The Band Cockpit what could be the hottest thing on the music scene to come around in years. They have a great beats, and a rocking sound not heard on FM radio stations in years and they will be performing at Rocklahoma 08; the largest Rock Music Festival in the United States to hit in years. What sets them apart from most Rockin’ bands, they are compromised of an all female lineup! Pretty much unheard of in Rock N’ Roll! A few years ago the airways where filled with an array of female megastars playing music, with backing bands; but that was during the Bubble Gum Pop Music scene. Today, fans are yearning for the harder hitting beats of the 80’s, music you can dance around to, bang your head, and remember the catchy hooks; but most of the emerging bands are compromised of all males. The women of Cockpit prove women can and do rock out just as hard and proficiently as any man can!
Band Members:
Linda Lou / lead vocals guitar, Rachael Rine /drums, Terrii Kiing / bass and Alicia Blo / lead guitar
AAM: It is just great that you are all young females who grew up during the grunge period of the 90s, yet you love 80s arena and glam rock. Why did you gravitate towards this particular music, and not the music of most of your 20 something peers? As teens in the early to mid 90s, did you listen to this music behind closed doors, when it was so clearly out for many groups, or did you embrace this music and music of the 90s like grunge, to fully round your music taste?
COCKPIT: Rock music that was popular in the '80s was all about having fun. With only a few exceptions, it created a party atmosphere. The sound was huge. You can really get lost in music like that. To quote Mick Mars, "It was the calling of the wild," but to be more accurate, we just love rock and roll – ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. A good song is a good song.
AAM: The way the band got together is not the norm, kids growing up together playing together for years; explain exactly how you got together, and how the universe seemingly wanted the four of you together?
COCKPIT: The right time at the right place brought Linda and Rachael together. Terrii found us through an ad Linda posted on www.cragslist.org, it read, "We like Judas Priest and you should too!!!" After a few years and a few failed attempts to squeeze the wrong lead guitarist into the right hole, we finally met Alicia. I guess lightening does strike!
AAM: You all work so great as a team, but the vibe is more of sisters or family, how long after getting together did you feel that vibe and connection?
COCKPIT: It was an instantaneous connection, and the bond has solidified more and more over time. We all couldn't be happier with each other and what each of us brings to the band.
AAM: You are the only all female rock band, with influences from all the 80’s arena and glam rock bands, you don’ feel the separation of a “Boys Club” but just feel the music, who influenced your early lives musically and at home, that made you all say let’s go for it?
COCKPIT: Our families all played a big part. Rachael's parents raised her on rock ‘n’ roll and Linda's older siblings are responsible for introducing her to many great metal bands from the ‘80s. Each one of us had specific bands that really influenced us. Skid Row sealed the deal for Rachael and Linda still can't get enough Judas Priest; “Appetite for Destruction” changed Terrii's life and she learned a lot listening to bassists like John Paul Jones (of course) and Brian Wheat.
AAM: What is the process you go through, when creating your music, do you all work arrangements and lyrics together, or sometimes just come to the so called “party” with music you made on your own, and work together to add to it?
COCKPIT: I think that if we went through the same exact process with every song, we'd get the same song every time! But our songs usually start with an idea for a riff or a chord progression which we collectively build a song around. There's a team effort on everything. Linda wrote all of her lyrics on this EP, but that could change next time around. We're always open to any method of working together.
AAM: you all have various amounts of training and different kinds; some have learned to play be ear or feel, a great mix of knowledge meeting natural ability. Has this helped the band blend the two to heighten the experience of song making for all of you?
COCKPIT: Our differing musical backgrounds certainly contribute to our songwriting; our different types of training teach you to think in different ways and lead you to create different musical ideas and solutions. All four of us are very unique individuals who blend together in an awesome way, not just musically, but personality-wise too.
AAM: Where will Cockpit be going musically and personally on your first full length Cd? When do you think we will have it?
COCKPIT: More hard-driving straight-ahead rock.
AAM: When do you believe you may be recording a full length CD?
COCKPIT: We're not sure yet. We're really focused on getting out and touring this summer with our debut EP Mission To Rock, but we're always working on new material and do want to get back into the studio as soon as possible.
AAM: So many of the bands just getting their name out, and gaining a following sell their music on ITunes or through their own pages, Can fans expect you to start making you present Ep to the public? The songs are great, and with the Arena rock feel, you would probably do well, or are you waiting to do that for a Cd?
COCKPIT: Of course they can - that's why we recorded it! CDs, shirts, buttons, stickers, etc – they’re all there for everyone.
AAM: Is Glam Rock coming back?
COCKPIT: In our opinion, "glam rock" never left. It's a culture and an attitude as much as it is a genre of music. It's just more prevalent in the media now!
AAM: You are going to Rocklahoma, though not signed to any stage two label, How excited where you when you found out, and what sense of pride do you feel knowing you are just one of 3 or 4 bands with female leads, or all female band members?
COCKPIT: We're all extremely excited and very proud, not because we are some of the only women on the bill, but because we've worked long and hard to get our band to this point. It's going to be a kick ass weekend and we can't wait to be a part of it.
AAM: Will you be uncovering any new songs at Rocklahoma?
COCKPIT: You can count on it!
AAM: You were born in New Jersey then moved to Philadelphia as a kid; at what age did you decide to leave the East Coast and head west to Los Angeles? Or did you stop in NYC like so many singers from the east would tend to gravitate to first?
COCKPIT- Linda: I've pretty much always wanted to live in LA. Winter is not so much my thing, and I love NYC, but I figured if you're going to be a starving artist, you might as well do it where there are palm trees. I was growing more restless by the minute in Philadelphia. I miss so many friends and family members there, but moving to LA had always been my plan.
AAM: you grew up in Orange County, just miles from the epicenter of today’s re-emerging music scene, before being in this band, did you play with other bands in this Genre in the area?
COCKPIT-TERRII: Yes.
AAM: You are a classically trained musician on other instruments, what are they, and when you first picked up a bass, did you instinctively know what to do?
COCKPIT-TERRII: I'm classically trained on both piano and violin. These two instruments made bass very easy to pick up. Piano is a great foundation for any musician.
AAM: If in a few words you can describe what the band and music in general represents to you, what words would you use?
COCKPIT: It's our life - a dream come true!!
All Access Magazine wishes COCKPIT success in their music career, and thank them for taking time to interview with AAM. Readers be sure to check out COCKPIT at one of these shows,
June 21st 9:30PM CIA- North Hollywood CA
June 27th 8:PM FM Station – North Hollywood CA
July 10th 8PM ROCKLAHOMA – Pryor, OK
July 25th 8PM Whisky A Go-Go – Hollywood CA
