The Compulsions is that band.

Sex, drugs, money, power, love, hate, dirty laundry, you name it, they got it. The Compulsions are by far one of the greatest underrated rock bands of our generation. With the current lineup boasting members borrowed from the New York Dolls, (Sami Yaffa), Guns N' Roses,(Frank Ferrer and Richard Fortus), and Hubert Sumlin, the guitarist from Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, you'd think mainstream rock would be all over their stuff, eating snowflakes out of their palms, booking them in Madison Square Garden, and basically kissing the ground they walk on because they have a sparkling gem breathing life into an otherwise dying industry.

Not so.

Seems like the industry isn't as bright as it claims. Otherwise, this obscure, New York based outfit would have their mug shot plastered over every rock magazine in print, where anyone who ever dreamed of playing in a rock band would camp out overnight to purchase said magazine hot-off-the-press just so they could be the first of their friends to mimic the band's playing style.

Yes, they are that good, and yes, the industry is that oblivious, or otherwise challenged. It is criminal how a band this talented, who could be selling tickets to real-live shows in front of thousands of screaming fans instead of compressed downloads are allowed to pass through the industry's fingertips for as long as they have. If it's not a personal vendetta of the music gods will, then shame on you, scouting suits everywhere.

Let's get one thing straight. This band isn't wet behind the ears. They're a collective of seasoned pros who have each mastered their respective instruments, and as the cover of the Compulsion's newest release, their first full-length album, Beat the Devil shows, they've all shed their fair share of blood sweat and tears.

With a loyal following who have deemed the first three Compulsions EP's, "The Unholy Trinity," the Compulsions have been in the circuit for over a decade, bringing their brand of bar room, ballsy rock-blues fusion to hungry ears everywhere in the indie circuit. How does such a tragedy happen, you may ask yourself. The short answer is, I don't know. But antiMusic, feeling sympathy for our readers who're looking to discover a new band that would slate their thirst for that kind of "F"-you, down and dirty rock, caught up with The Compulsions founder, Rob Carlyle to give you a First Look.

antiMusic: Youʼve been playing and writing for over a decade now. Talk about the Compulsions timeline and who youʼve played with.

Rob Carlyle: The first Compulsions show was in the summer of 2002 after years of trying to put a band together. In early 2003, after a couple lineups fell apart, I tracked down Frank Ferrer and Richard Fortus and we recorded a bunch of songs I'd written. Some of that material wound up on the first Compulsions EP, Laughter From Below, and some was saved for later releases. I should add, Laughter From Below got amazing reviews from the independent press including "world's greatest obscure rock band." Anyway, Frank and Richard soon got busy with Guns N' Roses so I kept trying out different players while gigging around town and building a backlog of recorded material. In early 2004, we had special guests Jay Dee Daugherty from the Patti Smith Group play drums on a track and Hubert Sumlin from Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters play guitar on another. In March 2008, the Demon Love EP was released. The reviews included "rock 'n' roll genius" and from Classic Rock magazine, "the coolest band in the world." Later that year we had some shows booked and needed a drummer so I called Frank and he was available because Guns had some downtime. In April 2009, the Been Through Hell EP came out and a notoriously tough critic from the underground press called it a "mini masterpiece." A few months later we needed a new bass and guitar player so I got back in touch with Fortus. He and Frank both knew Sami Yaffa so we got Sami on bass. That's basically it.

antiMusic: You mentioned youʼve probably played with 15-20 different people over the years. Who was the worst to play with as far as attitudes and rock star entitlement goes?

Rob Carlyle: Rock star entitlement? What's that? Seriously though, I don't want to mention names because honestly, I don't have beef with anyone any more. It's all water under the bridge.

antiMusic: Do you pine for the day when you have a fixed lineup?

Rob Carlyle: "Pine" might be a little extreme but yeah, a set lineup would be nice. That's been the idea since day one.

antiMusic: Talk about working with Ferrer and Fortus? What was it about the two of them that made you want to record with them?

Rob Carlyle: When I first saw them playing in bands together back in the mid '90s they'd make a bar like Continental sound like Madison Square Garden.

antiMusic: Are you ever afraid of, or more specifically, do you hear Guns N' Roses comparisons? If so, how do you feel about that?

Rob Carlyle: The Compulsions have been compared to everyone from the Rolling Stones to AC/DC to the New York Dolls to Guns N' Roses and many more and it's all good. It's all rock 'n' roll.

antiMusic: You also play with Sami from the Dolls. What does everyone bring to the table musically?

Rob Carlyle: The guys all know rock 'n' roll and they all play it better than anyone else I've had in the band. The first time we rehearsed it was like we'd been playing together for years. We ran the set once and I think it was Fortus who said "Any point in running that again?"

antiMusic: Youʼve released three EPs over the years. Why not a full studio length album until Beat the Devil?

Rob Carlyle: I don't know. I guess I was just being a tease.

antiMusic: Fans refer to the three EPs as "The Unholy Trinity" and youʼve said the series ended on a major downer with "Davy Jones' Locker." Was the emotional letdown intentional? What happened?

Rob Carlyle: It just made sense to use "Davy Jones' Locker" as the grand finale. First of all it's over six minutes long, so it's kinda hard to stick something like that in the middle of an album plus the SOS signal at the end kinda works as a cliffhanger which leads you into the new album.

antiMusic: What are you trying to rectify in this new album? What are you trying to leave the fans with?

Rob Carlyle: There's a darkness that runs through those early Compulsions EPs. If you listen to the lyrics, pretty much every song is written from an outsider, underdog, "f*** you" perspective. "Down On The Tracks" sets the tone and is probably the best example of this. But there's a sense of victory on Beat The Devil. Instead of being written from the bottom looking up it seems to be written from the top looking down.

antiMusic: Do you foresee another trilogy?

Rob Carlyle: Who knows? The first one wasn't planned so maybe this time it's a quadrilogy.

antiMusic: Talk about the recording and writing of Beat the Devil. What were some of the best stories during this time?

Rob Carlyle: I remember showing the guys the chords to "Hired Gun" in the control room. It's in the key of A and Sami's taking notes and then just before we go in to record he shows me his notes and it's just the letter "A." I had to laugh because this stuff is obviously second nature to these guys. Another story was when Hubert Sumlin came in to play on "Shut Yer Hole." I'd never met him before so I had no idea how he'd react to the lyrics which might be even raunchier than "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama." So after hearing the song a few times he picks up the lyric sheet and he's reading the words and everyone gets real quiet. You could cut the tension with a knife because we didn't know if he was gonna be offended and walk out or what. And then he looks at me and he goes "I've been trying to say this for years!"

antiMusic: Talk more about working with Hubert Sumlin. How did that arrangement manifest? What does he bring to the table?

Rob Carlyle: In 2004, I wrote a blues song called "Shut Yer Hole" and wanted Hubert on it. I'd seen him play in town a few times so I was pretty sure he lived in the area. [Compulsions co-producer] Hugh Pool coincidentally knew Hubert's manager and the rest is history. Wait 'til you hear his playing on "Shut Yer Hole." The guitar solo has gotta be the grittiest, grimiest, most unpredictable guitar solo ever.

antiMusic: Whatʼs your favorite track and why?

Rob Carlyle: I love all the new tracks for different reasons but my favorite might be "Dirty Woman Blues." But don't let the title fool you. This ain't some cliched bar band bulls*** and it's not about some guy who's been done wrong by a woman. It's raw and it's primal and we take the whole blues rock thing into the future on this one.

antiMusic: What track do you wish stayed in the studio? What track do you wish you didn't cut? Is there a B side?

Rob Carlyle: I have no regrets about any of the songs. Like I said, I love 'em all. Each one represents a different side of the Compulsions. There's no B sides or rejects or anything like that but there's this unfinished Caribbean flavored track called "Stay Easy" and I'd love to finish it one day and put it on the follow up.

antiMusic: What was the most challenging aspect about getting the project off the ground?

Rob Carlyle: When you're making an album, getting the big, broad strokes down is usually pretty easy. It's the little details that take the most time.

antiMusic: If you could go back in time and repeat any part of your life what would it be and why?

Rob Carlyle: I've definitely had my share of fun but I don't want to go back and repeat any of it. Once was enough and I'm the happiest I've been right now.

antiMusic: Biggest accomplishment either personally or professionally?

Rob Carlyle: I'm just happy I learned how to get the sound in my head down on record. Everything after that has been a bonus.

antiMusic: Biggest regret in life?

Rob Carlyle: I've made a few mistakes but nothing too major and everything happens for a reason.

antiMusic: With the lineup you worked with on your most recent endeavor, you had to have had the time of your life recording your latest album. Talk more about recording this particular album.

Rob Carlyle: Honestly, making a record gets a little tedious at times. But the music sounds like a party and that's all that counts. Listening back to it is way more fun than actually making it.

antiMusic: With track titles such as "Shut Yer Hole" and "Sheʼs So F****n' Sexy," on Beat the Devil, where do you draw inspiration for lyrics?

Rob Carlyle: Richard Pryor was a childhood hero so I guess he has something to do with it. And I've always loved how the hip hop guys make such colorful use of the English language.

antiMusic: The Compulsions have been hailed as the "coolest band on earth." How do you feel about where you are in mainstream music and do you feel like youʼve gotten a raw deal?

