Rick Froberg is an American musician originally from Encinitas, California. He has been a member of the bands Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, and Hot Snakes. Rick has also performed with the Last of the Juanitas and Thingy. He has been frequent collaborator with John Reis.

Froberg's current band Obits made their live debut 12th January 2008 at Cake Shop in New York City.

Froberg is also an accomplished fine artist and illustrator, contributing album covers and promotional artwork for all of his bands, as well as many designs for Swami Records and Rocket from the Crypt.

He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife Amelia and cats P.J. and Zorba.

Rick Froberg interviewed by Alex Lodermeier / Artcotic.

ARTCOTIC: Is pop music destroying our culture?

RICK: I don't think so. It is popular - that makes it culture.

ARTCOTIC: What is destroying our culture?

RICK: I don't think these things can really be destroyed. They just mutate.

ARTCOTIC: Your thoughts on american idol?

RICK: It seems really mean spirited from the bits I've seen. It's
democratic. How do people sing like that? Do they do scales all day
long? It's like watching the olympics.

ARTCOTIC: Does true punk rock music still exist?

RICK: The raw materials are there.

ARTCOTIC: Will it be marketed and sold at walmart?

RICK: Suuure. Subcontract it out to the Chinese.

ARTCOTIC: What are your influences with your illustration work?

RICK: I tend to go by the image and not the artist. I borrow from
everywhere. Really, I think an illustrator's skill set determines
what his or her work will look like more than anything.

ARTCOTIC: Alot of your work has a dark political americano feel it. How
much of a role does politics come into play when you create art?

RICK: I have an outlook and prejudices and they affect my aesthetic. I
think history is more up my alley.

ARTCOTC: As the illustration you did for the artcotic PINBACK tee had
heavy political overtone. Do you think there's a disconnect with the youth and politics?

RICK: Nah, it's a cat with a hoagy.

It might be unrealistic to expect kids to behave any better than
adults. I don't know many people who would qualify as 'youth' at
this point.

ARTCOTIC: Your thoughts on the current state of politics?

RICK: I'm worried in general.

ARTCOTIC: Hillary, Obama, or McCain?

RICK: I don't know, who are they bringing with them? It's a public
relations job.

I'll vote for Obama if it's an option.

ARTCOTIC: Are we close to armageddon?

We're there, it's just a very slow process.

ARTCOTIC: Which religion should I chose to be saved?

RICK: The most convenient one.

ARTCOTIC: Does it have profit sharing options?

RICK: That would be convenient.

ARTCOTIC: Have you been busy with your commercial illustration work lately?

RICK: Yeah, pretty busy. Thanks for the work by the way.

ARTCOTIC: Your work has been featured in cartoons and shows such as
"crank Yankers"...are you pursuing more art within that medium?

RICK: If they'll pay me my rate, I'll do it. Crank Yankers was a fun job.
I wonder what the show is like.

ARTCOTIC: I would love to see a "froberg's world" type cartoon on tv for all of the kids. Have you written one yet?

RICK: I have a few ideas. I've thought about making a short flash cartoon.

ARTCOTIC: What moral message would you like to give to the kids in your cartoon?

RICK: There might not be one.

ARTCOTIC: What's in the future for you?

RICK: Hindsight.

ARTCOTIC: What will your last words be?

RICK: Something spontaneous? Maybe I should start thinking about it.

For more information on RICK FROBERG check out his website www.rickfroberg.com and also leave him a comment on his artcotic artist profile.