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If you like the guitar driven classic rock sounds of the '70s and '80s then you are going to love Deraps.  This new band out of Canada will be making their first tour of the US this winter.  They will be making a stop at The Winchester on February 12.  We had a chat with lead singer/guitarist Jacob Deraps to preview his upcoming show.

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Greg Drugan: Thanks for taking some time with me today.  For people just discovering Deraps, how would you describe your sound and your musical identity?

 

Jacob Deraps: Definitely the sounds of classic rock.  The sounds of classic rock from the late ‘70s and ‘80s which is what we are heavily influenced by. Stuff like Van Halen, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Ratt, Guns N Roses.  All that good stuff. 

 

GD:  That’s all the stuff that I love.  A lot of people are saying rock is dead but now we have some young bands like you guys and a few others that are bringing that classic rock sound back and I think that’s fantastic! 

 

JD:  Yeah, I agree.  It’s long overdue. 

 

GD: What first drew you to making music?  I always ask, what was your first concert and how did that impact you?  

 

JD:  I remember one of my first concerts was Avenged Sevenfold. I saw them in my teens when I first started playing guitar.  Then I moved from metal to more classic rock and blues a little bit later.  The best show ever was seeing AC/DC in Quebec.  Outdoor, big show, it was insane.  Absolutely amazing. I actually saw Van Halen in 2012 and that was a life changing experience. When I saw Eddie coming up on the stage, I couldn’t believe it.  He was in the same room as me. There was energy, it was a surreal experience. 

 

GD: Van Halen is my favorite band and I’ve seen them every tour since ‘86.  I’ve seen them like a dozen time and they were always fantastic. 

 

JD:  They are such a great band.

 

GD:  I noticed on your one video you are actually playing the Frankenstein. What made you decide to go to that (guitar)?

 

JD: “Viva Rock and Roll” I think you’re talking about. I think the song is influenced by Van Halen.  The musicality of it, the guitar parts. It just made sense to bring it out for that song. I thought it’s cool and it’s eye -catching, it’s great.  It gets people thinking “oh, the influence is there” and it makes a visual reference. 

 

GD:  I dig it, I love it. Can you walk us through your songwriting process? Does the music or the lyrics usually come first?

 

JD:  Mostly the music. Whenever I pick up a guitar, I start playing new riffs and new melodies. I come up with something new basically everytime I have a guitar in my hands. I record that stuff, sometimes I work it into a song, sometimes not.  It’s always the music, minus a few exceptions.
 

GD: What has been the biggest challenge so far in building Deraps from the ground up?

 

JD:  Working with a drummer who lives in Australia is a pretty big challenge.  It makes it pretty hard. 

 

GD:  I didn’t realize that.  Wow!

 

JD:  It doesn’t always work out the way that we want.  For example, for this tour, I have another drummer because he wasn’t available. So we have another guy, who is fantastic. Great drummer, sings also.  Opening for Foreigner was a pretty big challenge. We did that for one show.  It was Loverboy and Foreigner and we were playing before those two. We had thirty minutes to set up all the microphones, I was also doing the sound with my dad upfront.  We were doing everything ourselves. We had thirty minutes, set up all the mics, do the sound check and we were out of the stage, that’s it. It was pretty crazy. 

 

GD:  How long have you been doing this?

 

JD:  I’ve been playing in bars since I was fourteen years old. A long time ago. With a band, particularly with Josh, we started playing in 2017. Almost ten years already. 

 

GD:  That’s crazy.  I really like the song “Last Fall.”  What song that you are currently playing best represents you as an artist right now?

 

JD:  That’s a really good question. I love “Last Fall” and “Setting Sun.” Those two songs are my favorite from the new album. I think musically they represent where I am as an artist. I like the maturity of these songs. The melodies and the composing side of it. I think they’re great songs.  “Viva Rock and Roll” is also one of my favorites. I love the lyrics about freedom and doing what you love to do and sticking to it. It really represents us as persons. 

 

GD:  How has playing live shaped you as a band/artist compared to working in the studio?

