Triple Cobra Interview: SXSW 2010

Triple Cobra unapologetically embrace everything that is dirty, sexy and absolutely glamorous about 1970s-era glitter rock. Think cabaret-style feathers and fishnets, combined with the kind of audacious bravado that would make David Bowie blush. The San Francisco-based rock band are most known for their brazen, over-the-top antics sprinkled with the occasional shameless guitar solo or leather pant-clad stage split. Oh, and they can sing, too. Ready to strike for the second time at this year's SXSW, Triple Cobra frontman Attiss Ngoval told Spinner why Alicia Silverstone is awesome and why spaghetti wrestling is not.

How did you guys form the band?

I put it together in San Francisco with my favorite friends. We wanted to rock. And we do.

How would you describe your sound?

I like to describe it as epic trashy rock, but that's kind of bulls---, so let's just go with something people can understand: Queen meets Guns N' Roses meets 'Hedwig & the Angry Inch.'

Who are your musical influences?

I have a lot of influences because I really like music. And, like everyone, they're constantly changing. So here's what's been on my iPod nonstop lately: Julian Casablancas, Yeasayer, Massive Attack, Mastodon, Die Antwoord and Phantogram. Also lately, I've been really into this new genre of music my guitarist describes as 'gay workout music,' like La Roux and Dragonette. And I love classic British glam bands like T. Rex, Queen and Bowie, but that's too obvious.

How did you choose your band name?

Triple Cobra is a technique from an ancient Indian love manual [much like the Kama Sutra] which can only be achieved with three double-jointed people. It's wild.

Is this your first time playing SXSW?

This is our second trip to SXSW. We went last year and it was amazing. We met tons of cool people and Spin Magazine named us "Best Discovery" of the festival, so we're stoked to be back.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Four bottles of Jameson, one bottle of Soco 100 [only found in Texas], cowboy boots for everyone, jump rope [for fitness and bounciness], iPod dock for impromptu dance parties [to be returned to RadioShack shortly], fresh fruit and sunscreen.

What's the craziest thing you've experienced on tour?

On our last US tour, we played in St. Louis at the end of the first week on the road. Up until then, our agent had booked us in 300-500 seat venues, all very nice and professional houses. But for some reason, we ended up at a weird redneck dive bar on the wrong side of the tracks. Apparently it is where strippers hang out in their spare time. When we got there, we were terrified--there were a bunch of on-duty cops drinking at the bar, selling drugs in the kitchen, and molesting the various prostitutes that were employed there as "waitresses." We were a little road-weary and just wanted to take showers, but the shower in our dressing room was full of spaghetti from the spaghetti wrestling that had occurred the night before. We tore through half our set, collected our money and fled the scene immediately.

What's your guiltiest pleasure?

I don't really experience guilt, and certainly not in regards to pleasure. Pleasure is always good. Even when it's bad.

What was the first CD [or cassette tape] you ever bought?

On cassette, it was MC Hammer's 'Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em.' My first CD was Iron Maiden's 'Piece of Mind.' I had never heard the band, but I really liked the cover.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Alicia Silverstone. Not sure if it was those s----y Aerosmith videos or her starring role in 'Clueless,' but I still think about her sometimes and wonder what she's doing now. Hopefully she's single, washed up, and she has developed a fetish for younger, androgynous glam rock singers.

Tina Smithers is a Seed.com contributor. Learn how you can contribute here.