THE INHALERS [Allston]
MEMBERS | Stacey Sullivan [vocals], Dan Palimeri [guitar], Darcy Spring [bass], Alex Pepper [drums]
LAST SPOTTED LIVE BY THE PHOENIX | Playing in their new Allston practice space
STREAM | Three-track sampler: theinhalers.bandcamp.com
PHOTOS: "Curmudgeon + Get Laid + Honeysuck + The Inhalers" by Ali Donohue
Two years ago, the Inhalers were drunkenly started as a joke party-punk band. In a Jim Beam-induced conversation, Spring asked, "Stacey, you mad? You wanna yell?" Sullivan answered, "Fuck yeah!" And the band was born. Early songs were about "having a beard and wanting to be a secret agent and drinking a lot." But recognizing their true talents, they eventually dropped the "joke band" label in favor of fast, high-energy punk rock with aggressive hardcore vocals.
"Someone described us as an 'Allston rolling blackout' once, and I think that was the best I've ever heard us described," says Sullivan. The Inhalers play basements, kitchens, loft spaces, and DIY venues around Allston, Somerville, and Cambridge. Their favorite local band seems to be the Scamps, who are mentioned almost a dozen times in 20 minutes. "It's just cheap punk rock," adds Palimeri about the Inhalers.
Feminism and hardcore's male dominance aren't huge conversation topics with the Inhalers. "That's never been our thing, or something we talk about," says Spring, who's played in bands since the age of 14. "We try to avoid being called 'a girl band.' If anyone doesn't know when they're booking us that we're female-fronted, we just show up without saying anything."
The Inhalers are recording a six-song 7-inch, with vague plans for a release with a local DIY label. "We just hope to go platinum and sell out as fast as possible," explains Palimeri. "Shout out to George Clooney! And Rupert Murdoch and Barack Obama!"
"I really wanna be on Epic Records," clarifies Spring. "Because Madonna's on that record label. I think that's in the future." Palimeri chimes in: "The sky's the limit!"
In all seriousness though? "I'm just thankful to be in this punk community," says Sullivan. "Everyone helps each other out."
