METAL MAIDEN OF THE MONTH
August 2010
LINDA LOU
The
Metal Pit's "MAIDEN" of the month for August 2010 :
Linda Lou.....vocalist and guitar player for Cockpit
Name : Linda Lou
Home : Hollywood, CA, USA
Band Myspace: www.myspace.com/cockpit
Personal Myspace: www.myspace.com/lindalou
Band Website: www.ilovecockpit.com
Linda Lou.....vocalist and guitar player for Cockpit
Name : Linda Lou
Home : Hollywood, CA, USA
Band Myspace: www.myspace.com/cockpit
Personal Myspace: www.myspace.com/lindalou
Band Website: www.ilovecockpit.com
Metal Pit : Hello Linda, thanks for stopping by to chat with us today on the
Metal Pit.
Linda Lou: You're welcome. Thanks for thinking of me.
Metal Pit : You are the vocalist and guitar player for the all female band Cockpit, how did you get started in music and decide to form an all female band?
I started playing guitar when I was 15 and have been singing since I can remember. I always wanted to play in a rock band and thought it would be really fun to try an all-female one.
Metal Pit : Where you in any bands before Cockpit and were they all female as well?
I played with two different groups of girls back in Philadelphia, but nothing that was ever on the same level as Cockpit. This is the first band I ever was a part of where everyone worked really hard and took it seriously.
Metal Pit : When I first heard this band play you
reminded me alot of the Runaways and Girlschool.I am sure this is not the first
time you have heard this but is the comparison something you agree or disagree
with?
I can see the Girlschool comparison more so than the Runaways. I happen to like both bands, but I don't think people would be comparing our sound to them if we weren't all-female. Maybe we give off a similar vibe, but the music is very different.
Metal Pit : Who are some of the bands and musicians that inspire you?
I am one of the biggest Judas Priest fans ever, so they have really influenced me. I also love Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, Danzig, and AC/DC. Those are the bands that got me really into guitar and I think you can hear it in our music. I have some other surprising influences like U2 and Stevie Nicks. Those influences may not be so obvious, but they come out from time to time.
Metal Pit : Any one in particular you would love to do a tour with?
Any of the bands mentioned above! We also love touring with any hard working rock band that's out there trying to make it happen just like us.
Metal Pit : The band is currently out on the road supporting your demo cd called " Mission to Rock",is that title more or less the band's mission statement as to what you are all about?
It's actually the title for our self-released EP, which is available on iTunes or at CDinzane.com. "Mission to Rock" is our anthem song. It kind of speaks for itself.
Metal Pit : I really like the songs on this disc, the music is loud, brash and in your face....do you have any tunes that are
your personal favorites?
I really love all of those songs. We all do. I think that's probably why we chose to record them out of all of our other songs at the time. "White Flag" and "At a Loose End" are two of my favorites because the subject matter of both are so personal to me, and I think that if people listen closely to them they can relate both songs to something personal about themselves as well.
Metal Pit : Who writes most of the lyrics for the band and where does your lyrical inspiration come from?
I usually write all of the lyrics, and I did for all of the songs on the EP. Although we recently collaborated with Rachel Bolan from Skid Row on a song. That was a really cool experience and we got a great song out of it. Most of our lyrics come from personal everyday experiences and emotions. I can very much appreciate song writers who write lyrics from an outside perspective and tell someone else's story, but I rarely do that myself. Lyric writing is always more about being introspective for me. And I think that's ok, because in the end, whoever is listening will relate the song to their own life experiences anyway.
Metal Pit : Where do you feel more comfortable, playing live or recording in a studio?
It's hard to say. Each situation has moments that can be stressful but both are amazing. You can't beat playing your songs live in front of an audience, but recording is pretty magical too.
Metal Pit : Life on the road can be a real grind
at times and I am sure as an all female band you have had your share of awkward
moments,care to tell us any dirt, haha?
We have a lot of the same awkward moments as every rock band. Being stopped and searched by border patrol. Walking into a truck stop in the middle of nowhere and getting stared at like you're giant lizard people. We did have one instance where our van broke down on the outskirts of Chicago. We were stuck standing around a Walmart parking lot for a few hours waiting for the tow truck. A couple of guys thought we were prostitutes. That probably doesn't happen to all male bands too much. Or maybe it does… to each his own.
