Three Stars: Assrockers
Assrockers have a simple goal: to rock asses. The D.C. quintet plays half-joking hard rock, with songs about Julius Caesar, the Battle of Hastings, and hot moms. They've been around since 2001, playing with various line-ups complete with leather pants and ridiculous assumed names. The band's genius is in its live shows, which are loud and funny, but still appeal to anyone who likes to rock.
Assrockers had a bit of a hiatus for the last year or so, playing and recording sparingly, but after a line-up change they've put out a new track, "Safeword", and are playing again, with a show June 6 at the Red and the Black. We interviewed singer Bison Roughbottom (aka Pierce McManus) via email about the band, the shows, and the names.
Visit Assrockers on the web at: myspace.com/assrockers and www.assrockers.com,
See them next at: June 6 at the Red and the Black opening for RPG. Doors are at 9, it's $8.
Questions for Bison Roughbottom of Assrockers:
What do you think of D.C.'s heavy rock scene? Is there a lot of support?
There's a heavy rock scene in D.C.? Really? I think there are a lot of bands of all genres in D.C. slaving away, rehearsing, playing shows, and working hard to catch a break. We've been lucky enough to befriend a fair number of these bands over the years, play on the same bills together, and attend each other's shows. As far as there being a heavy rock scene, however, I liken it to Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster. It may exist. I just haven't witnessed it myself.
Topics of your songs range from hot moms to conjugal visits to the Battle of Hastings. Somebody in the band has some diverse interests.
I think it's safe to say that the entire band has some pretty diverse interests. Our songs are pretty epic, and epic songs merit epic subject matter. History, mythology, and literature are great sources for epic lyrical content.
How do you come up with your noms de rock?
It’s pretty easy. Our names are pretty reflective of who we are as Assrockers.
Why the hiatus?
Jobs. Schedules. Lives. Bass player vacancies. The lack of reliable rehearsal space in D.C. That kind of stuff.
I know you've taken a few improv classes, how does that affect the music and live shows?
Our live shows are always thrilling, spontaneous affairs. Sure, we diligently rehearse for each show, but there's no telling what's going to go down once the band launches into its first number. We feed off the crowd’s energy and vice versa. When the band and the audience are in sync and everyone is having a great time, it's an absolutely exhilarating feeling.
Has the band's name ever caused problems? We can imagine you won't get booked at old folks' homes and Air Force Bases, like in Spinal Tap.
All depends what you mean by problems. I think some folks may have written us off early on as a joke band based upon our name alone. It's their loss. Rock and roll, at its best, has an over-the-top, almost ridiculous, quality to it. We recognize that fact and embrace it.
What local bands are you into?
Past and present faves include: Adam West, Snuggle, Hall Monitors, Starlingtons, Woolly Mammoth, Oxes, Jealous Lover Targets, Faraquet, Trans Am and a tons of others.
How about musical influences?
I put this question to our lead guitarist Riff Rokkwell, and here’s what he had to say:
The "Big 5 of Classic Metal:" Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden have really been the biggest influences on this band, and my writing for this band in particular. These bands laid the foundation for all of the riffs, grooves and even lyrical themes. But a few other bands who have had a profound influence on me and my style are Jimi Hendrix, MC5, Stooges, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Guns N' Roses, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Fu Manchu, and Kyuss. There are others, but these have really helped shape things on a stylistic and writing level in Assrockers.
What's your favorite local venue?
Favorite local spot #1: Whatever venue we’re playing at the time.
Favorite local spot #2: Whatever venue Rob Curtis is running sound at.
Favorite local spot #3: Favorite local spot #1 + Favorite local spot #2
How about your worst show?
Halloween Benefit show at the Velvet Lounge in 2003. Awful. Just awful. Onstage and off.
Anything you've wanted to write a song about, but haven't?
I've been itching to write a song about Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter heroine Hester Prynne for a very long time. I've always admired strong female characters, fictional or otherwise. If that doesn't pan out, I'm going to channel my energies into an epic about Joan of Arc.
Photo from the band's Myspace