Listen to Heart Shaped Guitar

WHO: Well, ya see, that depends on who's askin'. Nobody likes a squealer and snitches get stitches, am I right?! We got four masked men: Blue (self-described “hopeless romantic” and probably the brains behind the operation), Red (said to be a “loose cannon”, plays drums, the wheelman), Yellow (the “heart breaker” that plays bass, so you know he's a goon), and Green (renowned “wild man” and extra nasty due to a short guy complex). Their identities are largely unknown, but the Feds claim to have quite a file on this quartet. There's a few known accomplices too, such as Intruder Pink, who makes an appearance on the duet, “Heart Shaped Guitar”. Don't let her melodious voice and fine figure fool ya, she's a cruel maneater. Allegedly.

WHAT: Masked Intruder is a four-piece pop punk band. Their label describes them as Descendents meets Jersey Boys; but what's that supposed to mean, smart guy? We would probably include these influences as well: Bonnie and Clyde, Weezer, Leslie Gore, the Hamburglar, Buddy Holly, Ramones, etc.

WHERE: Judging by their accents, we think they're from Atlantic City or maybe Queens, but nobody knows the true origin and hometown of Masked Intruder. It's rumored that they've done time in Sing Sing, Joliet, Attica, and maybe even Gitmo. Yikes! You would think, like any self-respecting group of bandits, that they would have a hideout of some sort, and we've got reliable intel that puts them in and around Madison, Wisconsin. Allegedly. Or maybe their whereabouts are so murky because they're part of the FBI's Witness Protection Program? I dunno, it's weird, and best not to ask too many questions...

WHY: Why? Good question. Picture yourself in the joint, lonely and love-starved, and all you have to look forward to is your next batch of toilet wine. You either find god or get an advanced degree. Not these guys though, they started a band, man. And you have to admit, meeting in the prison yard is way cooler than finding your bandmates on craigslist or however kids are forming bands these days.

HOW: As in, how do they do it. We think they may be on the lam, but we'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt and assume they're on parole. Ummm, have we mentioned that they have color-coordinated guitars? Well, they do. I mean, “allegedly”.

WHEN: Their self-titled debut full length was originally released in the summer of 2012 on Red Scare, and is slated for re-release on Fat Wreck Chords February 5, 2013. They spent the last few months of 2012 touring with bands like Teenage Bottlerocket, Toys That Kill, Nothington, Smoke or Fire, and more. They're like a musical incarnation of the James Gang: roaming the highways, carousing, and eating discarded food. Either way, expect a lot of good things from these crooks in 2013 and beyond.