Blaster the Rocket Man
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Blaster the Rocket Man originated as a Christian horror punk ensemble from Indianapolis, Indiana. Initially formed in the early 1990s under the name Blaster the Rocketboy, the band signed with Boot to Head Records in 1994, releasing two albums before transitioning to Jackson Rubio Records. The group adopted the name Blaster the Rocket Man for their 1999 release, The Monster Who Ate Jesus. Their concluding album, The Anatomy of a Monster, compiled tracks from their Boot to Head era alongside additional bonus content.
1994–1995: Origins and Disasteroid
In 1994, Daniel Petersen, also known as "Otto Bot," developed a rock opera concept titled "Blaster the Rocketboy," which soon transformed into a punk band bearing the same name. After several personnel adjustments, the lineup stabilized with Daniel Petersen on vocals, his younger brother Dave handling drums and primary songwriting duties at just 13 years old, Michael “The Man” Schauss on bass, and Chris Dickens playing guitar. The band secured a contract with Boot to Head Records later that year and launched their debut album, Disasteroid, in 1995. The initial cassette release quickly sold out, prompting a reissue in 1998; this album is also included in their final anthology, The Anatomy of a Monster.
1996–1998: Succulent Space Food for Teething Vampires and touring
Their sophomore album, Succulent Space Food for Teething Vampires, arrived between late 1996 and early 1997 and marked their last project with Boot to Head Records before moving to Jackson Rubio Records and changing their name to Blaster the Rocket Man. This album centered on themes of salvation through Jesus Christ, highlighted by tracks such as "All the Way to the Blood Bank" and "Flesheaters." Staying true to horror punk traditions, songs incorporated monster imagery including werewolves ("American Werewolf") and vampires ("All the Way to the Blood Bank"). During this phase, Daniel Petersen assumed principal songwriting responsibilities. The album broadened their audience, enabling them to tour alongside The Huntingtons in 1998.
1999–2000: The Monster Who Ate Jesus and disbandment
Upon joining Jackson Rubio Records and adopting the moniker "Blaster the Rocket Man," the band released The Monster Who Ate Jesus, which featured a more polished sound infused with Western, rockabilly, and blues elements. In 2000, after headlining a West Coast tour, they chose to dissolve while returning from that tour.
2001–present: Aftermath, The Anatomy of a Monster, and reunions
Following their 2000 breakup, drummer Dave Petersen (aka Heater Hands) became part of Squad Five-0, later joining Philadelphia indie rock outfit Marah, and currently performs with Adam and Dave's Bloodline. Otto relocated to Scotland where he established Voice of the Mysterons. Bassist Mikey Rocket (Michael Schauss) departed from music to pursue a career as a history educator and worship leader in Evansville, Indiana.
Daniel Petersen reunited with former members for live performances in Indiana (2002) and at the Cornerstone Festival in Illinois (2004 and 2008). In 2002, they issued The Anatomy of a Monster, a compilation featuring live recordings released via Boot to Head Records.
On May 18, 2011, Otto announced through Facebook a split EP collaboration with Voice of the Mysterons distributed by Crossroads of America Records and Flannelgraph Records. Originally issued as a limited edition of 100 copies on a 3" CD subscription in October 2010, it was later made available digitally on Bandcamp. The EP included four tracks by Voice of the Mysterons, two by Blaster the Rocket Man, plus spoken word contributions by Otto. Subsequently, Blaster’s tracks were re-released on a 7" split alongside folk punk band Destroy Nate Allen in 2012 via High Endurance Records.
Daniel Petersen also contributed spoken word performances to gypsy-folk-punk group Insomniac Folklore, including "The Homecoming: A Sermon for Certain Serpent-Servants and Sundry Other Unsavory Characters" on their June 2011 album A Place Where Runaways Are Not Alone. This piece was adapted into a short theatrical production at Fontbonne University in December 2011. In March 2012, Daniel recorded "The Story of Horror Boy" for Insomniac Folklore; this spoken word track appears on The Scariest Thing in the Dark E.P.
Musical style and influences
Blaster's musical approach is frequently likened to that of the Dead Kennedys or Man or Astro-man?, although lead vocalist Otto Bot (Daniel Petersen) has refuted any direct inspiration from these bands. The publication HM characterized their sound as an inventive blend combining elements reminiscent of werewolf movies, Elvis, and the Sex Pistols, labeling it "CREATIVE Christian music." Their lyrics incorporate horror and science fiction motifs as metaphors for Christian teachings, utilizing representations of evil to convey scriptural themes. The album The Monster Who Ate Jesus includes tracks influenced by C. S. Lewis' Space Trilogy and addresses critiques of Secular humanism. The group gained recognition for their dramatic live shows, notably featuring Otto wearing thematic masks such as a werewolf mask for certain songs and a fly mask during performances of "Human Fly Trap."
Current
Final performance occurred in July 2008.
- Otto Bot (Daniel Petersen) – vocals and lyricist
- Brett Sempsrott – drums
- Ty Sempsrott – guitar
- Dustin Spock – guitar
- Jason Allender – bass
Former
- Heater Hands (Dave Petersen) – drums and guitar on the majority of recordings
- Chrissy Rocket (Chris Dickens) – guitar
- Jason Allender – guitar
- Rusty Sempsrott – guitar
- Mikey Rocket (Michael Schauss) – bass
- Oxford Don (Elijah Sheridan) – bass
- John Grey Vogel – bass
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Disasteroid
|
| 1997 | Succulent Space Food for Teething Vampires
|
| 1999 | The Monster Who Ate Jesus
|
Compilations
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2004 | The Anatomy of a Monster
|
EPs
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Doctor NoBot and His Anti-Automatons Present: A Macabre Menagerie and Blessed Bestiary — Cunningly and Cussedly Commingled for Your Delighted Dread and Deviant Devotion (Caution: Not Recommended for Listening to Alone or In The Dark)
|
Further reading
External links
- Blaster on Facebook
- Brief band history