It has been a while since we’ve heard from hard rockers Von Groove, who emerged in the early ’90s and released their last album in 2004. They have reunited and are releasing Born To Rock. Vocalist/drummer Michael Shotton updates us on the reunion, new album, tour plans and other topics.
Chad Bowar: What have you been up to since your last Von Groove album more than 20 years ago?
Michael Shotton: Since the last Von Groove record, I’ve been making records with members of the Canadian band The Spoons, Rick Emmett from Triumph, and various other projects and producing and singing and playing and just having a great time making music, raising two beautiful boys and just enjoying life. We’re so glad that we’ve been able to get together and do this record. It’s been a real joy.
What led to the reunion?
It came up through Frontiers and just passing the idea back and forth. And when all three of us started talking about it, we all got very excited about the idea. I mean, Matt’s been really busy doing some Disney stuff and all sorts of great projects. And Mladen has been busy doing projects and projects. We all just keep doing tons of projects. And none of us have ever stopped being heavily involved in music. But we started talking about doing the record. It was just such a cool idea and great to reconnect with everybody. Not like we ever disconnected, but everybody’s been busy and life is busy and kids come along and life gets busier. But we’re so glad that this has all come around. And it’s been just an amazing experience.
Describe the songwriting process for Born To Rock.
The songwriting process with with Von Groove is very organic. You’ve got three A personalities that are very strong and very, very creative. It could be something where I started an idea. I pass it over to Matt, Matt said, Hey, man, this is really good. I like this. And then he’ll add, he’ll add his two cents, Mladen has got a riff idea, or he’s got a song and passes it back and forth. “Adrenaline” was an idea that Matt had that he threw my way and I put the lyric and, and ideas together for melody and just throwing stuff back and forth all done online, virtually. And it’s kind of cool because you’ve got the privacy to work on your idea and develop it a bit and send it off a little more prepared and in shape for the other members to hear. And that’s pretty much it.
Was the old chemistry evident right away?
Stuff like that doesn’t go away. It’s like marriage, when you once you love that person, and you know that person and you’re intimate with that person, musically, of course. It doesn’t go away.
It’s like riding a bike. I know the way Matt thinks. I know the way Mladen thinks. Those guys both know the way I think, they know the way I sing, what my strengths are. And, they know what I’m going to bring to the table. And I know what exactly what those guys are going to bring to the table as well. So it truly was like just flipping flipping the day, it was just the next day. And all of a sudden, that chemistry is is is there. It never died.
What was your strongest memory of recording the album?
My strongest memory of recording Born to Rock was that amazing feeling, like we were all 30 again, feeling like kids making a great rock and roll record. In no way was this record laborious or tedious. It was always a joy. And working together again was just like, it was so cool. We’re guys now in our 60s. We’re not in our 30s anymore. And it was so great to be guys in our 60s and calling each other and just talking a mile a minute, being so excited about the work that we’ve done and how cool the songs were and how great the record was sounding. We’re really, really happy with it.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
That’s a tough question, because I honestly don’t think there were any big challenges. This this record really went like clockwork. It was very smooth. I think we only had maybe a couple songs above and beyond. We’re very economic with writing. If if we start an idea and it’s just not working, we toss it. When we’re working on ideas, and we know they’re good, we see them right through to the end. And generally, it’s a funny thing with this band. There’s the crap factor is very low. Generally, Matt brings an idea in or Mladen brings an idea in or I bring an idea and we always seem to the quality always seems to be good and the ideas seem to be strong. So it’s very, very natural.
How has the band sound evolved from your earlier albums?
That’s a tough one. I just think we’re better. I really think we’re better. We’re getting so many great comments from our wonderful friends at Frontiers and people writing in the video that the band doesn’t sound like a band in their 60s. It sounds like a young band. Matt’s playing his ass off. And Mladen, of course, is just riff meister, unbelievable guitar player. And the grooves are there. And vocally, I think everybody’s been saying, hey man, you sound like you’re still in your 30s. And I’m like, well, that’s good. Vice grips, you know, they really helped.
How did you come to sign with Frontiers?
I had done some records with frontiers in the past and have a relationship with them. And I know Mladen has had some done some projects with them as well. And when the idea came up to do a record with the original three, it was something they were very excited about. It was something we were very excited about. And I can’t say enough about Frontiers and how great they’ve been in supporting the record, in supporting us and giving us the the room to create and do a good record. It’s been a great collaboration. We’re very happy with it.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
Like I said, we’re guys in our 60s. Are we planning to be the number one rock band of the world? I think we already are. No, we’re just we’re just hoping that everybody’s gonna love it. And as a comeback record, having not done a record in a while, we just want to make sure that the quality control is there all the fans are listening to this going, yeah, this doesn’t sound like it was phoned in. This sounds like real rock and roll. This sounds like the real shit. And that’s the comment we’re getting from a lot of people.
How was the video shoot for “Born To Rock?”
Green screen is a wonderful thing. We did that video in my living room in my studio is where the drums were done. And Matty did his stuff at his place. And we had a wonderful guy, our good friend Randy. Randy did such a great job with with all the the all the AI stuff. His name is Randy James, what probably one of the most creative guys I’ve ever seen. And we did this actually quite quickly. And with the help of Randy, we’re getting a lot of great reviews on it. Yeah, it’s a fun video.
How important are videos in 2026?
I think visuals are always going to be beneficial. I think people always enjoy seeing a storyboard or just guys having fun playing music. After all, it’s all about entertainment. And videos are very entertaining.
Do you have plans to play live in support of the album?
Yes, we’re talking to Frontiers about doing some shows and that’s still in the works.
Who are some of your favorite fellow singing drummers?
Isn’t that great? Well, Don Henley, of course, one of my favorites. Phil Collins, absolutely one of my favorites. Levon Helm. I don’t think a lot of people know that Lou Gramm from foreigner was a drummer. Steve Perry from Journey is a drummer. A lot of great singing drummers there.
What are some of your non musical interests and hobbies?
I love motorcycling, the gym and watching my beautiful boys grow up, the best thing.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Let’s just promote the record. Hope everybody enjoys it. Born to Rock is here. And we hope everybody’s loving it. Because we certainly loved making it.
(interview published May 14, 2026)
Watch Von Groove – “Born To Rock” Video