Metal Pit : No horror stories about personal hygeine on the tour bus, haha?
You mean the tour van? Nope, we're pretty tidy. I will say that wet wipes are essential during summer festival season and I think I know how to take a complete shower in a bathroom sink.
Metal Pit : Speaking of the road, where is Cockpit playing now and what are your future plans for touring?
At the moment we're writing… not sure what the next step will be after that.
Metal Pit : The band hails from Hollywood which has been home to a very eclectic group of musicians over the years a lot of which never made it, some who did, and some self destructed. How do you keep Cockpit focused so you do not experience some of the same pitfalls as so many previous Hollywood bands have in the past?
We just try to remember that we're in this because we love playing music. That comes first.
Metal Pit : Where do you personally see this band in ten years?
Not sure. I prefer to focus on what makes us happy and fulfilled right now.
Metal Pit : When you are not playing music what are some other things you enjoy doing?
Spending time with my family. We're all really close, I'm very lucky. I run and go the gym a lot too. I just don't feel right unless I break a sweat everyday.
Metal Pit : Is your family cool with what you do?
Yes. They all very proud of me and my parents are extremely supportive. There are times when I would find it very hard to keep doing this if I didn't have them behind me.
Metal Pit : Women in the Hard Rock/Metal scene are more common today than ever before yet there still seems to be some of the same dumbass stereotypes that just wont go away, how can you and your band help to change some of that thinking?
I really wish I had that answer. I think probably by making great music, so we'll just keep going with that.
Metal Pit : What advice would you give to any young women out there who want to follow in your footsteps?
Be aware of peoples preconceived notions, and don't feed into them. And contrary to popular belief, sex does not sell… it's usually just laughed at.
Metal Pit : Can you
tell us some of the things about being in a band that you like and some of the
things you have to deal with that really piss you off?
I love writing and playing music. I love how confident doing that makes me in every area of my life. I don't like the fact that talent and hard working doesn't always play into the equation of how successful you will be.
Metal Pit : Where can potential fans buy band merch and find out about any up coming tours?
You can find out what we're up to at:
www.ilovecockpit.com
www.myspace.com/cockpit
and you can buy our EP at iTunes or CDInzane.com
Metal Pit : How does it feel to be chosen as the Metal Pit's Maiden of the month?
It owns.
Metal Pit : Linda,on behalf of myself and the Metal Pit we want to thank you for taking time with us today.We hope the future is bright for this band and wish you all the best.
Thank you!!!!! We wish you guys all the best too :-)
Horns up brothers and sisters......
Nick Rohm.
Linda Lou: You're welcome. Thanks for thinking of me.
Metal Pit : You are the vocalist and guitar player for the all female band Cockpit, how did you get started in music and decide to form an all female band?
I started playing guitar when I was 15 and have been singing since I can remember. I always wanted to play in a rock band and thought it would be really fun to try an all-female one.
Metal Pit : Where you in any bands before Cockpit and were they all female as well?
I played with two different groups of girls back in Philadelphia, but nothing that was ever on the same level as Cockpit. This is the first band I ever was a part of where everyone worked really hard and took it seriously.
Metal Pit : When I first heard this band play you
reminded me alot of the Runaways and Girlschool.I am sure this is not the first
time you have heard this but is the comparison something you agree or disagree
with? I can see the Girlschool comparison more so than the Runaways. I happen to like both bands, but I don't think people would be comparing our sound to them if we weren't all-female. Maybe we give off a similar vibe, but the music is very different.
Metal Pit : Who are some of the bands and musicians that inspire you?
I am one of the biggest Judas Priest fans ever, so they have really influenced me. I also love Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, Danzig, and AC/DC. Those are the bands that got me really into guitar and I think you can hear it in our music. I have some other surprising influences like U2 and Stevie Nicks. Those influences may not be so obvious, but they come out from time to time.
Metal Pit : Any one in particular you would love to do a tour with?
Any of the bands mentioned above! We also love touring with any hard working rock band that's out there trying to make it happen just like us.
Metal Pit : The band is currently out on the road supporting your demo cd called " Mission to Rock",is that title more or less the band's mission statement as to what you are all about?
It's actually the title for our self-released EP, which is available on iTunes or at CDinzane.com. "Mission to Rock" is our anthem song. It kind of speaks for itself.
