The Arrogant Sons of Bitches
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Long Island and Baldwin, New York , United States |
| Products | Ska punk music, albums, EPs |
The Arrogant Sons of Bitches (ASOB) was a six-member ska punk ensemble originating from Long Island and Baldwin, New York. They were recognized for their strong commitment to the DIY punk philosophy, independently releasing two full-length albums alongside two EPs. Their concluding record, Three Cheers For Disappointment, was issued through Kill Normal Records.
The band's lead vocalist, Jeff Rosenstock, established Quote Unquote Records, a label operating on a donation basis, and also formed the group Bomb the Music Industry!. Other bandmates later became part of Jay Tea, Hello Nurse, Let Me Crazy, and The Rocky Sullivans.
History
The origins of the band trace back to 1995 when Joe Werfelman and Jeff Rosenstock started performing covers of Green Day. By 1998, they had recorded their first album, Built to Fail, which was released via Breaking the Law Records. Following this debut, ASOB began gaining recognition by sharing stages with groups such as Edna's Goldfish, Catch 22, and The Toasters. Their sophomore album, Pornocracy, came out in 2000.
Subsequently, several members departed to pursue higher education. In 2003, ASOB followed the Warped Tour circuit, initially playing outside the official venues before eventually receiving invitations to perform within the tour itself.
By 2004, the band had nearly finalized Three Cheers For Disappointment. As internal dynamics shifted and the group started to wind down, Jeff Rosenstock initiated Bomb the Music Industry!. The final album was released in 2006 prior to ASOB's official breakup.
In 2007, ASOB organized a farewell concert at The Knitting Factory, which sold out in under seven hours—a venue record—followed by an additional show at the Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, New York.
Five years later, they reunited for a limited number of performances in New York. Jeff commented: "We enjoy each other's company again and thought it would be enjoyable to perform together once more. This is intended as a single occasion with no plans for new recordings or tours."
ASOB earned praise for their energetic live shows. A critic highlighted their lively stage presence, featuring acrobatic moves and vigorous interaction with the audience.
Band members
| Lineups | |
|---|---|
| (1995) |
|
| (1996) 1996 Demo |
|
| (1997) |
|
| (1997) |
|
| (1998) Integrity Tape |
|
| (1998) Built To Fail |
|
| (1999) |
|
| (2000) Pornocracy |
|
| (2000) Pornocracy |
|
| (2001–2002) All The Little Ones Are Rotting |
|
| (2003) |
|
| (2003) This is What You Get |
|
| (2003–2004) |
|
| (2004) |
|
| (2005–2007) Three Cheers for Disappointment |
John DeDomenici – live bass Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone Chris Valentino – saxophone (live) JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums |
| (2007) Farewell Show |
Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Joe Werfelman – guitar Sean Qualls – guitar John DeDomenici – bass, guitar Chris Baltrus – bass Joe Bove – bass James Lynch – bass Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe – trombone Chris Valentino – saxophone JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums Chris Candy – trumpet |
| (2012) Reunion |
Jeff Rosenstock – lead vocals, guitar Sean Qualls – guitar Joe Bove – bass Dave Dickerman – trombone Sean McCabe - trombone JT Turret – keyboard Mike Costa – drums |
Discography
| Year | Album Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Built to Fail | Released by Breaking The Law Records |
| 2000 | Pornocracy | Independent release |
| 2001 | The Apology EP | Independently issued EP |
| 2002 | All the Little Ones Are Rotting | Self-published EP |
| 2003 | All the Little Ones Are Rotting (Super-Deluxe Edition) | Expanded EP reissued through Killnormal Records |
| 2004 | The Arrogant Sons of Bitches | Complete collection reissued via Killnormal Records / Very Distribution |
| 2006 | Three Cheers for Disappointment | Distributed digitally by Quote Unquote Records, CD by Killnormal Records, vinyl by Asbestos Records |
| 2006 | This Is What You Get | Digital live album of Radiohead covers from a Halloween performance, released by Quote Unquote Records |
| 2009 | All the Little Ones Are Rotting (Digital Re-Issue) | EP featuring 6 additional tracks and a documentary, digitally reissued by Quote Unquote Records |
Music videos
- So Let's Go! NOWHERE (2006)