this tune's got that classic hard rock spirit, blazin' guitars and vocals that soar like an eagle on the wind. From what we've dug up in old interviews and fan chatter on social media, this song's all about embracin' that inner rock warrior, never backin' down from the beat. Michael Shotton, the man behind the mic and the drums, spilled some beans in a chat with The Jersey Guys Podcast, sayin' it's one of those tracks that just flowed outta their reunion sessions, like "Born To Rock" was waitin' in the cosmos for the right moment to land.

Picture this, freaks: back in the day, Von Groove was tearin' up the scene, but grunge came crashin' in like a tidal wave, washin' away their label deal. Fans on X and Facebook are buzzin' about how the new album nods to their roots, with visual easter eggs in the "Born To Rock" video pointin' to old album covers. One cat posted, "Didn't see this comin', what a great song, total throwback! Loved all the little visual nods to their earlier albums - still think the debut should have been HUGE! Welcome back guys!" And another chimed in, "The Debut album was an absolute masterpiece in melodic rock...one of my favourite albums of all time alongside Mood Swings by Harem Scarem." It's like the universe aligned for this comeback, after over two decades of silence, and "Born To Rock" is the battle cry announcin' their return.

Shotton shared a wild story in that interview about how the band almost shifted gears with their second album, Rainmaker, tryin' to ride the grunge wave, but it didn't sit right with the true believers. He said, "We thought we should have just continued doin' what we did... a bit of a mistake." But now, with "Born To Rock," they're stickin' to that melodic hard rock groove that made 'em legends in the underground. Social media's lightin' up with quotes like "Hell yes!!!! Von Groove is back!!!! Sounds kickass!!! Love it guys! Can't wait for more!" and "Outstanding new song from a criminally underrated band from back in the day." Even trivia pops up, like how Shotton sang some high notes on Boston's Walk On album – talk about cross-pollinatin' the rock family tree!

Dig this tale from the vaults: durin' the makin' of their debut, they had Deen Castronovo layin' down session drums, the same dude who rocked with Journey later on. Shotton recalled it as a "perfect storm," workin' full-time on writin' demos that landed 'em a deal with EMI. But fate's funny, 'cause just as they dropped that self-titled gem in '92, the music world flipped. Fans are sharin' stories online about discoverin' Von Groove through old tapes or vinyl, one sayin' "Never heard these guys until now and they are damn good." And in the video for "Born To Rock," there's this epic nod to their history, with riffs echoin' past hits, makin' it feel like a full-circle jam session.

Now, let's rewind to how these cats got their start. Von Groove sprouted in the fertile soil of Toronto back in 1990, a trio of cosmic rockers: Michael Shotton handlin' vocals and drums like a one-man rhythm machine, Mladen on guitar bringin' that Croatian fire, and originally Matthew Gerrard on bass, though Tom Lewis stepped in later for a spell. Shotton and Gerrard had creds from writin' with Triumph, those Canadian rock titans, which gave 'em a leg up in the scene. They hunkered down in their studio, craftin' demos that caught EMI's ear, leadin' to that debut produced by Richie Zito. Shotton put it poetic-like: "Von Groove was pretty much the perfect storm... our timin' was a little bit maybe a year too late."

From the get-go, they were all about that melodic hard rock vibe, packin' albums with hooks that stick like honey on a biscuit. Their live shows were legendary, even if tourin' was sparse – they'd grab guest drummers to free Shotton up for frontman duties. Trivia alert: Shotton's home studio's a treasure trove, with a Hammond B3 organ and a Leslie speaker that channeled Zeppelin's magic. He collaborated with Guns N' Roses folks on The Outpatience project, rubbin' shoulders with Slash and Axl – wild times! And don't forget his Airtime gig with Rik Emmett from Triumph, where they blended voices like old souls: "We have an amazin' blend vocally... Rick is one of my dearest friends... a joy to work with."

The band's journey hit a hiatus in 2001 after The Seventh Day, but the fire never died. Shotton kept the flame alive with projects like L.R.S. and Raintimes, always circlin' back to that pure rock essence. Fans on socials are ecstatic, postin' "Back with a BANG Guys... Rocking Awesome" and "Freaking awesome. Great to have you back guys." The new album, Born To Rock, drops May 15, 2026, with tracks like Fearless, Champion, and Adrenaline – pure energy beams. Shotton said of the reunion, "It's like no time has gone by... we're just so excited about doin' this... a labor of love and just excitin' and fun."

If you're cravin' more, check out their official page at Von Groove on Frontiers, where you'll find all the deets on Born To Rock, includin' that title track we're spinnin' right now. And swing by their official Facebook for the latest vibes and fan love. No fancy fan clubs out there, but the community's alive in rock groups sharin' stories. While you're at it, tune into THE ZOO for more grooves like this – we're all about keepin' the rock alive, peace and love, Zoo Freaks!

Von Groove's path shows the rock 'n' roll spirit's eternal, risin' from the ashes like a phoenix. From Toronto basements to global stages, they've weathered storms but stayed true. Shotton reflected on their evolution: "On the second album, we thought we should have just continued doin' what we did." Now, with Born To Rock, it's a triumphant return, blendin' old-school magic with fresh fire. One fan quoted, "Full of that 80s rock energy more please!!!" Yeah, we're feelin' that cosmic pull too.

Wrappin' this up, remember, rock's not just music – it's a way of life, born to rock forever. Keep the faith, keep spinnin', and let's keep the groove goin' strong.