About Psychostick
Psychostick is an American comedy metalcore band from Tempe, Arizona, known for their comical image and usage of humor in their songs and lyrics. Their style is referred to by themselves and some online album review sites as "humorcore".
To date they have released five albums nationally. Their debut album, We Couldn't Think of a Title, was released on May 16, 2003. Their second album, Sandwich, was released on May 5, 2009, and their third album, titled Space Vampires vs Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D, was released August 16, 2011. Their fourth album was released on the fourth of November in 2014 titled IV: Revenge of the Vengeance, followed by their latest album Do released on July 24, 2018, during a webcast. They began touring nationally in July 2006, and have toured with Mushroomhead, Look What I Did, Powerglove, Bobaflex, and have played with many national bands, including Three Days Grace, Army of Anyone, Sick Puppies, Anew Revolution, The Exies, Smile Empty Soul, as well as many others.
Around the 1990s in Odessa, Texas, the first inception of Psychostick existed under the name "Asinine", with the line-up consisting of Josh Key on vocals, Steve W. on guitar, Marvin S. on bass, and Bozzy C. on percussion. In 2000, Key ended Asinine and moved to Phoenix, Arizona to follow high-school friend and future vocalist Rob Kersey. Needing to complete the line-up, they found drummer Alex Preiss, through an ad in the local "musicians wanted" section of the Phoenix New Times and through Alex, found bassist Hunter Alexander and played shows under the new name, "Psychostick". The band released two initial demo tapes, "Don't Bitch, It's Free" and "Die... A Lot!" . Uninterested in the comedy-metal genre, Alexander departed from the band in December 2001, and was replaced by Mike Kocian.
On May 16, 2003, the band self-released their debut album, We Couldn't Think of a Title, from which, after their record deal with Rock Ridge Records, was re-released on September 12, 2006. The album has had minor chart success in the US, reaching No. 41 on the Billboard's Top Heatseekers, No. 4 on the Billboard's Top Heatseekers , and No. 48 on the Billboard's Top Independent Albums. The album contained the song "Beer!", which would go on to be one of their most well-known songs. Psychostick gained notoriety in spring 2007, when their song "Beer" received heavy airplay on XM Radio's Liquid Metal show for seven weeks.
The band, with additional guitarist Vince "V" Johansen, commenced touring nationally on June 13, 2006, playing alongside Bobaflex, as well as Indorphine, for the first few weeks. Johansen would leave the band in late 2006. On September 25, 2007, the band released their holiday EP, The Flesh Eating Roller Skate Holiday Joyride. It was originally intended as a split album with Indorphine but who were unable to find the time to work on their half of the album. The holiday EP was mildly successful, reaching No. 18 on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums. The stress of touring caused bassist Kocian to part ways with the band in 2007.
Around the time of Kocian's departure from Psychostick, Indorphine disbanded after touring with Psychostick on the Holiday Hate 2007 tour in December. Needing a new bassist, the band contacted Indorphine vocalist Jimmy Grant to fill in the vacant bass slot. The band also recruited rhythm guitarist Jake McReynolds, figuring "they would do it all at once" since they were going through a line-up change. The band then embarked on their first tour with the 5-piece lineup, entitled the "Holy Crap We're Touring" tour, on February 6, 2008.
Map & Directions To Venue
