STEEL TIGERS OF DEATH!

Cockpuncher? I don’t know about that, but these four marvelous and exciting tracks take a sound like Rocket from the Crypt and devolve it a little bit in the direction of the Youth Brigade. Wait, the last track isn’t exciting. –Cuss Baxter - Razorcake

By Simon McCormack

It plots a course, cranks the speed to “skate-punk," finds the straightaway and drives. It's rowdy, trashy and nasty, but if you can't take a few wisecracks with your aggression, Seattle's Steel Tigers of Death says look elsewhere.

"We’re not looking for the kind of fans that want us to stand in front of a brick wall and scowl," says guitarist Morgan LaVigne ("El Tigre"). Guitarist Mike Grigg ("Michael Deth") adds, "Anyone who wants a band to stand up there and be serious should buy tickets to Godsmack."

The jokes trickle out between songs, and as far as the band's concerned, any laughter from the audience is icing. "We are 100 percent positive our jokes will completely fall flat," says LaVigne. "But they won't fall flat with us," bass player Brad Beshaw ("Bradley Of'") chimes in. "We’re having an awesome time, and the crowd should feel free to join us."

Steel Tigers began as a bass and drum duo with Grigg and drummer Jason Legat ("Remington Steel"). LaVigne was added and Beshaw quickly followed. The two new members knew each other from their stints in the Duke City in the ’90s when Beshaw played in Luxo Champ. Soon, as Beshaw explains, "Steel Tigers stopped messing around with shit and became a band."

LaVigne and Beshaw knew each other from their stints in the Duke City in the ’90s, when Beshaw played in Luxo Champ. Soon, as Beshaw explains, "Steel Tigers stopped messing around with shit and became a band."

Then it was off to the studio to record the Cockpuncher EP, released in 2006. Since then, the by-committee writing process has been given ultimate jurisdiction over the band's direction. Steel Tigers’ group-think is in full display on its first LP release, Steel Tigers of Death Proudly Present Steel Tigers of Death!, which dropped this month. "We've all been leaders of bands, and I was worried about whether I could collaborate at all," Beshaw says. "But it's been great, because there's no single leader and we don't have to feel responsible for every facet."

One of those aforementioned facets is wardrobe selection. Every night, the band clothes itself in matching outfits, be they ugly sweaters, bunny suits or other goofy getups. The answers about what the band would be wearing when it steps into Atomic Cantina on Wednesday, May 28, varied from "whatever smells the least," to "do you like tennis?" Whatever the getup, Steel Tigers remains determined to "return to Albuquerque in a blaze of glory and triumph."

"I used to love to go to shows when I was in Albuquerque," LaVigne says. "I remember I saw The Jesus Lizard, and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. Now, we won't be as good or as naked as The Jesus Lizard, but people should still come out.” - Alibi.com (Albuquerque)

By Simon McCormack

It plots a course, cranks the speed to “skate-punk," finds the straightaway and drives. It's rowdy, trashy and nasty, but if you can't take a few wisecracks with your aggression, Seattle's Steel Tigers of Death says look elsewhere.

"We’re not looking for the kind of fans that want us to stand in front of a brick wall and scowl," says guitarist Morgan LaVigne ("El Tigre"). Guitarist Mike Grigg ("Michael Deth") adds, "Anyone who wants a band to stand up there and be serious should buy tickets to Godsmack."

The jokes trickle out between songs, and as far as the band's concerned, any laughter from the audience is icing. "We are 100 percent positive our jokes will completely fall flat," says LaVigne. "But they won't fall flat with us," bass player Brad Beshaw ("Bradley Of'") chimes in. "We’re having an awesome time, and the crowd should feel free to join us."

Steel Tigers began as a bass and drum duo with Grigg and drummer Jason Legat ("Remington Steel"). LaVigne was added and Beshaw quickly followed. The two new members knew each other from their stints in the Duke City in the ’90s when Beshaw played in Luxo Champ. Soon, as Beshaw explains, "Steel Tigers stopped messing around with shit and became a band."

LaVigne and Beshaw knew each other from their stints in the Duke City in the ’90s, when Beshaw played in Luxo Champ. Soon, as Beshaw explains, "Steel Tigers stopped messing around with shit and became a band."

Then it was off to the studio to record the Cockpuncher EP, released in 2006. Since then, the by-committee writing process has been given ultimate jurisdiction over the band's direction. Steel Tigers’ group-think is in full display on its first LP release, Steel Tigers of Death Proudly Present Steel Tigers of Death!, which dropped this month. "We've all been leaders of bands, and I was worried about whether I could collaborate at all," Beshaw says. "But it's been great, because there's no single leader and we don't have to feel responsible for every facet."

One of those aforementioned facets is wardrobe selection. Every night, the band clothes itself in matching outfits, be they ugly sweaters, bunny suits or other goofy getups. The answers about what the band would be wearing when it steps into Atomic Cantina on Wednesday, May 28, varied from "whatever smells the least," to "do you like tennis?" Whatever the getup, Steel Tigers remains determined to "return to Albuquerque in a blaze of glory and triumph."

