Turn On - The Erotics interview

Nix caught up with Mike Trash, vocalist and lyricist from the Erotics for a quick chat at the Nottingham Junktion 7 tour date of the Erotics/Teenage Casket Company UK tour to find out what makes them tick and what they’re doing to dent the UK market.

Based in the USA, they’re a three piece (consisting of Mike Trash - vocals and guitar, Billy Belaire - Bass and backup vocals and Johnny Riott - drums) but sound like a five piece - yet there is not a single sign of backing tapes - and they have cowbell, which in my books is an instant hit!. Sounds like the perfect recipe for audio destruction to me. They’re not a band that shirks away from the traditional values that made rock n’ roll a la sleazy style. Their dirty anthems tracks are riddled with catchy, trashy lyrics that will stick in your head for days - my problem being getting “Drink, Fight, F*** tonight” out of my head.

So what’s so ‘erotic’ about the ‘Erotics’. One has to ask the question where they got the name from. “From A Halloween episode on the Simpsons” enthuses Trash. “We all knew each other from other bands around our local area.”. So are there any connections to music in the past? Anything that really spurred them to set rock venues alight other than the legends of the past? “Not at all, just took a liking to the guitar at a young age for some reason”.

Trash cites his biggest influences as bands like Alice Cooper, AC/DC, Ramones. Its no wonder, even on the small stages they manage to whip the crowds into a frenzy (and chuck Erotics rub on tattoos at them). They’ve been plugging away at gaining notoriety for the past ten years and now it feels like the right time for the Erotics to burst into mainstream rock n’ roll and spread their disgustingly raw tunes like a rampant STD.

Trash’s stage performances are filled with the swagger and arrogance of his heroes. I have to ask him what a lot of people wouldn’t know about the frontman. There has to be something more sinister and sleazy about the Erotics other than their name. He comes across as quite reserved but there isn’t anything sinister about him. “The biggest misconception about me, is that I'm shy. That's the farthest thing from the truth. I may be quiet and laid back sometimes, and people assume I'm shy because of it".

They recently featured on the Classic Rock "Sons of Guns" CD, which featured bands that took the passion and the intensity of Guns N’ Roses yet sound fresh and exciting. Trash explains: “Sleazegrinder, the fella that put it together, contacted me and wanted to use our track "Rock N Roll Killing Machine" We're also have a full page feature in the June issue as well. I believe we've quite a few more fans as a result of it.” With the explosion of MySpace, its interesting to see how they are received in other places other than their home town. After all, they appeared in Classic Rock because of MySpace. “Yes, it's helped, it makes it easier for people to find out about what we're up to.”

Recently touring with the Teenage Casket Company around the UK, Trash and Co. had the chance to test the water for the second time as it was their second stab at the UK market. “We've noticed we've had quite a few fans in the UK, so we took a chance and came over, with great results”. But was the reaction what they expected? Yes, last year rocked, and this year was 3 times better.” It might be a silly question to ask but any plans in the future for another UK tour? “Hopefully we might come back over next year with Teenage Casket Company. We get along great, and toured w/them twice in the UK. Especially this last trip was way too much fun.” So much fun that the Teenage Casket Company are touring with the Erotics in the states. “This will their 2nd. time touring in US with us as well. This upcoming US tour, just got even better. It's gonna be Metal Sludge Xtravaganza III, East Coast Summer Sleaze Spectacular, with The Erotics, Teenage Casket Company, Vains Of Jenna, and the Encore Jam with Stevie Rachelle of Tuff. in which we'll be performing a few of the Tuff classics and some other things as well”.

It had to be done, I asked Mike about any odd fans that he’d been subjected to. Any band with dabbling in sleaze and punk must have their fair share of odd or random fans - male or female - that which to be indulged in the decadent lifestyle. He mentioned a time where a mother dropped off two girls at a gig with one thing in mind. “That's pretty all I'm gonna say about that for now” says Trash, amused.

So what’s been the Erotics best gig? “A ton of them, the ones that make the hair on your back stand up.” But there has to be a worst gig. Mike continues “Sometimes playing 10 nights in a row, and your drained and you don't put 100% into it, and people get the wrong impression about you. Those kind of gigs suck”

So what’s next for the Erotics? Their next move is going to be an interesting one after the UK tour. “We're recording at the end of July, 5 or 6 new tracks, then were gonna put a "best of" release featuring 5 or 6 tunes from all our previous releases. Don't wanna give too many surprises about that”. Anything else in the pipeline? “We're shooting a few videos prior to the new release.” Trash leaves it off there and I still can’t get “Drink, Fight, F*** tonight” out of my head.

Their latest release “Rock N’ Roll Killing Machine” is now available through their website - a must buy for anyone who likes their rock venomous and dirty. Check out the Erotics MySpace at www.myspace.com/theerotics or their official website at www.eroticrocknroll.com

- words by Nicola (Nix) Crichton

(c) Pure Rawk 2006