Psychostick
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| Psychostick | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tempe, Arizona, United States |
| Genre(s) | Metalcore, parody music, alternative metal, comedy rock |
| Years active | 2000 - present |
| Label(s) | Rock Ridge Music |
| Associated acts | Evacuate Chicago |
| Website | Official site |
| Members | |
| Rob "Rawrb" Kersey Joshua "The J" Key |
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| Former members | |
| Mike "MiketheEvil" Kocian Vince "V" Johansen Hunter Alexander |
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Psychostick is a metalcore band from Tempe, Arizona, known for a silly image and usage of extreme humor in their songs and lyrics. Their style is referred to by themselves and some online album review sites as humor-core.[1] To date they have released two albums nationally. The most recent, titled The Flesh Eating Roller Skate Holiday Joyride, was released September 25, 2007, and We Couldn't Think of a Title, released on September 12, 2006. They began touring nationally in July of 2006, and have toured with Bobaflex, Indorphine, Screaming Mechanical Brain, and Better Left Unsaid, and have played with many national bands, including Three Days Grace, Army of Anyone, Sick Puppies, Hemlock, Rehab, A New Revolution, The Exies, Smile Empty Soul, Within Chaos, Pumpjack, Vehemence, American Standard, Phunk Junkeez as well as many others.
As of March 2007, Psychostick's debut album has had minor chart success in the US, reaching #41 on the Billboard's Top Heatseekers, #4 on the Billboard's Top Heatseekers (West North Central), and #48 on the Billboard's Top Independant Albums.
More recently, "The Flesh Eating Rollerskate Holiday Joyride" reached #18 on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums.
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[edit] Style
Psychostick uses goofy prop comedy with things like rubber chickens, stuffed animals or their instruments at shows and in their videos.
Although lyrically rich in humor, unlike many bands who tend to use a lot of comedy, the instrumental portions of the songs are not neglected and are very serious. When they're not joking too much they usually play heavy, violent riffs. Some songs are parodies of love songs, like "Orgasm = Love" or sad, depressing songs, like "Prozak Milkshake".
A lot of comedy is also mid-song action. For example, during "Orgasm = Love" Josh yells out 'You know what? Fuck this! I'm outta here!' and leaves. Occasionally, the band will hold conversations during songs.
[edit] 2007 Holiday Hate Tour
From November 23rd to December 22nd, Psychostick toured the country to profess their hatred towards the commercialization of the Christmas season. Along for the hate were Screaming Mechanical Brain and Indorphine. Without question, this was the bands most successful tour to date. Among the many highlights - a studio takeover at XM Radio with Ward Cleaver / Liquid Metal, a sold out crowd in LaCrosse, WI, a guest appearance by Shwillex, a 72-roll toilet paper salute to Indorphine in Florida, Rawrb getting his first mohawk and zero trouble with the van and trailer.
[edit] Members
Each member of Psychostick has a nickname and an image that can range from simply wearing a hat or an entire costume.
- Current members
- Rob "Rawrb" Kersey - lead vocals. Born on August 30, 1980. He is known for wearing a colorful hat, with equally colorful cones protruding from it. According to the band's website, Rob is the "webmasher," as well as their "Beef Injector." Rawrb! programs and manages many other websites, including: Pluh, Evacuate Chicago, Collective Underground, Rawrb, Blargbox, and Housebuddies. He is also a member of Evacuate Chicago.
- Joshua "The J" Key - guitar, vocals - A.k.a. 'Jarsh', Joshy. Born on September 5, 1979. Endorsed by Michael Kelly Guitars. Wears a ribbon tied around his head, with eastern symbols on them, such as a Japanese sun or a Ying-yang, thus earning him the title "Ninja." He is also a member of Evacuate Chicago.
- Alex "Shmalex" Preiss - drums. Born October 23, 1984. He is currently endorsed by SilverFox Drumsticks. Alex's gear includes: Pearl Session Custom set, 12" and 14" toms, 22" kick, OCDP 14" vented snare (10 ply), Pearl stands and pedals, Zildjian 17" Z Custom crash, 18" Z Custom crash, 13" A Custom Mastersound hi-hats, 20" Medium ride, Wuhan 18" china, Evans HD Dry head on his snare, G2 tom heads, Remo Powerstroke 4 bass drum head. Used to dress in a cow costume, but claims to have "retired" it. Other bands include Evacuate Chicago, and formerly in The Stuttering C-Cowboys.
- Jimmy "Jimmichanga" Grant - bass. Other bands include Indorphine.
- Jake "Jake-r-meister" - guitar.
- Former members
- Mike "MiketheEvil" Kocian - bass, vocals (2001-2007)
- Vince "V" Johansen - guitar (2004-2006)
- Hunter Alexander - bass (2000-2001)
- Holiday Hate Tour '07 guest members
- Jesse "Turff" McInturff (of Screaming Mechanical Brain) - replacement second guitarist
- Cassidy "Cass" Nee (of Screaming Mechanical Brain) - replacement bassist
- Reverend John Wheeler IV (of Screaming Mechanical Brain) - guest vocalist on live performances of "BEER!!!"
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 2003: We Couldn't Think of a Title (re-released in 2006)
- 2009: 2nd Studio Album
[edit] EPs
[edit] Demos
- 2000: Don't Bitch, It's Free!
- 2001: Die...A Lot!
[edit] Future recordings and other work
They have played a number of unrecorded songs live including "Orange", "Don't Eat My Food", "The Sombrero Prophecy", "Shower", and "The Log Song", a slinky parody from the Ren and Stimpy cartoon.
Other recorded works include:
- MILF (Rob and Josh with Arizona based rappers Crack Money)
- The Dumb Song (from the website Pluh.com)
- Tales From The Sink (also a Pluh.com song featuring Alex and V).
- Evacuate Chicago and Veracity
Three members of Psychostick are currently recording an album under their more serious persona, Evacuate Chicago, entitled Veracity. They album was finished in May of 2008 and has been released online. The band is planning to release hard copies of the CD in June. [2]
[edit] Covers of Psychostick songs
- Crack Money - Fake My Own Death (cover of "Fake My Own Death And Go Platinum")
- Hand Of The Daedra - ABCDEath
[edit] External links
- We couldn't think of a title review on Allmusic
- Official website
- MySpace profile
- Purevolume profile
- Evacuate Chicago
[edit] References
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