BandWagon Magazine - April 2020 - NoCo Music NoGo by BandWagon Magazine

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album reviews

the burroguhs PG. 5 cory wong PG. 6 space force PG. 7

BANDWAGMAG.COM PUBLISHER

THE COLORADO SOUND’S my5 PG. 9

ELY CORLISS

EDITOR

KEVIN JOHNSTON

ART DIRECTOR

CARTER KERNS

CONTRIBUTORS DAN ENGLAND VALERIE VAMPOLA

PHOTOGRAPHY VALERIE VAMPOLA

bands give back PG. 14

HEY BANDS! Submit your album for review: BandWagon MAgazine 802 9th St. Greeley, CO 80631 or kevin@bandwagmag.com

gm@bandwagmag.com Editorial Info/Requests:

covid 19: noco music nogo PG. 11 3

the burroguhs Love & Unity

Valerie Vampola

BandWagon Magazine

Colorado’s ‘Sweaty Soul’ band The Burroughs step out of their James Brown retrofunk style to deliver two distinctive tracks. Love & Unity is a digital two-sided single featuring a new evolution of The Burroughs: modernized funk mixed with psychedelic texture. Side A, “Love & Unity,” leads with frontman Johnny Burroughs preaching about coming together, but when the beat drops, the listener is launched from 1969 to 2020 with a more hip-hop feel to their groove. The Burroughs keep some of their iconic elements, like their Stax horn lines (even if the emphasis on them is reduced) and influence from big 70’s funk acts like Parliament and Kool & the Gang. But they modernize by adding little rap bits to the chorus and multi-tracked vocals more reminiscent of contemporaries like Bruno Mars. Producer Eric Krasno is due credit for these modernizations, having branded the sounds of Soulive, Lettuce, Tedeschi Trucks Band & Pretty Lights. Together with Krasno, The Burroughs show that Mark Ronson isn’t the only one who can outfit the 70’s in a modern suit. In October 2019, The Burroughs celebrated

Woodstock’s 50th anniversary at Washington’s in Downtown Fort Collins with music from Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, and Jefferson Airplane. They decided to continue that rock ‘n roll vibe in their B-side “We Got To Stand” which maintains a constant psychedelic mood throughout with wurlitzer ornamentations and spacey vocal filters. This new direction is slick, upping The Burroughs’ pro level in the game. Their listeners will still know it’s them by Johnny Burrough’s distinctive vocal style and, of course, their infectious live energy. But the cost of that level-up is losing some of the musical style that awarded them their establishment in the Colorado scene: their retro sound and heavy emphasis on the horn section. But that’s okay. Sometimes even established bands have to shake things up instead of just shaking their booty.

cory wong

Elevator Music For An Elevated Mood Dan England

BandWagon Magazine

Cory Wong’s album title Elevator Music for an Elevated Mood fits his persona. He’s a funny, happy guy, like the rest of his “Back Pocket” band Vulfpeck. But after a few spins, I have to report: It’s also appropriate. The brilliant, funky Wong has dropped a mellow and (by his standards) boring record. Wong’s solo records are my favorite of “the ‘peck,” because they sound the most like Vulfpeck. He’s just so damn funky. His clean helicopter guitar style would have made him a superstar in the Disco era. With an amazing horn section, great singers and a band of impeccable instrumentalists, he delivers modern-edged funk with difficult chords and rhythms, adding a heaping supply of fun melody. But a lot of those ingredients are missing on Elevator. “Restoration,” featuring the great saxophonist Dave Koz, isn’t restoring — it’s kind of sleepy. “Meditation” indeed sounds like clearing your mind, and “Team Sports” doesn’t feature anything worth cheering on. It sounds recycled, which brings up a larger point. Wong released Motivational Music for the Syncopated Soul last August, featuring similar artwork, title and sounds. Normally I’m happy when an

artist drops two albums in less than six months, as that just doesn’t happen anymore, but Elevator just sounds like a long B side to Motivational. Wong’s proven himself so many times that honestly, I expect more. Motivational featured two of my favorite songs of 2019 (“Limited World,” “Starting Line”) great instrumentals (“Cosmic Sans”) and fun surprises like “Today I’m Gonna Get Myself A Real Job,” Wong’s first time as a vocalist. Elevator starts off great, too, with “Golden” (feat. Cody Fry), and the track “Treehouse” is as sweet as vocalist Phoebe Katis seems to be in real life. These highlights make you long for the real Wong to keep on funkin. Alas, it just doesn’t happen. There’s too much bland, left-over material between those tracks and the fun “Winslow” to hold interest. Like most leftovers, it’s tasty at times but beyond the first few bites you’re left feeling, well ... “peckish.”

