Halloween with Saliva’s Bobby Amaru: Horror Movies, New Music, and Honoring Wayne’s Legacy
Since it’s Halloween, I couldn’t think of a better guest to catch up with than Bobby Amaru from Saliva. Between his love for horror, the excitement over Saliva’s new track “Time Bomb,” and his reflections on keeping the band going after Wayne Swinny’s passing, Bobby’s got some incredible stories to share. Here’s a look inside our conversation, from horror tattoos to honoring Saliva’s legacy.
Halloween Spirit Runs Deep for Saliva’s Bobby Amaru
I kicked off our chat with a simple, “Happy Halloween!” Bobby lights up, and it’s clear this isn’t just a holiday for him; it’s practically a family event. “Oh, man, I’ve got the whole house decked out. Life-sized figures of Jason, Chucky, and Michael Myers in the windows,” he tells me. “Even our two-year-old is obsessed—she’s been all about pumpkins and scary stuff all month. I dressed up as Art the Clown from Terrifier, and she loved it!”
Bobby even has his love for horror inked on him. “I’ve got Michael Myers, Ghostface, Jason, and even a little Silence of the Lambs tattoo. And my son drew a werewolf on my arm when he was four—that one’s probably my favorite,” he says.
A Family Obsessed with Halloween and Horror Films
Being a horror fan myself, I had to ask about his top Halloween picks. Bobby lists Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Exorcist among his must-watch movies. “Scream 1 is brilliant,” he says, and I could tell he meant it. “I still think The Exorcist is the scariest movie of all time. The direction and acting still freak me out.”
I agreed, adding that the movies that feel like they could really happen always get me the most, like Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Bobby nods, saying that’s why he thinks Terrifier has that throwback 80s and 90s horror vibe. “People just love that gritty nostalgia,” he says. And I can’t argue with that—there’s something special about those classic horror vibes.
Honoring Wayne Swinny’s Legacy
Beyond the Halloween talk, our conversation turned to Saliva’s legacy, especially since October 31 also happens to be what would have been Wayne Swinny’s 61st birthday. Bobby had some heartfelt words about Wayne’s impact on the band.
“Wayne was just one of the best people,” Bobby says. “It’s been hard without him, but I feel like he’s still with us in spirit. He’s made a lot of cool things happen for us from up above.”
Bobby shared that after Wayne’s passing, he found himself wondering whether he should keep the band going. “It was a tough decision,” he tells me. “I thought about what he would have wanted, and I went back to our conversations. He was at my house five days before he passed, recording a solo for our latest record. Wayne was all in, and he loved what we were doing with Saliva.”
I’ve known Bobby’s been with the band for over a decade now, but he said that people sometimes overlook that. “People focus on the early days, and I get that. But I’ve been here for 13 years, and I respect what the original lineup built. I just want to keep the band moving forward, respecting the past but keeping things fresh.”
“Time Bomb” and the Future of Saliva
Then we got to talking about new music. Saliva’s latest track, “Time Bomb,” drops on November 1, and Bobby’s stoked about it. “It’s two and a half minutes of pure energy,” he says. “We worked with Howard Benson on it, which was a bucket list moment for me. We wanted it to have that early 2000s vibe but still sound fresh.”
After listening to it, I told him, “I could see it playing in a stadium with all its high energy.” He laughs, nodding, “That would be awesome! Howard and I wanted to keep it in the classic rock lane but bring something new. Rock is in a great place now, and it feels amazing to be part of that resurgence.”
Finding Strength in Sobriety
Bobby recently celebrated six years of sobriety and I’ve talked to a lot of musicians who’ve been down that road. “Sobriety has been a game-changer,” he says. “It’s not always easy, but it helps me stay focused and keep a clear mind. Everyone’s journey is different. For me, it was about making positive changes and being a better person.”
What’s great to see is that Bobby is committed to preserving the band’s legacy, and honoring Wayne, with new music on the way, there’s much to look forward to. He’s continuing the band’s legacy in a way that would make Wayne proud, and I’m excited to see where he takes it next.
Watch our conversation below, and check out the audio-only Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown podcast here.