Blaster the Rocket Man
Encyclopedia
Blaster the Rocket Man was a Christian
horror punk
band from Indianapolis, Indiana. They formed in the early 1990s as Blaster the Rocketboy and signed with Boot to Head Records in 1994. They released two records before signing with Jackson Rubio Records. Their name changed to Blaster the Rocket Man for their 1999 release The Monster Who Ate Jesus. Their final release was The Anatomy of a Monster, a compilation of material from their Boot to Head years plus some bonus material.
Their sound is often compared to that of the Dead Kennedys
or Man or Astro-man?
, though headman Otto Bot (stagename for Daniel Petersen) denied any direct influence. Other reviews compared their music to the combined sounds of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, werewolf movies, Elvis, and the Sex Pistols
(among others), further stating that "this is what CREATIVE Christian music sounds like." Their lyrics use horror and sci-fi themes as Christian allegories; HM describes them as using the characters of evil to communicate biblical truth. The Monster Who Ate Jesus includes a number of songs inspired by C. S. Lewis
' Space Trilogy
. Many included themes disdaining Secular humanism
. Blaster was also well-known for their stage antics, including masks and costumes as well as frequent audience participation. Masks that Otto wore on stage include a werewolf mask worn for the band's werewolf-themed songs (such as American Werewolf and I Like Lycanthropy) as well as a fly mask, which he wore for Human Fly Trap.
They played a reunion show at Cornerstone
2004, and two more at Cornerstone 2008.
Drummer Dave Petersen (aka Heater Hands) went on to join the band Squad Five-0 soon after Blaster unofficially disbanded in the summer of 2000. After a few reunion shows with various friends of the band (the two most prominent being in Indiana in 2002, which was recorded and released as part of their Anatomy of a Monster compilation, and the other mentioned above in mid 2004 at the Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Illinois), Otto went on to form the Voice of the Mysterons in his current home of Scotland. Bassist, Mikey Rocket (Michael Schauss), quit the band and over the years became a teacher, teaching History at Benjamin Bosse High School, in Evansville, Indiana.
Since the split of Squad Five-0 Dave Petersen joined Philadelphia indie rockers Marah
for a short while. He currently plays in Adam and Dave's Bloodline, another Philadelphia rock band alongside Adam Garbinski (formerly of Speedy Delivery
, The Huntingtons
, One21, Squad Five-O
and Marah
).
On 18 May 2011 Otto announced, via his Facebook profile, that Blaster the Rocket Man & Voice Of The Mysterons had released a split EP via Crossroads of America Records and Flannelgraph Records. This was originally released as a limited 100 press 3" CD available in October 2010 via subscription only. His announcement made it clear that the release was now available to the general public as a digi-download via Bandcamp
. The release featured four Voice Of The Mysterons songs, two Blaster The Rocket Man songs as well as some spoken word by Otto. It was initially a part of the "Laminar Excursion Monthly" series.http://laminarexcursion.bandcamp.com/album/lem-volume-20-october-2010
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
horror punk
Horror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes Gothic and punk rock sounds with morbid imagery and lyrics, which are often influenced by horror films...
band from Indianapolis, Indiana. They formed in the early 1990s as Blaster the Rocketboy and signed with Boot to Head Records in 1994. They released two records before signing with Jackson Rubio Records. Their name changed to Blaster the Rocket Man for their 1999 release The Monster Who Ate Jesus. Their final release was The Anatomy of a Monster, a compilation of material from their Boot to Head years plus some bonus material.
Their sound is often compared to that of the Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
or Man or Astro-man?
Man or Astro-man?
Man or Astro-man? is a surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama, in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade.Primarily instrumental, Man or Astro-man? blended the surf rock style of the early 1960s like that of The Spotnicks with the new wave and punk rock sounds of...
, though headman Otto Bot (stagename for Daniel Petersen) denied any direct influence. Other reviews compared their music to the combined sounds of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, werewolf movies, Elvis, and the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
(among others), further stating that "this is what CREATIVE Christian music sounds like." Their lyrics use horror and sci-fi themes as Christian allegories; HM describes them as using the characters of evil to communicate biblical truth. The Monster Who Ate Jesus includes a number of songs inspired by C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis
Clive Staples Lewis , commonly referred to as C. S. Lewis and known to his friends and family as "Jack", was a novelist, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian and Christian apologist from Belfast, Ireland...
' Space Trilogy
Space Trilogy
The Space Trilogy, Cosmic Trilogy or Ransom Trilogy is a trilogy of science fiction novels by C. S. Lewis, famous for his later series The Chronicles of Narnia. A philologist named Elwin Ransom is the hero of the first two novels and an important character in the third.The books in the trilogy...
. Many included themes disdaining Secular humanism
Secular humanism
Secular Humanism, alternatively known as Humanism , is a secular philosophy that embraces human reason, ethics, justice, and the search for human fulfillment...
. Blaster was also well-known for their stage antics, including masks and costumes as well as frequent audience participation. Masks that Otto wore on stage include a werewolf mask worn for the band's werewolf-themed songs (such as American Werewolf and I Like Lycanthropy) as well as a fly mask, which he wore for Human Fly Trap.
