Ahead of their gig on Friday night (December 15), we pinned down Spalding punk-rock band I Got Spiders who explained their new genre of music – grapple punk.
We find I Got Spiders rehearsing in their Spalding lair in preparation for the gig at The Black Swan with Peterborough Polish punk group The Moonshiners and Peterborough alt-rockers The Deadites. Local group OldBoy open the show.
The three wrestling fans Steve Van Hammer (drums), Jim D.K. (bass/vocals) and Gary Indiana (guitar/vocals/the man in the mask) produce a muscular sound as a three-piece. The no-nonsense punk-rock is underpinned with pure rock and roll and the songs are short, sharp slams.
While wrestling and punk inform the band’s look and music, there are other influences at work that round out their sound. “My biggest influence is The Beatles,” said Gary. “Without The Beatles there wouldn’t be punk.”
During rehearsal, the band knock out some golden oldies alongside songs from their first album (Kingdom of the Spiders, out now) and new tracks. Ricky Nelson’s Hello Mary Lou and Buddy Holly’s Oh Boy are caught in the Spiders’ web and served with rollicking punk gusto.
I Got Spiders formed last year when Steve and Jim’s former band split and Gary, a fan of the group, revealed his plans to start a punk group.
The trio’s penchant for a rock and roll backbeat and a catchy hook give the songs an edge and their good-times gigs have been well received nationally.
What can we expect from Friday’s gig? “Spandex!” Jim said.
This is no pay per view event – entry is free and the doors open at 8pm.
