The Sons of Hercules and I were an accident waiting to happen.

As an aspiring college music journalist circa 1990, I was camped outside a San Antonio dive bar hoping to interview a rising grunge-metal act that were making their way across the South.

Suddenly the shadow of Frankenstooge appeared in a hovering haze of nicotine. It was that of Sons of Hercules singer Frank Pugliese; the haze, a more collaborative effort. Rag-tag in their anti-fashion, this was a gawky gaggle of throwback freaks that already appeared seasoned despite the band’s infancy. In a town that had a reputation for all things heavy metal, the bowl-cut Sons looked like the Monkees on parole. As our parking lot conversation gained momentum, one of the Sons suggested they cover The Stooges “Death Trip” as the evening’s encore. The lead guitarist shrugged with reluctance, as he didn’t know the solo. I had The Stooges “Raw Power” cassette tape in my car. After several rewinds, the “Death Trip” crash course sealed my fate as family.

Front and center thereafter at countless gigs, my early allegiance has been rewarded with  swag and rare recordings (including some by Pugliese’s band The Vamps, who famously opened for the Sex Pistols in ’78).

Then as now, the Sons of Hercules are a treat for garage-hungry eyes and ears. Anchored by the shy-guy cool of guitarist Dale Hollon, and Pugliese’s croak and stagger, their family history is chock-full of colorful characters and rock-n-roll adventures, culminating with their most primal and power-packed lineup to date. This is garage-rock demolition in the tradition of The Stones, The Kinks, New York Dolls and The Dead Boys, with an unshakable Herculean foundation.

With "A Different KInd Of Ugly", their fifth full-length album, the Sons Of Hercules are stronger than ever, as they continue their rightful legacy as one of Texas’ most important punk bands. That part, for the record, is hardly an accident.    - Dave Glessner 2009

THE SONS OF HERCULES

"A DIFFERENT KIND OF UGLY"

CD $10 + S & H

THE SONS OF HERCULES

"GET LOST"

CD $10 + S & H