There are a lot of things I want to accomplish as a drummer. There are a lot of things I want to work out and put down on tape where my ideas can take some real form,” says David Robinson of the Cars. “I’m rolling with ideas.” On the surface, Robinson’s statement isn’t what one might consider profound, or even unusual. Most drummers who are serious about their craft, industrious, and a bit creative could easily claim those exact words. But when they run out of Robinson’s mouth, it’s almost as if they are slipping on ice, or worse, shackled in chains. Robinson’s work as the Cars’ one and only drummer speaks for itself. Beginning in 1978 with the richly received self-titled debut album, on to the equally acclaimed follow-up, Candy-O in 1979, then Panorama in 1980, Shake It Up in 1981, and finally last year’s excellent Heartbeat City, Robinson’s […]

May 1985 Issue