[mind_drummer]

Ok here's a copy of the reply from Bobby

So let's cut right to the chase.....
I'm the one who posted the bulletin on MySpace and in forums . I am artist relations for Rockett Drum Works. My name is Bobby Gibb. Some of you may remember me as the drummer for Bang Tango. Rikki Rockett is one of my best friends.

I've been involved with Rikki's company Rockett Drum Works since the beginning, and he was a partner in Chop Shop Drum Co. until the flood gates opened. Long story short, we uncovered Brian Cocivera embezzling company funds and having a seperate account directly linked to PayPal and his bank account. He was doing business behind Rikki's back unbenounced to him , and using Rikki's name as bait. He even sold all of the drums from the NAMM booth last year and skated with all the money. When Rikki and I found out we contacted lawyers and business managers and dissolved the partnership on the spot. He took Rikki for alot more as we investigated further. Brian Cocivera is now sole owner of Chop Shop Drum Co. ,since the beginning of 2006,and in writing stated he would repay all monies to ALL parties, and honor all drum kits that had deposits received by himself. PayPal, checks, and money orders from a slew of States in America, UK, and Sweden that we are aware of so far. He even took money from the recently deceased Ricky Parent of ENUFF Z'NUFF, and never delivered a kit. A guy in his last days on earth, dying of cancer, was victimized by this guy! No monies never touched the REAL Chop shop account.
Last year I put a press release out about this to let the world know Rikki had nothing to do with it, and we wanna find these drummers and help them. We could've shined it and moved on. But we have hearts. I remember a time when I saved every penny to get my dream kit. Well so did a few of these drummers.The response was amazing and we found over 20 drummers so far. Each of them in good faith plopped down an average of 3 grand. Brian was using Rikki's good name and reputation to talk the money right out of their accounts. So that's where Rikki's name ties in with this fiasco, but he has no involvement. Most of the drummers we found are now on board with us, or we are helping them with their cases. Some as artists.
I'm not going to get into all the logistics,(we have an investigation and litigation pending), but I was just trying to bring awareness to all of you so it won't happen to any of you. Brian is a true con artist, and a pretty good one. He had alot of people fooled and was pretty good at covering it up. Rikki never had reason to doubt Brian, as Brian had his own company for a while prior to approaching Rikki about a partnership. At the time, everything checked out, but we all know different now. Two former partners of Cocivera's contacted us, and their stories were uncanningly similar. why they didn't act against him, we're not sure.
Cocivera had the oddasity to show up at NAMM last Sunday. We were tipped off. Myself, Rikki,and 5 of the victimized drummers confronted him. I was the first to look him in the eye and walk up to him. The look on his face was priceless! We wanted to beat his ass to a pulp, but couldn't for legal reasons of course. That was the most frustrating part. He was trying so hard to lie his way out of everything. right to our faces! He looked like he s**t himself! NAMM corporate and Anaheim police got involved and we all made an official report. He was removed from the show floor and ecsorted out. At the time we had no evidence in hand of his felony activity, so the police let him go. We were more than pissed!
The drum community is a very tight one and I'd like to think we all look out for one another. Guys like Brian Cocivera hurt business for the smaller companies really trying to bring something cool to the drum world and make an honest living. And create mistrust.
That's why I put out another bulletin and said to REPOST IN FORUMS! This guy needs to be behind bars!

P.S. The previous posted info on this thread Cocivera's illustrious career is fabrication. we found out later he also claimed to be the drummer for Avril Levigne, Firehouse,The Cromags, He never toured, ever. Only when he was employed by Poison as a personal assitant. On the tour, the running joke about him was they called him "R2"(short for Rikki 2) or Maxi Me due to his obesity. He was trying to look like Rikki Rockett evryday of the tour, from hair,clothes,and was acting like he was the drummer of Poison. Very creepy! Maybe he toured bars locally in Phoenix. He also claimed to be a narcotics agent in Boston. We had him investigated by a private investigator, and police detectives.He was never a cop, or touring drummer. I've seen him play drums, and with the experience he claims to have, he would be a much better player than what I've heard. It was at beginning level at best. Brian Cocivera is an imposter. He also said he was the drummer for New Kids On The Block when I first met him. That turned out to be an elaborate lie as well of course. With his age 31, the time line didn't add up, and Cocivera wasn't a black man as was New Kids drummer. A friend of mine is a clinical psychologist and believes Cocivera is a sociopath along with being a pathological liar. This is how he is able to charm his way into peoples bank accounts.
So Rikki and I feel we need to let people know this guy is out there. He is a con artist, farud, and criminal. And thank you for inviting me to this thread to inform you that yes, this guy exists...... and is NOT in jail yet! We are aggressively working on that!


Well wishes and regards,
Bobby Gibb