"I used to love to go to shows when I was in Albuquerque," LaVigne says. "I remember I saw The Jesus Lizard, and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. Now, we won't be as good or as naked as The Jesus Lizard, but people should still come out.” - Alibi.com (Albuquerque)

(Funhouse) This local punk quartet haven't reinvented the wheel, but damned if they don't trick it out with all the excitement of a stoned, crafts-addled housewife wielding her first rhinestone applicator. Previous shows have seen the guys dressed in muumuus, grass skirts, and oversized bunny costumes; rumor has it they may build an onstage campsite for tonight's CD-release party. (Personally, we're holding out for them to get dolled up as the four food groups.) Full of compact, noisy, and hilarious sing-along originals, their long-awaited debut full-length, Steel Tigers of Death Proudly Present Steel Tigers of Death is right up there with vintage hard-rockin' goofballs like the Dickies and the Weirdoes; make sure to warm up your air-punching arm for the rollicking "Ape Suit" before the show. KURT B. REIGHLEY - The Stranger

One of the joys — and there are many — of being a member of the Steel Tigers of Death army is looking forward to what new look the guys will feature at their next gig. Will it be a festival of ugly sweaters? Cowboy duds? Last night, for their Crocodile show with the Whore Moans, they went sports casual...

...In other news, bassist Bradley Of tells us their full-length debut album is more-or-less done, but requires some mixing, mastering, etc. The devil is in the details. Look for it this summer. - Line Out, The Stranger Music Blog

They've only been active since this summer, but Seattle's Steel Tigers of Death have already started to garner a following of fans with their gale-force drumming, disorienting time signatures, and undercurrent of freakishly hooky melodies.

The quartet was originally the brainchild of Mike Grigg (AKA "Michael Deth"), who pulled in old pal and drummer Jason Legat (AKA "Remington Steel") and worked up material on a minimalist skeleton of bass and drums. "We thought we'd do the Death from Above thing, but it was too frail; there wasn't enough body to the songs," says Deth, sipping on a draft beer. "Then we met him at a party [this spring]," he says, gesturing to 37-year-old Morgan LaVigne (AKA "El Tigre").

El Tigre had just moved to Seattle from Brooklyn, where he led well-regarded punk trio X's for Eyes. "It was mostly just me writing the songs, playing guitar, and singing," explains El Tigre. "I decided [that this time] I just want to be in a band—I didn't want to be 100 percent responsible." Deth and Steel initially asked him to play bass, a role that evolved into that of second guitarist when he brought in former Confounded Books proprietor Brad Beshaw (AKA "Bradley Of") on bass. He and Of had met many years ago when they both lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and coincidentally reconnected in Seattle.

Much of what gives STOD their color is a shared admiration of the angular, melodic sound associated with the San Diego punk scene. "I love Drive Like Jehu, Pitchfork, and Tanner—all those Swami Records bands," says Steel. "I was always a big fan of that sound where they beat the hell out a piece and play something for like 200 measures so you just want to smash the radio."

The band has already recorded and self-released a four-song EP, Cockpuncher, but has plans to head back to London Bridge Studio soon with friend and producer Jonathan Plum. Summing up their obviously easy and earnestly collaborative relationship, El Tigre says, "It's great seeing the reaction we're getting, and we all get along so well. It's just tremendously fun right now."

-Hannah Levin - The Stranger

They've only been active since this summer, but Seattle's Steel Tigers of Death have already started to garner a following of fans with their gale-force drumming, disorienting time signatures, and undercurrent of freakishly hooky melodies.

The quartet was originally the brainchild of Mike Grigg (AKA "Michael Deth"), who pulled in old pal and drummer Jason Legat (AKA "Remington Steel") and worked up material on a minimalist skeleton of bass and drums. "We thought we'd do the Death from Above thing, but it was too frail; there wasn't enough body to the songs," says Deth, sipping on a draft beer. "Then we met him at a party [this spring]," he says, gesturing to 37-year-old Morgan LaVigne (AKA "El Tigre").

El Tigre had just moved to Seattle from Brooklyn, where he led well-regarded punk trio X's for Eyes. "It was mostly just me writing the songs, playing guitar, and singing," explains El Tigre. "I decided [that this time] I just want to be in a band—I didn't want to be 100 percent responsible." Deth and Steel initially asked him to play bass, a role that evolved into that of second guitarist when he brought in former Confounded Books proprietor Brad Beshaw (AKA "Bradley Of") on bass. He and Of had met many years ago when they both lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and coincidentally reconnected in Seattle.

Much of what gives STOD their color is a shared admiration of the angular, melodic sound associated with the San Diego punk scene. "I love Drive Like Jehu, Pitchfork, and Tanner—all those Swami Records bands," says Steel. "I was always a big fan of that sound where they beat the hell out a piece and play something for like 200 measures so you just want to smash the radio."

The band has already recorded and self-released a four-song EP, Cockpuncher, but has plans to head back to London Bridge Studio soon with friend and producer Jonathan Plum. Summing up their obviously easy and earnestly collaborative relationship, El Tigre says, "It's great seeing the reaction we're getting, and we all get along so well. It's just tremendously fun right now."

-Hannah Levin - The Stranger

Effectively mixing comedy and rock is trickier than you think. Too much of the former and you wind up with GWAR or Green Jelly; alternately, if you scrimp on the gags, the occasional gut-buster will just leave fans scratching their heads. But punk-metal quartet Steel Tigers of Death have struck the perfect balance. They liven up their shows with ever-changing matching ensembles (ugly sweaters one show, matching tennis ensembles the next) and hilarious patter. And when it comes time to unleash whippet-quick, blistering originals like "Sea Demon" and "Target: Cockpuncher," the boys are deadly serious. Serious like a water balloon. KURT B. REIGHLEY - The Stranger

Cockpuncher? I don’t know about that, but these four marvelous and exciting tracks take a sound like Rocket from the Crypt and devolve it a little bit in the direction of the Youth Brigade. Wait, the last track isn’t exciting. –Cuss Baxter - Razorcake