Jacob Deraps has lived every young guitarist’s dream. From viral Van Halen covers that exploded on YouTube to opening for Foreigner and Loverboy on one of Canada’s biggest stages, the 28-year-old is showing that true rock energy still belongs in 2025. Now, with his sophomore album Viva Rock N’ Roll, Deraps is proving he’s not just a guitar prodigy—he’s the black sheep keeping rock alive.
Watch the full interview here:https://youtu.be/vTulWcgNOMo
A Childhood Steeped in Rock
Raised in Quebec, Jacob’s earliest memories were filled with Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Toto, and Metallica. At 12, a video game—Guitar Hero—pushed him to pick up his dad’s guitar. What started as Metallica riffs quickly turned into an obsession with Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen.
Hear Jacob explain how a video game sparked his career:https://youtu.be/vTulWcgNOMo
From YouTube to Rock Royalty
His cover of Van Halen’s “Mean Street” went viral, and one legendary guitarist left a comment that changed everything. That connection led Jacob to a two-week festival in Montana and put him on the radar of the global Van Halen community.
Who was it? And how did that one video change his path? Jacob tells the story in the full interview.
Watch Jacob reveal his viral breakthrough:https://youtu.be/vTulWcgNOMo
A First Jam Unlike Any Other
When Jacob finally met drummer Josh Gallagher in person, they didn’t start in a basement or rehearsal room. Their first-ever jam together was on stage with one of the most legendary bands in rock history.
What song did they play, and how did it even happen?
Find out in the full interview: https://youtu.be/vTulWcgNOMo
Viva Rock N’ Roll: The Black Sheep Statement
The new album, released May 23, 2025, makes a bold statement. The artwork, hand-drawn by Jacob’s girlfriend, shows a lone black sheep facing a crowd of protestors holding signs like “Get a Real Job” and “Write Your Own Songs.”
“These are comments I see all the time,” Jacob admits. “But the black sheep is me saying—I don’t give a f***. It’s all about rock and roll.”
The record is full of variety—from sleazy riffs on “Animal Eyes” to the AC/DC swagger of “The Legend of Larrikin Laddie”, to a track that Jacob says plays like a full-on rock ‘n’ roll horror movie.
Jacob breaks down the album’s wild variety in the full interview:https://youtu.be/vTulWcgNOMo
Navigating Music in the Digital Age
Jacob doesn’t hold back on the state of today’s music industry. He talks about the struggle of chasing algorithms, why one video can hit a million views while the next tanks, and why he still trusts YouTube and Facebook for building a real fan base.
Hear Jacob’s unfiltered thoughts on today’s music industry:
What Comes Next
With Viva Rock N’ Roll now out, Jacob and Josh are eyeing bigger stages. Touring the U.S. is complicated, but Jacob is determined to make it happen.
From viral covers to Toto soundchecks, from haters to headline gigs, Jacob Deraps – guitars, lead vocals, and bass guitar and Josh Gallagher – drums and backing vocals are proving that rock’s black sheep can still shock the world.
Watch the full Metal Mayhem ROC interview for the stories only Jacob can tell:
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Visit Jacob’s official site → derapsofficial.com
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