There've been many versions of the "power trio" to grace the Archie Bunker-esque, living room-flavored stage of the now-legendary Baystate Hotel. Perhaps the most famous among them was Morphine, though memorable performances were turned in by many others, from Architectural Metaphor to Pop*A*Wheelie to The Maggies to Mother Holly. One of the best live acts to barrel across the beer-stained carpet in that wretched hive of scum and villainy—that is, humble cathedral to the gods of rock 'n' roll: The Strippers.
Billing themselves "No Frills Sleaze Rockers," The Strippers (Craig Hall, Ben Licata and Buddy Runstrom) combine Bad Brains/Fu Manchu-style guitar crunch with tightly riveted-on basslines and Bonham-inspired backbeats that almost invariably leave them in need of IV fluids and fresh undershirts. Boasting a sprawling fan base from Hadley to South Hadley, they lived the scene, for the better part of a decade, in all its debauched glory. And now they're back.
In celebration of their upcoming reunion as part of the Sierra Grille's Reanimate The Baystate series, the boys answered some questions for The Advocate.
Valley Advocate: When did The Strippers form, and when did they officially dissolve?
Ben Licata: First off, we never did anything officially, never. Unofficially we became The Strippers the night of our first gig, at the bowling alley in Hamp. It was August 16, 1997—holy shit, I can't believe it's been that long.
Buddy Runstrom: We never dissolved; we've been writing our grand oeuvre for the last five years.
What exactly is "No Frills Sleaze Rock?"
Buddy: Jack Daniels, flea market porno magazines and greasy eggs and homefries for my hangover.
Ben: "No Frills Sleaze Rock" was our slogan. It was our way of letting people know what they were in for—three broke guys with crummy gear, lamps instead of mic stands, playing fun as hell rock 'n' roll songs about being broke and going nowhere. As we went along, we eventually added some frills—Craig got a job and bought a mic stand, and I got a really good deal on a smoke machine; I remember a chainsaw made it into the mix once. I guess we sold out.
Craig Hall: That's weird because, now that I think of it, we had a lot of frills, but that's only if you count smoke machines and space suits as frills. You have to walk that fine line, because too many frills could mean you cross over to "doily" rock which, let's face it, is not too cool.
What would you say was the highlight of The Strippers' career?
Ben: Hands down, the S&M bondage party. We got invited to play a party and, of course, we said yes, we'd do anything for free beer. It was way in the middle of nowhere. We drove for what seemed like forever, set up in the basement and then all Sodom broke loose. I'm talking men in leather Speedos and dog collars, mountains of cocaine, and three women getting very close in what can only be described as an all-nude, all you can eat, three-way expression of love.
Buddy: A photo shoot for Northeast Performer at this photographer's awesome loft in Boston. No, wait—that was Yanni DiFranco.
Craig: Let's just say we put the "rear" in career.
Have there ever been any members of the band other than the three of you?
Ben: After Buddy left for an extended break, we had Dave Keating playing drums. Dave was always a good time—that guy loved to party. Speaking of partying, Matt Pierce from The Unband joined up with us for a while, but those days are a little blurry. Kick-ass, but blurry. But the only true lineup is us three.
Will it be strange for you to rock out in essentially the same space that was last a huge musical nexus nearly a decade ago?
Craig: I am imagining the spitting and beer attack will be a bit more subdued, seeing as it is a family establishment these days… or am I?
Ben: It will be a little strange; the Sierra Grille is definitely not the Baystate Hotel. It's too clean, too nice. The vibe will be different, that's for sure. But maybe for one night we can, at least in our minds, bring back the grime, bring back the awful wallpaper, the mauve curtains, the sticky rug, the cheap drinks. Bring back Gerry and the spirit of Ron and hang a few dinner napkins on the lights. For one night, let's get fucked up and rock our asses off, just like the old days.
What do you see for the future of rock 'n' roll?
Buddy: Steven Adler will save us from the current rock-pop-country music love-in when Dick Clark decimates American Idol's ratings with his re-imagined Para-American Bandstand.
Ben: Rock 'n' roll is dead. Long live rock 'n' roll.
Craig: Picture it… me on a horse with a magic exploding guitar that explodes music into people's ears until only robots with small tin ears are left to hear the awesomeness. My horse is deaf."
The Strippers headline a show as part of the Reanimate the Baystate series Jan. 29 at 9:30 p.m. at the Sierra Grille, 41 Strong Ave., Northampton, (413) 584-1150, www.sierragrille.net. Check out "Whorehouse" and other classics from The Strippers at www.myspace.com/thestrippersbitch.
