Is it Pist On, or Piston? When the band first hit the scene earlier this year, they were referred to (phonetically) as "Pissed-On," and we all said, "Oh man, I wonder what they sound like?"

When "Grey Flap," from their CD, Number One, started getting heavy rotation on local radio, everyone was saying, "Who is that!" Once the name and song got matched together, all that was left to say was, "This band kicks ass. Where'd they come from?"

The story starts not so long ago, but pretty far away... New York to be exact, a few years back. At that time founding members, Henry Font (vocals/guitar) and Val-Ium (bass), were writing and recording, but nothing was taking off. So, like many bands, they were paying their dues in their local scene - with a different drummer and guitarist. One day their friend, Josh Silver (Type O Negative), approached them. "He told us he could help us," Val states, "and suggested we re-record all our songs - because the first guys didn't give a damn about what we were doing."

"We spent a whole weekend re-doing our songs, and all got along really well. Josh asked us to write more songs," Val relates, "and he continued to help us out, until we had a complete album to shop to the labels."

Number One, first released on the FLG label, has since been re-released by Atlantic Records. The only differences are the album cover and a change in the band's spelling from "Pist-On" to "Piston" (Probably due to a record company policy of not wanting to offend someone). As Val puts it, "We prefer to be called Pist-On, but either one is fine."

Soon after the FLG release, the band's former guitarist and drummer quit the group thinking that the band would never do anything. "Now they aren't' doing anything... but we are!" laughs Val. The band found guitarist Burton Gans in Brooklyn and drummer Jeff McManus in Jersey. They became full-time members, and "the band is much better live now," admits Font.

And live is how they like to be. This summer Piston toured with Queensryche, The Misfits, and went to Europe, where, Val confesses, "We had fun and were out of control." Currently on a headlining tour across the USA, Font notes, "We'll tour wherever and with whoever."

There'll probably be a new record out next year, but Font says, "There's no pressure from Atlantic, because they want us to milk the singles." "Turbulent" will be the next single following the successful "Grey Flap." Although we did a video for "Grey Flap" in January, it's only in rotation in Europe," Font adds. "We plan to make another video for the song, and hopefully that version will make it to MTV - because video is important ." According to Font, "Grey Flap" is about a pilot in the Vietnam war whose plane was his salvation in life. "I know the lyrics don't really represent that, so people can use their own ideas for what they want the song to be about."

Texas has been one of the best markets for the band. "I can't believe how much we're on the radio down here. It's great!" Font exclaims. And on this particular night at the Bronco Bowl, the long-awaited Dallas performance finally happened. It was worth the wait. They played second fiddle (only in position) to Jackyl, opening with the powerful "Parole." With Font's menacing presence leading the way, they proceeded to play the entire CD. Performing before a rather decent, twirling pit, the band kicked ass!

The killer vocals of Font, the guitar wizardry of Burton, and the timely beats of McManus kept everyone rocking. With pink hair flying, bassist Val-ium stomped and plodded across the stage the whole time. This band truly is a shot in the arm for anyone who's been watching boring bands .

With the show winding down, the fans anticipated the mega-radio hit "Grey Flap," and when Pist-On flawlessly played it, the fans erupted! Closing the show with a heavy "Mix Me with Blood," Pist-On exited to a cheering crowd. I would be PISSED-off, if I had missed PIST-ON!!!