User:Rat Letross

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The Pests
Formation and Lineup''

The Pests, an American heavy metal/punk band from Metairie, Louisiana, formed in 1994, was a force to be reckoned with. The lineup, led by the charismatic vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Steve Halprin, included the high-spirited bassist and backup vocalist Chuck Diesel and the powerhouse drummer Mazz-1. Their wild antics on and off stage were legendary, and they always carved a unique path, never conforming to the norms. Despite some in the Crescent City hailing them as New Orleans punk icons, they were generally ostracized by the underground music scene, adding to their enigmatic allure.

  Origins and Evolution

Steve Halprin and Chuck Diesel's previous band, Geographic Tongue (1992-1994), and Mazz-1's rock/rap group, Bodybag Slam (1991-1994), where he handled the vocal duties, often played together, forming a camaraderie. When Geographic Tongue's drummer abruptly left, Diesel invited Mazz-1, a more skilled drummer than vocalist, to join. The band's sound became heavier, prompting a name change to The Pests, marking a turning point.

Early Success

The band quickly recorded their debut album, Simplified, at Festival Studios. The 11-song album featured faster and heavier remakes of four Geographic Tongue songs. A 2017 article suggested that Simplified is “quite possibly the world’s most unrecognized album.”

Their first gig was opening for Acid Bath on May 6th, 1995, at Marley's on the city's North Shore. They played regionally but mainly in the New Orleans area until 1996. One fan described their live show as “I’ve never seen so much venom coming off three people.”

The Pests' Split and Reunion

In 1996, as The Pests peaked, Halprin and Diesel were approached by Hollywood producer Kim Fowley, who had discovered The Runaways. Fowley had gotten a Geographic Tongue cassette and described the tape as “magic.” He wanted the band to reform with its original drummer and offered a record deal. Halprin and Diesel agreed and reformed the band under the name Blowtorch but later left due to creative differences. Afterward, Mazz-1 accepted Diesel and Halprin’s decision to reform The Pests with their former bandmate.

The Pests reformed in 1997 but disbanded in 1998. In 1999, Mazz-1 and Halprin formed The Bullies, with Diesel joining later. After The Bullies dissolved in 2000, Diesel retired from music, while Halprin and Mazz-1 continued separately with other projects.

Reunion and Final Split

In 2007, during a Wayne Hancock show at New Orleans’ iconic Rock and Bowl, Halprin recognized Mazz-1’s bassist at that time. Not having spoken to Mazz-1 in seven years, Halprin told the guy, “Tell Mazz-1 I said hi.” Within 24 hours, Mazz-1 called Halprin and suggested reforming The Pests. Halprin, who was going nowhere with his current band at the time, Gang of Creeps, agreed to at least jamming if Diesel was game…he was, and the former bandmates got together for the first time in seven years. After a few minutes into the reunion, the chemistry was undeniable, and they officially reformed The Pests.

The band quickly put themselves back out onto the New Orleans music scene and released their second album, We Reserve the Right to be Impolite. Two EPs followed this – Rockabilly is Ruining My Life (2012) and Disturbance in the Gulf (2014). After playing locally and regionally for five or six years, the band decided to take their show on the road. The Pests recorded their next full-length album, A Damn Fine Mixture, mastered by Scott Hull (Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys), which was released on their own 60 Grit label. In support of their new record, the group put out three videos – "I Admit It," "The Pain,"  and "Pants on Fire,"  with the help of filmmakers Eric LaCour  and Caleb Michaelson. The band began touring the Northeastern United States with outside financial backing, including gigs at Otto’s Shrunken Head in Manhattan and the famed Brighton Bar in Long Branch, New Jersey. The Pests even went to Detroit in November 2015 to perform as the opener for Troy Gregory’s (Flotsam and Jetsam) Birthday Bash at PJ’s Lager House. The band headed home to New Orleans that same month to play at one of their favorite events – The 504 Rock Art Circus – an annual event that the band had played many times before. This gig turned out to be their final show.

The Pests Split for Good

After eight years reunited, countless shows under their belt, and five musical releases (including two full-length albums), along with frustrations with management and financial issues, The Pests disbanded for good. Halprin and Diesel returned home to the New Orleans area and formed Death Ed., while Mazz-1 remained in New York City, rediscovering his rock/rap past as the drummer with NYC’s Panda City. The Pests released a single and accompanying video for "She Said Hi" just before disbanding.

''' Band Members •	Steve Halprin – Vocals/Guitar

•	Chuck Diesel – Bass/Vocals

•	Mazz-1 – Drums

Discography

•	Simplified (1995, self-released)

•	We Reserve the Right to be Impolite (2007, 60 Grit Records)

•	Rockabilly is Ruining My Life (2012, 60 Grit Records)

•	Disturbance in the Gulf (2014, 60 Grit Records)

•	A Damn Fine Mixture (2014, 60 Grit Records)

•	She Said Hi (2015, 60 Grit Records)

For more insights and tour tips from The Pests, check out their Digital Tour Bus appearances. ________________________________________