With their unironic mullets, vintage amps and banged-up leather jackets, Atlanta’s the Biters are a definite throwback to a time when trashing hotel rooms and doing mountains of coke defined the rock & roll lifestyle. Unfortunately, these days, when you’re in a band you need more selfies than groupies, but somehow, Biters make it work.

“The Biters aren’t a throwback band but we definitely don’t follow any musical trends or jump on bandwagons,” vocalist Tuk says in an interview. (And after all, they’ve got a “Biters Army,” as their hardcore fanbase is known — and that story of a fan peeing on him for a free Biters t-shirt? He swears its true.)

Now touring Europe to support their debut, Electric Blood (out Aug. 7 on Earache Records),  Tuk — who grew up in rural Georgia — talks to Myspace growing up in Georgia, their style idols and the band's crazy fans.

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Homebase: East Atlanta, Georgia

The Biters have a very unusual style and sound for coming a band from the South. How did you all meet?

By playing in other bands … And unknowingly sleeping with the same women.

What made you want to form a band together?

Rock & rollers are slowly going the way of the buffalo. [But] This band is not a put on. We are not just another dumb wannabe party band. We are passionate about the human element in music

Your debut is called Electric Blood. What inspired you when making it?

Rock & roll gives me the ability to harness supernatural power. [I was inspired by] My view of the corporate oligarchy we live in. The current state of garbage pop culture. The positive energy that surrounds leaders and free thinkers who rebel against the status quo.

Describe your music to someone who's never heard you before.

Hooky, thoroughbred rock & roll with classic songwriting to back up the attitude.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, ACDC, Alice Cooper, The Sweet, David Bowie, ‘70s punk, The Clash, Tom Petty

Did you grow up in a musical household?

No one in my family played music. I discovered music when my step-dad got cable for a summer. It had MTV and at night they showed rock videos.

How does living in Atlanta influence your sound?

Atlanta is a mix of modern hip-hop culture and pretentious, pseudo-bohemian hipster bands. The social and economic climate of the South influence me more than hip-hop jingles and cooler-than-thou noise rock.

I read an interview where you said you wanted to bring style back to rock & roll, hence you formed the Biters. So who are your fashion/style idols?

Rolling Stones, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, The Clash, Hanoi Rocks, ‘70s glam rock, Lords of the New Church, ‘60s outlaw bikers, and the U.K. punk band The Boys.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

Bought me a cell phone … Loaded with naked pics.