The King Cobra

The King Cobra

The King Cobra was a musical project formed by Rachel Carns, formerly of The Need, and Kwo (later known as Ghost). The duo's origins trace back to their collaboration on an original score for the punk performance art cabaret Dr. Frockrocket's Vivifying (Re-Animatronic) Menagerie And Medicine Show. Following this, Carns returned to her drumming and headset microphone, and she and Ghost began writing and performing together under the name The King Cobra.

Musical Style and Evolution

The King Cobra's music was characterized by epic, structurally severe punk-prog compositions that defied easy categorization. Their sound drew comparisons ranging from "conquer rock" and sludge to art rock and stoner-math-post-metal. Initially a duo, the band expanded to include Tara Jane O'Neil on bass, forming a trio.

Performance and Touring History

One of The King Cobra's early performances was at the inaugural Homo A Go Go festival in Olympia in 2002. As a duo, they went on to play shows on the West Coast with notable acts such as Young People, The Gossip, and V For Vendetta. After Tara Jane O'Neil joined, the trio released an EP on Troubleman Unlimited and embarked on tours across the West Coast with Erase Errata and Shoplifting, the East Coast with The Quails, and a U.S. tour with Tracy + the Plastics.

In 2004, Tara Jane O'Neil relocated to Portland, and The King Cobra returned to its duo format. They self-released a 3" mini-CD and continued extensive touring. Their performances included shows with bands like Wikkid, The Planet The, Lezzies On X, Experimental Dental School, and Thrones, among others.

Name Change to TWIN

In mid-2006, The King Cobra evolved and changed their band name to TWIN. The members were reportedly working on a new full-length album under their new moniker.