Main
Updates
North Coast News
Interviews
Articles
Albums
Movies
Shows
Pictures
Letters
Archives
Guestbook
Contact Us
Staff
Links

Sex and rock ‘n’ roll have always been intertwined.  From its earliest days, rock & roll gave us Elvis’ pelvis, Chuck Berry taking underage girls across state lines, and lyrics filled with slang and innuendo.  As modern society has slipped ever further towards the decadent excess of the last days of Rome, it’s hardly surprising that some bands have said to hell with innuendo, and taken a far more explicit approach.  One such band is San Francisco’s Apocalipstick.   

According to vocalist Jackie O. Nasstie, Apocalipstick came into existence when, “Me and [guitarist] KC/DC met back in the sixties at an MC5 show.  He was a White Panther’s member, and I was a militant lesbian separatist. We've been pals ever since.”  KC says they next found drummer Adam Kneivel at a county fair.  “He was on tour with a carney, and in charge of a whole buncha motorcycles.”  Currently Apocalipstick has three rotating bass players, but plan to settle on one in the near future. 

Jackie O is uniquely suited to front a band like Apocalipstick - her day job is being a dominatrix.  Comparing her two careers, Jackie says, “I get different satisfaction from each. As a dominatrix, I am super in-control, polished and professional. In the band, I allow my more goofy, sophomoric energy to rear its ugly head. I enjoy acting foolish and out of control onstage, which I would never do as a Mistress. It's just not dignified.”  As for the rest of the band, KC says, “The rumor is that nobody plays for this band unless they are either out of their minds or hopelessly perverted. But that's only a rumor.  We’re all into emo, really.  If only we could learn to write serious lyrics.” 

Of course, Apocalipstick aren’t the first band to bring sex to the forefront.  The Impotent Sea Snakes and The Genitorturers, to name two well known examples, have certainly done their part to further the cause of erotic rock.  KC says what sets Apocalipstick apart is, “We are the only one of those bands whose music could be called punk rock. All those bands are edgy in their own ways... but, Apocalipstick does tend to take chances with music more.  I think our songwriting is funnier and, when you get down to it, more original.  But like I said, we are into both of those bands.  Their stage shows are so fun. They rock.” 

On their recently released CD, ‘Apocalipstick Now’, Jackie O and company cover a wide spectrum of sexual deviance.  On “Lick”, the band even makes the case that dogs are a woman’s, not man’s, best friend.  Is nothing taboo?  According to Jackie, it all depends on how you approach a subject.  She says, “Just because I won't take a dump on someone doesn't mean I won't sing about it.  Context is everything.”  KC adds, “Taboos are just like rules, they're made to be broken.” 

Although the music comes first for Apocalipstick, there’s also a significant visual element to their stage show.  KC says, “For us, the visual element is fucking important.  Personally, I’m bored by mopey looking guys who think they are somehow magically radical and cool in their same old t-shirts and jeans, singing about swilling beer and picking up chicks.  I mean get a grip, every fucking fratboy pinhead  in the world is like that. Not enough American bands take visual risks anymore, and that’s fucking sad and boring.”   

With their NC-17 rated stage antics, boring is one adjective few would use to describe an Apocalipstick show.  Of course, pushing boundaries is not without its risks.  One memorable performance even caught the attention of the forces of law and order, and they were not amused.  Jackie says, “The cops came onstage and arrested me for corrupting minors at an all-ages show. I got maced, beaten, and carried off by three burly men in uniform.  I can finally die a happy woman!”  

Although Apocalipstick is making an effort to get their music known outside of San Francisco by sending copies of their CD to press outlets and radio stations (I recently heard them get some airtime on Cleveland’s WCSB), for now they have no plans for extensive touring.  KC says, “We have done mini tours on the west coast, but I doubt we will ever do a big tour unless somebody pays for it.  We've paid our dues and done our share of sleeping on floors in other bands houses.  That kinda thing ain't gonna happen w/ Apocalipstick.  People who clean the piss off the toilet seats at McDonalds have better working conditions then your average sleep-on-the-floor type touring band.”   

To date, no band as explicit in its sexual content as Apocalipstick has gone beyond the underground.  However, with even hardcore porno almost mainstream these days, it’s only a matter of time.  Jackie says she and the band have their sights set on world domination.  KC agrees, adding, “Soon the G.I.s in the Iraqi prisons are gonna be blasting our music from the rafters while they snap photos of naked, tortured prisoners.  Once that starts happening, we'll know we've really arrived.  But hey, those soldiers sorely need some fashion lessons.  I mean, get with it, if you're gonna drag people around on a leash, you really gotta put on at least SOME black leather, especially if you're taking pictures!” 

And if world domination eludes them, perhaps Jackie will at least have another of her wishes granted.  She says, “I wish more men would wear waders. There are few things hotter than a man in thigh-high rubber boots. Back me up here, girls! Come to think of it, more women should wear them, too. Hmmm. I have to go now.”  Hey, it’s not that much to ask for.  And while you’re out driving around looking for just the right pair of rubber boots, make sure you’ve got some Apocalipstick playing on the car stereo to put you in the right frame of mind.

Visit the Apocalipstick website.