Point the finger at the Bad Brains. Those original D.C. rockers have left their soul-glow residue on many a rock band over the last couple of decades. They are the ones to blame for the inception of the Inland Empire's pride and joy Alien Ant Farm. These whiteys actually base the entire foundation of their band on H.R.'s and Dr. Know's natty dreads. Who could possibly think of a better place to

start?

Hard to believe that Terry once made a lucrative living by playing in various Queensryche/Stryper cover bands. Even more unbelievable is the realization that Mike once tried to be the next Bon Jovi(he's since gotten a spiffy haircut). The metal roots are there, man. Friends, combine these two tales of past modern rock glory with Dryden's "Harder than Phil Anselmo" vocal delivery and Tye's "Steve Harris" bass action and you've got one of the finest metal outfits ever to come out of the wasteland

known as I.E.

Things around here have started from the roots on up, including pimpin' studio time from friends in the right places. Did you expect anything less from a bunch of crooks? The notorious "$100 tape" was recorded and brought to you via one Chunk the Monk, and is still the only recorded works by the Alien Ant Farm scumbags. Call it Terry's passionate desire to get signed off a chingas tape that will bring in the millions.

To the surprise of a lot of folks, including the band members themselves, is that this measly tape has managed to sell and fall into the hands of the right people. The 98 Posse fools seem to like them over at the Barn. Even people at prestigious L.A. clubs such as the Roxy, Whisky, and the

Troubador, who have been booking AAF on a regular basis for months now, and the kind personnel of Human Waste Project seem to dig their game plan too! Maybe these folks were tired of seeing endless streams of crappy urban bands that have saturated the area of any decent talent. Maybe,

they want to draw people by banking on thugs like AAF. God help us...

The key here is the mad legions of AAF lunatics who stray from the desolate regions of the I.E. and journey to the metropolitan jungle of L.A. to see their heroes take care of business. Then again having two to three party buses available to take people to and from the show including admission and more importantly alcohol doesn't hurt. Nothing like seeing the look of fear on the faces of L.A.

locals when the inbreds come to town.

Giving it back to the people. That's what Metallica once said to their fans, and now AAF says it to a new breed of criminals, pimps, hookers, and losers everywhere. It's like one nerdy writer said once upon a time. The music is all that matters, or mattress. But that's another story. They're getting bigger by the day, and they still have their girlfriends for now.