They played a reunion show at Cornerstone
Cornerstone Festival
Cornerstone Festival is a Christian music festival put on by Jesus People USA and held annually around the 4th of July near Bushnell, Illinois. In a given year, many artists that play at Cornerstone also play at other events such as Creation Festival and mainstream festivals and tours such as the...
2004, and two more at Cornerstone 2008.
Drummer Dave Petersen (aka Heater Hands) went on to join the band Squad Five-0 soon after Blaster unofficially disbanded in the summer of 2000. After a few reunion shows with various friends of the band (the two most prominent being in Indiana in 2002, which was recorded and released as part of their Anatomy of a Monster compilation, and the other mentioned above in mid 2004 at the Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Illinois), Otto went on to form the Voice of the Mysterons in his current home of Scotland. Bassist, Mikey Rocket (Michael Schauss), quit the band and over the years became a teacher, teaching History at Benjamin Bosse High School, in Evansville, Indiana.
Since the split of Squad Five-0 Dave Petersen joined Philadelphia indie rockers Marah
Marah
Marah may refer to:* Marah or Manroot, a kind of wild cucumber* Marah , an American country band* Marah , one of the locations which the Torah identifies as having been travelled through by the Israelites during the Exodus...
for a short while. He currently plays in Adam and Dave's Bloodline, another Philadelphia rock band alongside Adam Garbinski (formerly of Speedy Delivery
Speedy Delivery
Speedy Delivery is a documentary feature directed and produced by Paul B. Germain. The film follows the life story of David Newell, better known as Mr. McFeely from the children's television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood...
, The Huntingtons
The Huntingtons
The Huntingtons are a punk band from Baltimore, Maryland which formed in 1993-1994 in the Maryland/Delaware area by Cliff Powell , Mike Holt and Mike Pierce . The band is heavily influenced by The Ramones.-1993-2005:The Huntingtons debut album Sweet Sixteen was released in 1996 by Flying Tart...
, One21, Squad Five-O
Squad Five-O
Before being signed, there was a demo released, titled: "Cop Rock Demo". This is a highly sought after recording, which included a track titled "Pair of Dice City"....
and Marah
Marah
Marah may refer to:* Marah or Manroot, a kind of wild cucumber* Marah , an American country band* Marah , one of the locations which the Torah identifies as having been travelled through by the Israelites during the Exodus...
).
On 18 May 2011 Otto announced, via his Facebook profile, that Blaster the Rocket Man & Voice Of The Mysterons had released a split EP via Crossroads of America Records and Flannelgraph Records. This was originally released as a limited 100 press 3" CD available in October 2010 via subscription only. His announcement made it clear that the release was now available to the general public as a digi-download via Bandcamp
Bandcamp
Bandcamp is an online music store, as well as a platform for artist promotion, that caters mainly for independent artists. Artists on Bandcamp have a customizable microsite with the albums they upload. All tracks can be played for free on the website and some artists offer free music downloads...
. The release featured four Voice Of The Mysterons songs, two Blaster The Rocket Man songs as well as some spoken word by Otto. It was initially a part of the "Laminar Excursion Monthly" series.http://laminarexcursion.bandcamp.com/album/lem-volume-20-october-2010
Discography
- Disasteroid (1995, Boot to Head Records)
- Succulent Space Food for Teething Vampires (1997, Boot to Head Records)
- The Monster Who Ate Jesus (1999, Jackson Rubio Records; Reviews: The Phantom TollBooth, HM MagazineHM MagazineHM: The Hard Music Magazine is an American bimonthly publication focusing on both Christianity and hard rock. Articles include news, album and festival reviews, posters, artists to watch, indie artist reviews, devotionals and interviews with Christian artists...
) - The Anatomy of a Monster [Compilation] (2004, Boot to Head Records; Review: HM Magazine)
- Doctor NoBot and His Anti-Automatons Present: A Macabre Menagerie and Blessed Bestiary — Cunningly and Cussedly Commingled for Your Delighted Dread and Deviant Devotion (Caution: Not Recommended for Listening to Alone or In The Dark) (Laminar Excursion Monthly: Volume 20, October 2010; Crossroads of America Records & Flannelgraph Records)
Current
Last show played in July 2008.- Otto Bot (Daniel Petersen) - vocals/lyrics
- Brett Sempsrott - drums
- Ty Sempsrott - guitar
- Dustin Spock - guitar
- Jason Allender - bass
Former
- Heater Hands (Dave Petersen) - drums, guitar on most recordings
- Chrissy Rocket - guitar
- Mikey Rocket - bass
- Jason Allender - guitar
- Oxford Don - bass
- John Grey Vogel - bass
- Rusty Sempsrott - guitar
External links
- Blaster on Myspace
- An account of a Blaster concert
- An account of their Cornerstone 2004 reunion show
- A general review of Cornerstone 2004
- Short history of the band
- Mutinous Wonderflesh Vs The Body Under The Head: A Tribute To Blaster The Rocket Man (Free Legal Download from NoiseTrade)
- Mutinous Wonderflesh info page on Caustic Fallout
- Blaster The Rocket Man & Voice Of The Mysterons Split EP on Bandcamp