Helena Cos of Spider Rockets Opens Up About “Casual Violence,” Being Bossy, and Her Creative Process

Rock outfit Spider Rockets recently unveiled the music video, “Casual Violence.” According to vocalist Helena Cos, the song is about “the crap things we say and do that are not intentional and, maybe, are not realized at the time.”

Formed in New Jersey, Spider Rockets’ sound conjures up suggestions of bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC. Cos’ voice pushes out tones ranging from smooth and melodic to slicing and raspy as if channelling the Roman god Janus.

Spider Rockets have shared the stage with Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Framing Hanley, Trapt, Saving Abel, and Tantric, along with performing at festivals such as Popcomm and Vans Warped Tour.

V13 spoke with frontwoman Helena Cos to discover more about Spider Rockets, their writing process, and how she got started in music.

What three things can’t you live without?

Helena Cos: “Air, water, food, sleep, and music. That’s five, but who’s counting? We definitely need the first four to make music. Also, a most important #6 is a strong support network. Invaluable, necessary, and we are grateful to have it.”

What inspired your new single/music video, “Casual Violence?” 

“It’s the nasty things people do to each other. The crap things we say and do that are not intentional and, maybe, are not realized at the time. And the vicious things that we do purposefully, too. The song brings attention to all the ugliness and calls it out.”

Where and when did Spider Rockets first get together?

“Johnny and I started the group in New Jersey. I auditioned for his band, didn’t get the gig. We started writing together and eventually put together a duo, that expanded to a full band in the early 2000s.”

Artwork for the single “Casual Violence” by Spider Rockets

Who is in the band, and which instrument do they play?

“I am the lead vocalist. Johnny Nap plays lead guitar, Dan Prestup plays drums, and Brian Caskey plays bass guitar.”

How does the band operate? Does everyone have a say, or is it more like a benevolent dictatorship?

“A little of both. I am bossy, but everyone is pretty vocal, and we manage to reach a compromise most of the time. Other times, I tie them up and flog them in the basement of our practice space until they give in.”

How did you get started in music?

“I started playing the violin when I was seven years old and performed throughout school in the orchestra. I also was part of a school vocal ensemble and took part in the school musical productions.”

If you had to describe your sound to the uninitiated, what would you say?

“A two-fisted rock whirlwind.”

What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, or other media?

“All of the above, and I read a lot. Mostly fiction, and my favorite genres are thrillers, suspense, and horror.”

What can you share about your writing process?

“For a start, I record and save lyric ideas in my phone and a bunch of notepads. Johnny saves riff ideas, also. The two of us get together, talk about what we are aiming to do with a song, and I’ll pick through my lyric ideas to get a start. When we have the basic ideas for a verse and maybe another part, we bring it to the rest of the band, and everybody adds their ideas and parts.”

Helena Cos of Spider Rockets, photo by Matt Klingle

Which artists, in your opinion, are killing it right now?

“We recently went to a Five Finger Death Punch show. Love watching them live. Ivan is a great frontman. Shinedown puts on a killer show. The sound, the light show, incredible. We recently caught a live set by The Warning. Kick ass group that is fun to watch.”

How do you define success?

“Doing what you love.”

Looking back over the last few years, what have you learned?

“Patience and planning are so important.”

What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Music videos? Live gigs?

“More music videos are coming in the New Year. A new album by Spring 2023. And we are working on touring plans for 2023 as well.”