Thurs. Dec. 1

Hey, hey, they're the Syphlloids. Kids say they spread syphilis around. But we're too busy singing ... No, no, wrong band. The Syphlloids are a scurrilous/scabrous/humorous punk rock band formed some time ago by and its singer is someone who's become a friend in recent years, Doug Quintal. Doug is not a scuzzy punk in real life. He's a marketing prof at Emerson, a rabid Bruins fan he lives in a nice exburban home with his wife and two adorable children. But he does have this early-Dictators-esque alter-ego (Bug Syphlloid) and it will take shape tonight (Thursday) at the Max Mutchnick Student Center. Does Quintal really want his students to see this? Evidently, the answer is yes. The creation myth of the Syphlloids is, I believe, that they are spawns or mutant offspring or whatever of Elvis Aaron Syphlloid (the guitarist Fred Pineau, who used to be in the Atlantics). I reviewed 'em for the Globe in 1996 and wrote, "If you call your band the Syphlloids, you're pretty much admitting that you're not aiming for the top of the pops. You can't really envision that name rolling off Casey Kasem's tongue. Nope, if you're a Syphlloid, you're a Syphlloid all the way. You're saying that you wallow in the gutter and you like it like that."
    I asked Doug - co-writer of songs like "It's a Nice Day for a Bath, Hippie," "Guys Like Me Never Get Girls Like You," and "Whatever" - to pen a few words about this gig. Some of this may be true.
  "The Syphlloids’ set will highlight songs from both CDs ('Riding the Corporate Muscle' and 'Finger Check') released over the course of a storied 18 year career. The show will also mark the return of Syphlloids bassist Fargo “Cockring” Syphlloid to the lineup after leaving the band in 2003 to pursue a career as a mail order groom.
    The Syphlloids have turned their attention away from the stage in recent years to get married, start families, and pursue day jobs. However, according the front man Bug Syphlloid, “those things haven’t deterred us from writing and recording. I think there’s a perspective and maturity that comes from being a parent. I honestly believe that maturity and appreciation for the simple things in life are reflected in the songs contained in our forthcoming album, 'Porn Stars & Hockey Fights.' A release date has yet to be set, but updates can be obtained at www.reverbnation.com/thesyphlloids or www.facebook.com/the-syphlloids."
  Elvis/Aaron (or Dad) has apprently retired from the lineup but today's Syphlloids are Bug Syphlloid vocals/guitar, Hot Rod Syphlloid, lead guitar/vocals, and Tommy “Thincrust” Syphlloid on drums. And of course Fargo. 
  Starts at 9. Free.

150 Boylston St., 617-824-8680 www.emerson.edu