Take, for instance, the band’s obsession with velour, a fabric that feels like the generic equivalent of cheap velvet.

It comes from growing up and wearing velour and trying to feel sexy while wearing this ugly, smelly fabric, bassist Skipper said. It really absorbs smells in a weird way. My mom used to dress me up (in it) in fifth or sixth grade. I think it’s making a comeback.

The Imperials’ stage show is like a garage sale on Tacky Street. Plastic used car dealer flags flutter from the ceiling in a fan-induced breeze. Goodtime’s bass drum glows crimson with each beat, a railroad crossing warning light in 3/4 time. Kitsch galore, a festival more tasteless than a 1970s revivalist’s wardrobe.

Advertisement

Skipper said the whole New Duncan Imperials image evolved slowly.

It creeped up on us through driving around and stopping at every garage sale and thrift store, he said. It’s kind of addicting, like drugs. We have to buy everything we come across.

Although the band has always enjoyed the product, Skipper said the band never set out to try and snare the Jgermeister endorsement.

Our first CD had this song called Jgermeister,’ he said. It’s a song we wrote just for the hell of it. We’d play it at our shows and every time we would play it, the club would go through five bottles of Jgermeister.

The local (Jgermeister) rep called the New York office. They contacted us and asked if they could sponsor us.

One may think that an entity which managed to secure a coveted endorsement sips chardonnay in the luxury of an air-conditioned tour bus. Not NDI.

(Jgermeister) kind of pays for expenses, Skipper said. It’s not like they’re giving us wads of cash.

Advertisement*

Skipper said Jgermeister foots the bill for such costs as van rental, hotel bills and gas.

In addition to three full-length CDs of original material and a European-released live disc, the Imperials also have a six-song EP, We’re In a Band, that contains covers of songs with the word rock in the title.

Skipper said the idea seemed good at its inception.

We were on the road somewhere, and we started fiddling around with songs with the word band’ in it, he said. We enjoyed doing the songs because we’re fans of 70s bad rock.

Since the group loves its fans, concert-goers end up with free memorabilia to commemorate the event. In the past, crowds have been treated to the previously mentioned chicken feet and pig ears. But Skipper said that since most of the ears and feet were returned by the audience via air, the group has switched over to more edible products, such as shish kabobs, broccoli and cheese.

You name it if we could buy it by the gross, we’ll give it out, Skipper said.

The New Duncan Imperials play tonight at 9:45 at Hangar 9, 511 S. Illinois Ave. Youth in Asia opens. Admission is $3.