New Jersey’s own Spider Rockets unleash pure sonic fire with their latest album, “Dirty and Bad”, out now via FireRock Music Group. In a raw and revealing interview with Helena Cos, the band opens up about their journey, gritty sound, and what keeps them at the forefront of the hard rock force pushing boundaries in today’s music scene.
Hi Helena, welcome back to Femme Metal Webzine! How are you doing, and how’s life treating you these days?
I’m doing well—busy and keeping things moving, like Santa Claus jumping down chimneys all over the world, only with music instead of presents. Life’s been a nonstop hustle—writing, recording, and trying to connect with people whenever we can. It’s messy and real, but that’s just how we like it.
Spider Rockets new collaboration with FireRock Music Group
The last time we spoke together was back in 2012 for the 5th album “Bitten” which was released via P-Dog Records. Fast forwarding to today, the 7th album “Dirty and Bad” was released on the 23rd May via FireRock Music Group. How did you connect with them and how did this collaboration come about?
We met FireRock Music Group’s president through a mutual friend about a year ago, and the conversation just clicked. It felt like a great opportunity to work together, especially as we were preparing for the new album. After sharing our vision for “Dirty and Bad”, it quickly became clear that collaborating made sense. We’re excited about what this partnership brings and how it’s helping us reach new listeners. Our last album, “Bitten”, was released in 2012 on our label, P-Dog Records, so teaming up with FireRock marks an important step forward for us.
The singles “Monsters of Your Dreams” and “Casual Violence”
Given that the singles “Monsters of Your Dreams” and “Casual Violence” were released two years and one year ago, respectively, when can we trace the beginning of the material collection for this release?
You nailed it! “Monsters of Your Dreams” and “Casual Violence” were our first music videos for this album, and releasing them over time was all part of a slow-build strategy. We wanted to let the songs breathe, give fans a taste, and create momentum leading up to the full release. So really, the journey for “Dirty and Bad“ started way back when those singles dropped—over the past couple of years, we’ve been carefully crafting and collecting material, letting the album evolve naturally instead of rushing it all out at once. It’s been a marathon, not a sprint, and that slow drip approach made the final product feel more alive and intentional.
Spider Rockets: the self-titled singer
The self-titled track was released with a lyric video a couple of weeks ago. What made this song stand out, and what can you share about its story?
Our single, “Dirty and Bad,” just hits from the get-go with the opening vocal that grabs you right away—blatantly suggestive, a little dangerous, and full of attitude. There is a bold, raw energy pulsing through the song that feels totally honest. The song is about owning who you are, turning the volume up on your instincts, and letting go of all the filters we put on ourselves. It’s an anthem of living in the moment and chasing whatever thrill the night brings. To me, it feels like a shot of adrenaline and liberation—a celebration of indulgence, confidence, and not needing anyone’s permission to be shameless and unfiltered.
A rollercoaster recording
You mentioned that “writing and recording is a wild, love-hate rollercoaster.” What makes the process feel that way for you?
It’s thrilling, chaotic, and occasionally soul-crushing. I live for that magic moment when everything clicks, when the song finally comes alive and feels like a pulse. But getting there? Total madness. It’s like hacking through a wild, overgrown jungle—sweaty, tangled, and full of creative landmines. Some days, it’s a lightning strike. Other days, it’s dragging every note through quicksand with a broken shovel.
The recording studio turns into a pressure cooker where it can feel like you’re chasing perfection while battling your own inner critic. Luckily, I’m not alone. We write and record as a band, and that makes all the difference. We challenge each other, laugh when everything goes sideways, and power through the rough patches together. That chemistry keeps me grounded—and way less stuck in my head.
And when it all finally locks into place? It’s like crawling out of the chaos, bruised but victorious, blasting the final mix and thinking, Hell yes—we did that. That feeling is why I keep coming back for more.
Spider Rockets recordings in two different studios
In what ways did recording “Dirty and Bad” in two separate studios affect the final outcome?
The experience really changed the game for us. Instead of powering through the whole album in one go, we broke it into two parts—and that gave us the space to step back, reflect, and make smarter creative choices.
We started in a big studio with a huge sound, which helped us lock in the attitude and direction of the record. After laying down those first four tracks, we took a beat—looked at what was working, what needed more edge—and went back into writing mode with a fresh perspective.
By the time we hit the second, more stripped-down studio, we were laser-focused. The foundation was already there, so we were able to push the next set of songs further—more refined, more intentional—without losing the raw energy we kicked things off with.
Splitting up the sessions gave the album a sense of evolution. It felt more alive, more dynamic, and ultimately more us.
The separate studios
Overall, what prompted the decision to record the album “Dirty and Bad“ in two separate studios?
It came down to finding the perfect balance between energy and patience. We wanted to kick-start the process with a burst of momentum—capture that raw excitement that fuels creativity—but without rushing headlong into the whole thing. In the past, we’d power through an entire album in one relentless stretch, pushing ourselves to finish quickly. But this time, we realized that slowing down and giving ourselves breathing room was key to making something truly powerful and authentic. We wanted to let the music breathe, evolve, and grow naturally, rather than forcing it all out in one go. Taking that extra time helped us stay connected to our vision and made the whole experience more rewarding. It wasn’t just about finishing the album; it was about making an album that felt real, raw, and unmistakably us.
Potential plans for Spider Rockets
What’s next for Spider Rockets? Is there any information available regarding a potential European tour, or any general plans related to it?
For sure! We’re cooking up some live opportunities and can’t wait to hit the road again—whether it’s around the U.S. or somewhere new abroad. One of our previous music videos even got high praise from a handful of European film festivals, so we’re excited about what’s ahead. It’s all about sharing our music with everyone and making memories together. Plans are still shaping up, but trust us, the party’s coming—and you’re invited! Stay tuned for all the updates.
I truly appreciate you taking the time to respond to my questions. Do you have any final thoughts or messages for our audience and your supporters?
Miriam, thanks so much—appreciate the support and the great questions.
If you want to keep up with what we’re doing, the best way is to hit up spiderrockets.com and jump on our mailing list. That’s where we drop all the latest new music, tour dates, and behind-the-scenes stuff. You’ll find all our social links there too, so come hang with us.
And if you haven’t checked out Dirty and Bad yet, it’s out and streaming everywhere. We put everything into this one—give it a listen and let us know what hits you: https://found.ee/spiderrockets_dirtyandbad
Thanks again for riding this wave with us—let’s keep it loud.