When you sit down to talk with Rob Dukes—former Exodus frontman and current vocalist of Generation Kill—you quickly realize he’s not just a metal powerhouse; he’s also thoughtful, opinionated, and, yes, a total coffee nerd.
We caught up with Rob recently to talk about music industry frustrations, his passion for premium coffee, the making of Generation Kill's new album MKUltra, and what drives him after all these years in the game.
The Problem with Free Music Culture
Rob doesn’t mince words when it comes to the state of the music industry: people don’t want to pay for music anymore—and that’s a problem.
"An album costs about the same as two cups of coffee, and people still don’t want to buy it,” Rob says. “That’s part of the problem with the music industry today.”
He’s never been one to pirate music and takes pride in having supported artists his whole life.
“Even in the days of tape trading, I’d borrow CDs and copy them just to listen. But I never clicked a download button and stole music. Never.”
Life’s Too Short for Bad Coffee
Music might be his career, but coffee? That’s clearly his passion. Rob's deep dive into the world of craft coffee has taken him from espresso machines to boutique roasters.
“I love coffee. I drink it all day—morning, night, doesn’t matter,” he says. “I invested in a great espresso machine, and I won’t drink bad coffee. I’d rather have nothing than a bad cup.”
He’s currently working on launching his own coffee brand and has developed a ritual that includes frothing heavy cream to 100°F, pouring espresso over it, and sweetening it just enough with stevia or raw sugar.
“People call me soft for not drinking it black anymore—but life’s too short for bad coffee.”
Some of his favorite roasts? Stumptown’s “Hair Bender” blend and the iconic Café Bustelo in the yellow can—so much so that he now has it shipped to his home since his local store stopped carrying it.
The Making of MKUltra
Generation Kill’s latest album, MKUltra, didn’t begin as a concept record—but it evolved into one.
“About halfway through, I read the book Chaos by Tom O’Neill, and it changed everything,” Rob explains. “It shifted the lyrical direction. We started diving into themes of conspiracy, paranoia, and darker truths.”
The process wasn’t easy. COVID-related restrictions, long-distance collaboration, and limited rehearsal time forced the band to work mostly through email and digital files.
“It was a tough record to make, but I’m proud of it. Honestly, I think it’s the best thing I’ve done musically.”
One standout track, “A Life of Sin,” was inspired by a short story Rob wrote about a female serial killer—an angle rarely explored in metal lyrics.
What Keeps Him Going
So what continues to drive someone like Rob Dukes?
“I’m always raising the bar on myself. I’d be doing music even if no one listened,” he says. “Music has been part of my life since I was a kid, and I still want to grow and be better.”
He acknowledges the sacrifices—time, stability, relationships—but remains committed to pushing himself with each new project.
“This is the bar now. Next time, I want to go above it. It’s hard, but that’s what makes it worth doing.”
On Exodus and Moving On
Rob still holds great respect for his time with Exodus, particularly for the band’s original frontman Paul Baloff.
“Paul only did one record, but it was iconic. He had that punk edge, and he just made things up as he went along. That raw energy became Bonded by Blood, one of the greatest metal albums ever.”
But don’t expect Generation Kill to perform Exodus material anytime soon.
“We’ve never played an Exodus song. Generation Kill is its own thing. If we ever did one, it’d be ‘No Love’ or ‘Money’—those are my favorites.”
On Family in the Band
Generation Kill recently brought in bassist Max Velez, brother of longtime guitarist Jason Velez. The decision was seamless.
“We parted ways with our old bass player, and Max was the first and only person I called. He’s an amazing bassist, songwriter, and producer. Both he and Jason have really helped shape this band into what it is today.”
“We’re not just a garage band anymore. We’re professional musicians now—and we’re proud of it.”
Whether he's refining the perfect espresso or writing the next great metal record, Rob Dukes approaches life with intensity, humility, and purpose. And if his latest work is any indication, he's far from finished.
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
Want more? Follow Generation Kill on their Website, Spotify, Facebook and catch them when they come to your town.
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