Psychostick is a metal band from Phoenix, 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 one independent album called We Couldn't Think Of A Title, released on September 12, 2006, and several demo recordings. They began touring nationally in July of 2006, and have toured with Bobaflex and Indorphine. As of March 2007, Psychostick's album has had minor chart success in the US, reaching #41 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers albums, and #48 on its Top Independent Albums chart.[2] They are currently on tour with Screaming Mechanical Brain.
Psychostick | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Years active | 2000 - present |
| Members | Rob Kersey Joshua Key Mike Kocian Alex Preiss |
| Past members | Vince "V" Johansen Hunter Alexander |
| Website | Official site |
Style
Psychostick uses 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, or even sometimes the band holds conversations during the song.
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 "The Notorious Rob" Kersey - lead vocals, A.k.a. 'Rawrb!' or 'The Notorious R.O.B.'. He is known for wearing a black, red, green and yellow hat with black, red, green and yellow cones protruding from it. According to the band's website, Rob is the "webmasher," as well as their "Beef Injector." He was born on August 30, 1980.
- Josh "Special J" Key - guitar, vocals - A.k.a. 'Jarsh', Joshy or 'Special J'. 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 was born on September 5, 1979, and proclaims that "I like stuff. Stuff is good."
- Mike "Hawkizzard" Kocian - bass, vocals - A.k.a. Mike The Evil, or Mike Hawkizzard. Born January 11, 1982. Throughout his appearances, Mike has been known to sport extremely large cowboy hats or a fake head of orange hair styled into a mohawk, along with a matching orange jumpsuit.
- Alex "The Boy" Preiss - drums, percussion, annoying bird sounds - A.k.a. 'Schmalex' A.k.a. 'The Boy' A.k.a. 'Gangsta Cow'. Born October 23, 1984. He is simply dressed up in a cow costume. However, lately he has not been wearing the suit. According to Tony "Deathburger" (the merchandise manager), he said it was because it was annoying to Alex, and therefore has been "retired". Future costume possibilities have been discussed and are in the works.
Former Members
- Vince "V" Johansen - guitar
- Hunter Alexander - bass
Discography
- Don't Bitch, It's Free! (Demo) (2000)
- Die...A Lot! (Demo) (2001)
- We Couldn't Think Of A Title (2003, re-issued September 12, 2006)
- The Flesh Eating Roller Skate Holiday Joyride (EP) (September 25, 2007)
Future recordings and other work
They have played a number of unrecorded songs live including "Orange", "Don't Eat My Food", "The Sombrero Prophecy", "Jingle Bell Metal", and "The Log Song", a slinky parody from the Ren and Stimpy cartoon.
Other recorded works include:
- Those Stupid Ifs (demo track recorded for both "Don't Bitch, It's Free!" and "Die...A Lot!")
- MILF (Rob and Josh with Arizona based rappers Crack Money)
- Fake My Own Death (cover of the Psychostick song "Fake My Own Death And Go Platinum", also by Crack Money),
- The Dumb Song (from the website (Pluh.com)(THIS SONG IS NOT A PSYCHOSTICK SONG)
- Tales From The Sink (also a Pluh.com song featuring Alex and V).
- Hokey Fuckin' Pokey
Trivia
- Rawrb! programs and manages many websites including: Psychostick, Pluh, Evacuate Chicago, Collective Underground, Rawrb, Blargbox, and Housebuddies.
- The same band members also form a band called Evacuate Chicago, which makes more serious and non-comedy oriented music.
External links
- We couldn't think of a title review on Allmusic
- Official website
- MySpace profile
- Purevolume profile
- Psychostick's other band "evacuate chicago"
- Fan video using "Jagermeister Love Song" from We Couldn't Think of a Title, and video clips from Metalocalypse, an animated series from Adult Swim.