Nasty Ronnie of Florida thrashers Nasty Savage is an OG of the scene and, as such, has plenty of experience in determining what makes something suitably nasty. With that in mind, we asked him to list the nastiest bands and musicians of all time. Nasty Savage will release their new album Jeopardy Room on October 11.
There are reasons for everything in thought and inspiration. Mine [Nasty Ronnie's] are a little of this and a little of that; it's kind of all mixed up, like me. Have an open mind as I weave you through a razorblade maze of inspiration that equals "nastiest" in my mind.
Henry Rollins and Black Flag
Always appreciated Henry Rollins for being a punk rock icon, but when I learned more about him he made my list by his pure drive and determination as well as the history. Get in the Van is a must have to listen to a two-CD package. Henry narrates the story of his life on the road with Black Flag. It's no music; it's a talking record that will test our own determination and [make us] realize flat-out rock n roll ain't easy.
What are your goals and what levels will we go to survive, as you hear his horror stories from his journals he kept. This is nasty: the touring, the shows, promoters …. it's all here and it's reality 100%. This is a must for guys and girls who want to be in a band.
Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics
Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics in 1980 released their debut album, New Hope for the Wretched, and there was nothing like it. The cover featured a big white Cadillac half inside a backyard swimming pool with Wendy and the boys just impactful as anything I've ever seen.
NYC Punk Rock / Metal Band with songs like "Butcher Baby Monkey Suit" and just filled with over-the-top hardcore originality like no other. Learning more about their stage show theatrics: nudity, exploding equipment, chainsawing guitars in half and even smashing TV sets with a sledgehammer.
Wendy was the queen of of everything against conformity and she impacted me big time. The Plasmatics make my list for sure!
Sex Pistols
1975 punk rock from the UK led the way to impact my outlook on music and revolt. Jonny Rotten and Sid Vicious released Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols and it was a culturally influential part of hardcore punk history. It was also the most banned record in British history. Songs like "God Save the Queen" and the topics of the monarchy and a fascist regime caused anarchy in the UK and around the world.
I remember the moment I heard the name Sex Pistols. I was sitting on my living room floor, the news was on and they were going to a commercial and said, "Have you heard of The Sex Pistols? Stay tuned…"
I did and learned about these guys with this cool name. The impact on me was instantly and it makes my list 100%.
Ronnie Van Zant and Lynyrd Skynyrd
Nasty, you say? How? Why? It was inspiration from RVZ that I learned about Southern boys who created their own path by playing what they felt and wanted to play. In high-school I got the double live One More for the Road album and I loved it. I searched out more and more went back to their rise in 1973.
Ronnie's story of growing up fighting working hard and creating Lynyrd Skynyrd inspired me very much. They were hardcore southern rockers who helped inspire me.
Bon Scott and AC/DC
Born in July 1946 in Scotland, he moved to Australia, spent six years and did seven albums with AC/DC. He said he was inspired by Little Richard and I was totally inspired by Bon Scott. The bad boy image, his songwriting—he was larger than life as he wrote and sang about twisted reality. Songs like "TNT," "Highway to Hell," "Whole Lotta Rosie" and "Jail Break" made me want to be a singer in a band. He lived and worked [day jobs before AC/DC] and it showed in his words. Sadly, he left us in 1980. They were definitely Nasty Australians who blew me away.
Genitorturers:
Industrial metal from Orlando Florida. They did their first gig 1986 in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Inspired by '90s punk and hardcore, Genitorturers took the show to extreme limits: S&M bondage, sex slaves and bizarre theater stage antics including electric shock.
GG Allin and the Murder Junkies
This has to be the number one nastiest punk rock story ever. Born Jesus Christ Allin in 1956. This guy created his very own manifesto. His live performance featured transgressional acts of self mutilation, assaulting audience members, fighting, defecating on stage and even throwing it at his crowds. He was arrested, imprisoned and jailed many times on multiple occasions.
He wanted to commit suicide on stage and promised to do it. He was called the most spectacular degenerate in rock 'n' roll history. It's funny because we became pen pals in the '80s. He wrote to me on toilet paper and sent personal notes to me on records. There is a favorite photo of mine with GG wearing a Nasty Savage t-shirt holding a pistol. Sadly, he died June 28th, 1993 of a drug overdose.
