Interview with Spike Polite & Sewage

From the underground legacy of New York City’s Lower East Side punk scene comes Spike Polite & Sewage, a band forged in rebellion, grit, and unapologetic energy. Known for their politically charged lyrics, raw sound, and storied history alongside punk icons, they’ve carved out their own space in the punk rock movement while continuing to amplify the voices of the underserved and uncompromising.

Was there something or someone who was the "catalyst" for you to go into music?

Often my external family would visit, and they would play acoustic guitars along to Grateful Dead and Rolling Stones albums they would play on the turntable. Later in time, I got my own butt found that I liked Punk Rock better. I still liked the Grateful Dead and Rolling Stones, just that I felt more connected with the punk rock music I heard on college radio.

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened in your music career?

We performed a concert with a book throwing madman named GG Allin. He intended to use our equipment for a video shoot on an event where everybody used all their own equipment. And we almost got into a physical altercation with the man over the fact that we didn't want him using it as we thought he would defecate on it and break it. The booker of the event Lionel at the gas station, talked with us and explained that the man would not break it he just wanted to use our equipment because that was the only gear at the venue at the time. That he would pay for it if something went wrong so we let them film my video on our musical equipment and a fight was avoided. Our drummer of the time Pete Patrick had supplied all of us in the van with his equipment so it was him that was going to stand a chance of losing it when GG Allin breaks everything would possibly go off on it. Luckily, he did not though he did not break our music gear

What has been the highlight of your music path?

I believe that working with Spike Lee at a scene in CBGB's was very good for us. They had us write a song which was a different version of two of our songs put into one as well as paid us to record and another check for filming it. They utilized us in a television commercial for the movie Summer of Sam, and it was aired on E TV behind the scenes with Howard Stern.

How do you approach songwriting or what is your creative process like?

In the past I used to have a guitar progression I had in my mind and lately I make a poem first. But sometimes I go back to the old method of having a guitar progression that just won't leave my mind, and I figure I had better use it and I come up with a poem after the fact then I match melodic notes for my voice to go over the guitars and drums.

Do you have a new release? Tell us about it.

Our last release it's titled "officer munn " The The EP is released on CD and has a slightly different version than the online format has. As a bonus for actually buying the physical item over the digital one is why there are a few differences. Check out the track big O.

If you could share the stage or a song session with an artist, who would it be?

While I like melodic music, I still think it would be nice to be on the bill with the hardcore punk band called the "exploited" from Scotland.

For fans who have never heard your music, how would you describe your sound?

We have 3-quart directions for four-time upbeat tempo raw guitar melodic vocals of catchy lyrics and sing along anthemic choruses.

What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, producing...something else?

My favorite part is performing linking up with my band mates and interacting with the audience. It is also nice to create the song but it's kind of tough at the beginning it's really only at the end of the song when you really figure out how it's going to be, and you get comfortable with it that you feel really good so that's the second enjoyment the first obviously as I stated was performing live.

When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing?

I do a non-for profit weekly radio show online for artists who play underground music and may not find themselves on popular radio stations due to the fact that they don't have a record label or a big budget to bribe general managers of radio stations into planning their music on regular rotation so on my station I specifically air underserved artist who are worth the attention of the masses.

What is coming up in the future for you?

We are getting ready for Trucking Up to Buffalo in early December with our good friends of the band Skum City on some shows.

For more information, visit Spike Polite & Sewage's website.

Spike Polite & Sewage – Band Bio

The Lower East Side of New York City has long been a hotbed for art, rebellion, and raw creativity — and Spike Polite & Sewage embody that tradition. Emerging from the turbulence of the Tompkins Square Park riots in the late 1900s, the band began as HumYn Sewage, a direct response to civil unrest and political protest. Their history includes iconic performances at underground punk venues, collaborations with filmmakers like Spike Lee, and appearances tied to punk legend GG Allin.

Over the years, the band evolved into Sewage NYC, and eventually Spike Polite & Sewage, pushing forward with a catalog of politically charged punk rock anthems. Their discography includes Out of Hell Alive, Pandemonium EP, Police Brutality, and their Halloween-themed release Officer Munn. They’ve toured internationally, from Italy to the U.S. West Coast, and continue to represent the defiant energy of punk both live and on record.

Today, the lineup features Spike on vocals and guitar, Michelle Shocked on bass and vocals, Anthony Romano on guitar and gang vocals, and Beast on drums. Together, they carry forward the legacy of New York punk with unrelenting spirit.

Links

🌐 Website: spikesewage.com 🎵 Spotify: Listen Here 🎶 SoundCloud: Stream Here

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