Surf rockers Thee Swank Bastards sound ‘like a mish-mosh of rock and roll styles reverbed into perfection’

Like Colonel Kilgore once said, Charlie don't surf. And neither do Thee Swank Bastards. But that doesn't stop 'em from layin' down some fleet-fingered surf rock. Read on and catch the wave.

What do Thee Swank Bastards sound like?

"Three monkeys accidentally playing the same song at the same time. With a lot of reverb. You ever try to watch a monkey hump a football with a hoola hoop on? Like a mish-mosh of rock and roll styles reverbed into perfection."

You guys claim to be willing to play anywhere, from bar mitzvahs to porn conventions. What's the strangest gig you've played thus far?

"I'm not sure if it was playing on a flatbed in front of Talk of the Town or drinking all the Jager they had at Matteo's and then the band and audience stripping down to our underwear. The bassist riding a chick like a pony. Oh, and that one show with Shat."

Do you realize that you may be the first ever surf rock band to cite Martin Mull, Mr. Bungle and Biz Markie as influences. What other firsts can you lay claim to?

"The first surf band to lie about liking Martin Mull, Mr. Bungle and Biz Markie."

Thee Bastards seem to have trouble maintaining a steady drummer. We'll spare you the lame Spinal Tap jokes, but what gives?

"We like Spinal Tap jokes. Good drummers don't like to work for $3.25 an hour. I think we just work them too hard and drummers are lazy. We have two steady drummers now and that works much better for us. Too bad girlfriends don't work like that.

Seeing as how you're authorities on the subject, rank these other Vegas-y swank bastards in order of, uh, swankiness: Elvis, Brandon Flowers, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Rob Ruckus, Liberace.

"Frank Sinatra, Elvis (light), Tom Jones, Rob Ruckus, Liberace, Brandon Flowers, Elvis (fat)."

See Thee Swank Bastards at 10 p.m. Saturday at Casa di Amore, 2850 E. Tropicana Ave. Call 433-4967.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.