Formed in 1995, The Arrogant Sons of Bitches were a six-piece third wave ska/punk band from Baldwin, Long Island, New York.
Biography
In 1995, Jeff Rosenstock began playing with Joe Werfelman together and started The Arrogant Sons of Bitches. By 1996, the to had spent time writing and finding members for their band. At this time they record The Arrogant Sons of Bitches Demo Tape on tape but never release it. At this time they also began playing shows in their friends' basements and bedrooms.
Patric Santiago and Chris Valentino joined the band and the Greatest Hits Tape (1996) is made to play the Rockfest, at a local church. They're denied and instead play a show in Jeff Rosenberg's backyard with members of Taking Back Sunday, Bomb the Music Industry!, The Matt Kurz One, and Sevenwiser.
In 1997, Chris Baltrus joins playing bass and Joe Vazquez joins to play drums after Patric Santiago has to leave the band because the members broke into his house to get amplifiers. His parents don't approve, and he leaves.
In 1998, Joe Vazquez is replaced with Bryan Cohen and ASOB records the Integrity Tape at Joe's garage. Dave Dickerman joins on trombone and Bryan Cohen leaves. They begin playing places like Q-Zar, Scotty Dee's Coffee Shop, and an outdoor festival with Post-Emo Indie Rock innovators, Inside. John DeDomenici steps in on drums and the band begins planning their first album. They pay $1000 for 12 songs.
Mike Costa replaces John DeDomenici on drums. They record Built to Fail and is released by Zach and Breaking the Law Records, however, due to conflicts the band decides to self release it.
In 1999, ASOB starts branching out, playing shows with Channel 59, Sprout, Microwave Orphans, Who Cares, WCF, Edna's Goldfish, Catch 22, The Toasters, and Step Lively. Arty's Taxi's member, Eric Bucello plays the trumpet and joins. In August, the band records "Fuck You" for a Runaway Records compilation with the Jestrebzki Family. They also start work on their new full length, Pornocracy.
By 2000, the band entered the studio and finishes it in June. It features JT from Sprout. Chris Baltrus leaves the band for college and Joe Bove from Arty's Taxi joins. They play a CD release show with Racecar Breakup.
2001- ASOB records "Built to Fail Motherfucker" for a compilation and begin touring that summer. Many members quit and the remnants of ASOB play a show in upstate New York on a driving range with a new band and featuring members of Shabooti. Joe Rosenstock stated to his girlfriend, "If this band ever gets big, I want you to kill me." The band ended up being Coheed and Cambria.
Rosenstock began writing new material and was to open a show for Thursday, but it fell through. A new roster is drawn up that includes Tim Ruggeri (Channel 59/WCF/Tall Hannds), Jon Rossman (Everyone Else), and Chris Taylor but this also falls through. Mike, Baltrus, Dave, and a few members of the High School Football Heroes and Premarital Sax play with ASOB.
In 2002, ASOB tries to re-record Built to Fail unsuccessfuly. They record an Arrogant Sons of Bitches 7'' that is never released. They do a CD release show for All the Little Ones Are Rotting and play a battle of the bands at The Downtown winning fourth place. They land a deal with Kill Normal Records. They also play a Halloween show and do ska covers of Taking Back Sunday songs.
A year later, in 2003, ASOB re-releases their Ep with videos, a live set, and much more. They open for Bowling for Soup and Count the Stars. They tour out to the west coast, and JT from Sprout joins full time. They play outside of the Idaho Warped Tour, and the next day play inside a hip-hop tent electrically. They stay on Warped Tour and play to 3000 people in New York. Joe Werfelman is kicked out of the band.
Three Cheers for Disappointment is being finished written and they record with AJ Quashee, but the recording doesn't go well and it's scrapped. Sean Qualls is auditioned on guitar. Joe Bove has a panic attack on stage and leaves bass, giving Sean the spot on bass.
Afterwards, the band record some more and start workign on releasing a "Complete Discography". The band later gets on Streetlight Manifesto shows that feature Big D and the Kids Table.
The band finally begins recording Three Cheers for Disappointment at Moontower Studios in Boston, Massachusettes with Steve Foote. After it's finished, the band books a tour, orders merch, talks to record labels, replaces Sean Qualls with James Lynch on bass. The band took a break in September.
In October, The Arrogant Sons of Bitches played two last shows at Mr. Beery's - one all ages, one 18+. Shortly afterwards, Jeff Rosenstock started Bomb the Music Industry!, Sean started Bashi-Bazouk, JT started his solo project, Mike Costa started his solo project and Dave registered to finally go to college.
In 2005, they finish Three Cheers for Disappointment and in 2006, the band plays three shows in the Northeast in support of it.
In 2007, they play their last show and officially break up.
Members
- Mike Costa (Drums)
- John DeDominci (Bass)
- Dave Dickerman (Trombone, Backup Vocals, Bells)
- Sean Eldon Qualls (Guitar)
- Jeff Rosenstock (Vocals, Guitar, Saxophone)
- JT Turret (Keyboard, Vocals)
Former Members
- Chris Baltrus (Bass)
- Joe Bove (Bass)
- Joe Werfleman (Rhythm Guitar)
- Steve Connolly (Trumpet, Vocal)
Other Contributors
- Chris Valentino (Saxophone)
- Sean McCabe (Trombone)
- Chris Candy (Trumpet)
- James Lynch (Bass)
Discography
- The Arrogant Sons of Bitches Demo Tape (1996)
- Built to Fail (1998, Self Released)
- Pornocracy (2000, Self Released)
- The Apology E.P. (2001, Self Released)
- All The Little Ones Are Rotting EP (2002, Self Released; 2003, Re-Released on Killnormal Records)
- The Arrogant Sons of Bitches (Compilation) (2004, Killnormal Records)
- Three Cheers for Disappointment (2006, Killnormal Records)
- This is What You Get (Quote Unquote Records)