back over here in September and they’re dragging Green Jellÿ with them! So if you’re tired of seeing bands with actual talent and would rather watch a bunch of lunatics, puppeteers and cos-players make a ton of noise / fools of themselves then you won’t find a better tour this year. In the meantime, we managed to catch Rob Kersey (vocalist with Psychostick) in a rare moment of near-lucidity and got him to answer some questions. You can read the results of his crayoned scrawls below.
Scroll right to the bottom for their new video for “Heavy”, too. And if you want them to make more videos, more frequently (for the love of Beelzebub, why?!) then you can donate on Patreon. If you don’t know what Patreon is, then the band will explain it to you.
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
As a band we’re based out of Chicago, IL. Individually, Matty is from Long Island, NY, Josh and I (Rawrb) are from Texas, and Alex is from the planet Skärglocktsu in uncharted outer space.
How did you meet?
Josh and I met in high school talking about video games and metal. We were those weird kids. We eventually moved to Phoenix, AZ and found Alex’s unconscious tentacle-ridden alien body, roasting in the desert. Turns out he was a great space drummer.
Matty ed the band much later thanks to Billy Rymer from Dillinger Escape Plan. They’re buddies and Billy recommended Matty to us.
Is it a pre-requisite to have a beard to be allowed into the band?
Yes, although Alex is given a special because he’s otherworldly.
Did any of you play in other bands before Psychostick?
Not really; I believe Matty dabbled and jammed with friends back in NY. Josh and I pretty much started this Psychostick nonsense ages ago and stuck with it. Alex travelled the cosmos playing in Space Diners/Venues.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Since the YEAR TWO-THOUSAND! *cue epic reverb*
What were your influences for Psychostick? Or what influences were you under…?
Musically we were inspired by Pantera, Machine Head, Hatebreed, Nothingface, and Sevendust. Comically I’d say we were/are influenced by Monty Python, The Simpsons, Weird Al, Family Guy, and most slapstick movies like Naked Gun and Hot Shots.
You’re hitting the UK in a few weeks. Why should people spend their hard earned cash coming to see you?
I dunno. I mean, we don’t smell THAT bad. We play excellent music songs and tell funny comedy jokes! We even combine the two! Then we hang out and take pictures and talk about our feelings and stuff! Sounds like the perfect time to me.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
Well, you can expect many songs that form a cohesive set of comedically heavy good time. Heh. Also, NO SPOILERS!
What’s the been like for Revenge of the Vengeance?
Most people try to engage in various forms of coitus with our latest album, so I guess that means they like/lust it so hard. We recommend using protection and lube.
Have you had any from His Royal Awesomeness Bruce Campbell himself about the song?
Yes. According to his twitter, he “Wants to wake up to this song every morning.”
“@jubbles23: https://t.co/0hn4RthFid A song in your honor by comedy metal band Psychostick.”
I want this to wake me up every morning.
— Bruce Campbell (@GroovyBruce) November 7, 2014
It’s been out for ages and we’re all bored of it. Are you likely to be inflicting any new stuff on us in the near future?
Sorry you’re bored of it.
Yes, there is always new stuff on the way; we’ve got tons of craziness in the works.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.? Can you recommend a tuner that will help the inevitable covers bands tune down to H flat?
Whelp:
Alex: OCDP Avalon set, 12″ and 14″ toms, 22″ kick, OCDP 14″ vented snare, Trick Dominator pedals, SilverFox JX, and Boston Basher drumsticks, Zildjian A Custom and K Custom cymbals, Evans HD Dry, Hazy 300, G2 coated, G1, and EMAD2 heads, Puresound Blasters snare wires.
Joshy: LTD EC-1000 guitar, ENGL 530 preamp, VHT 2/50/2 Poweramp, Avatar custom cabinet, Monster Cables, Dunlop picks, ISP Noise Decimator, Morley Wah, Boss tuner pedal, D’Addario strings
Matty J: Aguilar Bass Amp, Warwick bass, Ampeg Bass Cab
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
The thing that comes to mind is:
One time we were playing a show in Florida somewhere. The show was running late, and the bar had drink specials, so the crowd was extra super drunk. Matty had a bit of a cold, so he had to take some kleenex on stage to keep his nose from dribbling into his beard.
Well, one guy up front kept messing with Matty (gettin’ extra grabby). Matty full on slapped the guy in the face, and the dude loved it. Then, as the set went on, Matty ended up handing him a freshly snotted up piece of kleenex. The dude took the wadded up snotball, AND ATE IT.
If you could be part of any 3-band line-up who else would you have on the bill? One band above you, one below – a chance to tell us about a band we perhaps haven’t heard of who we should be listening to.
Gwar would round this tour out perfectly, methinks. :P
Opening up would be Urizen – we’ve been on tour with them a few times and they’re such a perfect match for our shenanigans. Love ’em.
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