Crossover thrash pioneers D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) are playing the Lowbrow Palace Friday, February 26th. The band formed in Houston in 1982 and was originally a hardcore punk band. They are touted as the originators of the crossover movement from punk to metal.
The band is comprised of original members Spike Cassidy and Kurt Brecht, along with Walter Ryan and Harald Oimoen. D.R.I. has released 7 studio albums, with an upcoming EP due out later this year.
We recently had the chance to speak with Brecht about what it’s like being in a professional touring band and life on the road.
What’s the craziest show you guys have ever played?
Brecht: For us it is just as crazy playing a pizza parlor with no stage and 50 people as it is playing a festival for 100,000.
What’s the most bizarre, strange, creepy, weird venue you’ve played at?
B: A cruise ship, a Chinese restaurant and the National Mall in Washington, D.C. are just a few that come to mind.
Are you guys currently writing and recording?
B: We have an EP coming out this year, and Spike writes most music while I write most of the lyrics.
Do you guys have any side projects?
B: I have P.N.D. and Harald has Blind Illusion.
You’ve played throughout the world, including some places that have been devastated by natural disasters, poverty, etc. It seems like some of the fans in those particular places would be more hungrier, and just more grateful, for your music?
B: People from countries that have not always had access to so many live concerts in their countries really do appreciate us coming there and playing for them, in places like Indonesia, Chile, etc…
Along that same line, how different are the shows and fan reaction/reception different from place to place?
B: Well we are lucky that we seem to do good pretty much everywhere. Obviously, if we play in the U.S. in a 21 and over bar on a Tuesday night in some small Midwestern town, the audience reaction may be more subdued than a festival in Brazil on a Saturday night.
It seems to me like being a professional musician is a hard job. Can you talk about the trials and tribulations of being in a touring band?
B: We like traveling. We only go out for 2 weeks at a time, so it isn’t so bad. I get bored staying at home, and we love playing live!
D.R.I. plays The Lowbrow Palace Friday, Feb 26, 2016
Doors @ 9:00 pm, Show @ 10:00 pm
All Ages Show
Tickets: $13—$15