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.