THE ULTIMATICS
by Mikey Disaster
Mikey Disaster: Alright, give the readers a brief history, and the who's who in the Ultamatics.
Angelo: The bands consists of me on drums, Tommy on bass and vocals, Terry on guitar and vocals, and we just got a new guitar player, Matt. We've been around for about three, three and a half years. We were formed out of the ashes of a band called the Addicts
(Pittsburgh band, early 90's). Me and Tommy and Ray were in the Addicts and it sorta metamorphised into the Ultamatics around 96', worked hard and we got a new album out. We're just takin' it from there.
M.D: So who are you main influences?
A: Well, speaking for myself I think the Clash was the coolist band ever created, because they pioneered a lot of different styles, you know. They did a lot of different things , but they still had their own idenity. They had reggae and ska, straight up punk, and a little rockabilly here and there. Everything they did was just real cool. The Clash started doing some weird shit towards the end, and I wasn't really into that.
M.D: Yeah.
A: Stuff like that and some newer bands, Swiging Utters, Social Distortion is a huge one for us. I've loved them since day one, and all the different changes in that band. I think Mike Ness is a great songwriter. Shit along those lines, you know. Terry is into the Beatles and stuff like that, and mesh it all together.
M.D: What did you think of Mike Ness's nes solo shit?
A: I think it's cool. He can really do no wrong. Great man, and he has a distinctive voice.
M.D: Ok, so what can you expect from an Ultamatics show?
A: Well, basically we don't try to change the world with our politics, or anything like that. We're into making people forget about the bullshit aspect of their lives. Come out, drink, have a good time. Escape for a while, because that's what we're doing when we're up there.
M.D: Keep politics out of music is what I say, I'm not into that.
A: Yeah, that's ok, but it has its place. The bands that beat it down, after awhile it gets like, " lets just have a good time instead,"y'know.
M.D: So what's the craziest thing you've seen at one of your shows?
A: Craziest thing? I don't know we've played a lot of shows over the years. One that sticks out was when Tommy fell off a pretty big stage in Youngstown one time. He's a pretty durable dude, but he was not like, really getting up. We were like," Oh no. He must be really fucked up."
(Both laughing)
A: He fell four feet onto his face. All because he was wearing cowboy boots, and he never wore them again. That's probably the funniest thing. I don't know if its the craziest.
M.D: So what do you think of Pittsburghs music scene?
A: Well, actually, I think its pretty good. I can only speak for the underground scene, because that's all I'm involved in, and really concerned with, and I actually think its alright. There area couple of bars that have punk and rockabilly bands play, and are doing pretty good with it. Bars like 31st Pub and Goosky's, and others. The scene is underatted. I think a lot of the problem is the bands around here, they don't wanna hustle. They don't flyer, no word of mouth. They think it will just happen.
M.D: But it won't. That's true. So what's the latest news on the band.
A: Well, we just got a new guitar player to take Ray's place, who unfortunately passed away over in Europe this summer. His name is Matt. He was basically a fan of the band and he would be at everyshow, I didn't even know the kid knew how to play guitar. He came up to me and said," why don't you let me try out. I dig you guys a lot." So, I was like," Ok, whatever." He told me he knew the whole album. I was thinking," Yeah, right." But we tried him out, and he started bangibg right into the songs. We tried out others, but he always stuck in our minds. He knew songs inside an out, and he was a fan of the band in the first place. He seems like he's willing to work hard at it, cause attitude is 70% of the whole deal.
M.D: So what's the plans for the future?
A: Get this album out there. We got a label from San Francisco helping us out called Wormhole Music, and they're throwing it out in record stations, shit like that. Keep playing shows and keep our fan base growing. We've been doing pretty good. We play out pretty often. We totally shattered the myth that people will get burned out of you, if you play out a lot. We play three time a month. Just keep steps to keep moving it forward. Always writing new songs. Playing shows out of town, meeting new people. That's what its all about.
M.D: O.k, if you were me, what question would you ask you?
A: Interesting. I think you stumped me. I guess what's it like having all that annoying hair on your back?
M.D: Well?
A: Well, it's not that bad really. I get it shaved down every couple of weeks, so it works out ok.
The Ultamatics are one kick ass band. Go see them, and pick up their new album, "The Vicious and the Glamorous".