Hot Snakes Mini Interview (playing I'll Be Your Mirror USA)

Thursday 16th August, 2012



Today we present the second in a series of mini interviews with artists performing at I'll Be Your Mirror USA in New York City this September. Tickets for the event running September 21-23rd at Pier 36, Manhattan are on sale now. Hot Snakes play Sunday 23rd curated by ATP...

Name Of Band: Hot Snakes

Hometown: San Diego, Philadelphia, New York.

Year Formed: 1999

Bio: Hot Snakes formed in 1999 when John and Jason got together to record a few songs with nothing more in mind than fun and possibly a limited release project record.  After basic tracks were completed, they enlisted Rick to sing on the record.  Somebody had to, vocals being a necessary thing, and he was known to them.  When it became apparent  later that there was enough demand to go out and play live, they brought in Gar, normally a guitar player, to play bass guitar.   Bass guitar, an instrument not to be found anywhere on the first record, was the only practical way to replicate the keys that supply the bowel-jiggling low end on the first and second records.  Then the name:  John wanted to call the band Hot Snakes as an allusion to some sort of mysterious snake eating street they have in Taiwan which accommodates a sort of snake eating tradition they have there, which made sense to all, so they did.   The record was called "Automatic Midnight" and was released by Swami Records in conjunction with Long Gone John's now infamous Sympathy For The Record Industry label.  It was BIG hit with a FEW people and that initial shot provided them with enough momentum to sustain the band for 6 years and three studio records, one live one, and even a Peel Session - maybe the last one ever.  Mario 'Machaca' Rubalcaba joined for the third, "Audit In Progress", the Peel Session, and the live record "Thunder Down Under" when Jason took ill in the early 'oughts.   Jason got better, and is doing quite well.  Now, after a good 6 years, they're back.  Not a proper reunion - this author believes you need to be gone for ten years at least for that - but, perhaps, a rekindling.  A thawing.  Something poetic along those lines.  Happy to be playing rock n roll and seeing the world as it is once more. 

RICK FROBERG:

What are the most recent activities of your band?

Live shows in US, Europe, Australia.

How do you feel about being picked by ATP and how excited are you about playing the event?

Great.  Very happy to be asked.

What else will you be doing whilst you are in New York for this event?

Running around dealing with shit.

What's your most memorable NY show (if you've played one)?

Hrrm.  Um...  Uh...

If you were curating name three bands you would pick to play your event:

Painted Willie, Tom Trocolli's Dog, DC3.

What record are you currently listening to more than others?

Wau y Los Arrrghs, "Cantan en Español".

If you could pick one record for ATP fans to listen to, which would you chose?

Rev. Fred Lane, "From the One That Cut You"

JOHN REIS:

What are the most recent activities of your band?

An occasional romp here and there. last , we were sighted in new jersey.

How do you feel about being picked by ATP and how excited are you about playing the event?

really cool feeling all over my body. my cock is ready to explode.

Are there any other currently confirmed bands you are excited about seeing?

i am excited to see them all. they are all fantastic. if there is any weak spot on the bill, it's probably us.

What else will you be doing whilst you are in New York for this event?

it's gonna be a short trip. hopefully i will have time to occupy ground zero.

What's your most memorable NY show (if you've played one)?

contrary to what most people say, New York is actually a pretty cool place. playing New York is always a total gas.

If you were curating name three bands you would pick to play your event:

Ivy Green, Neu!, The Nerves

What record are you currently listening to more than others?

Mrs. Magician "Strange Heaven".  it's a summer thing

If you could pick one of your records for ATP fans to listen to, which would you chose?

i would suggest playing a couple seconds from each record and then let them decide for themselves which one they prefer to purchase.

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