Another day, another Band of the Day! Once again we’re heading back to Italy, this time to check out Viboras. I wish we got frequent flyer miles for these articles. We’d be on Space-X by now…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Hi! We’re a band from Milan, Italy.
How did you meet?
The main guitarist and the drummer were playing in another band. During the filming of their single they met the other two members (who were main character and director of the video and who had been playing together for a few months back then). It was really just love at first sight.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Since 2003, excluding a stop between 2010 and 2015.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
I bet we’ll get asked many more times, not a problem at all! We couldn’t come up with a short and cool yet “smart” name, just dumb stuff until someone said “vipers” and the bass player thought it sounded better in Spanish, which is quite similar to our own language. It really did sound good so we stuck with the name.
What are your influences?
It might seem mainly punk rock, and we do love all the names that come to mind (from Rancid to Ramones to Misfits – not really punk rock but we’re there) but we really listen to almost anything that ranges from metal to rock and blues.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Probably music has seen it all, but we think what makes our sound is the way we all put something of ourselves in a song when working on it. We complement each other: if a member changed, something in the sound of the band would too.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Everyday life, typical issues fitting in a world that doesn’t reflect your self completely, atypical demons that consume you. Nothing new probably!
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
We just get on stage and rip it up as much as we can! We’ve done a lot of them playing for a good 10 years but they’re never enough. When you’re off stage you can’t wait to get up on the next one.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Seen… Ozzy Osbourne comes to mind! Plus all of the bands that need to get their name around so they throw fake blood, spit, undress, lapdance around the stage, even get two guys to have sex on it. Not all of these things come out as impressive or cool. Turbonegro were cool, blowing turbodollars with a leaf vacuum!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
We got Little Mark III, Joyo Mjolnir and Marshall JCM900 heads paired with several instruments: usually Musicman Stingray IV, BC Rich Virgo, Epiphone semi-acoustic Dot.
What are your plans for 2018?
We’ve just released our second single “Raise” from our new album, Eleven, and are currently touring to promote the album. We’ve also started working on new songs, which we might record and release in early 2019. Maybe we’ll get a single out this fall, we’ll see. So many things to do!
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
We’re dreamers so we definitely choose The Clash as headliners! With the original lineup and Joe Strummer back in this world. Having to keep our feet on the ground, Rancid. And then as an opening act our mates Amos & the Ruers or Mad Mariachis, and fun is guaranteed.
