Psychostick
| Psychostick | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tempe, Arizona, United States |
| Genres | Humorcore, metalcore, hardcore, alternative metal, thrash metal, nu metal |
| Years active | 2000 - present |
| Labels | Rock Ridge Music |
| Associated acts | Asinine, Evacuate Chicago, Indorphine, The Stuttering C-Cowboys |
| Website | Official site |
| Members | |
| Alex "Shmalex" Dontre Josh "The J" Key Rob "Rawrb" Kersey Matty J "Poolemoose" Rzemyk |
|
| Past members | |
| Jake "Jakermeister" McReynolds Jimmy "Jimmychanga" Grant Mike "MiketheEvil" Kocian Vince "V" Johansen Hunter Alexander |
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Psychostick is a heavy metal 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 three albums nationally. The most recent, titled Space Vampires VS Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D, was released August 16, 2011, while We Couldn't Think of a Title and Sandwich, were released on September 12, 2006, and May 5, 2009, respectively. They began touring nationally in July 2006, and have toured with Look What I Did, Powerglove, Bobaflex, and have played with many national bands, including Three Days Grace, Army of Anyone, Sick Puppies, Anew Revolution, The Exies, Smile Empty Soul, as well as many others.
History
Early success (2007-2010)
As of March 2007, Psychostick's debut album has had minor chart success in the US, reaching #41 on the Billboard's Top Heatseekers,[2] #4 on the Billboard's Top Heatseekers (West North Central),[3] and #48 on the Billboard's Top Independent Albums.[4] Psychostick gained notoriety in Spring 2007 when their song "Beer" became a #1 single on XM Radio's Liquid Metal show for seven weeks.[5] The band's holiday EP The Flesh Eating Roller Skate Holiday Joyride reached #18 on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums.[6] The band finished recording their second album in 2009, entitled Sandwich, which was released on May 5, 2009 or "Psycho de Mayo."
Space Vampires VS Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D (2010-present)
The band announced during a webcast on November 4, 2010, that they are working on their new album to be released in summer 2011. The title of the new album, Space Vampires VS Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D, was announced on another webcast on March 10, 2011, and the band has said that it will have a "Tentative August 2011 release date"[7] through Rock Ridge Music. This will be the first album to feature their new bass player, Matt "Poolmoose" Rzemyk. On Facebook on July 12, the album release was given an official date of August 16, 2011.
Style
Psychostick uses goofy prop comedy with things like rubber chickens, stuffed animals or their instruments at shows and in their videos. Rawrb (Psychostick's vocalist and co-founder) has been known to use a Guitar Hero guitar during performances, and even a Tennis racket.
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 out of here!" and leaves. Occasionally, the band will hold conversations during songs. On the same track, a band member sarcastically says to the others, "This song ain't getting on the radio any time soon."[8]
When interviewed about their style, Rawrb often compares how serious the band takes their music and lyrical content to how serious a comedian takes their comedy. He will often correct the interviewer saying, "We're comedic musicians that take every part of this band very seriously." Joshy (Psychostick's guitarist and co-founder) often reminds those who are curious that Psychostick is "serious about being dumb."
Touring history
First tour ever
The original tour for Psychostick began on June 13, and finished up on September 24, 2006. It also featured Bobaflex, as well as Indorphine, for the first few weeks.
New Revolution Tour
From January 27 - February 24, 2007, Psychostick and Indorphine played all over the southern half of the country. It was originally supposed to feature Invitro as well, but they were offered a tour spot on the Sevendust tour, to which they gladly obliged. Psychostick couldn't play the show in Murfreesboro, NC due to the fact members of the band were sick from a virus.
The Alcoholic Aliens Tour
From May 18 - June 3, 2007, Psychostick and Screaming Mechanical Brain embarked on a midwest tour.
Holiday Hate Tour 2007
From November 23 - December 22, 2007, 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, Rawrb getting his first mohawk and zero trouble with the van and trailer.
The Terrible Shirt Tour
From May 16 - June 19, 2008, Psychostick set out on the Terrible Shirt Tour, featuring Look What I Did and Powerglove. Each night there was a competition where the band would bring up all of participating members of the crowd, and the crowd would vote for the worst shirt of the night by screaming.
Rockstar Energy MayhemFest
Psychostick was the Jägermeister Opening Band during the Phoenix show on 07/18 at the Mayhem Festival 2008. Psychostick is the Jägermeister Opening Band for the St. Louis show on 07/20 show at the Mayhem Festival 2010 and was the Jägermeister Opening Band for the St. Louis show on 07/19 show at the Mayhem Festival 2011
Holiday Hate Tour: Season 2
Winter of 2008, Psychostick toured through November and December, this time with Retard-O-Bot in tow. The tour was from November 14 in Farmington, NM, and ended on December 13 in Odessa, TX.
The Sandwich CD Release Party Tour
Starting the day their new album, Sandwich, was released on May 5, 2009, Psychostick stayed on the road until August 30, 2009. Although the tour was a solo / self-headlining run, the band shared select dates with 9mm Solution, Screaming Mechanical Brain, Saved By Ruin, and Diabase.
Holiday Hate Tour: Season 3 / The Radio Tour
Teaming up briefly with Suburban Noize band Mower, Psychostick hit the road from October 31 - December 14, 2009.
2010 Parental Advisory Tour
From March 25 - May 30, 2010, Psychostick hit the road with Green Jelly and Nashville Pussy.
