Piss-Ant altogether will tell us something about their wild adventures on stage, their musical main inspirations, painting their most provocative world! There's even a story about a past in the Vixen. So it's up to you to speak guys!

Hi guys, I really think you are around since ages. Which have been your most important musical experiences before Piss-Ant? Amy,I know that your career crossed the one of Vixen at a certain point: can you explain how did it happen, especially to the ones who still ignore it?
Amy B.: My time with Vixen was very short-lived. In 1991 their bass player Share and singer Janet left to start another project. The guitarist Jan and drummer Roxi wanted to keep Vixen going so they found a new singer named Jackie and I was their new bass player. I was only with the band for less than one year before the project somewhat dissolved. In 2001 I was contacted by their management about doing a reunion tour with Vixen. I rehearsed with them but ultimately had to turn down doing the tour because Piss Ant had a tour booked at the same time.
Josi K.: Music has been and always will be a part of my life, in some form. Eventually, I will a ruthless manager. My parents were in a band when I was little, which meant we traveled around in a school bus, like a dysfunctional Partridge Family and they had lots of parties. So, I was raised in this crazy lifestyle at a very young age. My parents were in a band so we traveled around in a school bus (yea, like the Partridge Family but really stoned) sooooo, I was behind the "mike" at a very young age. My first band was a punk band in high school called "Society In Decay". My Dad bought me a bass, which I still have and still can't play.
Dave F.: I think for me it has been and still is continuing to grind it out. It's never been an option for me, but many people I know have quit playing music. It's not easy to love to do something that doesn't always pay the bills.
Jeff D.: I was forunate enough to grow up in New Orleans, where I started playing when I was very young so I was able to have a diverse appreciation for the art form from an early age. Music has always been the most drivng force in my life. It's my church.

How did you four meet? When and why were Piss-Ant born?
Amy B.: Dave and I were in another band together the same time he was doing Piss Ant with Josi. Eventually the original bass player for Piss Ant left and I joined. We met Jeff when he was out with a friend looking for a party and he walked into the wrong house. That house was mine and we just stayed in touch. After a few years Piss Ant needed a new drummer so we called on him.
Josi K.: Dave! He is fucking with you…Amy, you explain.
Dave F.: We all met in a bordello where Josi and Amy were working. Just kidding, it was Jeff and I that met at the bordello as bouncers. But really, Amy and Jeff played with me in another band. Josi and I (along with a former bass player) started Piss Ant. Piss Ant officially started many years ago, but in my mind we didn't really get started until Amy and Jeff joined about 3 years ago, right before we released our first record. They joined and we jumped into the studio.
Jeff D.: I started as a fill in for a few shows , but I had such a great time on stage with these nuts that I decided to just stay and start writing with them .

Why did you choose the moniker Piss-Ant? Is there any second meaning?
Josi K.: The literal meaning of Piss Ant is something or someone that is not important; insignificant: We debated calling the band Body Paint, Dutch Oven and a few other lame names, until someone made a comment to the effect of "You guys are just a bunch of piss ants," and it kinda stuck.

You just went out with your full-length 'Your Best Sucks'. Which are, in your own opinions, the biggest differences from your previous work 'Piss Off'?
Amy B.: The biggest differences between Piss Off and Your Best Sucks are the song writing and the production. Except for the one cover tune (Trouble) the entire album of Your Best Sucks was written by the four of us. Piss Off had quite a few outside writers. Your Best Sucks has helped Piss Ant develop its own sound. Also, this new album has a heavier feel while "Piss Off" has a lighter campier feel.
Josi K.: "Your Best Sucks" is much meaner than "Piss Off".
Dave F.: As I said before, Amy and Jeff had just joined Piss Ant, so it had some of the older material that Josi and I brought to the band. The new record is pretty even written by the band. Plus the production sounds a lot better. We took more time on this record and worked with more people mixing and tracking it. Hopefully everyone will notice and like this record.
Jeff D.: I think we finally found our voice as a band. We now have the Piss Ant sound. It's a representation of all our different influences. We've become like a well oiled machine.

You have a strong, evident personal style: there are echoes to classic rock, atmosphere going from glam to gothic, and even deviations to metal riffs. How did this mix of sounds get born? This is the main element distinguishing Piss-Ant from all the other bands...
Amy B.: We joke about how Dave, Jeff and I are the rockers and Josi is the punker so you mix rock music with punk vocals and attitude and our sound is born.
Josi K.: Collectively we all have different musical influences so I could only speak for myself. Never judge a book by it's cover, I used to wear a purple mohawk and combat boots. I guess that would be where you would hear the punk/gothic influences.
Dave F.: Well, when you have a demonstrative drummer who bangs it'll change a riff that I might come up with to sound a little heavier maybe. I think we all add our influences that can vary quite a bit. There is definitely that 70's and 80's guitar rock riff thing going on.
Jeff D.: We all come from very different musical backgrounds, and we all write. So you take in to account the inspiration your band mates bring to you, and find the true voice of the song, and voila, a song is born!

"Whips&Chains" and "Wasted" are the songs I prefer because you propose rock'n'roll in a modern key thanks to your particular approach. What can you say about these two pieces? From where does your inspiration come from?
Josi K.: Wasted is up for interpretation. It is not only about getting fucked up but a fucked up person. I wanted a sing -along- song with the old school fun of the Ramones. You know a song that drunk people could have a good time singing.
Dave F.: Well, "Whips & Chains" lyrically is the irony of when someone is being scrutinized by the "moral majority" for being provocative or speaking their mind, and the hate and hypocrisy of those people when they end up being the ones that get caught with their pants down. Musically it came out extremely fast. The lyrics came first and the music just followed. As far as "Wasted", Josi?
Jeff D.: "Whips" was Dave's guitar driven idea, then we all threw our own little spice to it. Wasted was Josi's baby, very representative of her punk background.

Which are the musicians you have been mostly influenced by and that made you take the decision to follow this career?
Amy B.: I probably chose this path after playing in bands in high school and getting such a rush from performing in front of people. My influences would be Getty Lee from Rush for his bass playing, Ann Wilson from Heart for her voice and Lenny Kravitz for his look and style.
Josi K.: I grew up in a family where music played a huge part in our lives. Both of my parents were hippies who owned a studio and played in a band together. Therefore, my earliest influences were bands from the 60 & 70's like Henderix. During my teenage years I got into punk and listened to Sex Pistols, X and The Clash. As time passed I started listening to punk acts from the UK such as GBH, Exploited, The Damned and Vice Squad.
Dave F.: Just about everything I ever heard has and does influence me musically. I don't remember a time where I didn't want to write or play music.
Jeff D.: As an artist im effected by all music i encounter. Especially as song writer. To many to list. But my father being a big Elvis fan probably kicked it off .

Amy, from your biography I learned you play a "Fender Jazz" bass-guitar. Why this choice? Do you like that kind of sound, I suppose...
Amy B.: I like the Fender Jazz for a couple reasons. 1) It has a narrower neck than most bass' so it fits my hands better. Also, it has a very rich sound with good bottom end

You have a pretty provocative, sexy, fetish, glamour image! These elements added to the female elements of the band remind me to "The Genitortures". Is there any possibility that the look of Piss-Ant has something in common with the one of Gen? Can you express your opinion on "The Genitortures"?
Josi K.: Gen is hot. Her band knows how to put on a great show. Also there is Kimbra from The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black who also puts on a great show.
Dave F.: I'm not that familiar with them.

From what I read is clearly affirmed your live shows are quite wild. Which are the most outrageous shows you've been in during you career? What did happen in those occasions?
Amy B.: We were playing North Lake Tahoe and the group was pretty wild. We found out later that someone was stabbed during our show. That kinda sucked. Other than that we've had chairs thrown at us or had women practically strip naked in hopes of receiving a free t-shirt.
Josi K.: This drunk guy kept giving me money while we were playing, at the end of the set I had $150 stuffed in the crotch of my pants. The Camp Penelton Marine Bass was wild and rowdy. Get pumped up Marines, listening aggressive music, who haven't seen half naked chick months, drunk and roudy! I think however the biggest stunt pulled off was getting the band on VH1, I informed the producers we were on Playboy TV and they ran with it… ext thing you know, the whole entire world thinks I'm a porn star
Jeff D.: I got kidnapped by a girl after a show in Georgia, i wont go into the details. Rock and roll is odd man.

What do you usually do before going on stage? Do you have any particular usage or kind of spell against bad luck?!!
Dave F.: No. Aside from maybe having a beer.
Jeff D.: Beers with Dave, and warming up with rudiments, not so spooky hugh?

Josi, in the States, you were quite popular thanks to your tv appearance (playboy channel), your pics on some well-known magazines and appearing in Marilyn Manson video. Which, amongst these experiences, did you like most? How was meeting Mr. Manson?
Josi K.: Well, I'm starved for attention so it is all good. My all time favorite is Playboy; they treat you like royalty and they pay well. Manson was either shy or snobby I couldn't tell which.

Ok, rock'n'roll is mostly considered a men affair even if there are some heroines like Wendy O Williams, Joan Jett, Girlschool Exene Cervenka etc! Which are the positive and negative aspects to be a girl in rock'n'roll scene?
Amy B.: It's not so bad anymore. There was certainly a time where women were perceived as more of a novelty act and something to look at but not listen to. However, it really doesn't seem like it's like that anymore. Most of the time we're taken seriously ... that is, as seriously as you can take Piss Ant.
Josi K.: Ahhhh, now your talking my language, you mentioned a few of my all time favorate Rock N'Roll models. The are a few disadvantages to being a girl however, I view it as an advantage. People Llove seeing chicks that could rock hard. Jeff how do you feel being a girl in this RnR scene? lol
Dave F.: Not always easy to be taken seriously. Some think we're a "porn band". Untrue. Once they see a live show it usually changes their mind.
Jeff D.: It's great to see the guys laugh when the girls walk on stage, and its even better to see them realise that these girls kick their f***n ass! Josi rocks, and Amy is one of the best bass players i've ever played with

Can you tell me something about GenXtasy Records, the label of your full-length? Is it your own label?
Amy B.: Yes, it's our own label. It would be nice if a larger label picked us up for distribution. We'd also like to release other bands under our label at some point.
Dave F.: Yes, it's our own label. Both records have been released on GenXtasy Records. We're hoping to hook up with some labels for international promotion and distribution. So if anyone knows of one that would work well with a band like Piss Ant, contact us.

Your plans for the future after the release of "Your best Sucks"? Do you have any plan about touring?
Amy B.: We did quite a bit of touring in the U.S. promoting Piss off. I think Europe and Japan would be awesome markets for us so that will be our focus for this new album.
Josi K.: We're coming' out to Italy, to harass you- baby!
Dave F.: As I just said we hope to work a deal with some labels overseas so we can get over and tour in those countries. Right now the focus is working those connections.
Jeff D.: I can't wait to get back on the road, i'm never happier than when i'm out on tour. I could easily live in a bus or hotels for quite some time, read all day, play music at night, meet some cool people, next day, do it all again. Heaven.

Which are your favourite artists at the moment?
Amy B.: I always like Stone Temple Pilots, I like that new Australian band Jett, I like Incubus, and I like Evanesence.
Josi K.: I would have to say the artists I most adore are Joan Jett, Blondie, Ramones and Iggy Pop. I'm an old school kind of girl. I guess of the more "current" bands I like the Distillers and the Briefs.
Dave F.: Kinda diggin' AFI and Incubus. Korn, Rage Against the Machine, and Garbage are always in there too.
Jeff D.: Tool , Mars Volta, Audioslave , My Morning Jacket, Thornbirds ect.... Again too many to list.

When you are not playing, what do you love to do, in your free time?
Amy B.: I enjoy cooking and trying to find time to relax.
Josi K.: Free time?
Dave F.: It seems like it's always something involving music or sleep. I guess watching American football too.
Jeff D.: Reading books, writing new tunes on my acoustic, painting, drinking wine. Not necessarily in that order.

Guys, our interview is now ended, free space! Now you can say anything you want to our readers....
Josi K.: Ya, write us nasty letters!
Dave F.: We really hope we'll make it out to Europe this year to tour. With any luck and some help maybe we'll be able to do that. Feel free to email us at from our website, and let us know how the scene is doing over there. Rock on!!

Intervista realizzata da Bruno Rossi.
Traduzione realizzata da Margherita Realmonte e Laura Delnevo.
Photos by Holly Arete, Lorin Crosby and Katherine Tessier.