The Oxys are an incendiary live band with enough strut and swagger to raise the dead. The band proudly hail from Austin, Texas where they play live regularly when they are not on the road Evangelizing the unwashed masses.
Co-founded by Jason “Ginchy” Kottwitz (guitar) and Phil Davis (vocals) during the pandemic, the band released their third full length studio album, Casting Pearls Before Swine, on September 19th…just in time to get these killer tracks on Halloween playlists!
As much as the band blatantly shows us who they really are every time they hit the stage, we still had some questions. They were gracious enough to deliver replies!
The song title “Eaten Alive” invokes zombies eating brains, piranhas shredding flesh, or parasites munching on innards. What does it mean in the context of this album?
Phil: “This one’s rooted in the true-crime tale of my great-uncle Joe Ball, who was allegedly a serial killer. I only learned about this recently, and as we were writing the record, his story naturally aligned with the album’s darker themes. That personal connection was the icing on the cake—It’s quite a tale. And like all good legends, the line between truth and myth gets blurry … especially when both are sealed up in a barrel in the barnyard shed.
“Eaten Alive” takes its name from the Tobe Hooper film (of Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame), which was loosely inspired by Joe Ball’s story. The title just clicked—It captured the mood, the grit, and the unflinching tone of the album perfectly.
With Halloween just around the corner, what should fans know about how The Oxys rock out and party on this particular holiday? Is it truly the High Holy Day of Rock ’n’ Roll, or just another night of amateurs getting themselves in harm’s way?
Ginchy: Another night of amateurs getting themselves in harm’s way.
While we all love Halloween, we try to avoid it if at all possible. The big shows usually involve bands doing covers and tributes, and we simply don’t have time for that this year—We’re deep into writing and pre-production for our next full-length record.
Ironically, The Oxys played our very first show on Halloween night at Voodoo Doughnuts here in Austin, TX. Honestly, it was a mess. Trying to get gear into a venue on Sixth Street was a logistical nightmare with all the road closures for the festivities.
This year, we’re playing at The 13th Floor in Austin on November 1—Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). One of the club’s owners, a member of The Black Angels, has a side project with his two brothers called Brother—a Danzig tribute. Should be an interesting night.
We’re looking forward to premiering some songs off the new record, Casting Pearls Before Swine, in a live setting.
“Casting Pearls Before Swine” is a biblical reference. Is that how the band means it? What does the album title mean to you?
Ginchy: Yes, the phrase was pulled straight from the Bible—and that’s exactly how we mean it.
The specific verse goes:
“Do not cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
While we’re not a band that writes about religion directly or goes door-to-door on bicycles, we’re familiar with the content in the book. Most of us share an enthusiasm for fascinating historical material.
Given that, you have to understand: We play an antiquated style of punk rock ’n’ roll. For the most part, we believe the masses reject this kind of music—and to that we say, marvelous. We have a space all our own. Definitely some cork-sniffing happening over here.
We love the music we write, record, and perform. We feel like we do the style justice, but we’re fully prepared to be rejected by the mainstream.
Hence, Casting Pearls Before Swine.
This is the third full-length studio album you and Phil Davis (frontman and band co-founder) have written together. Is there a live album in your future? A concept album? Double LP?
Ginchy: We’re nearly finished writing our fourth full-length album and deep into pre-production. Honestly, we’ve got enough material to release a quadruple LP—but with the pace of today’s music industry, we’re strategic about how much we put out at once. It’s all about staying active and keeping momentum; falling behind can set a band back fast.
As for a live album, we’ve recorded a few shows, but we’re holding off until this next record drops. Then we’ll put together a proper live release featuring fan favorites and our personal picks from the catalog. I’ve got strong opinions about live albums—They’ve got to be done right. Too many are buried in overdubs, and we’re not interested in playing that game. If we do it, it’ll be raw, real, and as organic as it gets.
If The Oxys could build their dream tour, which three bands would be on it? North America? Europe? Australia-Asia?
Ginchy: Most of my favorite bands have lost key members over the years, so this is a tough one. Still, I’d love to hit the road with The Damned, Didjits, The Hangmen, Bad Nerves, Zero Boys, Ravagers, Cyanide Pills, and Baboon Show. That lineup would be a blast.
As for location—I’ve always preferred touring abroad. Europe, Australia, Asia—There’s something electric about those crowds. But hey, beggars can’t be choosers. Wherever the energy is, that’s where we’ll go.
Phil: That’s a tough one. Are we talking all original members alive or dead, or just currently active bands? If it’s dream territory, I’d love to tour with some of my heroes from back in the day—Generation X, The Sex Pistols (even with Frank Carter). Picking the brains of Jonesy and the lot would be incredible.
Among the still-active greats, The Damned and The Toy Dolls are both killing it and would make for brilliant bills. For regions—Europe for sure, Asia-Pac absolutely, and let’s not forget Brazil. São Paulo? Bring it on.
Tour vans or tour buses? Where do The Oxys stand?
Ginchy: The Ramones socked away a lot of money over the years riding in a 15-passenger van—even though they didn’t always get along. The Oxys are in that camp. We keep it lean, practical, and focused on the music. A van gets us where we need to go without the overhead or the fluff. It’s not glamorous, but it works—and it keeps us grounded.
If fans want to surprise the band with something super special after the show, what would that be?
Ginchy: We’re into records, gift cards, vintage t-shirts—and if you really want to go above and beyond, the finest warm Cambodian breastmilk, strip club passes, or brand-new toilet seats we can install at the next venue.
But honestly, a good attitude, some genuine enthusiasm, and a willingness to help load gear into the van? That’s gold.
We can’t close this interview without asking the most important question any band should ever be asked: What are your desert island top five LP picks?
Jason “Ginchy” Kottwitz:
- New York Dolls – Self-titled
- AC/DC – Highway to Hell
- Alice Cooper – Love It to Death
- Lords of the New Church – Self-titled
- Iggy and the Stooges – Raw Power
Phil Davis:
- The Damned – Machine Gun Etiquette
- Generation X – Self-titled
- Christian Death – Only Theater of Pain
- 45 Grave – Sleep in Safety
- Pup – Morbid Stuff
There you have it, my friends. The Oxys are headed your way. You’ve been warned.
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Casting Pearls Before Swine is out now, and you can order it from Cleopatra Records. Follow the Oxys on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, and TikTok for future updates.
Photo Credit: Static Stills
