Describing the Pietasters’ music is not the easiest thing to do. They play 1960’s-influenced ska music. They play skinhead reggae. They play soul. The Pietasters are a rock and roll band.

Going into their 15th year, they’ve played with everyone from Joe Strummer to James Brown. I talked with this band from Washington DC about their highs throughout the years. I had a sit down with Steve Jackson (vocals) and Jorge Pezzimenti (bass) in their van in the back parking lot of the EARL in East Atlanta. We drank forties of Budweiser and sipped Jameson while listening to tracks from their upcoming record.

Dry Ink: How long do I know you guys now?

Steve Jackson: Over 10 years, at least.

Jorge Pezzimenti: I met you at a ninja convention. You were wearing white.

DI: That’s right, and you were wearing flip flops. So when is this new record going to come out? It sounds great so far.

SJ: End of the summer or early fall. We have 20 songs recorded that we’re playing around with. We’re really happy with it.

DI: Any ideas for titles?

JP: We’re thinking about calling it “I think about the past and I’m excited about the future.” We’ll give you credit for that one.

SJ: Either that or “I don’t know if I pissed or came.”

JP: Or “What was that, that was just in me?”

DI: How many records have you put out now?

SJ: We put out a 7-inch first and then a self titled record in 1992. Then we put out “Ooo Loo Loo” on Moon records. We put out “Willis” and “Awesome Mixtape # 6” on Hellcat Records and “Turbo” on Fueled by Ramen. We also put out a live record called “STRAPPED LIVE.”

DI: I love that record. You guys covered “Fiesta” by The Pogues on it. I remember trying to sing that song with you guys on stage at Ernesto’s in Sittard, Holland. I woke up at sunrise in the town square on all fours with my pants and boxers around my ankles and my wallet (empty) in my right hand. There were people walking by me going to work.

SJ: Yeah, I think the whole town was there and they were all on mushrooms. Our trumpet player Carlos rode through the town naked on a bicycle at 3 in the morning.

DI: I remember seeing you guys in Liverpool, England a few years later and it was just as crazy. You pointed me out in the crowd and said I was the great American actor Bobby Boombox. I was wrecked on cider and signing 19-year-old breasts all night.

SJ: You’re welcome for that.

DI: Talk to me about Joe Strummer. I know you guys toured with him back in 1999.

SJ: Well, we got a chance to do about five weeks opening up for him. It was unreal. He was so down to earth and so sincere. We had the best time.

DI: I know, I met him when he played the 9:30 Club on that tour and that was a night I’ll never forget. I was completely out of my mind leaning against the bar after the show. My boy Marlow grabs me and says, “Come on, we’re goin’ upstairs to meet Joe.” I had no idea what he was talking about. We walked right through the backstage door and it was just as I’d always imagined. Joe was there surrounded by people, smoke filled the air and a boom box was in the background playing reggae. He was so nice. He put us on the guest list for the next night in New York City. And I got a chance to meet him again when you guys played with him in Los Angeles. Thanks for that.

JP: I got a Joe strummer story. We were in Boston opening up for him. He sat on the side of the stage Indian style just watching us. He didn’t move. His eyes were fixed on me for quite a while, I felt them. After our set, he came up to me and said “Let me see your hands.” I was freaking out. He looked at me dead in the eyes and said “Your hands make the world rock. Your hands make the world a better place.” I got chills from his sincerity. I felt like I got hit by a ninja train.

DI: That is beautiful. He is one of my biggest heroes.

SJ: We’ve had some great situations.

DI: And you guys put out a DVD last year.

JP: Yes we did, it’s called “Live at the 9:30 Club.”

DI: I got a copy. It is great. You guys talk a little about playing with James Brown. How did that happen?

SJ: Well, he was all set to play a show in DC and was looking for a backing band. Some radio guy suggested us.

JP: He sent us a recording of what he wanted us to learn and that was that. Before you know it, we’re meeting him in a studio running through the set. That night we’re backing him up in front of thousands of people playing “Sex Machine.” He was cool as hell.

SJ: And he stole our sound guy from us.

DI: What?

SJ: He and our sound guy (Todd Harris) hit it off. James asked him to come on tour with him to be his sound guy. Now he’s James Brown’s personal tour manager. He gets his suits custom made just like JB himself.

DI: That is crazy! Didn’t one of the guys from JB’s band play on your new record?

SJ: Yeah, Todd brought in Jeff, his alto sax player to play on two songs off our new record. I don’t even know his last name. He was awesome though. He came in, said hello, listened to the tracks and recorded them in one take. The songs (current working titles) he played on are “Ooolooloo” and “Andje Gil.”

DI: That is amazing. I love it. I appreciate you guys sharing these stories with Dry Ink. I think the world needed to hear them. What is next for you guys?

SJ: We’re gonna keep doing it. Make albums and play shows. We just enjoy it.

JP: I’m going to continue chasing the white rabbit.

DI: I have no idea what that means but I like it. Let’s go inside and get some margaritas.

Tom Cheshire is the publisher of Dry Ink. Write to him at tom@dryinkmag.com