NY1’s Roger Clark Cannot Be Sedated, Brings Punk Band ‘Perp Walk’ To Hank’s Saloon On May 5

Last Tuesday, Roger Clark successfully fought off a ninja attack. Armed with nothing more than an umbrella, the news reporter scared off two seasoned sword fighters while previewing the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Sakura Matsuri Festival.

Clark is putting his newscasting (and martial arts) acumen aside on Thursday, May 5 when his band Perp Walk plays Hank’s Saloon (46 3rd Avenue, corner of Atlantic Avenue). Their set begins at 8:30pm.

Roger Clark fends off ninjas. (Via NY1)

If you ask loyal NY1 fans about Clark, they’ll often remark on his exuberant and engaging interview style. Clark and NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan deliver some of the best banter in the business during their morning broadcast. That call-and-response was on display in early April, when Kiernan and the morning crew serenaded Clark while he was previewing the Brooklyn Folk Festival.

“Really, I had no idea he was going to do that,” says Clark of Kiernan’s song, when we sat down at Postmark Cafe for a discussion the day after he survived the ninjas. But Clark was primarily here to talk about his band and music background in preparation for Perp Walk’s show coming up this Thursday.

“It’s really not my band,” explains Clark. “I auditioned for them at a studio in Greenpoint about three years ago.” Clark is speaking about bassist, singer, and songwriter Bunny Hirsch, who also works at NY1 as a broadcast engineer.

Hirsch signed him up as the Perp Walk drummer.

After a few personnel changes, the band is now a trio, consisting of Clark, Hirsch, and Joe O’Carroll, the newest member and guitarist for the band.

Clark is quick to sing his bandmates’ praises. “Bunny is an incredible bassist, songwriter, everything.” Carroll was the Musical Director for NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. “He has an incredible music background, and is a retired NYPD detective,” says Clark.

While O’Carroll has played only one previous gig with the band, Clark already senses the guitarist’s influence on their style. “He’s really funked it up,” says Clark.

Clark has been playing drums in a variety of bands since high school. And although he doesn’t consider himself a trained musician, he’s hit some milestones that many bands would love to achieve.

For one, he played legendary punk club (and sadly now defunct) CBGB four times.

The first time he did so was with his band in high school. “It was Early Jitters [in high school], The Slip [while attending college at Syracuse], and I think I might have remembered wrong but my ‘Queens’ band was The Avenue Kids. We changed names a few times,” says Clark. “And the fourth time was with a band called Screw Virginia.”

Perp Walks plays “Havana” at Otto’s Shrunken Head. (Via YouTube)

Clark grew up in Forest Hills, so it may not come as too much of a surprise that the first song he played in his first band was “Blitzkrieg Bop” by Queens punkers The Ramones.

But according to Clark, he didn’t have the most auspicious beginning. “I remember Mr. Pav from J.H.S. 190 telling me, ‘Roger, you have no rhythm.’ I didn’t make it too far in the junior high band,” he says — with a wry smile.

But that certainly didn’t stop him or snuff out his love for playing drums. “I would drum on my bed, I’d drum on coffee cans, anything really,” says Clark. And with drums came Clark’s avid music knowledge. “I started out with oldies — 50s and 60s bands. I love the Kinks. Ray Davies is one of my favorites. The Jam was also big for me.”

“But punk didn’t really hit me until high school,” says Clark. “I would see other kids with Clash and Sex Pistols t-shirts. Before that, it was really just classic rock.”

While Clark says it was tough to consistently play in bands during his college years at Syracuse University, he still kept writing songs. “I loved writing lyrics, the ‘I broke up with my girlfriend’ songs, that type of thing,” he recalls.

Clark was in upstate New York for about a decade getting his newscasting career off to a start. During his stints in Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and Wappinger Falls, he answered an ad for a band audition. “It said  ‘drummer wanted, punk influences.’ That’s perfect for me,” he recalls.

Clark got the job — playing drums with a band of high school kids. “I was 24-years-old, you know, the old drummer.” Clark said that it was tough for him to continue with them. “We got a live gig, except it was for a ‘Battle of the Bands’ at their high school. I just couldn’t go through with it.”

Clark is now a beloved NY1 fixture. And his early morning schedule doesn’t stop him from band practice. “We did like the idea of playing the 8:30pm show at Hank’s. It’s not too late a night.”

The drummer enjoys the ritual of playing songs and YouTube clips for his son when he gives him a bath. “I want to expose him to the good stuff,” says Clark. “My son loves Joan Jett. He can sing all the lyrics to ‘Bad Reputation.’ I play Hendrix for him. Lots of things.”

Clark’s own reputation has grown quite a bit over the years. He even has a song named after him. The Tracys’ tune “Roger and Pat” pays homage to their love for Clark and Kiernan.

“Roger and Pat,” a song by the band The Tracys. (Via YouTube)

Clark is driven but extremely humble about it all. “I really miss going out to as many shows as I used to. I guess I’m getting to that point where I have to be ok with that,” says Clark. “My wife doesn’t like metal or hardcore, so, I have to negotiate which shows I go to.”

Even though the Ramones sing “I Wanna Be Sedated,” Clark can’t be. His high energy is infectious.

“Not too long ago I went to see a show at St. Vitus,” says Clark. “I love the sweat and the energy of it all. But when I was finished, I was thinking ‘Oh, my back. Oh, my knee.’ I think I made a mistake going into that mosh pit.”

The Live Show Rundown: Perp Walk, with Karabas, Tingles, and Queens with a Megaphone
When: Thursday, May 5. Perp Walk goes on at 8:30pm
Where: Hank’s Saloon, 46 3rd Avenue (at Atlantic Avenue)
Tickets: Free.
Listen: Songs by Perp Walk can be heard here.