 

JD:  I think playing live brings you the experience that you need to become a better musician, a better guitar player and a better singer. When you’re doing live stuff, you have to learn a lot about your singing ability and controlling your voice. By doing a lot of shows, you just naturally get better. 

 

GD:  You are hitting the road pretty soon.  What do you want fans to take away from seeing you in concert?

 

JD:  I want them to have fun, as much fun as we have playing in front of them.  I want to bring them that authentic late ‘70s, ‘80s style rock and roll sound. That’s what we do. There’s no compromise.  I play with a cranked Marshall and it’s loud and it’s done the way it’s supposed to be done. If you want that sound, you have to do it that way.  Is it loud? Yes, that’s how it is.  Drums are loud, guitars are loud that’s rock and roll.  That’s how it was done in the ‘70s so nobody can tell me it’s not possible in 2026. That’s what we want to bring to the fans.  We want to bring real, authentic rock, organic rock and roll back! 

 

GD:  That’s what we need.  I’m all about it.  Just a straight ahead rock and roll show.  That’s what you guys are bringing? 

 

JD: Exactly! Live, raw vocals.  There’s mistakes, it’s not perfect.  It’s real rock and roll. It’s fun, it’s loud and it’s a big party. 

 

GD:  Are you guys a trio, you have a bass player as well?

 

JD:  Yes, we’re a trio.  Me and two new guys. 

 

GD:  A lot of these newer artists are relying on computers and tracks like that.  So I love to hear that a new, young rock band that are like, “nope, we are 100% live!” Vocals are live and if you make a mistake, that’s rock and roll! 

 

JD:  Exactly! That’s what it was back then. A lot of bands, you listen to some performances and it’s not perfect. It’s rock and roll.

 

GD:  Sometimes, that’s what makes it better actually.  You have a little tweek there or an adlib.  These new artist can’t even go off because they have to stick to what the track says. 

 

JD:  We don’t do that. Sometimes, there’s ten minute jams. It’s fun, it’s free. It’s liberating.
 

GD:  What are your goals for 2026?  I know the album came out fairly recently.  Are you going to do more touring? Anything that you are chasing down the road for this year?
 

JD: Definitely more touring.  That’s what we want to do.  We haven’t toured in a long time. I haven’t toured with my band in three years. I’m long overdue.  We just started the first show of the tour last week. We have a couple of more here in Canada then we go to the US. That’s what I want to be doing all year long. I’m not focused on anything else, I just want to do more shows. 

 

GD:  Are you looking to open up for other bands like Foreigner, or are you looking to do your own small club shows like you are doing in Cleveland?  You are doing your own headlining gig there. 

 

JD:  We will do some headlining and if there’s any opportunity that comes to us opening for a bigger bands, we’re gonna do it for sure. We’d love to open for major bands. That’d be great.  We did if for Foreigner, I opened for Ann Wilson also. Big festivals are coming this summer, so we don’t know yet, but we want to make this happen. 

 

GD:  I think you got a great start with your new album, the songs that you mentioned are the ones that kinda stand out for me. 

 

JD:  Thanks man!

 

GD:  Have you ever played Cleveland before?

 

JD:  First time ever in the US.  We’ve never played in the US. Most of my fans have been in the US, it’s just that we never had the opportunity in the right circumstances before until now.  That’s great because I’m excited to bring that to them. 

 

GD:  We love to have you.  Cleveland is a rock and roll town, I’m sure you’ve heard and I’m sure you will do very well here. You are going to be here next month, what can fans expect from your show?

 

JD:  Definitely a whole lot of rock and roll.  Classic rock, partying, fun, big energy.  Great rock and roll vibes like in the ‘70s and ‘80s.  If you’re a big fan of guitar playing and guitar solos, and a whole lot of fun. 

 

GD:  Cool.  Jacob, I appreciate your time and I’m gonna get this out and I’m gonna let everyone know that you are gonna be here in Cleveland and we’re gonna pack the place for you. 

 

JD.  Perfect.  That’s what we want.  Thanks for having me, I appreciate it. Hopefully people come out and rock with us.

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Make sure to check out Deraps at The Winchester on February 12 for an old school, straight ahead rock and roll show! 

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You can watch the entire Zoom call below!

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