Ascolta is Italian for listen, and that's exactly what local punk crew Askultura want you to do.
"Listen to the culture," says the band's founder Andrew, a Lakota Nation warrior poet. He and his nine cohorts -- two chicks, six dudes, and a beast named Captain on the washboard -- are releasing a new album of tribal hooligan sounds called Ten Strong Superpunk Skarantella Reggae Rumba Fury.
They love Jagermeister, wild parties, and Miami. And they plan to prove it with their album release party at Churchill's Pub on November 3. Here's what we know so far.
See also:
-Askultura on Society: "We're Saying Fake Artifical People Stank, and We Skank"
-Askultura's Kickstarter: Support Ten Strong Superpunk Skarantella Reggae Rumba Fury!
Crossfade: How'd you come up with the name of the band?
Andrew: I drank just the right amount.
Where and how did you record the new album?
Live, with a couple overdubs, at the Transportation Workers Union Hall. All ten of us, and the guys from APL Studio.
You're a nomad, right?
My first time in Miami was for the FTAA [Free Trade Area of the Americas] protest in 2004. We came down with masks and grappling hooks, ready for action.
When did the band start?
December 2009. I had a broken ankle and no mike stand. So I wrapped the cord around my chest.
You play all over the state. Do you take the whole band on the road every time?
People have jobs. So sometimes, we can't. But when it's just four of us, it gets real punk rock. Real kulturato.
You have a job in real life?
I'm studying to be an acupuncturist, but music is first and foremost. My girlfriend has put up with a lot of shit.
Give thanks, right?
Our conga guy is a santero. I call him Zio, but his name is Tio. He's a Babalao.
You gonna hit the road and tour soon?
We wanna bring out some Latino flavor to France, Oklahoma, New York, London, Italy. We're taking this show on the road, first stop, New Orleans.
What's another goal?
We really want a Jaegermeister sponsorship. Love that stuff.
Name a crazy show experience.
I was in the green room at Culture Room one night after we played and Dennis Rodman was in there with this tweaked out little blonde girl. We started doing shots of Jaeger, getting hammered. I started dancing too heavily and got kicked out for excessive rowdiness. That was fun.
Anything special planned for the show at Churchill's?
I unhooked the toilet bowl from my house and we're gonna set it up out front of the pub and let people sit on it, get their picture taken, and sign their name before they go inside. It'll be a good souvenir.
The album talks about more than just getting fucked up, right?
When there's no more food, no more power, and we live in a hunter-gatherer society, Asku will still be playing shows. This band is about more than just the fun. All politicans' actions say, 'Fuck the public.' I say, "Anarchy, and legalize weed."
What's another serious topic?
Nazism, boneheads, and white pride are on the rise and we are definitely anti-fascist hooligans. We're pro-equal rights on all fronts.
Any labels approached the band to sign?
Two labels have approached us and we said no to both. Because there's nothing they could do for us that we can't do ourselves. And with our fans, we're unstoppable. They donated the money for us to manufacture and release this album. Thanks!
Askultura's Ten Strong Superpunk Skarantella Reggae Rumba Fury album release party. With Radio Armada, Guerilleros De Nadie, Enough!, Vice City Rockers, Sheffield Crew, Stereotype the Masses, Rusty Joe, and others. Saturday, November 3. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. The show starts at 8 p.m. and cover costs $10. Ages 18 and up. Call 305-757-1807 or visit churchillspub.com.
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