"Spider Rockets are one of those groups that is easy to like, the musicianship is there, the songs are there and they aren't afraid to get out there and tour. You have to appreciate what the band has to offer." Torch, Rock and a Hard Place
“…we can’t pigeon-hole Spider Rockets as just another female fronted rock band. There are many that all sound alike. Not the case here… there’s touches of goth, hard rock, metal, punk and alternative. Will appeal to fans of Slunt, Lullacry, No Doubt, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Velvet Revolver and many, many more. You’re going to have to give ‘em a listen for yourself if you don’t believe me.” John Haseltine, Metal Warrants
"…these cats know how to rock out, and they ignited the audience with a BANG! Their encore ended up being a stirring rendition of The Beatles' Helter Skelter, and I swear the entire tent was rocking out harder than ever." Horror Channel.com review of Chiller Theater show in East Rutherford, NJ
“[Spider Rockets] continue to crank out the crunchiest, catchiest, most melodic, mean-riffed and caustic metal noize since L7 and Seven Year Bitch gave way to the likes of Sleater-Kinney, Audioslave and Mecca Normal.” Al Muzer, The Aquarian Weekly
“I find them to be very refreshing and identifiable: one huge thing needed for today’s music scene.” Wayne Klinger, Quintessence Metal Webzine
"Helena Cos contains all the angst and passion of Alanis Morrisette, except delivers it 100 times better. This New Jersey band will hit you like a sucker punch to the face and leave you begging for more." Gothic Vixen
About SPIDER ROCKETS (new CD available digitally NOW)
If you are looking for melodic yet powerful hard rock, you’ve come to the right place. With a new release under its belt, New Jersey’s Spider Rockets continues to wow audiences coast to coast with a dynamic live show and scream-a-long anthems. Comprised of band members Helena Cos on vocals, Johnny Nap on lead guitar, Bones Hackett on bass guitar and Dan Prestup on drums, the members of Spider Rockets are poised to take it to the next level with their latest offering, 2009’s ‘Spider Rockets.’ With sessions going down at Trax East in their home state and with Eric Rachel manning the boards, the group has issued unquestionably its strongest release to date – from both a compositional and performance standpoint.
“We spent more time devoting to songwriting - writing, rewriting and scrapping songs along the way,” explains Helena. “Also, we tried to make the most of the time used in the studio by being prepared and analyzing stuff beforehand. We had previously recorded on tape - this time, no tape and no recording live as a band. Every instrument was recorded separately, which allowed for much more precision, higher quality performances and better overall sound.” Bones voices this sentiment, as well. “This one has been well planned and thought out as a collaboration between the musicians and the engineer. Every song can hook you in just as much as the last. I don't feel like there is any filler content at all on this album.” Johnny adds “I think the quality of the recording and the music on this CD has taken us to a new place as a band and I’m very excited about it.” Dan agrees “it was a phenomenal experience working with Eric. I feel between us and him in the studio, some great stuff happened.”
As a result, there are several songs that are sure to soon be Spider Rockets classics, according to Helena. “I really like the chorus on the song ‘Kiss You Dead.’ It is strong and the subject: love and hate makes it compelling. ‘Disease’ has a catchy main riff—how it starts at beginning of the song, launches into the chorus and the energy that builds up to the end. ‘Let it Go’ has a twisting, flowing feel that pulls you in—it shows a different side of us, the guitar and bass bring this song to a different place with a cool Middle Eastern vibe. ’Power Tripping’ is about being bashed for being different – it slinks in, then rips into the chorus. ‘Everything’ is about chasing a dream and getting burned and beaten along the way.” Dan includes,“ ‘Everything’ has such a cool dark energy to it and I love the melody.” Helena continues “ ‘Anti-Hero’ is about addiction - stripped down and almost bare vocals – with a Hammond organ in the background for an added dimension. ‘Limited Time Only’ is about the perils of being a dreamer, ‘No Place to Hide’ is funky frenetic take on the wrath of rejection and ‘Predator’ is about greed.” Johnny adds, “Yeah, I really like ‘Predator’-- it has such a hypnotic verse that propels the song really well into a driving chorus.”
With rock music becoming increasingly difficult to categorize in this downloadable day and age, Bones offers his take on Spider Rockets’ place in the current topsy-turvy rock climate. “Spider Rockets fits in with rock in general better than trying to group it in with specific sub-genres. We've gained fans from every different kind of show we've played. I think it’s a new look at some older sounds that many might find intriguing and refreshing.” Helena adds, “There are so many different kinds of bands out there, so there’s plenty of room for all kinds of stuff. What stands out about us is we combine contemporary loud rock elements with a twist on classic rock, a few other styles thrown in and vocals that swing the gamut from bitchy to seductive.”
Like all notable bands, Spider Rockets is comprised of four distinct characters, which Bones was willing to analyze. “Helena is the aggressive gang leader with an elegant dark side, Johnny and Bones are like the sarcastic enforcers with an in your face attitude, while Dan is the technical driver with a definite appreciation for comedic relief. I feel like all of us portray a bit of a different personality though - on stage and in the music.”
With plans to tour extensively to support ‘Spider Rockets’ (“Fans can always expect a tight energetic show from us - simply put, we are in our element when on stage,” points out Bones), Spider Rockets is aiming to lure many a rock fan into its web.
you guys are awesome to see live! you guys are really a kick ass band. and your songs are amazing. and i met everyone of you guys and you all are really nice and cool to talk to. :)
