Playing with acts such as ELO, Elton John, Glen Campbell, Lee Aaron and John Waite, amongst a plethora of other platinum selling pop and rock icons not only makes you an in demand sideman, it also helps you develop your creative side. And, silly name aside, that’s exactly what the three members of The Squirts have capitalised on.
Formed while they were on tour as Rick Springfield’s backing band two decades ago, Matt Bissonette (Bass, lead vocals), George Bernhardt (Guitars, backing vocals) and Rodger Carter (Drums, percussion) aka The Squirts came to life as a way to burn up some creative energy – and wound up becoming Rick’s opening act before turning around and playing alongside the headliner himself.
Releasing two albums in short order – 2003 and 2005, respectively – they had intended to release a third album to round things off but life took them all in sorts of different directions.
Two decades later that third album, creatively titled, III surfaces on independent label F-Bomb Records, which is realising it’s own resurrection of sorts, releasing its first string of new albums since 2006.
Bassist Matt Bissonette is a busy busy man these days, currently sharing the stage with legendary REO Speedwagon‘s Kevin Cronin in theatres across the United States, amongst other projects he’s involved with at the moment. But he’s also been taking a few hours out of each day to discuss what’s being described as a “sideman supergroup” in his playing with The Squirts.
From the information gleaned, III sees The Squirts deliver ten tracks of bombastic, high energy no-holds-barred power pop nirvana as only they can. It is said to be the band’s best yet, and “loaded with massive hooks and power pop happiness, lyrics ranging from lighthearted and fun to thought provoking and intense, the ten song affair never lets up once you push play.”
