The Arrogant Sons of Bitches (commonly abbreviated as ASOB) was a 6-piece ska punk band from Long Island and Baldwin, New York. The band was known for its strong DIY punk roots, self-releasing two albums and two EPs. Their final album, Three Cheers For Disappointment, was released on Kill Normal Records.

Frontman Jeff Rosenstock went on to found Quote Unquote Records, a donation-based record label, as well as the band Bomb the Music Industry! Other members went on to join Jay Tea, Hello Nurse, Let Me Crazy, and The Rocky Sullivans.

History

In 1995, Joe Werfelman and Jeff Rosenstock started playing Green Day cover songs together. More members gradually joined their band, and in 1998 they recorded their first album, Released on Breaking the Law Records and titled Built to Fail.Williams, Laura. "Baldwin rocks: Local band draws crowds." Baldwin Herald 25 February 1999. Following Built to Fail, the band experienced some success and played with bands such as Edna's Goldfish, Catch 22, and The Toasters. In 2000 they released their second album, Pornocracy.

At this point, many ASOB members quit the band to attend college. In 2003 the band decided to follow the Warped Tour, playing outside of the venues. After a while they were invited into the tour.

In 2004 the band completed recording most of the album Three Cheers For Disappointment. At this point the band was starting to break up, and Jeff started a new band, Bomb the Music Industry! The album was finally released in 2006, and the band broke up officially.

However, in 2007 ASOB announced a farewell show for their fans at The Knitting Factory. The show sold out in under seven hours, an unprecedented phenomenon for the show's venue. A second farewell show was played the following night at the Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, New York.Knitting Factory – New York – Artists

Five years later, the band reunited for a set of shows in New York. Jeff explained: "We like each other again, and thought it would be fun to play together again. This show is a one time thing. There are absolutely no plans to make another record, to go on a big tour anywhere or anything like that."

Throughout their career, ASOB was praised for their high-energy live performances. One reviewer described that "They're climbing on the ceiling, the keyboardist would be jumping up and down on the keyboard swinging from hanging speakers, and the bassist would stage dive in an empty spot... land straight on his face, and keep rocking out as he had the time of his life."

Band members

Lineups (1995) Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar (1996)1996 DemoJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Chris Valentino – saxophone Patric Santiago – drums (1997)Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Chris Valentino – saxophone Patric Santiago – drums (1997)Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Chris Valentino – saxophone Joe Vazquez – drums (1998) Integrity TapeJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Chris Valentino – saxophone Bryan Cohen – drums (1998) Built To FailJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Chris Valentino – saxophone Steve Connolly – trumpet John DeDomenici – drums (1999)Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar John DeDomenici – guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Chris Valentino – saxophone Eric Bucello – trumpet Steve Connolly – trumpet Mike Costa – drums (2000) PornocracyJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar John DeDomenici – guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Chris Valentino – saxophone Eric Bucello – trumpet Steve Connolly – trumpet JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums (2000) PornocracyJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar John DeDomeici – guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Joe Bove – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Chris Valentino – saxophone Eric Bucello – trumpet Steve Connolly – trumpet JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums (2001–2002) All The Little Ones Are RottingJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone Mike Costa – drums JT Turret – guest vocals (on album), keyboard (live) (2003) Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Joe Bove – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums (2003) This is What You GetJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Sean Qualls – guitar Joe Bove – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums (2003–2004) Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Sean Qualls – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums (2004) Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Sean Qualls – guitar James Lynch – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums (2005–2007) Three Cheers for DisappointmentJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Sean Qualls – guitar Joe Bove – bass guitar (on album) John DeDomenici – bass guitar (live only) Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone Chris Valentino – saxophone (live only) JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums (2007) Farewell ShowJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Sean Qualls – guitar John DeDomenici – bass guitar, guitar Chris Baltrus – bass guitar Joe Bove – bass guitar James Lynch – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone Chris Valentino – saxophone JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums Chris Candy – trumpet (2012) ReunionJeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Sean Qualls – guitar Joe Bove – bass guitar Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe - trombone JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums

Timeline

Discography YearTitleDetails1998Built to FailBreaking The Law Records 2000PornocracySelf-released album2001The Apology EPSelf-released EP2002All the Little Ones Are RottingSelf-released EP2003All the Little Ones Are Rotting (Super-Deluxe Edition)Enhanced EP re-released on Killnormal Records2004The Arrogant Sons of BitchesComplete discography re-released on Killnormal Records / Very Distribution2006Three Cheers for DisappointmentQuote Unquote Records (Digital) / Killnormal Records (CD) / Asbestos Records (Vinyl) 2006This Is What You GetQuote Unquote Records (Digital) live album of Radiohead cover songs from a Halloween show2009All the Little Ones Are Rotting (Digital Re-Issue)EP with 6 bonus tracks and documentary re-released on Quote Unquote Records (Digital)

Music videos So Let's Go! NOWHERE (2006)

References

External links ASOB on Discogs Official Facebook profile Official Myspace profile