2010 Pay off the Van tour
From June 17 - July 31, 2010, Psychostick hit the midwest starting with Shawnee, KS and ending in Louisville, OH. The supporting act for the tour was Look What I Did. They paid off the van!
2010 MN and ND tour
From September 17–21, 2010, Psychostick played with Wrecking Day and Pinwheel for a few shows in Minnesota and North Dakota. Billy Rymer from the Dillinger Escape Plan filled in on the drums for these dates.
2011 Unleash The Dumb Tour
Psychostick's "Unleash The Dumb Tour" began on April 12, 2011, in Columbia, MO and boasts over 60 dates confirmed stretching into July. Psychostick will play familiar venues as well as make their debut in many smaller cities across the country. Along with using the tour to promote the album, they've told everyone coming to the shows to dress as "dumb as they can" in an attempt to focus on the visually comedic side of the band. Trying to make this a tradition for all shows in the future, "Don't you DARE show up normal!"[9]
Band members
Current members
- Alex "Shmalex" Dontre (formerly Preiss) — drums (2000–present)
- Josh "The J" Key — guitars, vocals (2000–present)
- Rob "Rawrb" Kersey — lead vocals (2000–present)
- Matty J "Poolemoose" Rzemyk — bass, vocals (2010–present)
Former members
- Jake "Jakermeister" McReynolds — guitars, backing vocals (2008–2009)
- Jimmy "Jimmychanga" Grant — bass, vocals (2008–2009)
- Mike "MiketheEvil" Hawkizzard — bass, backing vocals (2001–2007)
- Vince "V" Johansen — guitar (2004–2006)
- Hunter Alexander — bass (2000–2001)
Touring members
- Billy Rymer — drums (September 2010)
- Jesse "Turff" McInturff — rhythm guitar (Holiday Hate Tour 2007)
- Cassidy Nee — bass (Holiday Hate Tour 2007)
- Rev. John Wheeler IV — guest vocals on live performances of "BEER!!" (Holiday Hate Tour 2007)
Timeline
Discography
- We Couldn't Think of a Title (2003)
- Sandwich (2009)
- Space Vampires VS Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D (2011)
Other works
They have played a number of unrecorded songs live including "The World's Shortest Song" (During "The Holiday Hate Tour" they called it "The Worlds Shortest Christmas Song." During the "Sandwich CD Release Party Tour" they called it "The Whole Sandwich Album in 0.4 Seconds"), "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "The Sombrero Prophecy," "The Log Song" (A slinky parody from The Ren and Stimpy Show), "Happy Birthday," "HURRY UP!!", a song played live for when a band member has to make an instrument repair, a rendition of Gloria Estefan's "Conga" (Rob and Josh each drag out a drum head and do some percussion themselves during the song), and Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," in a live attempt at rickrolling. This recent tour they played "Danger Zone (song)" by Kenny Loggins.
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).
- Chris Noguera: Awesome Man Extreme (from bonus track found on Pluh.com, featuring Rob and Josh)
The Dumb Song and The Dumb Album
Though often confused as a Psychostick song, it is in fact not by them. "The Dumb Song" is by Gawkman (aka: Josh Key from Psychostick) and Murph (aka: Josh's friend from Chicago). No other member of Psychostick appears on the song. The Dumb Song was released as a Pluh.com Entertainment track on July 18, 2002.
Josh and Murph are working on a Dumb Album which includes "The Dumb Song." It will be released through Pluh.com when it is finished.
Evacuate Chicago and Veracity
Three members of Psychostick (Alex, Josh, and Rob) recently finished recording an album under their more serious persona, Evacuate Chicago, entitled Veracity. The album was finished in May 2008 and was released on January 26, 2010.
The Stuttering C-Cowboys
The 'Cowboys were a rock 'n roll band that Alex played drums in from 2004-06. The lineup was Alex Preiss, Micah Smith, Shane Leopard, and Ryan Graves.
Web Comic
Rawrb runs his own Web Comic website, Alfredo Afro, which is a comic that he says is about "ridiculousness and apparent dumbassery that takes place while on the road as well as other aspects of being in a national touring band." It often stars Rawrb as well as other members of the band, but they aren't always band or music related. He is the main writer and artist of Alfredo Afro, with the rest of the band helping out every so often.[10]
Rock Band Network
Josh is currently working on putting Psychostick songs for sale on Rock Band Network as of early 2011. The song "Beer" is currently in beta testing and will likely be available for Rock Band 3 soon. When first charting the song "Beer", Josh asked Harmonix if it was okay to have a song with a large amount of alcohol references.[11] Harmonix said it was up to the community and that they would not likely have a problem. Josh will most likely put more Psychostick songs on Rock Band Network.
References
- ^ Interview where they describe themselves as humor-core
- ^ Billboard's Top Heatseekers
- ^ Billboard's Top Heatseekers (West North Central)
- ^ Billboard's Top Independent Albums
- ^ "Psychostick - Sandwich". MusicRemedy. 2009. http://musicremedy.com/p/Psychostick/album/Sandwich-6360.html. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ^ Billboard's Top Holiday Albums
- ^ Psychostick News - Here it is!
- ^ "Orgasm = Love Lyrics". http://lyrics.buanzo.com.ar/index.php?ident=209611. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
- ^ "Unleash The Dumb Tour 2011". http://psychostick.com/news/unleash-the-dumb-tour-2011. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "About Alfredo Afro". http://alfredoafro.com/about. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ http://creators.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8781
External links
- Official Band Website
- Psychostick's biography on allmusic
- Psychostick on purevolume
- Psychostick's profile on MySpace
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