The Upper Crust
The Upper Crust is an American hard rock band from Boston.[1][2] The members adopt the personas of 18th century aristocratic fops and sing songs from that perspective. They use titles of nobility, wear powdered wigs and period costumes, and maintain a snobbish attitude while performing live and on their albums.[1][2] The members' say that their guiding philosophy is "If not great and excellent, then debauched."[3]
Their major music influence is Bon Scott-era AC/DC,[1] alongside glam rock band Kiss[4] and fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap.[2] Rolling Stone has stated that "Dismiss Boston's Upper Crust as a joke rock band if you must, but give them this much: They're actually funny, and there's as much rock as mock to their singular brand of "roque"" and that "there's plenty of worthy riffs and double-entendre wit to go around".[1] The group originated from a Boston surf rock band called 'The Clamdiggers'.[2] Other related bands were The Bags, The Titanics, The Satanics, The Flies, The Oysters and Seks Bomba.[citation needed]
The Upper Crust has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[5] The band had their signature song, "Eureka, I've Found Love" featured as a bonus song in the PlayStation 2 game, Guitar Hero. They have also guest starred in an episode of Codename: Kids Next Door (Operation P.A.R.T.Y.) on Cartoon Network, January 26, 2007.[citation needed]
Members
- Lord Bendover (Nat Freedberg) (guitar, vocals) (1995-present)
- Count Basie (Chris Cote) (bass, vocals) (1996-present)
- The Duc D'istortion (Dave Fredette) (guitar, vocals) (1995-present)
- Jackie Kickassis (Jim Janota) (drums) (1995-present)
Former Members
- Lord Rockingham (Ted Widmer) (guitar, vocals) (1995–1997)
- Marquis de Roque (aka Marquis Marque, Marc Mazzarelli) (bass, bad vocals) (1995–1996)
Discography
- Let them Eat Rock LP (1995) (Upstart Records)
- The Decline and Fall of The Upper Crust LP (1997) (Emperor Norton Records)
- Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be:A Tribute To AC/DC one track, "Back in Black" (1999) (Reptilian Records)
- Entitled - double live album (2000) (Reptilian Records)
- Once More Into The Breeches LP (2001) (Emperor Norton Records)
- Cream of the Crust CD (2006) (Upper Crust Ltd)
Filmography
- Let them Eat Rock (Documentary - 2004)