Them's Fightin' Words

Damron and company are equally exasperated by the current commander in chief. Straightening out of the slow, slinking slouch that overcomes musicians when they're answering the same interview questions over and over, trying to forcibly analyze something they just feel in their bones, they all take enthusiastic turns pummeling the president.

"The whole situation is so simple and ironic," Burbank points out. "Christianity is supposed to be based on love, peace and compassion, and people like Bush dedicate their lives to everything that's the complete opposite of all that."

"I saw Bush before he got elected," Damron remembers. "He was talking with Pat Robertson on the 700 Club, and I said, ŒIf that guy gets elected, we're in for a world of shit.'"

Needless to say, Sonofabitch isn't playing any Republican fundraisers this week in Dubya's old stamping grounds. Neither are any of its shows sanctioned by SXSW; despite all of its passion, talent and acclaim, Sonofabitch didn't actually make it into the festival proper this year. Instead, the guys are in Austin performing at a few of the counter festivals, meeting their European booking agent and taking their music to the people.

"You don't need a fucking machine behind you to make music," Damron notes. "Just get out there and do it, if that's what you want to do. If you have to sell your records from the trunk of your car, that's what you gotta do."

Touring about half the year, the working-class Sonofabitch is getting closer to the goal of playing music full-time. "We're able to do music about half-time now," says Damron. "We've all got jobs where we either work for ourselves or bartend, and other musicians cover our asses when we're on tour. But it's all starting to fall into place. We're heading out to Europe, we've got great management, a great label and a great booking agent. It's taken about six to eight years to make a career out of this, and we're ready."

"It's more than just having a career," he goes on. "I feel like we have something to say. It's not like we've got this big grand scheme to save the world, but I feel like we've got something to say. Even when we're being stupid, we've got shit to say."

Sonofabitch has certainly had its say. Surprisingly, though, as outspoken as Damron and crew have been and as proactive as their performances are, the members have yet to be challenged to live up to their name. Apparently, Damron's dentist is the only one interested in extracting teeth.

"That's never really happened," he says. "Sometimes I've had good debates with people after shows. But good dialogue is a way for people with different opinions to see the other side a bit, even if you completely disagree."