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Heavy on the guitar and attitude, the rock powerhouse Superjoint Ritual combines raucous metal music with a dose of international politics, making a statement on the heavy rock scene.
Guitarist Jimmy Bower summed up the group's attitude.
"We're pissed-off metal heads," he said.
That feeling can be detected from their latest CD, "A Lethal Dose of American Hatred," which they feel is spewed by the rest of the world.
"Turn on CNN, that's how we got the title to our record," said Bower, at the same time claiming that the band is not political.
The band features Bower and Kevin Bond on guitar, Joe Fazzio on drums and "Pantera" front-runner Philip Anselmo on vocals. Throw in a splash of Hank Williams III — that's right, the same Hank Williams of country fame — and that completes the circle on their sound.
"We sound like a car wreck," said Bower.
Although the country music blood is still in Williams, Bower claimed that he puts on the metal guise with Superjoint.
"In this band, he head-bangs and plays bass," said Bower of Williams.
The band's Web site is adorned with marijuana leaves, hence the name "Superjoint," and the stars and bars of the Confederate flag pop up now and then. Bower, who originates from Louisiana, defends the flag.
"We put rebel flags on our stuff. It's heritage, not hate," he said.
Maria Ferrero, the band's spokesperson at Adrenaline PR, thought the band's message has hit at the right time.
"They're very proud to be American," she said.
Although the band screams anti-establishment, there is no finger-pointing at figures in the music industry. Most of that is saved for the rest of the world. The closest Bower could compare the band with was Black Flag, with lead singer Henry Rollins.
"We like heavy music, no tricks, makeup or masks," Bower said.
Superjoint's first CD, "Use Once and Destroy," came out in 2002, featuring the title track "Superjoint Ritual," as well as songs "Everyone Hates Everyone" and "Oblivious Maximus." Their next CD comes out on July 22, and they already have a DVD produced by Tom Mignone, who was awarded Best Video Director of 2001 by MTV. Another video is coming out in August 2003.
"Cool things are happening," said Bower.
SPRINGFIELD folk musician Max Brooks had heard talk that heavy metal is regaining its popularity. He's familiar with the Jaxx crowd.
"Stuff from the '80s is becoming popular again," he said.
Ferrero thought the music appealed to younger crowds and the young-at-heart.
"It's definitely music for young people," Ferrero said. "It's high-energy, and the kids love it."
At a July 6 performance In the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Superjoint played for a packed house of 200. Bower said the small venue exerted a certain energy everyone benefited from. Fans were climbing on the stage in an organized mayhem fashion, reminiscent of the Black Flag days.
"We had people diving everywhere. It's cool when you can be that up-close and personal," he said.
This isn't the first time that Superjoint has played Jaxx, either. Anselmo played there with Pantera, and Superjoint made an appearance as well.
"You can't top a Virginia crowd," Bower said.