XCOPS holds Growler's in Memphis TN on lockdown

X-COPS brought the firepower to Growler's in Memphis, TN. These ragtag cops brought along Vermin Fate as well as Belushi Speed Ball and U.S. Bastards.

Vermin Fate is a fantasy-themed thrash metal band hailing from Memphis, TN, established in 2022. The lineup includes Aaron Brown on vocals, Glen Hooper on drums, Johnathan Morris on bass, and both Matthew Engle and Peter Miller on guitar. They have released two albums: "TOTAL NUCLEAR ASSAULT" and "CURSEBREAKER." The band is also gearing up to release several singles soon, so stay tuned.

Inflatable rats stood atop the speakers as the group took the stage. One of the guitarists hobbled his way up the stage. When asked about what happened to his knee, he said he didn't know but they weren't going to cancel the show. Dedication.

Vermin Fate kicks tail! I ended up doing a deep dive through their albums when I got home from the show. I find that most thrash bands end up sounding the same after a while, but every song is fresh with Vermin Fate!

As always, support local bands. There's always some hidden gems waiting to be found. These guys are no exception. Give Vermin Fate a listen.

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U.S. Bastards is a speedrock crime metal band from Richmond, VA. U.S. Bastards is Brent Purgason on guitar and vocals, Robby Scarce on drums, Doug Fines on guitar, and Brendan Artz on bass. Their initial release "Totally Fucked" was released in 2015, half of it recorded in 2014 and the other half in 2011. "Out of Luck" was released in 2016.

U.S. Bastards played a mean set. I like U.S. Bastards' recordings, but they're a whole other experience live. Their sound slaps you in the gob. You know when someone gets near a fan in a cartoon and their cheeks and eyelids start flapping in the wind? It's like that in the best way possible. Purgason's gravelly yet powerful vocals punch you in the face and kick you down the stairs. I found myself groovin' behind the camera.

I can't wait to catch these guys again when they come through. Genuinely such a treat live!

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Belushi Speed Ball is a crossover thrash band from KY. Belushi Speed Ball's current lineup is Vinny Castellano on vocals, Jamison Land on lead guitar, Daniel Neel on drums, and Derrek Tipton on rhythm guitar.

Belushi Speed Ball has recently been in the news for releasing "My Favorite Color is Pizza" on a slice of resin-encrusted pizza and "This is The Peak" on dog dookie. Yes. You read that correctly. Dog Dookie.

BSB is all about chaos. Never did I think I'd get domed by a spatula while a band sings about the Hash Slinging Slasher from Spongebob. All hell breaks loose and the band revels in chaos and clutter. Vocalist Vinny has a command over the audience like no other. At Vinny's command, the crowd threw toilet paper, cups, spatulas, and boxes.

BSB's final song of the night was "My Favorite Color is Pizza". Hearing a bar yell "Piz-za!" over and over is indescribable. At the end of the song, Vinny pulled out trash bags and told everyone to clean up. It was something out of "Barney & Friends" watching metalheads play cleanup.

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X-COPS is a Richmond, VA-based band consisting of fictional ex-police officers: Sheriff Tubb Tucker on vocals, The Zipperpig on backing vocals, Officer Ed Banger on bass, Sgt. Al Depantsia on lead guitar, Lt. Louie Scrappinetti on rhythm guitar, Prisoner 8048675309 on drums, and Prisoner 8008135 as a personal punching bag.

Originally formed after a throwaway gag in GWAR's film "Skullhedface," The band was active from 1994-1996, then went on hiatus until 2013 for a single performance at the fourth annual GWAR-B-Que then officially reemerging in 2023 as support for the Age of Imbeciles Tour for GWAR. The band released one album during their original run titled "You Have The Right To Remain Silent..." in 1995. In 2024, they released their first EP "XCAB".

As any good show starts, X-COPS' live set starts with a prison break by Prisoner 8408675309 and Prisoner 8008135. Their triumph is short-lived as the Zipperpig chases them off stage, and the entire band of pigs beats them into compliance.

Sgt. Aldepantsia is a delight to watch play, despite his utter incompetence and losing his service weapon. The dude lit up a blunt, stuck a pick to his head, and smoked hands-free while shredding. What a legend!

The torment of Prisoner 8008135 never stops. Poor dude had a cavity search, had his mother's special recipe for coffee poured over him, forced to complete an impossible-to-finish sobriety test.

If you haven't already guessed, X-COPS is a satirical band. They comment on both true stories and failures as well as fictional events in the police system. One of my favorite songs "Light Em' Up" comments on the Waco Seige, a 51-day police standoff.

X-COPS is brash and unapologetically rude. Their music is hilarious, punchy, and catchy. It's hard to explain to anyone if you find yourself singing in public. "Paddy Wagon Rape" is a real earworm but not one to put on the regular playlist.

Being fed a donut off the end of a gun, having fake cocaine thrown at me, covered in fake piss, and bludgeoned over the head with a foam police club by a crazed stone mason gimp were some of the highlights of the night. The pigs even played a cover of "Police Truck" by the Dead Kennedys that ripped!

XCOPS finished out their show with "You Fucked Up" and killing the two escapee prisoners by headshot and electric chair. Funnily enough, Prisoner 8048675309 lays down a nasty drum solo before slumping over dead.