Evan Foster, bossman for the Boss Martians, is one intense dude.
His voice was going a mile a minute as his band’s van did the same between Denver and Lincoln , Neb., yesterday. I had asked him how the Martians’ recent European tour had gone. He said a highlight was being voted best overall live performers at the four-day Rockpalast festival in Bonn, Germany.
“It was killer. It was the best tour we’ve ever had in Europe with the highest attendance we’ve seen,” Foster said. “There was a lot of interest in the new album, even though the European release did not have the single with Iggy.”
Said single is a new tune that Foster co-wrote and sang with Godfather of Punk Iggy Pop. The track is called “Mars is for Martians” and features a sneering lead vocal from Iggy. While playing festivals, Foster and Iggy had discussed a collaboration and one day he received an email from Iggy with song lyrics enclosed. Foster arranged the song and flew to Miami to record at Iggy’s place.
“He was absolutely f– professional and intense,” said Foster. “I’m a real intense guy, so we really worked well together. As soon as a mic was set up he tore his shirt off and started f– going for it. It was a pleasure and honor to work with him.”
Hearing Foster’s general stoked-ness, one would think that the Martians were a new band venturing out to support their first album. Rather, the band started out as a surf rock unit 13 years ago, but is now “full-tilt rock & roll.” Their sound is a blend of garage, punk and 1970s mainstream rock.
“Now and then some surf rock fans pop in to check us out,” said Foster. “I can’t promise surf fans will like it – we haven’t been playing our old stuff, though it’s not totally out of the question. With everything going on, we just haven’t had time to fit it in.”
The Boss Martians new album, “Pressure in the SODO,” named after their south-of-downtown-Seattle neighborhood, will be released on July 8 on MuSick Recordings. If you go to the show, you can pick up the Iggy single and the album early — and on vinyl to boot.
The Boss Martians with Ded Bugs and Left Arm
Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., 9 pm, $7