go there for the next record. We wanted to spend more time recording and not feel as rushed as we have in the past. Seventh Rule was down sizing their budget as they were doing a bunch of other projects around the same time. Besides, we put a lot of our money into the sessions as well. We LOVE Scott and Cara from Seventh Rule, and they will be putting out a one sided 12” with 3 unreleased songs from the “Forever” sessions in late Oct. We’re all still good friends, and will obviously be working with them in the future. They have done so much for us.....Thanks guys!! BOUE: The artwork of « Forever » is really beautiful, and I know it is Jason, your singer bassist, who did it. Can you say something about his artwork? S.C.: Actually Botchy, our bass player/singer did all the illustrations. Jason, our drummer, did the layout. Botchy is an amazing artist-the guy draws, plays guitar/bass/violin/banjo/piano, etc. His work has always identified Sweet Cobra, so you’ll be seeing his work on all of our output-flyers, posters, record covers, etc. Almost all our production is done by us-printing posters/flyers/cd-lp covers, layouts, t-shirt printing and design, etc. BOUE: Who write the lyrics? Can you talk about it? S.C.: We all write the music. Some of the songs are brought to the jam space done, some start out as riffs, or just chunks of ideas. We then just plug in, turn up, and jam till something starts to take shape! The lyrics and vocal parts come last. We usually have songs done and all worked out before one of us come up with a concept for lyrics. Sometimes we end with too many song ideas, and have to stop and remember what song we were working on. It’s a odd place to be, having too many song ideas!! BOUE: Between « Praise » and « Forever » Neeraj Kane (play aswell in The Hope Conspiracy) left the band, could you explain the reason?
S.C.: He had too much on his plate and just wanted to concentrate more on his other projects. He’s a good friend. We’ll be putting out a comp of un-released Neeraj era demos called “Neeraj Days Re-visited”. BOUE: I know almost all of you play in others punk hardcore bands like Suicide Note, Old Devil Moon, Stabbed by Words... Can you say something about your side project ? S.C.: Jason does Suicide Note, Old Devil Moon, Stabbed by words. Botchy plays drums in the Killer, has his own folk/bluegrass thing called Tanglefoot. Mat plays bass in Stabbed by Words and Clocked Out, and Grumpy skates his little ass off all day and night!! We’re all just music junkies, and when Sweet Cobra has down time, we need to to fill it with... More music!! BOUE: Sweet Cobra is from Chicago, can you say how is the « rock’n’roll » scene there, about bands, places to play, fanzine, public...? S.C.: Chicago is a great musical hub. It’s almost right in the middle of the US and EVERYONE comes thru town, so you get so many opportunities to see/play amazing shows. There has always been a lack of good, consistent all ages venues, but now there are a lot of basement/ DIY places putting on shows, so the need for the typical “rock club” scenario is becoming archaic. We try and play all ages/DIY places and other venues that are there to support music,art, and the like. As for bands, there’s no kind of competition amongst the ranks. Indian, Yakuza, Party Downers, we all go see and support each other. It’s the typical Midwest vibe. Down to earth and family like. BOUE: Are you involved in some kind of alternative politic or ecologic project, like social spaces, Food Not Bombs, bike punk or vegetarianism by exemple?