The roots of Drunkin’ Punkin’ Idiots (aka D.P.I.) go back to early 2002, when their original bassist and singer were both working at Pride, an O.B. surf shop. In short order, their debut self-titled CD was recorded nearby at Spotless Studios on Bacon Street. Their newest album, Smashed, will see its physical release on the mainstage at downtown’s House of Blues on January 3.
“The event is being thrown by Groove International and the theme is ‘sin,’” according to guitarist/singer Joshua Davis, aka Joshy Wastrel (of the now-defunct Wastrels). “There will be girls dressed up representing each deadly sin, six bands, and multiple DJs performing. From what I hear, these parties are a blast. We’ll have Santa with us onstage throwing goodies to the crowd. We’ve been planning this night out for some time now.”
Tickets run 12 dollars, and “There’s a good chance that if you visit either Hodad’s — Ocean Beach or downtown — a member of D.P.I. will be there to sell you one.”
Smashed was engineered and mastered by Jeff Forrest at Doubletime Studios in El Cajon. “We really wanted to put out a high-quality-sounding album and capture the band’s energy, and I feel we succeeded, with much credit to Jeff,” says Wastrel. “The artwork concept was conceived by the band and executed by Scott Kautman of [P.B.’s] Funhouse Tattoos. Also, our mic logo, created by Sierra Colt of Bearcat Tattoo, was included.” Local one-man punk band Toothless George executed the layout.
One track, “Key Club,” concerns a gig at the same-named venue on Sunset Boulevard with TSOL and Youth Brigade. “While we were playing downstairs, fights broke out, eventually causing a riot. Stories vary on what exactly happened, but what I know is that the show was oversold and many people with tickets weren’t allowed to enter, causing some hostility. Youth Brigade was cancelled and we had just finished our set. All of a sudden, we’re locked in the club with the staff, the other bands, and friends. We learned that police in riot gear were sweeping the streets, swinging batons and firing bean bags, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Helicopters were in the sky, people were screaming and running, it’s fucking chaos. A few of our friends got hit.
“After three hours, we were allowed to leave and get on the bus back home. When we get on the bus, almost everyone was wasted, with a few still partying while a few others were arguing. It felt like the Twilight Zone. Weird ride back home.”
Despite the claims of being drunks, punks, idiots, and Smashed, their work ethic would seem to indicate a more professional performance template. According to Wastrel, “If one member can’t make a show, the band can still manage to perform [with the] bassist as drummer, guitarist as singer, or guitarist as bassist.”
The roots of Drunkin’ Punkin’ Idiots (aka D.P.I.) go back to early 2002, when their original bassist and singer were both working at Pride, an O.B. surf shop. In short order, their debut self-titled CD was recorded nearby at Spotless Studios on Bacon Street. Their newest album, Smashed, will see its physical release on the mainstage at downtown’s House of Blues on January 3.
“The event is being thrown by Groove International and the theme is ‘sin,’” according to guitarist/singer Joshua Davis, aka Joshy Wastrel (of the now-defunct Wastrels). “There will be girls dressed up representing each deadly sin, six bands, and multiple DJs performing. From what I hear, these parties are a blast. We’ll have Santa with us onstage throwing goodies to the crowd. We’ve been planning this night out for some time now.”
Tickets run 12 dollars, and “There’s a good chance that if you visit either Hodad’s — Ocean Beach or downtown — a member of D.P.I. will be there to sell you one.”
Smashed was engineered and mastered by Jeff Forrest at Doubletime Studios in El Cajon. “We really wanted to put out a high-quality-sounding album and capture the band’s energy, and I feel we succeeded, with much credit to Jeff,” says Wastrel. “The artwork concept was conceived by the band and executed by Scott Kautman of [P.B.’s] Funhouse Tattoos. Also, our mic logo, created by Sierra Colt of Bearcat Tattoo, was included.” Local one-man punk band Toothless George executed the layout.
One track, “Key Club,” concerns a gig at the same-named venue on Sunset Boulevard with TSOL and Youth Brigade. “While we were playing downstairs, fights broke out, eventually causing a riot. Stories vary on what exactly happened, but what I know is that the show was oversold and many people with tickets weren’t allowed to enter, causing some hostility. Youth Brigade was cancelled and we had just finished our set. All of a sudden, we’re locked in the club with the staff, the other bands, and friends. We learned that police in riot gear were sweeping the streets, swinging batons and firing bean bags, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Helicopters were in the sky, people were screaming and running, it’s fucking chaos. A few of our friends got hit.
“After three hours, we were allowed to leave and get on the bus back home. When we get on the bus, almost everyone was wasted, with a few still partying while a few others were arguing. It felt like the Twilight Zone. Weird ride back home.”
Despite the claims of being drunks, punks, idiots, and Smashed, their work ethic would seem to indicate a more professional performance template. According to Wastrel, “If one member can’t make a show, the band can still manage to perform [with the] bassist as drummer, guitarist as singer, or guitarist as bassist.”
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