THE BAND

Long Island, New York

Upon first glance, one might describe them as “typically” ska-punk-rasta-funk-power-dub-grind-polka-pirate-pimp-core. However after the mental fatigue caused by this description, most people tend to generalize the music of Harold’s Trousers as well…awkwardly original; kind of like a punk rock everything bagel. The Trousers have created the bridge to and from any and every musical genre with which they have experimented, and the consequent fusion has been remarkably fluid and vivacious.

Given life sometime in the late 90’s (7/31/97 to be exact) HT set out upon the world with two goals in mind; 1. Create the kind of music they wanted to hear, but most other bands wouldn’t “risk” playing 2. Write in styles that digressed, so that the band couldn’t be pigeonholed. As time went on, their aim became slightly less pretentious and soon became “Rock harder, keep rockin’”. Due to the gifted nature of the musicians in the band, the originality and ingenuity in the music developed inherently. What they’ve created is a sound that could turn the head of Andre 3000 as quickly as it could Mike Patton. To somewhat hint at their ability to rock any type of audience, the band has shared stages with the likes of Run DMC, Catch 22, Authority Zero and Thursday.

It’s not uncommon to catch the band performing to 200+ crowds in the greater Long Island and New Paltz areas. Playing live is the bread and butter of this band. Whether its 10 people or 10,000, the band is poised and amped to deliver a performance ensuring that all in the audience will go home seeing something that they’ve never seen before.
The band hopes to spread their “Trouserstyle” to a vast audience backed by the release of their album “Sailing The Seven Seams” on Get Some Records in 2004. Be on the look out for this band and their entourage if you are looking for the freshest thing since pre-packaged PB&J.

THE MEMBERS

TumbleWeed Apocalyptic

THE STATS:
Name: Eric Chichinsky
AKA: Tumbleweed Apocalyptic
Age: 22
Rockin the: Vocals
Influences: Soul Coughing, David Byrne, Jurassic 5, Yolk, Run D.M.C., Jurassic 5

THE DEAL:
When he woke up he was dripping and sarcastic, standing at the eastern bank of the Delaware water gap; half naked, whole hearted, and no clue where his quarters might be located. It had been a wild night, week, or decade; of that he had been sure because he managed to attain absolutely no memory of it, or of the years that must have preceded. The only thoughts he could manage were of a basic survival instinct, the ability to string together homophonic words and the constant ringing in his ear of a name he knew must be his own. Thus, turning from his future fate, Tumbleweed Apocalyptic (our protagonist) made his way-away-from the river at a slow rate, finding new words and sensations to relate to himself about, and eventually made his way into a town plotted on the eastern side of a former meadow upon an island which took its name from its obscure length. From his newfound cradle of culture, the abilities of Tumbleweed continued to absorb themselves into the various fields of writing and finally, when introduced to the genre of lyrical perspective, fell in love with the craft. His writings became more personalized, and the ability to phrase words with a duality that came to specify his style was received from the inspirational groupings of Soul Coughing, David Byrne, Les Savy Fav, Run D.M.C., Yolk, and Jurassic 5 without mentioning Motown. Along with his compositional achievements, Mr. Apocalyptic is an avid juggler, hockey fan and procrastinator. Tumbleweed has been the frontman for the fusion jam hop band Harold’s Trousers since the band’s inception in 1997 and currently attends the State University of New York at New Paltz where he intends to graduate with a degree in creative writing....one day.

Deuce Jiggles

THE STATS:
Name: Anthony Virgilio
AKA: Deuce Jiggles, DJ Tanner
Age: 22
Rockin the: Guitar, Vocals
Influences: Bob Marley, Sublime, Phish, The Roots, NOFX, Strike
Anywhere, Medeski Martin & Wood, Soulive
Training: Classical (Fredonia State University)
Previous Bands: Variance, Bad Taste, Just a Face, Hungry Chicken

