As much as you think it might be an easy task, it’s not always that simple to showcase new, up-and-coming artists. We mean, usually when it comes to these things if you aren’t familiar with the artist’s name, what’s going to make you click on our story versus The Top 10 C-List Celebrities Who Still Live With Their Mom? Yeah, not always that simple.
However, putting all doubts aside, we’re going to do our best to start highlighting emerging bands we believe in. Bands that stand out against the tiring monotony of our music scene. You know, bands like New Jersey’s acid rock and psychedelic outfit Super Snake.
Putting together an image of what rock music used to represent, Super Snake’s brand of throwback riffs and bitchin vocals is a sonic trip from beginning to end, especially on their latest LP Leap of Love which apparently was recorded with Kevin Antreassian from the Dillinger Escape Plan in a haunted cabin in the middle-of-nowhere Virginia.
Now, doing our best to get to know Super Snake and discover what it is that got them started, we reached out to bassist/keyboardist Jesse Mariani for more info on the band. What we discovered is exactly what we thought, these dudes definitely get down to some Black Sabbath and may or may not be named after a Quentin Tarantino movie.
To check out our chat and essentially fall for the un-denying 70′s charm of Super Snake, see below. Afterwards, you can pick up Leap of Love here.
1) Where did you grow up? And was there a music scene where you grew up?
It was kind of split for us, Joe, Pete, Jerry and Nick were more part of the Northern New Jersey punk and hardcore scene. I was taking the Elizabeth Train into New York City to go to CBGB’s and the like to see bands like The Detachment Kit.
2) Who or what influenced you to start playing music?
My first musical love was the Doors, it was the only American record my dad owned being a Brazilian immigrant. The rest of the guys would walk to local punk venues to see local and touring acts at like 13 or 14.
3) How do you feel about the digital age? Do you feel it’s helped or hurt musicians?
Hurts, 100%. It’s hard these days to be a professional musician when a fan can just watch your set on YouTube instead of coming to your show. With that said, we do have a nice following of fans that have supported us through outlets like Bandcamp.
4) What have you learned since being in the music industry?
You have to be resilient and have a tough skin. You just have to keep going and block out all the noise. [Ed. note: Blocking out all the noise is great, just not, you know, The Noise aka us. ]
5) If you could collaborate with any artist of your choice who would it be?
David Lynch, not only do we love his films, but his records are amazing as well.
6) Are there any recent releases or performances that have inspired you?
The new Kendrick Lamar was mind blowing, and seeing Khruangbin live last month was a true experience.
7) If you could have one of your songs be on a TV show or movie of your choice what would it be?
We all love Tarantino and his film Death Proof so let’s go with that. Our band is named after a car in the end anyway.
8) What would you like to be remembered for? Musically or not.
The artistic aspect of our releases – not conforming to the mainstream expectations of the music industry.
9) If you could be a fly on the wall for any artist during their writing sessions who would it be?
Tom Waits. How the fuck do you write the songs he puts out?! I even have a Tom Waits tattoo and got to meet him on a flight coming home from LA.
10) Three bands or artists that would be your dream to tour with?
Queens of the Stone Age because we all have a crush on their sound guy Hutch, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds so we can have tea with Warren Ellis and Sabbath since let’s face it, Iommi is the father of us all.
11) The best thing currently on YouTube is?
Black Sabbath’s live set from Paris in 1970. It’s on loop at our studio.
12) Best piece of advice anyone has given you?
Do what you love, don’t get old.
