By Bryan Menegus, Staff Writer

When asked where they see themselves in the future, their first response was “to the bar.” If nothing more, The Broosevelts are an impassioned band that live for, and know the full enjoyment of a sweaty, beer-bathed show. Through a sordid history of line-up changes, beginning in October 2007, this no-frills punk act has always been centered on Hofstra students Tim Lee and Nick Psillas. A mutual friend first introduced them, sparking both a friendship, and a unique creative aesthetic.

The pair trace their roots not only to bands like Jawbreaker, the Lawrence Arms and Hot Water Music, but also to Psillis’ dingy erstwhile basement on Commodore Road in Uniondale, where the majority of their early practices took place- sharing space with a weight bench, a silverfish infestation and the typical college detritus. Their present incarnation came a year and half later, with the addition of Dirk Effertz, who had done time with other Long Island acts Regarding Ire and Since You. He brought a speed and power, as well as a new set of influences which helped the trio to cement their sound. Their music and stage presence has drawn comparisons to The Cro-Mags, American Steel, and, curiously, G.G. Allin. However, if punk music is usually described as “stripped down,” The Broosevelts exist in the realm of “flayed.”

Many of their early shows were dotted with fights and calls to the cops, which caused some animosity towards the band, and a reputation that they rejected from the start. “We never wanted to be that band,” says singer/guitarist Tim Lee. Recently The Broosevelts have shifted towards more organized shows with like-minded bands Hands Like Feet, Ten Pints In, and The Rebel Dead, in a sense, trying to rebuild the underground punk scene on the island.

These shows have taken the trio as far as Boston, but their aspirations extend as far as an East Coast tour and the hopes of professional-quality recordings. However, their success has not changed their ethos. “We started in basements, and we’ll still play in basements,” Lee added with a weary honesty, knowing full-well that artistic integrity has been their foremost goal, often at the expense of monetary gain or critical acclaim.

Some of their demos, recorded by fellow Hofstra musician and Broosevelts confederate Pat Childers, who in his rap duo goes by the name Lieutenant Headtrip, are available on their Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/broosevelts.
 

Tim Lee and Nick Psillas of The Broosevelts (Photo courtesy of The Broosevelts)