Rob Carlyle: Unfortunately, we're not anywhere near the mainstream. I wish we were because we'd make millions. Maybe billions. Who knows? But our fan base keeps growing and hopefully Beat The Devil will take us to the next level. Have I gotten a raw deal? Thanks for asking but that's not for me to say. What do you think?

antiMusic: Have you had any rotation on mainstream media outlets?

Rob Carlyle: We've been on mainstream radio but only those specialty shows where they feature local, independent bands. That's probably been the biggest thing so far.

antiMusic: What was the driving factor behind forming the Compulsions?

Rob Carlyle: I was disappointed by what was passing for rock 'n' roll out there and wanted to show people how it's done.

antiMusic: What makes the Compulsions so cool? In other words, what do you think your appeal is?

Rob Carlyle: I have no idea if we're cool or what our appeal might be. We just do what we do and if people like it, great.

antiMusic: Did you always have a rotating lineup in mind?

Rob Carlyle: I never wanted a rotating lineup but that's what it became as I kept trying out different players over the years. I'd love to stick with the current crew but there's no telling how long these things will last and it's not entirely up to me.

antiMusic: As you rifled through musicians, how did you go about deciding who you want to record with you?

Rob Carlyle: There's a certain vibe great musicians have even before they pick up their instrument. It's hard to describe but I've gotten really good at picking it out.

antiMusic: People are either loving or hating both the song and the video to "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama." Personally, I found the bouncing boob hysterical, but Iʼm a little sick. Whatʼs your reaction to the reaction the song is receiving? What do you say to the people who are haters?

Rob Carlyle: Haters? What haters? I just checked the YouTube page and there's over 5000 views, 32 Likes and 0 Dislikes. The people have spoken! But seriously, I haven't heard any negative feedback, in fact "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama" is one of our more popular songs. The lyrics were carefully written to be dirty and shocking but also funny and flattering. Ya gotta be a real tight ass to have a problem with that one.

antiMusic: You declined to answer the question in rocksalt about "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama" being covered by another band for the Whole Lotta Love Tribute To um...Voluptuous Women. Whatʼs the story? Why wasn't your version used?

Rob Carlyle: Wow, you're really digging for dirt now aren't you? OK, you asked for it: I was happy to have our song included among the likes of "Fat Bottom Girls" by Queen and "Whole Lotta Rosie" by AC/DC but I didn't like the title of the compilation. It wasn't A Tribute To Voluptuous Women like you said. That would've been fine. It was A Tribute To Fat Chicks which I thought wasn't very funny and would probably come across as insensitive. I explained this and suggested something like A Tribute To Curvy Cuties & Voluptuous Vixens but they weren't going for it. So if they wanted to use "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama" they had every right to rerecord it. Which they did. They did a good job, by the way.

antiMusic: How have you and consequently, your music, changed throughout the years?

Rob Carlyle: I'm not sure. I've probably mellowed a bit - but not too much - and I don't feel like such an industry outsider anymore. Probably because the Compulsions sell a ton of music online these days not to mention there's hardly any industry left. No wonder the new album is a party album.

antiMusic: What has been the toughest pill to swallow throughout the years?

Rob Carlyle: Look at you, still diggin' for dirt. OK, here we go: The manager of a legendary band heard the upcoming Compulsions album and loved it so much he wanted to put us on the road with them. He also said a tour of this magnitude would pretty much guarantee label interest. But someone in that band rejected the idea. Probably because we would've stolen the show. Anyway, I can't say which band but if you know the Compulsions' "family tree" so to speak, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Oh well, onward and upward.

antiMusic: If you could play with any musician, anywhere in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what song would it be?

Rob Carlyle: Tell you the truth, I pretty much only know how to play Compulsions songs. That being said, I guess it'd be "Shake Hands With The Devil" with Keith and Ronnie [of the Rolling Stones]. I pretty much wrote it for them anyway.

antiMusic: Who would you like to see record with you on future endeavors?

Rob Carlyle: Tina Turner.

antiMusic: Worst question asked by an interviewer?

Rob Carlyle: I've done my fair share of interviews over the years and honestly, all the writers have been amazing. They all really knew their stuff and the questions have been incredibly insightful. No complaints.

antiMusic: After all is said and done, what would you like your lifeʼs biggest accomplishment to be?

Rob Carlyle: I'd love the Compulsions to reach a level of fame that could be used to do some good for the world. Not sure what. But something big.

antiMusic: Whatʼs next for you?

Rob Carlyle: Honestly, I have no idea. I'd just like to keep this lineup together, take the show on the road, sell a million records and go make some more. "Go bigs!" as Frank would say.

antiMusic: What did I mess up or miss that you want to talk about?

Rob Carlyle: Not a thing, Dawn, you did awesome. Thank you so much for the great questions and congrats to you and your husband again on your new club, Union Transfer. Go check it out, people - it's in Philly!

antiMusic: Thanks for your time!