Representative Albums: "Deal Me In", "Fuck All Y'All
Representative Songs: "Soul-Phisticate", "Sister Nicotine", "Crack in Your System
Biography
Hailing from Michigan's capital city of Lansing, Bantam Rooster's two piece guitar and drum approach pays tribute to the minimal aesthetics of 60's garage rock recorded on duct taped equipment. Gotten together in 1994 after T. Jackson Potter (guitar/ vocals) and Eric Cook (drums) were both experiencing down time from their full-time bands would eventually result in a series of gigs all through the Mid-West before signing with Crypt Records in 1996. With their first 7" EP Miss Luxury released that same year, their first album Deal Me In came out in 1997 followed by a European tour. Upon their return to the states, and another 7" on Ypsilanti's Flying Bomb Records, Bantam Rooster's second album The Cross and The Switchblade came out in 1999; Fuck All Y'All appeared a year later. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
Bantam Rooster was an American garage punk band, formed in 1994 in Lansing, Michigan and disbanded in 2003. Over the years, Bantam Rooster comprised Thomas vocalist and guitarist Jackson Potter, bassist Eric Cook, and drummers Mike Alonso (ex-Dirtys) and Nick Lloyd (ex-Buzzards).
Known for their hillbilly-influenced garage punk sound, the duo fluctuated between the all-out rock of 'Dumb it Down' to the more melodic & lyrical stylings of 'Perceptive Pornstar'. Jim Diamond, the music producer and one-time member of The Dirtbombs along with Potter, has been dubbed as the '3rd Rooster', appearing occasionally live and producing.
The group were first signed to Crypt Records in 1996, releasing 'Deal Me In' (1997) and 'Cross and the Switchblade' (1999) to critical acclaim. In 2000, they moved to the revered Sympathy for the Record Industry imprint for the release of 'Fuck All Y'All', and received further exposure through their similar approach to their then label-mates, The White Stripes. Bantam Rooster disbanded in 2003 as Potter formed the funk rock band Detroit City Council.
Potter also did time in the Dirtbombs, appearing on their albums Ultraglide In Black and Dangerous Magickal Noise. He was also in Seger Liberation Army.
Bantam Rooster was mentioned (and Potter as an unnamed character) in Elmore Leonard's novel Mr. Paradise.
Discography
Watch Me Burn (Flying Bomb Records) (single), 1997
