The Interpreters were a power pop band formed in Philadelphia in 1996 . They were composed of singer and bassist Herschel Gaer , guitarist Patsy ( Paul ) Palladino and drummer Branko Jakominich . The band was formed in 1996 and signed with Volcano/Freeworld Entertainment , releasing their first EP , '' In of That Fine , Fine Evening '' , in 1997 . The recording was produced by Shel Talmy and Eric Erlandson . Later that year , the band released the full-length album '' Back in the U.S.S.A. '' on Freeworld/BMG . Following Freeworld 's demise , a revised version of the record that included the newer track " Shout " was released on RCA Records in 1998 . The band performed at that year 's Reading Festival . Gaer continued , relocating to New York , and performed at the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia , despite claiming not to be Republicans . As depicted in the documentary '' The Last Party '' , the Interpreters were invited to perform by Donovan Lietch , as part of the ongoing political project started by Robert Downey , and later continued by Robert Downey , Jr. , and Phillip Seymor Hoffman . Their appearance was harshly criticized and lampooned by Jello Biafra on his album '' Become the Media '' . The band suffered derision from the convention appearance , which , combined with inactivity , line-up changes , and the loss of momentum due to the legal morass surrounding the collapse of Freeworld Entertainment and the records ' re-release on RCA , who all but ignored its existence , led to the eventual breakup of the band
2000 Republican National Convention
2000 Republican National Convention
The Interpreters