Mitch Bateman came to Tucson in 1998 as the frontman of the Black-Outs, which performed its first local show on Christmas at the now-closed downtown punk-rock bar the Double Zero. Mitch has been in numerous Tucson bands since, including the Stalkers, Fist Fight, Dirt Nap and now the Stripper Killers. He's moved away from Tucson three times, but he always ends up back here, he says, because of the cheap beer and beautiful women. Everything in Bateman's house is related to horror movies; he owns 650 of them. The Stripper Killers will perform at the Surly Wench Pub on Friday, Dec. 3.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
Metallica. I have no fucking idea what year it was.
What are you listening to these days?
Everything from the Pogues to the Cramps, plus lots of local bands—like Shaun Harris, Isaiah, The Pork Torta and Manopla, a Mexican oi-punk band. (I think manopla means "brass knuckles" in Spanish.)
What was the first album you owned?
Run-D.M.C., the self-titled one, and the Misfits, Earth A.D.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
New country. It sounds like a boy band with, like, a country twang; I hate that shit.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
GG Allin or The Doors. Two of my favorite bands.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I don't really feel guilty about it, but I could say Crypt Strypper and Dr. Dre. (The Chronic 2001—I love that fucking album.)
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
I want Al Foul to play with his one-man band. "Cigarettes and Whiskey."
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
(Local artist) Tina Kring changed my life by being a badass musician.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Johnny Cash, At San Quentin.
