This isn't the first time the Observer has reached out to "VideoBob" Moseley. If memory serves, he popped up in the City of Ate blog when he took over Reno's Grill for a spell, with a pretty visionary menu of barfood taste sensations, lots of self-designed movie props (Moseley does them professionally) and metal memorabilia from his many years associated with all-things Pantera and their evolution.
See, Moseley has been doing videography, graphic art and more for the likes of Pantera, Damageplan, Hellyeah!, and drummer-for-all-of-the-above Vinnie Paul's own record label endeavour, Big Vin Records since its inception.
Oh, and by the way ... in addition to owning some amazing replica movie props, he has converted his DeLorean into a Back to the Future replica of the vehicle that vaulted Marty McFly through time. He recently popped up on Discovery Channel's Auction Kings, selling off another of his cool whips.
VideoBob's story is not a boring one, but he tells it better than I ever could.
So, how did you earn the nickname?
I starting videoing bands back in 1991, starting with the band Disciple, which later became Big Iron, out at the infamous Joe's Garage in West Fort Worth. They frequently opened for Pantera. I used to record any band I liked, for my own enjoyment. When I saw the movie Wayne's World I was inspired to start my own cable show and Underground Connection was born! I worked shitty jobs at gas stations and burger joints and on the weekends I shot videos at all the local clubs.
One of which was Club Mongo in Grand Prarie, around '93 or so, it was Mongo Smith who gave me the moniker. Up until then I was just "Robbie," what my Mom and friends had called me. Mongo sees me loading into his club one day and says "there's that video Robbie Bobby guy" at first it was sorta razzing, but it just morphed into "Videobobbie" and into "Videobob." It stuck. I have been "Videobob" now for 20 years.
Are your programs accessible on video sites?
I have uploaded tons of my old shows onto YouTube, if you simply search for "Videobob" you will find most of them. Otherwise, I have literally hundreds of cassettes here at the house that will all one day end up on the net ... somehow.
You've done some fine work for Big Vin Records and Hellyeah. What are some of your proudest accomplishments there??
I helped him polish off Dimevison -- That's The Fun I Have on DVD and Rebel Meets Rebel on CD. I mastered the printing of the discs, cover images, retail packaging, menus, booklets and a lot of other dumb shit like the barcodes. I remember Walmart had an issue with the Rebel flag on Rebel Meets Rebel and I had to make a separate version that was darker so it didn't stand out as much. We had to make an entire separate print of the record with a different barcode, booklet, censored songs, etc. just for them, but it was really satisfying to go into a major store like Best Buy or Walmart and see your stuff on the shelves.
I remember I was so proud of it I was going to get that barcode tattooed on my arm so I could ring myself up at the register! Thank goodness Bobzilla (Hellyeah Bassist and professional tattoo artist) talked me out of it! I would have to say my proudest moment of that project was seeing the music video I shot for Rebel Meets Rebel's "Nothin' to Lose" played on MTV. I remember literally getting choked up. It was something that I had dreamed about my whole life and it was awesome to see my work played each week on Headbanger's Ball.
How far back do you and the (Aboott/Pantera) brothers go?
I had known Vinnie and his brother for many years just because we all hung in that scene, going all the way back to those Power Metal days in clubs. I guess my work kept landing into Vinnie's hands via other artists that I did work for and he called me up one day and offered me a job at his record label. I miss your food menu! How did you end up whipping up amazing food at Renos Grill for a while?
Reno's was one of my favorite hangouts for many years. I used to love the Sunday night Karaoke, the vibe was cool, I could roll in there on my Harley and scoot out with a chick on the back as easy as pie whenever I wanted. My wife at the time didn't appreciate that so much, it was at Reno's that I was busted by her with my then mistress, Rachel. It was for the best, because I divorced her and married Rachel and I have never been happier!!! As part of my divorce, my ex had to pay me some equity on our properties and I also sold some of my assets which left me with a surplus of cash, I think I had about $75K and I wanted to do something cool with it. Since Reno's had been such a part of my life I decided to take over the resturaunt there and do something different. The previous owners had all failed miserably. I was the only guy to ever make a profit there.
Your food creativity made all the difference. Really good burgers, especially.
I had a lot of cool recipies like the "Black-Tooth Burger," inspired by Dimebag's favorite shot of whiskey and cola. I would douse the burger with Canadian whiskey while I cooked it and then carmelized onions with cola on the grill, glued together with cheddar, it was perfect!!!
What was the one with peanut butter on the sandwich?
We had a Thai inspired Chicken-Peanut-Butter sandwich called the "Whiz-Bang." It also had a BLT on it with some Thousand Island on a grilled sourdough. It was a hit!! We had a lot of celebrities and bands stop in, but mostly fans of Dimebag who came to enjoy the BLACKTOOTH and oogle my collection of gold record plaques and photos of my favorite celebrities I have met. After Rachel and I worked ourselves to death for almost a year, we decided to sell it for a profit to someone else.
It didnt take long to notice the ownership change after you split. There's not even a restaurant there now, huh?
The new guy came in and changed everything, dumped my recipes ... he was out of business in three months. The restaurant is now closed and that section of the building has been turned into an apartment by the building owner.
What kind of a kid/student were you?
I was a geek. I had zero friends as a kid. I stayed in my room and listened to comedy albums and "Weird Al" Yankovic. I built models, played with toys and recorded skits on my tape recorder. I was raised by people like George Carlin and Sam Kinison.
Local music all-time faves?
Pantera/Hellyeah, Disciple/Big Iron, Drowning Pool, Aligator Dave, LeCure, Thin White Dukes, Spazmatics and a guy they call "Bearcat" who sings karaoke at the San Fransico Rose on Greenvile. Simply amazing!
Your info says you are still involved with Big Vin Records. True? What's the label up to as of late?
Not much happening in the world of BVR lately. ... Vinnie is consumed with Hellyeah and touring their third album. The label was set up primarally to put out our own stuff. We did put out a project with some of the guys from Type-O-Negative called "SEVENTH VOID," but that's about it. I know Vinnie is working on a cookbook, Drumming up an Appetite that should release this Christmas ... we hope!!!
You've also lent a hand at Paul's world-famous Clubhouse. Any celebrity dirt from the crazy nights you'd care to share?
We have had a lot of celebrity guests come through and I am usually the concierge to these guys. I can't mention names, but there has been a lot of hanky panky happen in the back seat of my car while I was giving a guest a ride back to his bus or hotel with his new lady friend. If my Magnum could talk.
