Along Came a Great Band

Helena Cos is making a convincing case as one of today’s rising hard rock singers. Cos, the vocalist for Hazlet-based Spider Rockets, shines on the band’s new release, “Along Came a Spider.” The album, released last month, is full of infectious hard rock vocal and instrumental hooks on excellent tracks like “Sick,” “Rip Your Heart Out” and “Come to Me.”

Cos belts out the songs with attitude, confidence and power, while the band provides musclar, knock-out grooves. Think AC/DC mixed with Metallica, Godsmack and even some Stevie Ray Vaughan. In addition to Cos, the band includes guitarist Johnny Nap, drummer Dale Whitaker and bassist Jimmy Mui.

We spoke with Helena Cos:

Q. “Along Came a Spider is the band’s fifth album. Where does it stand in the Spider Rockets pantheon?

A. Each of our albums is an evolution. It represents where we’re at at the time and we try to do new things and not stay in our comfort zone. On “Along Came a Spider” we worked with our producer Dan Malsch as producer and it was our first time working with him. His approach was different from what we’ve done before, which was good in pushing our music to a new level. We used a lot of resources we didn’t have available five or 10 years ago. We embrace using new technology.

Q. The first song on the album, “Rip Your Heart Out,” hits hard. The riffs and your vocal attitude remind me of classic AC/DC.

A. Everybody pulls from different places musically. In general AC/DC is huge for us but so are bands like Metallica, Godsmack and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Then we’re influenced by Queen and Kiss for the more bombastic songs. But we also have our own musical identity.

Q. Your songs are by turns dark and bright lyrically. What inspires your lyrics and how you sing each song?

Different dramas and crazy things and a lot of times they're great sources to get material from. I think the whole idea for each song is when you are singing to bring the song to life. “Rip Your Heart Out” is a little bit of a narrative. It tells the story of these two characters who are flawed. One is manipulative, one has his own issues and it’s about how they’re fighting and romantic at the same time. In general for all the songs there's a little bit of anger in there but a bit of humor and sarcasm too.

Q. “Along Came a Spider” includes a great cover of Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker” that just drips with attitude. What made you choose to do that tune?

A. It’s really weird. She’s not necessarily someone who was a huge influence on us but it’s a great song that we felt fit with the album musically and its lyrical themes. I don't think anyone has really done this one. We don't want to do a song that’s been beaten to death.

Q. How did you come to be a rock singer?

I started being really into musicals and playing violin at 7. My mom was very arty and my being exposed to a lot of art and music was really important to her and I took advantage of all that. In the beginning I loved watching musicals on TV. I loved Doris Day, Barbara Stresisand, even Shirley Temple. You’d be put in this fantasy world.

But you ould get a little too much of that after a while. I branched out and started listing to and singnig the blues. I love Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald and Big Moma Thornton, and then Janis Joplin. The way they interpreted songs. The grit. They totally belted it out. I also love Amy Winehouse and Sia, who I think has a lot of texture in her voice.

Q. Spider Rockets have already achieved some milestone moments, like having your music licensed by WWE and going on the Warped Tour. What’s next for the band?

A. We’re really concentrating on sharing “Along Came a Spider.” We can’t wait to tour. We love the album and we’re really excited about it.