Metal Pit : I really like the songs on this disc, the music is loud, brash and in your face....do you have any tunes that are
your personal favorites? I really love all of those songs. We all do. I think that's probably why we chose to record them out of all of our other songs at the time. "White Flag" and "At a Loose End" are two of my favorites because the subject matter of both are so personal to me, and I think that if people listen closely to them they can relate both songs to something personal about themselves as well.
Metal Pit : Who writes most of the lyrics for the band and where does your lyrical inspiration come from?
I usually write all of the lyrics, and I did for all of the songs on the EP. Although we recently collaborated with Rachel Bolan from Skid Row on a song. That was a really cool experience and we got a great song out of it. Most of our lyrics come from personal everyday experiences and emotions. I can very much appreciate song writers who write lyrics from an outside perspective and tell someone else's story, but I rarely do that myself. Lyric writing is always more about being introspective for me. And I think that's ok, because in the end, whoever is listening will relate the song to their own life experiences anyway.
Metal Pit : Where do you feel more comfortable, playing live or recording in a studio?
It's hard to say. Each situation has moments that can be stressful but both are amazing. You can't beat playing your songs live in front of an audience, but recording is pretty magical too.
Metal Pit : Life on the road can be a real grind
at times and I am sure as an all female band you have had your share of awkward
moments,care to tell us any dirt, haha? We have a lot of the same awkward moments as every rock band. Being stopped and searched by border patrol. Walking into a truck stop in the middle of nowhere and getting stared at like you're giant lizard people. We did have one instance where our van broke down on the outskirts of Chicago. We were stuck standing around a Walmart parking lot for a few hours waiting for the tow truck. A couple of guys thought we were prostitutes. That probably doesn't happen to all male bands too much. Or maybe it does… to each his own.
Metal Pit : No horror stories about personal hygeine on the tour bus, haha?
You mean the tour van? Nope, we're pretty tidy. I will say that wet wipes are essential during summer festival season and I think I know how to take a complete shower in a bathroom sink.
Metal Pit : Speaking of the road, where is Cockpit playing now and what are your future plans for touring?
At the moment we're writing… not sure what the next step will be after that.
Metal Pit : The band hails from Hollywood which has been home to a very eclectic group of musicians over the years a lot of which never made it, some who did, and some self destructed. How do you keep Cockpit focused so you do not experience some of the same pitfalls as so many previous Hollywood bands have in the past?
We just try to remember that we're in this because we love playing music. That comes first.
Metal Pit : Where do you personally see this band in ten years?
Not sure. I prefer to focus on what makes us happy and fulfilled right now.
Metal Pit : When you are not playing music what are some other things you enjoy doing?
Spending time with my family. We're all really close, I'm very lucky. I run and go the gym a lot too. I just don't feel right unless I break a sweat everyday.
Metal Pit : Is your family cool with what you do?
Yes. They all very proud of me and my parents are extremely supportive. There are times when I would find it very hard to keep doing this if I didn't have them behind me.
Metal Pit : Women in the Hard Rock/Metal scene are more common today than ever before yet there still seems to be some of the same dumbass stereotypes that just wont go away, how can you and your band help to change some of that thinking?
I really wish I had that answer. I think probably by making great music, so we'll just keep going with that.
Metal Pit : What advice would you give to any young women out there who want to follow in your footsteps?
Be aware of peoples preconceived notions, and don't feed into them. And contrary to popular belief, sex does not sell… it's usually just laughed at.
Metal Pit : Can you
tell us some of the things about being in a band that you like and some of the
things you have to deal with that really piss you off? I love writing and playing music. I love how confident doing that makes me in every area of my life. I don't like the fact that talent and hard working doesn't always play into the equation of how successful you will be.
Metal Pit : Where can potential fans buy band merch and find out about any up coming tours?
You can find out what we're up to at:
www.ilovecockpit.com
www.myspace.com/cockpit
and you can buy our EP at iTunes or CDInzane.com
Metal Pit : How does it feel to be chosen as the Metal Pit's Maiden of the month?
It owns.
Metal Pit : Linda,on behalf of myself and the Metal Pit we want to thank you for taking time with us today.We hope the future is bright for this band and wish you all the best.
Thank you!!!!! We wish you guys all the best too :-)
Horns up brothers and sisters......
Nick Rohm.
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