Space Force

Space Force: EP 1 Valerie Vampola

BandWagon Magazine

Space Force does not play smooth jazz. Their true genre, Jazz fusion, is easily mistaken for

commercial

artists

Kenny G (you know, your dentist office’s official soundtrack) but it deserves more credit with progressive artists like Weather Report, Snarky Puppy, and even Miles Davis under its umbrella.

Space Force: EP 1 celebrates what jazz fusion really is: a

melting pot of rock, jazz and funk. The Fort Collins six-piece instrumental group leans into their jazz foundations by putting heavy emphasis on melodic horns, interesting chord changes and solo sections that follow classic jazz templates. As suggested in their band name, Space Force likes to maintain a cosmic, far-off was written in response to the aesthetic. The album title pays unsettling political and cultural homage to a favorite spaceclimate of the late 60’s and early themed episodic series, but 70’s, Space Force shows that this they incorporate their spacy sounds below the surface in message can still be relevant tracks like “What’s Going On?” today, highlighting feelings of as well. This cover of the classic chaos with their interpretation’s Marvin Gaye song opens with free-jazz introduction. Space Force does a good free-jazz, incorporating ethereal sound effects transporting us job of not drawing their tracks to a distant, empty void. They out too long and refraining from then build tension by adding sounding too jam-band-y. But more instruments to create a with the exception of the freeS:7” wall of sound. While Gaye’s song jazz intro on “What’s Going On?,”

the tempo remains constant throughout the album. Shifts in energy would elevate the flow of the EP from background music to a conversation stopper. Even so, Space Force: EP 1 reminds listeners that jazz fusion is legit. As Space Force embarks to distant galaxies of backdoor two-fives and bebop lines, listeners are left curious of what conflicts the crew will encounter in their next episode.

DEAR MOUNTAINS, I’M HERE TO CLIMB. S:4.6”

See Your Local Toyota Dealer | EHRLICH TOYOTA - GREELEY, CO Prototype shown with options.

Ron: Weekdays 6am - 10am WAYS TO HELP OUT NOW via The Today Show 1. Buy a gift card from a local restaurant – Restaurants have been hard-hit by the coronavirus. Help them with cash flow now, while treating yourself or a friend to a meal when we’re on the other side of this! 2. Make a meal for a neighbor or donate to a food bank (Or two. Or three!) – Many sources of income and donations have been drying up. Help keep support going for those that really need the help by making a little extra dinner then delivering it in person. Or let the pros do it by donating to a food bank near you. 3. Talk with your neighbors & offer support – Maybe you have an elderly or at-risk neighbor who is afraid to leave the house. Why not simply knock on their door and ask if you can pick up something from the store for them? 4. Show support to health care workers – Hospitals and care facilities are stretched thin. Something as simple as dropping off a care package of healthy, still-sealed snacks for the employee break room can really lift the spirits of someone working 12-hour shifts. 5. Tip generously – Musicians, servers, rideshare drivers, bartenders, delivery people…they all have been dealing with closures and shutdowns. So their income has been hard hit. If you know someone in one of these roles, could you also offer child care for a couple hours?

Margot: Weekdays 10am - 3pm Top Albums I Quarantine(d) To: 1. Brian Eno: Before And After Science - I think all of Eno’s albums are excellent but this one is especially tranquil. One of his loveliest works. Standout tracks: “By This River” and “Julie With.” 2. Drive-By Truckers: Southern Rock Opera - What! They can’t all be tranquil choices. Drive-By Truckers built this album around their experiences growing up in the South (and Lynyrd Skynyrd). This album tells stories I never tire of hearing. Standout tracks: “Ronnie And Neil” and “Plastic Flowers On The Highway” 3. The Replacements: Tim - To be perfectly honest, I love all The ‘Mats albums. But for me, Tim is comfort food. It just makes me feel better. Standout tracks: “Bastards Of Young” and “Here Comes A Regular.”

4. Sam Cooke: The Man And His Music - Sam Cooke is my favorite singer of all time. From his beginnings in the gospel group The Soul Stirrers, through his many hits, plus his more thoughtful work along with an occasional B-Side, this one covers all the bases. Standout tracks: “Sad Mood,” “Bring It On Home To Me” and “A Change Is Gonna Come.” 5. Misfits: Walk Among Us - What can I say? They rock. This, their 1982 debut is essential. Standout tracks: “20 Eyes” and “I Turned Into A Martian.”

