Tour brings ‘humorcore' to Cape Girardeau

A promoter calls it "a crazy party with lots of energy," and guarantees music fans who don't take their tunes too seriously will be in for a good time when the "Our Tour Can Beat Up Your Tour" comes to Pitter's Cafe and Lounge, 811 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, on April 11.

The tour mixes the "humorcore" of Psychostick with the sounds of Downtown Brown and Polkadot Cadaver, joined by opening acts Bleed the Divine and Fatal Havoc.

Josh Key, guitarist for Psychostick, is excited to play Cape Girardeau for the first time.

"We've never been to the area so we're curious to see you rock out," Key said.

Psychostick's style of music is comedy metal, or "humorcore," Key said. The band plays heavy songs with humorous lyrics.

"We're the antidote if you want something different," Key said. "People who don't like metal come and love our shows."

Key said starting a comedy metal band was natural. He and the band members love comedy by the likes of Monty Python and Mel Brooks, and they always have loved metal.

"It made sense," Key said. "Our two favorite things are music and being stupid. We love metal and love to laugh."

Key said anyone attending can expect to have a good time.

"Expect to have fun and laugh with high energy," he said. "We have a lot of fun and play what the fans love to hear."

Key said when the bands were kicking around names for the tour, they chose the name that made their members laugh most. They laughed even harder when they saw the tour poster, Key said.

The poster features comic book-style art of band members engaged in a street brawl.

Key called the other bands on the tour "awesome."

"Downtown Brown is the funniest band we've ever seen," Key said. "It will be a fun, great show."

J.J. Seabaugh, promoter for Pitter's, has been wanting Psychostick to play his venue.

"Pitter's has established a respected name for itself as a well-known ‘music venue,' not just another bar," Seabaugh said. "I have been in contact with Psychostick for a long time in hopes of them playing at Pitter's."

Key said band members like to [Psycho]stick around after the show.

"Some fans are shocked when we want to hang out afterward. We tell them, ‘You're the reason we're here. Why wouldn't we want to hang out?'" Key said.

Psychostick was formed in 2000 when high school friends Key and vocalist Rob Kersey wanted to start a comedy metal band. They were joined by Alex Dontre on drums and Matt Rzemyk on bass.

Key said the name "Psychostick" came to Kersey in a dream.

"I'm sure it was an amazing, epic dream," Key said.

Psychostick began touring in 2006, Key said. Based in Phoenix, Psychostick has completed 21 national tours. The band's latest release, "Space Vampires vs. Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D," came out in 2011 and was its fifth studio release.

The "Our Tour Can Beat Up Your Tour" tour will hit 38 cities. Part of the money made on tour will go toward the band's next project.

The show is for ages 18 and older. Tickets cost $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m.

For more information, visitpsychostick.com.

apicar@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent address:

811 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO