Queensryche’s Todd La Torre on Estranged Drummer Scott Rockenfield: “I Have No Idea What He’s Doing”
Queensryche drummer Scott Rockenfield has been mysteriously absent from the group for over four years now. He emerged from his long silence on the issue this past January to say he was still in the band and he’d reveal more soon… but that was it. It’s almost May now, and bupkes.
‘Ryche singer Todd La Torre was asked about the issue in a recent interview, and his answer was essentially the same as it’s been in the past: he has no friggin’ clue what Rockenfield is up to.
Speaking to Rock Hard Greece, Todd explained:
“He said, ‘I’m having a baby and I need paternity leave.’ We were really happy for him. ‘Congratulations. This is great. How much time do you need?’ ‘I’m thinking six months.’ ‘Okay.’ Six months goes by, and then we learn that he is gonna take the rest of the year off. He never came back.
“I have no idea what he’s doing. I don’t know what he’s up to. I hope that he’s doing well. I don’t have anything bad to say. I’m just telling you that actions speak louder than words.”
When asked about who will play drums on the band’s next record — La Torre tracked them on The Verdict (2019) — he said that Kamelot’s Casey Grillo, who has been filling in live for Rockenfield, should get the gig:
“Casey deserves to play on this record, in my opinion. When it comes to writing new songs for this record, Casey is involved; he’s showing up, he’s participating. When it comes to recording this album, in my opinion, Casey should play drums on this record. He has earned it. He’s dedicated every moment of the last four years to Queensryche, and he’s the guy that shows up to play the live shows — period. So when somebody says, ‘Who’s the drummer?’ The guy that’s been showing up.”
Former Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate, who split from the band in 2012, said in a 2019 interview that he believed Rockenfield and the band were embroiled in a lawsuit, then in 2020 he said the drummer has “a lot of medical problems.” There has been no confirmation of either of those assertions.
As for Rockenfield himself, here’s his statement from January:
“wanna hear a fun story? goes like this :”
“Contrary to any statements or interviews coming from other parties, I most definitely ‘did not’ and ‘have not’ quit, walked away, retired or abandoned Queensryche??!! ….unfortunately, you have not been given the facts by any means…
“a total cliffhanger right? ….
“more soon”
It’s “soon” already. It’s past soon. C’mon, dude… let’s go!
