During their second show in Austin this week, L.A.’s five-piece band The Lords of Altamont plus their go-go dancer are crammed on to the small stage in the corner of Cheapo Discs. This garage punk crew doesn’t let tight quarters confine their energy though as frontman Jake “The Preacher” Cavaliere leads the way shoving his vintage organ around and at one point, jumping on top of it and still performing. That’s the way the Lords roll.

When asked if they have a preference for size or style of venue, they jokingly explain that they simply, “prefer nighttime.” While this afternoon set may be a bit unusual for these all black-wearing, biker rockers, nothing is going to keep them from having a good time. Even when they play large festivals and are so far-removed from fans, the Lords find a way to interact. “Normally if there’s a barricade, somebody in the band ends up jumping over the barricade—throwing an organ out,” explains John “Big Drag” Saletra.

Recalling a previous SXSW set, Saletra says, “last time we played, everybody was dancing and cheering and fists in the air and that’s the best part, whether it’s a huge place or a small place. That to us is what it’s all about—it’s like throwing a party.”

Pushing the no holds barred ‘60s-influence, the band cites The Stooges, MC5, The Cramps, and many more for helping to inspire their timeless brand of head-bopping rock. “We took everything we liked and just shoved into a meat grinder and this is what came out,” says Cavaliere.

It’s surprising that the Lords have been together for less than a decade considering how established their sound is and how well they work together. Even in the early days, when they were still testing the waters and playing covers, the Lords of Altamont found their flow. “We could play “My Sharona” and it will sound like the Lords,” says Cavaliere. “We can play “Kick Out the Jams” and it will sound like the Lords. It always ends up sounding like us.”

Words by Max Herman, Photos by Dustin Downing