THE DEAL:
A music education major at SUNY Fredonia, Deuce planted his
seeds as a musician in the 4th grade playing saxophone. His women and his instruments alike, DJ likes to try new things. In middle school he discovered guitar, which became his primary instrument. By the time Deuce was in his first year of high school, he began to develop his song writing skills. He soon met his high school buddies, better known as Harold's Trousers.
Deuce's contributions to the band include his crossover guitar style that takes classical fundamentals and combines them with jazz, fusion, jam, and the ever-famous rock. With the ability to sooth your soul and melt your face at the same time, Anthony Virgilio is a vital necessity to the song writing and orchestration of Harold's Trousers. Along his guitar playing, Deuce is actively involved in the bands vocals. With the ability to sing hooks catchy enough to get your grandmother dancing, crowds can't help but nod their heads. Busting out hip-hop vocals, DJ plays off front man Tumbleweed Apocalyptic like a cheap date. Deuce's style of rhyming can be described as well structured, aggressive and innovative, and can be compared to live hip-hop bands such as The Roots.
With some nice poofy hair and a massive personality, be sure to go up to Deuce Jiggles after a show and tell him what you think. Don't worry, he won't bite.

Hatecrime: bones

Bio coming soon...

Preppy

THE STATS:
Name: Jeff Wissert
AKA: Preppy
Influences: Miles Davis, Aaron Carter, Natalie Portman, NOFX
Training: Bachelor's of Music degree in Jazz and African-American Music studies at the University of Massachusetts
Rockin the: Trumpet

THE DEAL:
At the age of 9, Jeff's elementary school teacher handed him a trumpet. He proceeded to toot his face off, and since then, hasn't been able to put the thing down. Having taken piano lessons since the age of 4, Jeff transformed into the classically trained Trouser better known as Preppy, proving his significance and contributions to the band.
Whether it be playing his instrument or the wacky made-up sports such as BOLF (includes a ball bearing and a hole in Eric's backyard lawn: resembles golf…but no clubs involved… only your middle finger), Jeff has been with the band through thick and thin. His ethics show us that a band must be more than musicians playing together in the same room- it must be a bond between people who have grown together through the years. Having recently earned his Bachelor's of Music degree in Jazz and African-American Music studies at the University of Massachusetts, Jeff has been busting his ass since day one striving to be the best f'n trumpet player Harold's Trousers could find. His personality fits right in with this silly bunch, keeping moral high through those often-rough times on the road.
Classically trained to rock your socks off, physically trained to drink you under the table, and mentally trained to outwit you in any situation, Preppy leads the horn section of Harold's Trousers. Taking trombone players Billy and Teller under his wing, Jeff composes some of the fiercest horn lines heard in the wonderful world of modern music. His dedication is the perfect example of what it takes to succeed. I also heard he developed some homoerotic tendencies on Harold's Trousers last east coast tour.

Moesha: accordian, synth, keys

Bio coming soon...

Toofbrush:

THE STATS:
Name: Jon Romond
AKA: Toofbrush, Krazy Uncle Romy
Age: 22
Rockin the: Bass Guitar
Influences: Bob Marley and the Wailers, James Jamison and the Funk Brothers, Sublime, The Bouncing Souls, Less Than Jake, Rancid, NOFX, Guns n’ Roses, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, Who Cares
Training: one year of lessons taught by Jon Middleman (Who Cares, Greyscale)
Previous Bands: Higher Ground
Currently Listening to: Jurassic 5, Cocksparrer, Folly, Iron Maiden, David Byrne

THE DEAL:
Jon started listening to music at an early age. By the time he was 5, he knew all the words to Elvis’ jams. He got his first guitar when he was 11, but soon realized he couldn’t play chords with his buick sized hands. So he ripped off the 2 high strings and started mimicking what Eric Wilson did on every Sublime album. His lovely mother, Dianna, influenced him by playing her Motown records throughout childhood. Check out anything by the Funk Brothers!
After meeting keyboard player Thumpa in a sound recording class at Nassau Community College, Jon joined the Trousers in 2000. “I feel that every show we have ever played has just fuckin’ rocked. Whether it be at a festival, dive bar, or a crazy loud music show, our music and live performances really reflect us Trousers to the crowd.”

Drummah Mike: kazoo

Bio coming soon...