There is a saying in the music world: “Any publicity is good publicity.” Musicians like Marilyn Manson and Eminem have been poster boys for the slogan, using constant controversy as a tool to sell millions of records.

While local band Horseshoe Spatulas may not be selling millions of records, David Cross of “Mr. Show” fame did make fun of the group at his recent gig in Ames.

During his set, Cross ridiculed the names of bands he had seen in the Daily — honoring the Horseshoe Spatulas as the band with the worst name.

Drummer Crumpty “Suzy Q” Williams had only heard of Cross from guitarist/vocalist Martin “Martini” Ini, who still remains a big fan of the comedian despite Cross’ hatred of the band’s name.

“That’s what we were going for, man,” Williams says. “The worst name of all time.”

It isn’t surprising that the four-piece punk outfit took the insult in stride. If you couldn’t tell by the Gwar-like stage names each member has adopted, this band doesn’t shy away from humor. In fact, an interview with Williams, Ini and bassist Manchops “Paste Eater Boy” Chowder (guitarist Tommy “TJ” Janklefingers was a no-show) in a Larch Hall dorm room doesn’t go long without laughter.

The conversation is dominated by Williams, with Chowder pitching in an occasional tidbit of information and Ini curled up on the corner of the couch with a hood covering his head.

In typical punk spirit, a favorite subject of the band members is how bad the band is. All kidding aside, however, Horseshoe Spatulas has been a staple in the central Iowa punk scene since the members were sophomores in high school.

Williams and Chowder are ISU students, while Ini and Janklefingers live in Des Moines. The members don’t really consider themselves a member of one scene more than the other, but admit the band has had more success in Ames.

“I think we have had more of a following in Ames,” Williams says. “In Des Moines we have been playing ever since we were in 10th grade, and I would say we played our share of absolutely terrible shows, and we’ve gotten a bad name all over the place.”

One of those places was the Des Moines club Hairy Mary’s, where the band was banned because of a show in which members filled balloons with whipped cream and threw them into the audience .

Both Chowder and Williams cite local music promoter Justin Means as the biggest reason why the band likes playing in Ames so much. The members believe his work is one of the biggest factors behind the quality of the Ames scene.

“[Justin Means] kicks ass. He hooks us up with good shows and we don’t really have a person like that down in Des Moines,” Williams says.

But it’s not as if the group doesn’t like playing Des Moines — the band has been a major contributor to the Fallout Shelter, a venue that hosts punk and hardcore music. In fact, Ini says he helps pay rent each month to try to keep the venue alive. Some shows are good, and some are bad, but as Chowder will tell you, “It’s better than playing the Botanical Center.”

Even though the Horseshoe Spatulas love the Fallout Shelter, Williams isn’t sure how much the crowds love the band in return.

“I don’t know how much they like us down there,” Williams says with a laugh. “We’re not really that hardcore enough for typical Fallout Shelter-hangout-people.”

You can catch the band at the Fallout Shelter this Saturday as part of an all-day benefit concert. The band hopes to follow up its last record, “Imitation Punk Rock Imitation” this spring with what Williams calls “the best album ever … by us.”

Featured MP3: “W” by Horseshoe Spatulas

Who: Horseshoe Spatulas

What: Cancer Relief Benefit Show

Where: Fallout Shelter, 243 E. 30th St., Des Moines

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $6