Jon Reed notes, 2001: In May of 1994, I sat down with the Unband, and amidst rounds of cold beverages and raucous conversation we got to the bottom of the Bay State Hotel “lewd behavior” controversy. Since then, the Unband have taken their pared-down swagger a lot farther than most Valley bands. They’ve toured with the likes of Motorhead and Def Leppard, and SPIN Magazine singled them out as leaders in the indie “cock rock” music movement - a movement of “back to balls” rock bands that are unwilling to surrender to modern “misery rock.” These new bands give a nod and a wink to the glory days of Kiss and AC/DC, bringing sex rock into the twentieth century with a punk-like fury and just the right amount of irony. Even Sub Pop records, which once provided the most visible alternative to hair metal culture, has gotten in on the act, signing indie “cock rock” bands that have followed in the Unband’s footsteps. Jonathan Poneman, head of Sub Pop records, said this about the movement that the Unband helped to start: "It bums me out when kids equate rock with Limp Bizkit and Blink 182. There’s nothing heroic about today’s high-profile bands. I mean, who wants to be Fred Durst?"

When the Unband first played around here, I ran into more than a few “Valley couch critics” who dismissed them as a derivative cover band who could barely play their instruments. So how did the Unband respond? They played even louder, took off some clothes, got in trouble, toured like crazy, and ended up pioneering a rock movement without even trying. Their first major label release, Retarder, was met with critical success, and they landed a song on the Scary Movie soundtrack. By now it should be clear: we haven’t heard the last of the Unband.

Jon Reed's update, 2004: The Unband had a good run, eventually touring with the likes of Def Leppard and Motorhead, but they officially disbanded a few years ago. We haven't heard the last of Mike, Eugene, and Matt just yet. Mike and Eugene are now playing in Old Money, and Matt has a band called Fistah. Neither band has the pure, accidental genius of the Unband, but they both have a lot of potential. Mike, in particular, seems determined to take Old Money as far as he can take it, and a new record deal is supposedly in the works. I'm rooting for the guys, and I'll always fondly remember our "meeting of the minds" at the Northampton Brewery in 1994.

Undressing the Unband

The Unband are a threesome on a vitally important musical mission. In their own imitable way, they force-feed the Valley music scene a pungent helping of no-hold-barred, punk-at-its-best, semi-clothed fun. Whether it's the seat-of-the-pants puppet show using drummer Eugene Ferrari's dirty socks, an oddly impassioned cover of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler," or a stack of free pizzas hurled onto their fans, every Unband show is a spontaneous event.

But turning fun into art can be serious business, as the Unband learned during their April 9th gig at the Bay State Hotel. Due to two controversial events during the performance, the Unband found themselves charged with "gross and lewd behavior." Two policemen on neighborhood foot patrol have accused Ferrari of playing in the nude. Guitarist Matt Pierce is alleged to have mooned the policemen through the window. On May 11, the Northampton District Court will determine whether or not these charges are true, and whether or not they constitute "gross and lewd" behavior. Although the Unband are currently banned from the Bay State, the resulting publicity circus has created a groundswell of gleeful community support. Court date or not, the Unband will not be swayed from their irreverent course.

The complete lineup of the Unband features Eugene Ferrari on drums, Matt Pierce on guitar, and Mike Ruffino on bass. Ruffino and Pierce take on the bulk of the vocals. The Valley Optimist found the Unband in typically good spirits at the Northampton Brewery, 24 hours after a triumphant unplugged performance at the Brewery's Seisiun Night.

TVO: Was it the "Unband" from the beginning or did the name come later?

Eug: The name kind of followed the attitude of "we don’t know what the hell's going on."

Matt: Eug and I used to be in a punk rock band in high school called The Afghanistan Spoon Festival. We met Mike somewhere. And then Mike and I formed a band with this idiot that lasted a few weeks. We were playing in a high school gymnasium with the band and Eugene showed up, set up his drum set next to the other kid, and played louder than him. The other kid just walked off. He goes to Colby now. Colby's commencement speaker this year is George Bush.

TVO: The key to the Unband is the chaos factor, but underneath this spontaneous feel there is clearly some serious ambition. Do you have an agenda?

Eug: We're going to rule the universe. In a very subtle, underlying way.

TVO: The Unband is legendary for its cover songs, Billy Squier's "The Stroke" is one of my favorites. And, of course, "The Gambler." But the upcoming CD (out in two weeks) is all originals. How do you balance the covers and the originals?

Mike: Depends on the night.

Matt: We're pretty much mood music. If we're in a silk and satin mood, we'll do some sexy covers.

TVO: So let's set the record straight on this whole controversial Bay State incident. Are there any rumors that need to be cleared up?

Mike: Our lawyer says "Koo Koo Ka Choo."

Matt: We maintain our innocence.

Mike: We're got no comment on the fact that we may or may not have been naked. We are definitely innocent of all charges of "open and gross lewdness." I do not feel that any possible nakedness is lewd and gross. I went to the Picasso thing and saw that seated dud. Did you see The Advocate a couple weeks ago? There were pictures of titties all over that thing. So basically it sounds like the police are defining art.

Matt: But the police are also being very nice.

Mike: The police are good guys. Because we were nice to them.

Eug: The police are bored.

Matt: During that same night, someone sprayed pepper mace into the crowd. A lot of people walked out of there with stinging eyes. Some people have speculated…

Eug: I'd have to say it's been the most positive contact I've had with the law, maybe ever.

Matt: On a scale of things to get busted for, that's a good one.

TVO: What are your day jobs?

Mike: I really like my job.

Eug: Mike and I are dish gods at Curtis and Schwartz and Eastside Grill. We are dish artists.

TVO: You guys have a song on Chunk Records' Hotel Massachusetts compilation. Is your new CD on the same label?

Mike: Our CD is coming out on our own label.

Eug: We thought about calling it SONY for a while, but who the fuck is going to remember that?

TVO: The formation of a record label is a daunting task. How did you get the funding?

Matt: It was generously donated.

TVO: Something about the phrase "generously donated" seems a little vague.

Mike: It is vague.

TVO: Don't get me wrong, it's better than "not-generously donated." I'm glad everyone's been so generous.

Mike: Everything worked out.

TVO: How is it going to be distributed?

Matt: Mal Thursday's talking to some distributors for us. He's been a big help.

TVO: Do you see yourselves signing a major record deal and going on MTV and all that?

Mike: I would not refuse any large sum or money at any point.