Garage rockers? Don't lump us in with cretins! sniffs Pete Delong of the Crippled Masters, a band known for outrageous stage patter.
By GINA VIVINETTO
Published January 1, 2004
Singer-guitarist Pete Delong, of St. Petersburg's Crippled Masters, has been a staple of the local music scene since the 1980s.
The band, which also includes bassist Roger Peterson and drummer Chris Cosgrove, is well-known for its frisky, inebriated sets and hilarious antics that include Delong's outrageous stage patter and lapses into a faux British accent.
But it's not all drunken fun. The Masters are also known for their fashion savvy. The trio is always clad in matching outfits.
(1) CM are the best-dressed local band. Are the clothes more important than the tunes? Of course, of course. To all three of us, and to our assistants. We have a crack team of consultants that work with us before every show.
Do you have plans for a Crippled Masters line of clothing? No, our plans are for Crippled Masters action figures. The Roger doll will be throwing up. Mine won't be able to stand up. You know, it will keep falling down, babbling. (Laughs.)
(2) What are your musical influences? Peter Green, Spike Jones. The Kinks.
You're always lumped into the "garage rock" camp. Does that bother you guys? Yes! (Bangs hand down, adopts faux British accent) We abhor the term "garage rock"! It's infuriating to be lumped in with those ill-bred cretins!
(3) People are always surprised to learn you have a daughter. I do. Her name is Miranda and she's 18. She lives in St. Petersburg, but not with me. She's the product of (adopts lusty tone) a South American love triangle.
Has she been to one of your gigs? Yeah. Once, last year. I think she liked it. But, her favorite band is Evanescence.
(4) You're a regular at the Emerald Bar in downtown St. Pete. Who's your favorite old-timer there? Oh, Harry, for sure. I've come to love his loping gait and his soulful eyes when he asks me for money. He's at all the Masters gigs, faithfully.
(5) Tell me about your dream girl. It's the older daughter, Betty (Princess), on Father Knows Best. She had a childlike, innocent quality, yet a burning sexuality.
What line would you use to pick her up? "You have a childlike, innocent quality yet a burning sexuality, (adopts debonair tone) and, I'd like to buy you a drink."
The Crippled Masters open for Blondie at 8 p.m. Friday at Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $26.50 advance, $30 day of show. (727) 898-2100.
