A Dirty Dozen with DAX DABS and JOHNNY SKULLS of ABOVE SNAKES – August 2020

According to a recent press release: “Boston, MA based hard rock band ABOVE SNAKES releases visualizer which gives the first glimpse into the filthy, ego-driven wasteland that gave birth to their first single, “Adrenaline.” Produced by Kile Odell (Fozzy, Through Fire, Motionless in White), “Adrenaline” is the introduction to the band’s debut EP, rumored for a 2021 release. After years of living in the filth among shady, ego driven Villains, Johnny Skulls, and Dax Dabs decided they weren’t going to take it anymore. It was the dawn of a new day. Following orders and getting in line was now a way of the past. They packed their bags and made their way back to Boston, destined to rise above and create their own future.” We get Dax and Johnny to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Dax: Our latest release “Adrenaline” is our debut release! The track is about living life in the fast lane, never stopping, and keeping that adrenaline pumping! On the first couple listens in  the chorus when it says “hotel rooms trash anyway” people might think it’s “trashed”… not to say we haven’t trashed a hotel room in the past, but this reference just means like a shitty motel!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Johnny: I was drawn to music at a pretty young age.  I can remember getting a small drum set when I was like 5 yrs old… but it wasn’t until I was a little older that I realized I wanted to be a musician.  My cousin, who is a few years older than me was in a heavy metal band back in the day and I used to go listen to them at their practice spot.  It was loud, heavy, and exactly what I wanted to do!

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Johnny: We both listen to a big variety of different music.  Elvis was definitely my first idol that I looked up to.  My dad liked him and was always playing him on the stereo and I naturally became a fan.

Dax: My dad had me growing up listening to the Beatles and beach boys a lot which definitely influenced my love for pop music and catchy hooks and great harmonies!

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Johnny: Metallica, Guns n’ Roses, Limp Bizkit, Aerosmith, and Mötley Crüe.

Dax: Three days grace, Blink 182, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, and Linkin Park.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Dax: Snoop Dogg! Let’s get high and make some magic!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Johnny: I’d say it’s loud, upbeat, in your face aggressive rock! Since this is our first ever single, we haven’t had any comparisons that made us cringe yet, but give it time. I’m sure it will happen! Haha

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Johnny: Tour!! Nothing beats the adventure of the open road and waking up in a new city every day.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Dax: Haha, both of us honestly! Johnny definitely is the cook of the band and the first to pour you a stiff glass of whiskey but I’m definitely the one who brings the green and finds a game to watch!!

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Johnny: I was backstage at a KISS show in Vegas when Gene and Paul came into the room as they were getting ready to go on stage.  They just seemed larger than life even that close up!  Gene turned to me and said “you look like you’re in that band Steel Panther” haha.   I was using a lot of hair spray at that time!!

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Dax: Definitely an athlete! We’re both huge sports fans and played baseball, hockey and basketball growing up so playing some kind of sport professionally its safe to say would be the choice for both us!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Johnny: I’ve definitely had a few missteps in my past, but that’s what led me here.  I’ve learned from those times and feel they helped shape the person I am today…So no do overs for me!

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Dax: The Black album from Metallica meant a lot to us growing up, we actually were able to go inside the original studio where they recorded the album and just waking through the rooms you could definitely feel the vibes especially when we blasted “Enter Sandman” in the same control room where it was recorded! Although we weren’t there when it happened, I can only imagine what it was like for real!

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Category: Interviews