The Pimps
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The Pimps

Rockford, Illinois, United States | INDIE

Rockford, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Band Rock Punk

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"A band that plays for fans"

The Music I first heard about the group from one of my friends. I told him I was looking to see some good metal, and he told me about The Pimps and their show.

I first saw the band earlier this semester, but it was my birthday, so I don't remember much. I recall it being a crazy show, but that is about all. Formulating thoughts about them would have to wait for another night.

That opportunity came Friday night when the band brought its sideshow act back to Stones Throw, 304 Eau Claire St.

The show wasn't what I had expected at all. When you go to a show of this kind, there is usually a haze of anger and seriousness in the air, but this was different.

The Pimps' show consisted of humor, getting the audience involved and ranting about nothing. The lead singer and the bass player really bounced off each other and peppered the show with comic relief.

The interaction between the band and the crowd was amazing. The members just didn't stand there and play music; they also were entertaining.

They went from Jefferson Starship to Hank Williams, Jr. to Tenacious D to Slayer. The band went in so many different directions that sometimes it was hard to keep up.

The funny thing was The Pimps went from belligerent ranting to producing a good, solid sound. It flowed well together, and you could tell the band had been doing this for a long time.

While I was sitting there wondering what to make of the scene unfolding in front of me, I realized The Pimps have mastered the lost art of metal - not the mass-produced crap of the visible metal scene, but the underground good stuff that made me a metaler back in the day.

It played the kind of metal that when you see it, you are impressed whether you like the musical genre or not. It's fast, hard and loud.

It's that kind of metal that makes you feel so good and wild that you can't sit still.

As I was standing there enjoying my tasty beverage, the show took a turn for the weird.

At the bequest of Johnson, a man got on stage, pulled down his pants and bent over, exposing his crevasse. Then the percussion player proceeded to slap his ass.

The funny thing was the guy stood there for the three-minute song with his pants down, letting another man slap him. I was a little weirded out, to say the least.

After that, I really didn't know what to think. I didn't want to condemn them for it, but what the hell?

I came to the conclusion that The Pimps have a mighty stage presence, but it is negated by all the jokes, ranting and extra things it had going on.

It was cool the band was entertaining, but when it started to take away from the music, I thought it needed to reconsider.

I definitely would recommend you check this band out. Even if you're not really into this kind of music, the show the band brings will definitely entertain you.

The Pimps are actually a really different band. I don't know if it will change the face of rock, but it definitely makes it interesting.
- Seth Moore


"The Goodyear Pimps Still Running Loose in the Midwest"

In a time when political correctness reigns supreme, its great to see a band defy the accepted standards. The Goodyear Pimps are certainly no strangers when it comes to breaking with tradition. These rockers have helped shape the midwests music scene with their irreverent and distinctive brand of music.

Stu Johnson, Tony Crisman, Dave Deraosso, Michael "Hilly" Hilenburg and Todd Cooper unabashedly identify themselves as The Goodyear Pimps. They have released 5 full length albums "To a Cool person Stay that way" (1996) "More songs about Drugs with Curse words"(2001), " Wouldn't it be great to have all these songs on one album"(2001), "Just give us the Grammy now"(2003), and "The Fisher Sessions"(2004) and have been featured on the soundtracks for " Mission Impossible 2" and "Crazy Beautiful". After rocking for over eight years playing over 160 shows a year, they still show no signs of stopping.

- Rock Valley Forge


Discography

"To a cool person... stay that way" 1996 Sumpin "Crazy Beautiful" Soundtrack. " "Third Watch" Various radio play overseas and usage for commercials
"Starwars and pancakes" Various radio play overseas and usage.

"More songs about drugs with curse words" 2001 "Rocket Science" on the "Mission Impossible 2" soundtrack. Usage for radio play and heard on Howard Stern, Inside edition, other various sources.

"Wouldn't it be great to have all these songs on one album" 2001 A collection of cover songs we have thrown into our live set over the years. plus a few originals

"Just give us the Grammy Now" 2003 "The ballad of Cornbread Horton" has received radio play in the Midwest and has gotten a lot of attention.

"The Fisher Sessions" 2004 A eclectic collection of songs that takes the band in a whole new direction.

"Quickly Now Gentleman, With A Lively Step" 2007 An album that brings the band full circle

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Bio

Ah, the band bio. You gotta love the band bio. Is there anything more trite or meaningless than the band bio? I’ll bet you never thought an ordinary band bio could ever change your life. Well my friend, you’d be wrong. The following information may seem at first, untrue. You may find yourself saying, “ There’s no way any of this could have really happened”. But I insist, it did and t’was my duty as band scribe to record it all so as to present to you this holiest of all band bios.

In the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-four, five men from Rockford, IL gathered together with one common yet simple goal: to change the face of music as we know it today. Okay, the first goal was to actually score some decent equipment, get a van, get out of their drummers’ ex-girlfriends’ basement and then change the face of music as we know it today.

And so it began. It didn’t take long for the band to build a name and a following. Soon, they were doing a grueling schedule of almost 3 to 4 shows a month. Some of them even including free draft beer! It was obvious the path was being laid. In 1997, the group released it’s first album and 2 years later, the inevitable happened. Record label super-giant “Hollywood Records” signed them to a deal. Hollywood Records was the driving force behind such legendary names like “She-Daisy” and boy-band sensation “Youngstown”. Hollywood immediately put them on tour with America's most beloved duo, “ The Insane Clown Posse”. Although their music was nothing alike, the 3-month coast-to-coast tour went great. Clown Posse frontmen Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope were especially impressed with The Goodyear Pimps uncanny knack to score prescription drugs for them while on the road. Hollywood then put the boys on the soundtracks “Mission Impossible 2” and “Crazy Beautiful”. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, whose band was also lucky enough to catch their first break, was featured on the “MI2” soundtrack as well. In fact, in regards to The Pimps offering on the soundtrack, he was quoted as saying ”It’s definitely the 5th song on there”

Shortly after, The Goodyear Pimps received a call from NBC. They wanted to use their runaway smash hit “Sumpin” for the now infamous racquetball scene in Episode #31 of “Third Watch”. The rest is television history.

The relationship between Hollywood Records and The Goodyear Pimps then took a turn for the worse. Disney, the parent company of Hollywood, didn’t take too kindly to some of the lyrical content in the music. In fact, long time standing spokesman & cultural icon Mickey Mouse was quoted as saying “This is, and always will be, a family oriented organization that supports & advocates the wholesome qualities of life. And if you think we’re going to throw that all away for 5 potty mouthed punks from the Midwest, then you're fucked!” Not wanting to be labeled “The Bill Cosbys of rock” The Goodyear Pimps dissolved the marriage between themselves and Hollywood after an unprecedented 15-month run.

Since that experience, The Goodyear Pimps decided to just go back to what they have always done: doing it themselves. Since 2000, they have played over 160 shows a year throughout the Midwest. They have produced 9 independent releases that have sold more than 50,000 units. And in the process of doing this have built up mailing lists that number over 10,000 strong and counting.

You don’t believe it? If it hadn’t really happened, we would not believe it either. So check out our website at www.thepimps.org or email us at thepimps@tds.net. If you still are not satisfied, then call GT at 815-289-3217, it just might change your life.