Metal band draws fans from all over region

The band hopes to have its first album out this summer.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Inspired equally by politics and metal acts, Berlin Center's Gingerspittz is spreading its message throughout Northeast Ohio to a growing fan base that follows the group wherever it goes.
"Yeah, the metal scene in Ohio is great, especially the Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown areas," said bassist Jim "Skrap" Stratton.
Formed just over two years ago, Gingerspittz already has more than 150 lives shows under its belt, including opening slots for national acts such as Mushroomhead, Dope, Crossbreed, Powerman 5000, Nonpoint, Kittie and more.
"Apparently, it's just due to the fan base we have following us around to each show," Stratton said. "We get new fans every time we play. I guess they really like our style of music and they really think we have what it takes to make it to the big time."
Added singer Bob Hacker, "I think it's the image and the lyrics that are real. People grab onto the image like no other and we keep on fine-tuning it for the fans. We're making some big moves."
The industrial metal band is about to head into the studio to record its debut album, which it hopes to have out this summer. Stratton is excited to record fan favorite songs "Follow Me" and "Invisible," which he describes as groove and hardcore-oriented.
Hacker said the band has written a few new songs -- "Laugh it Up" and "See You Again" -- that it will showcase for fans at its Friday show at The Cellar.
"We have several styles. Each song has its own individual sound," Hacker said. "There aren't two songs you can say sound alike."
Political targets
From a message standpoint, Gingerspittz's material targets the GOP and specifically its leader in the White House.
"We just have a lot of political messages and we get a great response," Hacker said. "It's sad to say but so many people hate George Bush."
In Hacker's mind, honesty is the glue that holds Gingerspittz's music together.
"I think it's a great thing, absolutely," Hacker said. "There are so many bands out there doing the same exact thing, singing about the same (expletive) with the same image and we just really mix it up. We refuse to be what the industry thinks we should be and we won't ever change that."