Stacy: Weekdays 3pm - 7pm 1. Jarv Is: Beyond the Pale – Jarvis Cocker, former Pulp frontman has reinvented himself once again in a band aptly named Jarv Is. Ten years since his last release, he comes back full force with a danceable, disco tinged album May 1st. Listen for the twist of phrase where Jarvis rhymes claustrophobia and disrobin’ ya – not Shakespeare, but an utterly listenable guilty pleasure. 2. The Strokes: The New Abnormal – An appropriate title for this day and age, The Strokes return to their indie, garage rock roots on their sixth album. The follow up to Future Present Past, it was three years in the making, recorded at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu and produced by Rick Rubin. And speaking of Rick Rubin… 3. Broken Record - Go down the rabbit hole of the Broken Record podcast. Epic conversations between Rick Rubin and some of the greatest musicians of all time. Rubin, one of the most influential producers ever, worked with everyone from Run-DMC to Slayer, but has a laid back demeanor, getting superstars to open up about their creative process. 4. RJD2: The Fun Ones - A new studio album due in April full of hook laden instrumentals, funky beats and the occasional guest vocalist. Produced by Khari Mateen, it debuted with the single “Pull Up on Love” featuring Slim (aka STS). The official video was shot in January at the Ogden show in Denver!

Benji: Weekdays 7pm - 10pm 1. Waco Brothers: RESIST! - This is a great album from the original cow punks of Chicago. Led by the multi-talented Jon Langford, they deliver their usual ferocity with a healthy dose of humor and selfdeprecation. During these trying times it’s good to know there are still bands out there reminding us that the spirit of Rock & Roll is alive and well. 2. Pretenders: “The Buzz” - This may not be the best song the Pretenders have ever created, but just knowing there is new music from the band is cause for celebration. The one is a preview of the band’s upcoming studio album, Hate For Sale. A full tour is scheduled with the band’s longtime lineup. 3. Love is Blind - This Netflix original series is a train wreck, which is what makes it so awesome. The premise is simple: put good looking singles together, separate the men and women with a wall and see if they become attracted to each other. Once they meet in person, the sparks really fly and you realize why they were all single to begin with. Guilty pleasure at its best. 4. Dirty Money - Another terrific, but enraging Netflix original. Check your blood pressure before watching. The docu-series explores the corruption surrounding financial scandals. From pay day loans to slum lords, no issue is off limits. Hats off to Netflix for their fearless exploration of issues that have long been swept under the rug. Here’s hoping that by bringing these issues to light, change will come. 5. Willie Nelson: “Our Song” - There is no slowing down 86 year old Willie Nelson. At a time when musicians 60 years younger struggle to create music on a consistent basis, Nelson averages 2-3 releases a year. The latest is a gorgeous song written by Chris Stapleton. Nelson may have lost a bit in his voice, but his playing is still top notch. Willie is a national treasure and this song just adds to his amazing collection.

5. Really Bad Music for Really Bad People: The Cramps as Heard Through the Meat Grinder Of Three One G - A tribute to legendary band The Cramps, due out May 1st on Three One G Records. It features a blistering version of “Human Fly” from Mike Patton (Faith No More) and Italian duo Zeus! Look for The Microwaves version of “Don’t Eat Stuff Off the Sidewalk” and classic Cramps from Chelsea Wolfe, Daughters, Metz, and more. TUNE IN TO 105.5 FM THE COLORADO SOUND. AIRING ALL ALONG THE FRONT RANGE!

o G o N c i s u M o C No

Industry ic s u M ’s o d a r o l pact On Co Im e iv s s a M ’s Vampola COVID-19 nd and Valerie By Dan Engla

It’s pretty easy to see how unprepared everyone was

cont. on pg 12 & 13 11

The Outset Brian Claxton saw the first hints of how the coronavirus would sweep the country as he flew through Seattle for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in late February. “I was coming across a lot of sick people and coughing in the various gatherings and airports,” Claxton said from his home in Greeley. “It’s pretty easy to see how unprepared everyone was.” Claxton himself was feeling sick, with mild, almost annoying cold symptoms he’d had since January. Once the virus exploded in the U.S., with Seattle acting as a quasi-Ground Zero, a doctor pronounced him healthy, which would be the only good news of the month. Now, as he sat at home in mid-March, with the virus just starting to really flex on the world, Claxton felt an uneasy urge to get out. Claxton is a drummer, a teacher and a working musician who travels nationwide playing gigs to make a living. These are hard times. In fact, musicians, especially those who tour in front of a new audience every night, probably feel as if they were real estate agents after the housing bubble caused the Great Recession back in 2008. Musicians understood, at least partly, why things had to be shut down: Some medical experts estimated that if the virus were left unchecked, hospitals would be overrun by the first week of May and more than two million could die. “The weirdest thing is feeling the pressure to continue to play,” Claxton said. But those same musicians increasingly found themselves without a stage to perform and an inability to make any kind of a living. Some watched in horror as their spring and summer calendars fell apart in an afternoon after spending all fall and winter booking them. Others on tour hit the road only to discover the road ended just as it was beginning. Still others even lost their standard local gigs as bars, music halls and venues told musicians to stay home either because they couldn’t afford them, didn’t

think it was safe, or simply shuttered their doors until things got better, whenever that would be. Some venues, including those in Colorado, were even ordered to close: Gov. Polis shut down all bars and restaurants, the lifeblood of the entertainment industry, for 30 days starting March 17. Denver took it a step further, banning them from seating patrons until May 11. Claxton, like many musicians and venue owners, understood the ban but also expressed frustration and fear over it. “I’m so pissed off at the lack of resources available right now,” Claxton said, “because it’s not like I can just take two weeks off.”

