Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines a pimp as "a man who solicits clients for a prostitute."
Rockford, Ill.'s own Goodyear Pimps have been rocking for so long and so slyly, comparisons to the biggest pimp of them all -- Prince -- may be in order. According Tony Crisman, the bass player, the Pimps can create new tunes on a whim, just like the Man himself.
"We just take one idea and try to rehash it as many times as we possibly can," he says. "We've been referred to as the Taco Bell of rock."
According to that same Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, a pimp is also a "little fart," a definition dating back to the 1600s. With the intestinal problems that arise from consuming Taco Bell, we should go with the second definition of pimp.
The Pimps -- also comprising Stu Johnson, Dave DeRosso, Todd Cooper and Hilly -- met a few years ago, on the Illinois sector of E-Harmony.com. They have been going strong ever since.
An urban legend suggests the band was sued by the Goodyear company. Is that true?
"We didn't actually get sued by Goodyear. But they did send Johnny Cochran over to our place," says Crisman. "He told us he'd spare us his legal acumen in exchange for producing his rap record. He passed on before we could get the project rolling."
But that's okay, because the Pimps do not need Johnny Cochran. On the tune "Japanese Game Show," they flex their muscles, providing a break-neck beat complete with percussion and chain-saw guitars. On "Machine Shop," they extol the virtues of working a job at a-you guessed it-machine shop. The terrifying six-string work is reminiscent of Slayer, and the vocals breathe Bourbon and nicotine.
Then, like a cruel joke, the guys break into a slow, acoustic movement. Complete with slide guitars, this section of "Machine Shop" bashes new country stars such as Lee Ann Rimes and Faith Hill.
The band's varied sound comes from their willingness to listen to anyone. Just who are the Pimps spinning these days?
"The entire spectrum," says Crisman. "Anyone from Tom Waits to Fugazi, Willie Nelson to Glenn Gould, The Roots. In high school, we only listened to Slayer's 'Reign in Blood' over and over again."
On "Last Days of Summer," the Pimps sound like a weird cross between Crazytown and Kid Rock. However, there is a catchy vocal melody, so the guys could teach Kid Rock a thing or two about a thing or two.
So then, why should anyone bother seeing the Pimps in concert? "Because," says Crisman, "cocaine can't buy itself."
Pimps, indeed.
The Goodyear Pimps play the BBC March 24 with The Cocksmiths. Show time is 10 p.m. Their Web site is thepimps.org.
