Backstreet Law

Backstreet Law is a legitimate, original hard rock band from Wellsboro, Pa. that, for what it’s worth, is easily as good as today’s radio fare. The band has spent the past decade touring throughout 14 states, sharing the stage with bands like Spineshank, Slaughter, and Sponge, playing dates on the Vans Warped Tour, and releasing albums on the national level. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

«It’s basically modern, heavy rock,» says guitarist Jeremy Edge. «We’re not too dissimilar from a lot of the acts that are out today, like Godsmack, Disturbed, Drowning Pool, but I don’t really think we have a sound that sounds like anybody else’s style. We definitely have a lot of older influences like early Metallica, Kiss, Zeppelin, Pantera, you name it.»

What separates Backstreet Law from the region’s nasty swarm of metal and rap-core acts is that these guys - each of whom can and will kick your ass if you make one more «Backstreet Boys» joke - were stomping around long before Fred Durst and his band of makeup-wearing monkeys came along.

«It’s funny, we’ll get compared to somebody like P.O.D. or Papa Roach,» Edge laughs. «When our first album came out, we had that whole thing written before the first Limp Bizkit album came out. And that came out, and we’re like, ‘Oh God, this whole thing is going to blow up, and it will be either good or bad.’» Well? Good or bad?

«Both. We definitely haven’t gotten the breaks that we needed. It’s hard to beat people to the punch. You’ve got to try to stay one step ahead. So we’re pushing for a more melodic direction. We’re trying to keep things upbeat,» Edge continues. «We’re definitely trying to show a lot more melody and finesse in the band, as opposed to more hard-core and more rap.»

Edge is joined by Matt «Goody» Goodreau on vocals, Jamie Morral on bass, and Mike «Choke» Oakley on drums. The quartet released its third album, Hollow, in April 2002. The record is a collection of tough-guy rompers that are danceable in the evil-disco fashion of Rob Zombie or Static X. «Even though we’re a heavier band, our shows aren’t, like, a big dude-fest, and just a mosh pit the whole time,» Edge assures. «We like to get girls up and dance and do something for girls and guys, and stuff that appeals to everyone.»