TRU ROCK REVIVAL
April 2024
Above Snakes
After years of living in the filth among shady, ego driven Villains, Johnny Skulls, and Dax Dabs decided they weren’t going to take it anymore. It was the dawn of a new day. Following orders and getting in line was now a way of the past. They packed their bags and made their way back to Boston, destined to rise above and create their own future...
Working with producer Kile Odell (Fozzy, Through Fire, Motionless in White), "Adrenaline" is the first chapter of the forthcoming EP by Above Snakes. Drawing on influences of Korn and Metallica, Above Snakes blends the hard rock of the past with the frantic energy of today's biggest active rock bands such as Papa Roach and Five Finger Death Punch.
By Jason Yarrow, September 24, 2020
Hi Guys! Welcome to our "On the Climb" interview segment of Tru Rock Revival Magazine. These are fast paced "Russian Roulette" style questions to introduce you and your music to new fans. So, Let's get it moving!
TRR: What is the origin of your band’s name? What are some other names you tossed around before settling on your current band name?
Johnny Skulls: Above Snakes is an old western term. Means above ground and living. But it also means that we have separated ourselves from shitty ego driven villains while rising above and creating our own future!
TRR: How did all of you meet? Any interesting stories here?
Johnny Skulls: Dax and I met about 15 yrs ago. My band at that time had just broken up and through a mutual photographer friend I found out that Dax’s band needed a drummer for a tour in like 5 days. So I went over to his house met the band, played a few songs and then we basically jumped in the van and drove all the way out to Seattle to start the tour. After that tour ended We both pursued other ventures for a while. Fast forward a bunch of years and I get a call from Dax saying he needed a change of scenery. I was living out in LA at the time and had an extra room So he decided to move out to my spot. That’s ultimately where the idea of AS was born! About a year after that we moved back to Boston to our roots to get this new band off the ground!
TRR: How would you classify your music? (rock, hard rock, metal, post-grunge, southern rock, etc.)
Johnny Skulls: I’d say we can be classified as active rock/hard rock with a lil nu-metal vibe.
TRR: Over the past few decades, rock music has been the “red headed step-child”, rarely even mentioned on award shows like the Grammys, which has become very irrelevant. Do you feel that rock is starting to climb the ladder again?
Johnny Skulls: I think it’s bullshit!! Rock is like a cockroach haha. Can’t kill that shit! It definitely hasn’t gone anywhere, but it also hasn’t been able to hit the masses like it once did. Many say it won’t ever be like it was but I disagree. I do feel like it’s making its way back up that ladder and I’m excited to see how high we get!!
TRR: Who are some of your musical influences?
Johnny Skulls: Metallica, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Papa Roach, Motley Crue, Guns N' Roses!
TRR: How do you write your songs? Is it a collaborative effort?
Johnny Skulls: it’s usually a collaborative approach. Dax and I are always writing together, and we are always down to collaborate with other like minded people as well.
TRR: What would be your dream show?
Johnny Skulls: A spot on a Danny Wimmer festival with a bunch of dope bands and some idol headliners like Metallica and Korn!
TRR: What has been your craziest fan interaction?
Johnny Skulls: To be determined!! Were Brand New!! Lookin forward to the crazy tho!!
TRR: What’s on the table for the rest of the year?
Johnny Skulls: We want to get on the road as soon as it’s safe... but until then we are planning to roll out a couple more singles before our EP release early next year.
TRR: Is there anyone you’d like to give a shout out to or thank you to?
Johnny Skulls: Shout out to the naysayers and non-believers!!
For further information about Above Snakes, visit them on Facebook.