The technical definition of “taint” is that which morally corrupts other things.
A fitting name for a Rochester band comfortable with profanity and occasional nakedness on stage. But let’s not go there ... yet.
It’s not all R-rated.x
|
The Taint also is a cover band that riffs out on tunes from Rage Against the Machine, Jane’s Addiction, Jet, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lenny Kravitz, Limp Bizkit and many more. The band consistently brings out dedicated fans such as 35-year-old Amy Downs of Greece.
“We pretty much catch every single gig because it’s a guaranteed good time,” she says. “They have such a fondness and respect for their fans, and that’s what sets them apart from other local bands.”
Adds Michele Orcutt, 39, of Greece: “They have a way of pulling you in when they play. Their audience always starts at the furthest possible distance from the stage and then before you know it, the place is packed and you are right up front where everyone else wants to be also.”
I recently spent an afternoon with two band members, frontman John Akers and bass player Anthony Errigo:
Were you guys always pretty willing to be called The Taint?
Errigo: Prior it was called Tickle the Taint. People know the band by both names, but more recently it’s known as just The Taint because it’s a little shorter, and well, a little cleaner.
Aha! Then I’m correct in assuming I know what it means?
Errigo: We have our ideas of what it can be depending on the night.
Now would your names be familiar to us local music supporters?
Errigo: Hopefully. John and Eric are formerly from Hard Rain, I was in Exploding Boy and Apostoly’s, and my original band are Torsos from Space and Astropimp.
Do you think the bands you cover separate themselves from the similar sounds of many pop rock bands out today?
Errigo: Well, we cover bands like Audioslave, King’s X, Green Day, Chili Peppers and some radio stuff. We do a nice mix. As far as what’s happening now, we just pick what we like on the radio.
Akers: We even cover the Tom Jones’ version of “Kiss.”
Do you put ‘the Taint’s twist’ on the songs you do?
Errigo: Well, we don’t practice. Ever.
Wow, really?
Errigo: The band is really good. We’ve all been around a long time, and we can play. It just goes to show that rock isn’t really that complicated, ya’ know?
So all it takes to start a party is book you guys?
Errigo: Yeah. Rock is really good right now. One thing I’ve been noticing is bands like Jet and the Killers are bringing out ‘dance rock.’
Do you think dance music and rock are fusing?
Errigo: It’s interesting because it’s not really labeled, and it’s good that it’s not. It’s just familiar good music like the Stones and ’80s influenced stuff.
Are there any ‘in the closet’ James Taylor or Kenny G freaks (in the band)?
Akers: I like Barry Manilow and Lyle Lovett.
Errigo: Can’t say that I don’t like James Taylor, but definitely not Kenny G.
Any new songs your fans have to look forward to?
Errigo: Well, there’s always a bag of songs that we wanna play, it’s just a matter of all of us agreeing on which one will be next. We agree most of the time, but not all the time.
Does the band collectively agree that, nowadays, it’s just about the fun?
Akers: Yes. It’s entertaining, it’s not important.
Is that the Taint’s ‘motto?’
Akers: Yeah. Having an original band isn’t a religion to us anymore. The culture of the band is, like, we don’t get stressed when things go wrong or if the clubs have a problem. If something goes wrong we say ‘Dude, this is fun, not work.’ Why do it if it’s not fun? We all have other lives. Besides, we all really like each other so there’s never tension.
Do you have a more casual approach than most bands?
Akers: You’d be surprised, but The Taint’s always gone with the idea of show up, don’t advertise, no Web site, just go and play. It’s been this weird little thing, but we’ve been really lucky because clubs take care of us. … We would just show up, we didn’t care. We were prone to getting naked and using profanity. So we’d tell them, ‘If you’re cool with all that, we’d be happy to play your club.’
So you can promise nudity but no promo?
Akers: I’m not even guaranteeing people. This is what we need to get paid. If you like us we’ll be there, otherwise, sorry, dude! I got nothing! But for some reason it’s taken on a life of its own.
Does not practicing help with that, too?
Akers: We just put the pedal down and go!
Errigo: OK, I lied. We did rehearse once.
Ugh! I have to stop the interview now!
Errigo: Yes. I’m a compulsive liar.
Do you add anything else unusual to the local scene besides nudity and profanity?
Akers: Well, our latest shtick on stage is that we don’t have a set list, and a lot of bands tend to go with one. We’re like your dad on vacation, man! I got no roadmap, ain’t asking directions, but I’m taking this exit!
Can we see The Taint regularly anywhere?
Errigo: Well, Alexander Street Pub is our home. They’re the coolest club in town right now to see a band because they’ve done it right. We play there constantly, and they’ve always been so great to us, but we’re getting into booking more next year. Also, we’re taking October off because John had to go and need surgery!
What’s the surgery for?
Akers: I’m having a cyst removed from my vocal cords.
Is that part of the rasp I’m hearing?
Akers: Yeah, part of it. I’ve just had less stamina and my voice isn’t as consistent. Like I’ll talk to Anthony some nights and he’ll say, ‘Oh we’re not even gonna get through the night.’ It’s really rough.
So when will The Taint be back in full effect?
Akers: The annual A-Pub Halloween Bash on Oct. 30, and you better be there!
This may be cliché, but what’s your most memorable gig, John?
Akers: A-Pub is always great, but at the last show I got bit by a stripper. ... She just leaned over and bit me out of nowhere!
Do Taint fans have several more years of your shows to look forward to?
Errigo: Hopefully. We all fit together really well so we just keep doing it. It was supposed to be a temporary thing, but we all have fun and that’s what we really want to have.
