The Hotseat: Devin Peralta of Cobra Skulls
on February 5th, 2012Not too long to go until Cobra Skulls hit Australia in late March for the first time in support of their latest album ‘Agitations‘. As you’d know, they are teaming up with Dead To Me for a nine date dash around various parts of the country from Adelaide to Brisbane. ‘Agitations‘ was released last September via Fat Wreck / Shock and you can grab it on CD or Vinyl [Here]. We caught up with Devin from the band to take on our Hotseat questions this week. Expand this post to check out his answers and re-cap the tour dates. Tickets are on sale now.
Cobra Skulls - Iron Lung
THE BASICS
Name : Devin Peralta
Band : Cobra Skulls
Job In Band : Sing, play bass,
Website Address : cobraskulls.com
HOME
Hometown : San Luis Obispo, CA
Hometown is best known for : It’s college
Best venue in your hometown : SLO Brew
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : NOFX, Swingin Utters, Angry Amputees at Fippo’s Rollerrink (technically this was in Morro Bay)
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : at SLO Brew w/ Mad Caddies in 2007
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? Friends at school just wanting to play music.
How long has the band been going? Since 2005
Any particular story behind the name? We were just joking around with ostentatious names and thought it was too ridiculous to pass up.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Agitations. It is an in your face straight forward punk album that still has soulful, possibly experimental stuff for us, which to me, just means we’re trying new things.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Just being a part of this time in the punk/underground scene is amazing. It’s hard for me to say one thing has been a stand out achievement because it’s all related to just being a band that makes music that some people actually really care about and I think that’s the biggest achievement.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? The first instrument I ever seriously wanted to play was the banjo in the second grade, but my mom said I should learn piano and that was my first instrument. I can still play a little, but I used to be really good, really!
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? There’s too many, but I suppose to give an idea of what our sound is and where it comes from I’d have to say The Clash, Black Flag, The Cramps, Chuck Berry, The Ramones and more.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? We were called Limelight and then The Worst and we played some terrible style of “California Skate Punk” or something like that.
Most prized music related item you own? My Ernie Ball Big AL. It rules!
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? Taking care of everyday boring stuff, playing with my dog, riding my bike.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… I’m always excited when we’re going somewhere new and this tour is completely new, so I guess I look forward to the unknown and learning something.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… the overall stress of making sure everything is ready, ordered, shipped, arrived, in working order, won’t break down, works, makes sound – to me that’s it, I don’t even mind driving all day compared to that stress.
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Well, we don’t always get a rider so our must have is more like a would be stoked to have drinks and snacks of any kind, but if we could be picky we want beer, whiskey, fruit and veggies, or sandwich making materials
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? Europe is very hospitable to touring bands, the shows are usually great and traveling in Europe is amazing for Americans anyway, so to me, touring Europe is the best.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? Something recent, because it’s easier to remember.
Got a favourite song to play live? It’s always changing. Lately I’ve been liking to play Solastalgia.
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? Yes and hopefully they’re over. Haha!
Any pre-show rituals? Just warm up my voice and try to get the blood flowing. Drink two beers and a lot of water.
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? For Cobra Skulls the hardest thing is keeping our heads above water. We love this and that’s what makes us swim, not sink, but it’s hard been in a band that has to find work when you get off tour and make all the payments, but we manage and it’s still totally worth it.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? The last song that Banner Pilot played last night…..shit, I don’t remember what they closed with, but it was awesome, I swear!
Last album you acquired? Acquired!? Haha! That’s rich. The last album I bought was yesterday. I’ve had it since I live in the Basque Country years ago. It’s Klub Ska by Skalariak – awesome album by an awesome Basque ska band.
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Blitz – singles collection,
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? Deer Tick
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Touring and working on new material.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? That sounds like a lot of work. Ummm Sex Pistols cuz it would only be one album and every song is amazing.
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? Andrew Jackson Jihad because it would be totally different and great
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? The Clash
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? The Warfield in San Francisco
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? That new guy in Green Day because he’s playing with Green Day
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. NOFX and Against Me! They would totally help the draw.
PLUG TIME
Got any last words?
Agitations is STILL out and sounds just as good as it did last September!
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Agitations – Available now on Fat Wreck / Shock.
Buy CD or Vinyl online now [Here] with free postage.
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Chopdog, Bombshellzine & Street Press Australia presents..
DEAD TO ME and COBRA SKULLS
MARCH
28th – Enigma Bar, Adelaide [18+] w/ Lamexcuse, Hightime. Tickets from Oztix and Moshtix.
29th – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne [18+] w/ The Gun Runners, Lamexcuse. Tickets from Oztix, Corner Box Office and Northcote Social Club.
30th – ANU Bar, Canberra [18+] w/ Lamexcuse, Yoko Oh No. Tickets from Oztix and Ticketek.
31st – Annandale Hotel, Sydney [18+] (Chopfest IV) w/ Gay Paris, Totally Unicorn, Lamexcuse, The Gun Runners, Milhouse, Batfoot!, Homeward Bound & Billy Demos. Tickets from Oztix and Annandale Hotel.
APRIL
3rd – Yours & Owls, Wollongong [18+] w/ Lamexcuse, Last. Tickets from Oztix.
4th – Newcastle Leagues Club, Newcastle [18+] w/ Lamexcuse, Run Squirrel, Tired Minds. Tickets from Oztix and Big Tix.
5th – Pulse Nightclub, Central Coast [18+] w/ Lamexcuse. Tickets from Oztix.
7th – Beach House Tavern, Gold Coast [18+] w/ Lamexcuse, Trust and Fall, Averice. Tickets from Oztix. * Note Venue Change *
8th – Basement 243, Brisbane [18+] (Schooner Or Later) w/ Lamexcuse, Army Of Champions, Headaches, Dementia 13. Tickets from Oztix.
Tickets on sale now.
www.deadtomesf.com
www.cobraskulls.com
www.chopdogpromo.com
www.fatwreck.com
www.streetpress.com.au
