| Okay, look, we know how most of these band bios start. It usually goes something like this: Imagine a band that mixes [insert well-known indie band here] with [insert famous pop artist here] sprinkled with a dash of [for intrigue, insert descriptive noun here]. And of course, it's usually complete bullshit. Unless, that is, you're talking about Smash-Up Derby.
That's because ,b>Smash-Up Derby indeed does do all of the above – quite literally. In fact, they're a totally kick-ass indie cover band – except the singers think they're in a pop band. So while the band is cranking out rockin' renditions of songs by Nirvana, Franz Ferdinand, the Sex Pistols, or Black Sabbath, the singers are belting out Madonna, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, or Pink - at the same time.
On paper, it sounds like a train wreck, but in actuality, it melds beautifully. With the band's skillful execution, these "hybrid songs" sound like they were always meant to be together. You'll never hear the originals the same way again.
It's no surprise to discover that Smash-Up Derby was started by none other than singer-turned-DJ Adrian Roberts, who went from fronting the well-known San Francisco glam band Blue Period, to becoming an even more popular mash-up DJ and club promoter. Known mostly for throwing Bootie, the first mashup club in the United States, Adrian first conceived of the band in early 2003, thinking it would be fun to do live versions of the bootleg DJ mixes they had been spinning. He soon recruited ex-Blue Period drummer-turned-DJ Matty C., a.k.a. club Bootie's resident rock mashup DJ Dada, and together they created a band to do a one-off show. But it wasn't until a year later that things really kicked into gear, when they somehow convinced three-fourths of SF hard rock band For Madmen – guitarists Jamie Cronander and Jason Martinez, and bassist Sam Henry – to join them in this unholy union of indie rock versus shameless pop.
After another show, where the crowd response was overwhelming, they soon realized it was just too much fun to do only once a year. A few months later, they were joined by singer Trixxie Carr, who provided the ideal vocal foil for Adrian. When the two discovered they had both won separate "Best Ass" contests, they knew they were destined to be in a band together. Now, Smash-Up Derby has an entire repertoire of bastard pop songs, and have released an eight-song demo CD, which they refuse to sell – instead, they give it away for free at shows. They pride themselves as being known as the world's only mashup rock band, and have a monthly residency at the DNA Lounge, as the club Bootie house band.
However, mashing up the music is only part of what makes Smash-Up Derby unique. Their stage presentation makes them one of San Francisco's most exciting bands, with singers Adrian and Trixxie playing off each other, bringing a polished sense of glamour and theatricality to the proceedings. Meanwhile, the band – to put it bluntly – simply rock out with their cock out. It's a culture clash that's exciting to watch, and even more exciting to listen to.
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