Robert Nielson

Robert Nielson aka "Dr. Bob" was the original guitarist for The Vindictives. He met Vindictives' vocalist Joey Vindictive in 1990 after answering an ad that Joey had posted in a local Guitar Center. Bob was an odd choice. Already in his late '30s, he had a career in the medical field (hence the nickname Dr. Bob) and a family, was a novice guitarist and had never played in a band. However, Joey was impressed by Bob's eagerness and his thick mustache, very uncool for a punk rocker at the time, and the two hit it off right away. Bob would remain in the Vindictives until 1994, by which time Bob's long-time substance abuse problems had led to his leaving the band. Unfortunately, these problems would ultimately get the best of Bob, as he was found dead of a heroin overdose in February, 2003.