Bob Bert
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Bob Bert is the lovable Fozzy Bear-esque Zelig-like drummer of American indie post-whatever. This Hoboken-based battery arsenal initially came to prominence as drummer for the post-No Wave band Sonic Youth during the early to mid-1980s. (See/Hear S.Y.'s classic 1984-5 album Bad Moon Rising.) Bert continued to rock the nation/notion during the last half of the 1980's as the Ringo Starr of DC-to-NYC scuzz rock transplants Pussy Galore, as well as funky mushroom offshoot Boss Hog. (See/Hear Boss Hog's cover of "Black Throat".) In the early 1990s, Bert helmed the Chrome Cranks (which also included Peter Aaron on vocals; Jerry Teel on bass; and William Weber on stun guitar.) After the dissolution of the Cranks, Bert joined forces with guitarist Kid Congo, guitarist Jack Martin, bassist/vocalist Jerry Teel and keyboardist Barry in the rootsy Knoxville Girls. Throughout, Bert managed to release a handful of recordings by his percussive/concussive vehicle Bewitched. Releases by Bewitched include the "Chocolate Frenzy" 12" EP; some albums on No. 6 Records; and the "Hey White Homie" 7" on Sub Pop. Bewitched toured with S.Y. and STP (shortlived NYC all-female foxcore band which included PG guitarist Julie Cafritz) during the summer of 1990, the year "Goo" was released. During the late 1990's, Bert (with his wife, artist Linda Wolfe) began publishing BBGun, a zine that covers punk rock _ mostly _. Bert currently plays with the International Shades, which features ex-Live Skull guitarist Mark C. and former Pier Platters shop assistant-turned-keyboardist Dorian Gary among others.