If you believe early predictions that rock & roll will be this years' hip-hop, then Supagroup might just do for the genre what OutKast have done for Seventies funk." -Rollingstone.com

Getting the guys from Supagroup to settle into a serious conversation is a next to impossible task. Try asking them what inspires them to write. "We only sing about what's close to our hearts, things that we think matter and will have an impact in a troublesome world such as ours," replies lead singer Chris Lee. "Screwing, rocking and drinking. Or drugging. Depending on the day."

Sometimes, however, you wonder, "Are they joking or are they totally serious?" But why does it matter? If the gang puts ballsy passion and fiery focus into their bombastic rock and roll revivalism, who cares if their senses are sometimes out of commission?

Supagroup is an organization with sibling-tight solidarity, insanely unbelievable stories (you'll have to ask them directly, since many are too over-the-top to put in here) and one of the most raucous, riotous and raunchy rock motifs of our time. It's an outfit first formed around Anchorage, Alaska in 1996 by its two figureheads. "We were kind of crazy and weirdly driven back then because our mother is a Pentacostal preacher who didn't let us have rock records," explains Chris's brother and lead guitarist Benji Lee. "We had to hide 'em. So, of course, what do we do? We moved to Sin City (a.k.a. New Orleans) as soon as we got the chance and now play in a rock band that travels around the country, corrupting unsuspecting kids. Needless to say, Momma ain't proud."

When the two bros got to the Big Easy, they added Leif Swift on bass and Michael Brueggen on drums in 1998. Together, they hit the road hard for the next half decade building up a grassroots fan base opening up for the likes of Fu Manchu, Queens of the Stone Age, Supersuckers and Drive-By Truckers.

"The road takes away all the bullshit with your songs," Chris relates.. "Our only philosophy was (and is) to be the best fucking band in the world, and if you don't like it, fuck off. The door's in the back, cause we're going out there to blow the roof off."

Sensing something rather huge and powerful brewing in the bowels of Bourbon Street, Foodchain Records rummaged through the sexshops, beer kiosks, and Mardi Gras beads and swooped up the group in 2002, spawning the subsequent year's self-titled debut over which fans fawned and critics cooed. Tangerine Magazine proclaimed, "This is the CD of the year by the greatest rock and roll band in these fifty great states. Amen." While Rolling Stone lauded, "a shaking, stirring cocktail with a real rocket-queen kick".

"It's not like the reviews helped us sell that many more records," Benji interrupts. "I mean the sales came from fans falling in love with us and wanting to sleep with us after shows But hey, we've got a new record that's rocks even harder, so who gives a shit about the one before? People are loving this one already. Think of it as the soundtrack to our lives… in between rounds of shots."

That sophomore national release is cheekily titled Rules, if only for the fact that its contents preach the direct opposite and rather fully indulges in life's lavish desires, as hedonistic as they may be. "The main theme of the record is the rejection of real life, its responsibilities, and especially its rules," explains Chris. "We write our own rules."

Ask them about recording the album at NYC's Avatar Studios (formerly Tony Bongiovi's Power Station where Bob Dylan and David Bowie have done their best work), and Chris will tell you, "Recording this record was great. Avatar is legendary and has seen many of my rock heroes come through the door. I'd be taking a shit thinking, 'I wonder if Angus Young or Mick Jagger shat here?'"

His brother Benji Lee adds, "The entire record was cut live to tape, with only a few vocal overdubs and guitars. But we really tried to keep everything as stripped down as possible. We wanted it to sound like we were playing in your living room... if your living room was Madison Square fuckin' Garden."

"The record's definitely harder and tighter, almost hitting metal territory- well, at least the edge of the metal border," Chris says of the Kevin "Caveman" Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith) produced project.

"Kevin has a lot to do with it- that guy's awesome to work with," Benji confirms. "It's the kind of record I imagine seventeen year olds putting on and doing keg stands when their parents are out of town."

Among the raucous and adrenaline-pumped songs are the irreverent "Rough Edge," a killer combination of AC/DC, Aerosmith and Van Halen in their heydays, and the skull smashing "Bastard." "Ready To Go" is super charged stadium rock at its finest, and "It Takes Balls" turns the amplifier up to eleven. There's also the self-explanatory "Let's Go (Get Wasted)," the surefire party starter "Hot Times," plus the dusty and dirty "Hog Wild."

No matter who enjoys the action (or indulges in it first hand) Supagroup is committed to preserving rock's legacy and refuses to be grouped with the disposable, pre-fabricated crap circulating the airwaves. These guys are the real deal with no strings attached and they'll propel listeners into another planet of fist pumping power.

""We've finally made the record we've always wanted to make," beams Chris.

"You¹re going to understand that this is fuckin' Rock and Roll," interrupts Benji.

"And basically, if you don't like it, you're a pussy," concludes Chris.

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