Rock ‘n’ role: Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia dishes on her position in a man’s world

Milan’s hard rock/metal collective Lacuna Coil has hit the studio with Linkin Park and Pearl Jam producer Don Gilmore to commence the follow up to their 2009 album Shallow Life.

Their 2002 hit single “Heaven’s a Lie” brought them international success and Lacuna Coil went on to share the stage with hard rock/metal heavyweights Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie.

Led by Cristina Scabbia’s powerhouse vocals, these Italians have since become well acquainted with the rest of the world and critical acclaim.

Singled out from her male band mates, Cristina was voted one of the “hottest chicks in metal” and graced the covers of both Revolver and Rolling Stone magazine.

She also stands to be the only female to receive a Metal Icon Award from Metal Hammer magazine’s annual Golden Gods Awards.

In a male dominated genre of music, the headstrong singer talks about what being at the center of hard rock feels like for a girl.

Cristina, how is being a female in a male dominated musical genre treating you?

There is a completely different scene in Europe with a lot more bands with females. I find it interesting but weird that in Canada and the US people say, “Wow, a hard rock band with a female singer!” I never thought about it. I’ve always felt confident.

What is it like being the only woman in Lacuna Coil?

We’re all friends and we’ve been together for more than 10 years. We’re still together so the chemistry is very good. I do miss the chitchat with girls. I love the guys to death, but sometimes they talk about stuff that is not so interesting to me. Sometimes I’d love to have a girl on the bus with us just to talk about silly stuff like shoes and clothes.

How does it feel being singled out from the guys and crowned Hottest Chick in Metal by magazines like Rolling Stone and Revolver?

I’d be a hypocrite to say that it isn’t nice to be considered good looking. On the other side it leaves me speechless because there are ignorant people that take this as, “She’s just good looking and that’s it.” There is so much more behind that. I get mixed feelings.

Let’s turn this around and dream up a magazine spread of the Hot Rock Hunks. Who would be in the top five?

Robb Flynn of Machinehead in fifth, then Brandon Boyd of Incubus. Third place, I’ve always found Peter Steele fascinating. Second place is Mike Patton. First place, I’d say James Root of Slipknot.

Does it worry you that sometimes more attention is paid to your looks rather than your music?

If you have preconceptions about the band, you need to see us live. We really kick ass on stage! There is not a hot chick on stage surrounded by ghosts. There is a real band and not just a woman showing off and being sexy. People might expect me to stand still in a nice dress and high heels but that is so not happening.

Your photo sessions and cover shots are misleading then?

A picture is something completely different from the live aspect. There’s a lot of head banging going on and I don’t care if I sweat. Of course I like to have good pictures. I want nice dresses and I want to experiment with makeup. It’s still art. That’s a completely different face but it’s still me.

What’s your secret to being a hard rock frontwoman?

I don’t really have secrets. I try to sleep as much as I can. That’s a really good cure for your body in general. I stay positive because your attitude is really important and that really shows outside through your skin and your eyes. The trick to being a woman in hard rock is to be confident and accept yourself as you are.

Lacuna Coil’s upcoming untitled album is slated to be released in the fall

Posted by Marc Andrew on Jun 9 2011. Filed under Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.