The Suborbitals at Pierce Ranch

What with the Tom Waits-grade gravel on the microphone, lush lyrics, fluid versatility, precise drums and vivid bass, The Suborbitals have built a strong local following with atypical tendencies all their own.

Somehow – among 33 original songs like crowd favorites “Blackout Rolling,” “Glamour Pussy,” “Habibi” and “True Tales From The Tenderloin” – it made sense to appeal to a final uncommon ingredient, band member Ben Herod’s baritone sax, for insight into what makes the SubOs tick. Here’s what the instrument, channeled through frontman-guitarist Ryan Masters, aka Goatfish Johnson, had to say:

These boys are about as much fun as the business end of a bus station glory hole, but the tall, weird one owns me and I don’t have any legs, which pretty much eliminates any chance for escape right there.

Some people, usually people who have been perverted in some unseen, but tragic, way dig The Suborbitals.

Some even love them. KPIG’s Sleepy John Sandidge once called them “unique” and “dark” and unlike anything he’d ever heard. Bear in mind, he did not say “good.”

The SubOs, as these degenerates are often called (because, let’s face it, saying “The Suborbitals” is a mouthful) have been playing together for a decade. They say their second album will be released next year, but they’ve been saying that since 2007.

One of these jackasses is always getting hauled off to rehab or jail every couple years so if you want to actually see them play, do it while you can.

Here’s the bottom line: That sax can really f***ing blow.

The SubOs also play a free Dec. 31 show at Cooper’s on Cannery Row.

SUBORBITALS 8pm Saturday, Dec. 19. Pierce Ranch Tasting Room, 499 Wave St., Monterey. $8; 21+ only; 30 spaces available. 372-8900.