Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Hey, there. Why so glum? What's that? You say music's not fun anymore; it lacks the chutzpah and rebellion that made rock 'n' roll so trashy? And you wish someone would, just once, take you forcibly by the shirt collar and shake you, screaming "YEEOORRGGGGHH" into one ear while punching you in the other? Interesting. And you also wonder what would have happened if Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmister were two badass outlaw cops being chased by cute, frantic, teenaged girls with shotguns while riding in one of those foppish motorcycles with a sidecar and driving off a cliff, then landing in a nuclear power plant, where their brains tragically melded into one? Weird! Because that's kind of what listening to AC Cobra's self-titled EP is like. The CD has only five songs, but in the span of about ten minutes, this Fort Lauderdale four-piece delivers a one-two punch of sludge and vitriolic fuzzed-out rock with a crotch kick of late '70s metal. And guess what else? For a CD as straight-up dirty and raw as this one, it's also damn catchy! Songs like "Gonzo," "Hiss," and "Jezebel" are guaranteed to get stuck in your head as easily as, say, "Invisible Touch" by Genesis or "Rio" by Duran Duran. Yeah. Just try to get those songs out of your head now. -- Audra Schroeder
newtimesbpb.com | originally published: February 26, 2004
- New Times Broward edition
Sun 8/3
When you think of local music, you can't help but imagine a group of session musicians banging out watered-down Matchbox 20 covers to a crowd of indifferent onlookers and one drunk guy who can't stop howling and raising his Budweiser in a perennial toast. But a rebirth of sorts in South Florida's music scene in the past year has washed over the C-list pap with a potent combination of tight musicianship and pure rock 'n' roll swagger. It's only fitting that a band like AC Cobra would be one of the glaring few on a short list that has raised eyebrows in recent months. Even though it has no recorded material to its credit, the band has garnered a rabid, devoted fan base in a short span of time built solely on its quick, no-frills live shows.
Think Stooges and AC/DC in a head-on collision, bandaged in T-Rex glam and punk vitriol, and perhaps you've nailed AC Cobra's tunes on the proverbial head. The quartet keeps an ever-expanding set list, even though the shows still last barely a half hour, and it's the presentation that promises continued success. These guys have matured from doing Ramones covers to creating uncompromising balls-to-the-wall rock you rarely witness in our humid neck of the woods. Tim, Rus, Tyson, and Chris (vocals, guitar, bass, and drums, respectively -- no surnames necessary) thrive on inciting rowdiness for the sake of a good time, which usually includes most of the band ending up rolling on the floor with its equally raucous audience. "The more people move, the better," lead screamer Tim explains. "I can't stand it when people just stand there and look at their shoes. Rock 'n' roll is a contact sport." They've already shared bills with such national notables as L.A.'s The Bronx and various local heroes including the Heatseekers, Trapped by Mormons, and the Creepy T's. Beware of flying singers and wet floors when AC Cobra plays the Poor House (110 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale) with Another Day Ruined. Show starts at 11 p.m. Call 954-522-5145. -- Kiran Aditham
- New Times Broward
Bio
Birthed to a 2 headed Dragon in the summer of 2002, Ac Cobra are the antitheses of pretentious rock outfits that seems to be plaguing this ball of gas we inhabit.
The four of us hail from different areas of this fine country, but we all landed in the southern tip of the Sunshine State.
We’re a Rock n’ Roll band the likes of which have been on the endangered species list for years. More interested in inciting riots at our shows, then watching people take in their footwear. Our goal is to erupt on every stage in the world , and to take our loyal friends and subjects to the brink of madness with the Evil Powers of Rock n’ Roll. There is truly nothing like the chaos we have a tendency to subject people to, but don’t take our word for it. Check us out for yourself.
People seem to equate our music with bands such as Guns and Roses, Motley Crue, AC/DC, Refused and Black Flag. These are all fair comparisons, and we feel lucky to be mentioned along side such monsters of musical mayhem. However, we are Ac Cobra, there’s no one like us, and their never will be.
We’ve played a metric ton of shows in this great country of ours, and have plans only on expanding the fervor that is Ac Cobra. In our travels (or theirs) we’ve met some amazing like minded bands such as the Bronx, the Vagiants, Viva La American Death Ray Music, Fleshies, Black Lips, My Chemical Romance and the Tyrades.
In closing, if you made it this far in our bio, thanks for sticking around. We would be happy to share a beer, smoke a lucky and shoot the shit if you’re available. We always find the room in the schedule for a good time. And remember we love you , so please, love us ,love is what we are all about....
An outside opinion.
*insert clever title here*
(AC COBRA REVIEW)
by: Deedee
Closer Magazine
With crunchy guitar riffs, pounding drum beats, and high-pitched growls, they assault the senses. Rudely announcing their presence like some boisterous drunk in a bar, AC Cobra takes command of the stage; they push their audience headfirst into a chaotic blend of angst and alcohol-soaked reveries, eliminating any trace of pretension.
AC Cobra, known for its high-energy, volatile performances, offers more on stage than your usual local act.
Gathering metal, punk, and thrash influences, the band exudes a slightly violent, yet fun recklessness. AC Cobra’s performances reek of adrenaline-filled hedonism; they worship the dirtiest and rawest element of rock and roll.
The band smashes inhibitions and demands not only the audience’s attention, but also its participation. “Lead screamer” Tim Moffatt leans on and suddenly grabs audience members, making sure their bodies exchange not only sweat, but also an intoxicating energy. Limply throwing his body across the stage and sometimes onto spectators, he howls wildly, ironically finding his power and appeal in his near indecipherability.
With influences such as Black Flag, Motley Crue, Foreigner, and of course AC/DC, the band understands the importance of matching the power of their music with the power of their performances.
"Everything will get broken at an AC Cobra show,” said drummer Chris Maggio. “I go apeshit. I punch the drums and head butt the cymbals… Because rock and roll is a contact sport; you're at war with your instruments.”
Perfectly capped in the hard-hitting songs “Jezebel” and “Thunderpants,” AC Cobra’s charm and unbridled aggression force its listeners to soak in the music’s message – to ass-shake, party, scream, and fist-pump – to truly “let loose” and have fun.
“We like to call what we play rock and roll,” said Moffatt, "and rock and roll is just about being young, stupid, and sometimes drunken."
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