maintained and operated by members of the still defunct musickal (sic) ensemble.
[1992 New York City]: The Stiffs first emerged from the ebullient Green Door scene. They played Damned-style punk rock, fronted by the Rottenesque Whitey Sterling, with dignified psychiatrist R.X. Mauser on bass, deadpan looker Paul Boering on lead-free guitar, and the violent and unpredictable Donnie T. Tremors on drums. The four sharply dressed pranksters became known for their energetic, messy shows.
[1994 D.I.Y.]: The Stiffs put out a couple of 45's: "Destroy All Art" on their own Aluminium Records and "Blown Away Baby" on the eccentric Holy Plastic label. Then came the departure of cacophonous Donnie Tremors and the band's subsequent search for an "anti-social" drummer. This ended with the discovery of the human metronome Bryn Mars.
[1995 Nix Nought Nothing]: Re-christened Stiffs, Incorporated, they were signed by American Recordings and released their debut album "Nix Nought Nothing" (a darker, more evolved outing than their previous singles) which surprised and delighted fans and music critics alike. Upon the release of the album, Stiffs, Inc. embarked on a whirlwind U.S. tour with Jonathan Fire*Eater.
[1996 Hard-boiled Burlesque]: Time had refined the Whitey F. Sterling character into a be-hatted, bespectacled, cynical white-faced gentleman with an antique axe to grind. A fifth Stiff was added on keyboards: the chain-smoking, mild-mannered and austere Byron Lang. Stage shows became more gory, exaggerated, and quaintly medical, perhaps involving troupes of Busby Berkeley showgirls, a human spinal column, or one of the Stiffs' original B&W silent films. Strange tableaux were performed by official Stiffs, Incorporated Master of Ceremonies, the chameleon-like Poison Eve. Such shenanigans, combined with the new Stiffs, Inc. songs, which were increasingly complex, and the intricate and obscure lyrics of Mr. Sterlilng, often left onlookers perplexed.
[1997 Electric Chair Theatre Presents]: Due to American Recordings' timely demise, Stiffs, Inc. introduced their second album "Electric Chair Theatre Presents" on the Gladglum & Others label.
[Conclusion]: It is not everyone's cup of tea, but for those seeking fine oolong and finger sandwiches served on blood-splattered English linen, Stiffs Incorporated provides an appropriate haven.
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