Middlepicker
Brings The Nasty
Label: Royalty, Etc.

From the remnants of local group Grickle-Grass comes Kyle Kosieracki’s Middlepicker and their re-released album, Brings the Nasty, on the Royalty, Etc. label. While the group is currently back in the studio working on a new album, their label is giving Nasty a good media push, and I’m glad.

Middlepicker’s sound is like the soundtrack for a naked Fugazi meets Modest Mouse cagematch — West Side Story-style with rock and punk gods looking on and making bets (and yes, they’re naked). Read on…

Catchy choruses and lyrics, yes. Power chords and strained vocals, yes. Average local crap, no way. There’s a dissonance to both the writing, key signatures and lyrics you won’t find at local all-ages shows.

While all the songs have that “screw you AND your mom” feel, “Hark” and “Brings the Nasty” both have that special vibe where you feel this band is ready for radio. You just can’t beat a lyric like this: “You bring the beer and I’ll bring the nasty.” And the band really hits its stride with cranked guitars belting power chords and the whole band screaming.

We sat down the Skipper and Gilligan of the Middlepicker vessel (Kyle Kosieracki and Bill Zastera) to talk about the new album, fishing opener and of course, how exactly one brings the nasty.

Tell me about Middlepicker and the evolution from Grickle-Grass.
Kyle- We beleive in intelligent design. Neither “Evolved” from the other.
Bill- What is a “grickle grass”? I don’t get it

How would your fans describe you?
Bill- Fans? Oh…probably jerks
Kyle- Anyone who likes us is way too smart to be fanatical about it

Who’s in the band?
Bill- Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Ricle Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson
Kyle- No they mean us stupid, Bill Zastera (Guitars and Vocals), Kyle
Kosieracki (Guitars and Vocals), Kristen Anderson (Bass and Vocals), Justin Lawson (drums)

Where was the album recorded? Who produced/engineered?
Mike Wisti at his Albatross Studios

What was the experience like?
Kyle- Remember when you were a kid and your dad took you fishing? You’d sit all day without a bite and then, just as you were about to call it quits, those fuckers went apeshit and started jumping into your boat and boring holes in the hull. That’s how it felt to me.
Bill- Sort of like “Iron Chef”…without the smell of seafood.

“The Nasty” is the obvious standout track on this album. How exactly does one bring the nasty?
Bill- By CDr for sure. Unless an airplane is handy
Kyle- You need to know how to play an A a G and a D.

How can I tell if I’ve been brought the nasty?
Bill - You feel kind of dirty, & showers don’t seem to help. You want to cry, but you’re too dehydrated - so you grab a beer.
Kyle - If you can’t tell if you’ve been brought the nasty, you’ve got way bigger fish to fry.

What’s your favorite track on the album (you can’t say The Nasty)? Why?
Bill- “Hark,” cause Kyle’s whiny voice doesn’t appear for at least a
minute. Sweet relief.
Kyle- “Pilot.” Cuz I’m sick of boats.

Upcoming shows? News?
Kyle - The president of Iran is a fucking nutjob.
Bill- And our’s isn’t? The fishing opener is may 12.

Catch Middlepicker at The Uptown Bar & Café with Space Camp and Mannequins on Welfare Thursday, March 23 @ 9:30, no cover