Scrubbing For Nothing The bad news got worse day by day, as jabs turned into kidney punches and finally uppercuts. Matt Estrin, owner of Tower 56, one of the bigger supporters of live music in Greeley, with regular jazz gigs featuring faculty and students from the University of Northern Colorado, released new guidelines of cleanliness that would please even Mary Poppins. With the deep nightly scrub-downs of an intensive care unit, consistent wipedowns and mandates for employees to regularly wash their hands were strictly enforced. “We hold a lot of value in the jazz community and with the UNC jazz department,” Estrin said. “A lot of staff and family in the music business work at Tower 56, so they want to continue to support the community.” In the end, scrubbing simply wasn’t enough. Ely Corliss, publisher of Bandwagon Magazine and owner of The Moxi Theater and Luna’s, a taco and tequila bar in Greeley, had already absorbed what he called the worst day in his professional life on March 12, when bands began calling that morning and canceling

their gigs. This wiped out his April concert calendar one piece at a time, costing him tens of thousands of dollars. Polis’ order four days later was almost an afterthought, and yet it was just as devastating. Corliss was even forced to lay-off all 17 of the Moxi’s employees. “I think it will take a year to recover, not just in the economy but in the entertainment industry here,” Corliss said, “and that’s if we resume in April. If this goes until May 11 or so, it’ll be catastrophic for the Moxi and Luna’s both.” Corliss planned for Luna’s to offer takeout food, as did many other places. Tower 56 would sell bottles, and both Wiley Roots and WeldWerks were offering takeout beer orders the day of the official closing. All business owners said there was a good chance some in Greeley wouldn’t make it. The marketing manager for Wiley Roots said as many as 40 percent of the breweries in Colorado, the ones who relied heavily on taproom sales and typically offered a place for musicians to play, would probably close for good. The City of Greeley shut down the Union Colony Civic Center, a major performing arts hub in the region, until the end of March. The city’s cultural affairs manager, Jason Evenson, like Corliss, was hopeful that he could reschedule the concerts instead of outright canceling them. Acts such as folk star Don McClean and the massive orchestral ballet Shen Yun, the two immediately affected, were marked “postponed” on the venue’s site until UCCC announced official closure through March 30. The move was a part of the city’s decision to close all non-emergency facilities such as the two recreation centers, the Ice Haus and Greeley Active Adult Center. The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins’ equivalent to the UCCC, would remain closed until the end of March as well, and so would Loveland’s Rialto Theater Center. “We’re actively working with tenants (rental customers) to

identify if they’d like to consider rescheduling or just outright cancel,” Evenson said. “Since the situation is still evolving rapidly, it’s a complicated answer about when to consider rescheduling events to be on the calendar.”

Road To Nowhere Float Like A Buffalo spent months investing and preparing for a tour that began on March 11. It started well for the Denver-based 7-person funk band, with gigs in Del Norte and Cortez, and the band was heading to New Mexico when they got a call that the show there had been canceled. By the end of the day, their entire tour was over. Jason Clukies, the band’s bass player and a server at Outback Steakhouse, had to take time off for the monthlong tour. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, given the hit the restaurant industry absorbed while their tour was stripped away. Shifts were already running thin. Cory Meier, the band’s keyboardist, works as a sound guy at Dazzle, Denver’s famous jazz club, which, of course, was now also closed. Their situation mirrors that of many working musicians, demonstrating why the virus is hitting them especially hard: Most have jobs in the service industry because the hours are flexible and part-time, perfect for a musician’s schedule, but now disastrous in a pandemic era. The band divided up the allowances set aside to cover expenses while out on the road as well as the tour food they purchased, but money will be scarce until the clubs reopen. “We are trying to rebuild the tour, but it could take many months until that can even happen,” Meier said. “We’re ending up in the hole as a band pretty deep.” The band lost money on the van, gas and merchandise, such as T-shirts they had made especially for the tour. “Even our further dates have canceled, so it doesn’t seem likely we’ll go

back out,” Cluckies said. The band did squeeze in one consolation show at The Alley in their hometown of Littleton on March 15, which they also live-streamed to Facebook, one shred of hope for the performing arts industry. It may have been their last in-person performance for a long while. But groups like Float Like A Buffalo aren’t the only ones struggling. “Side men” are feeling it just as hard. Degreecarrying musicians often seek out money gigs on cruise ships as a first-time job after they graduate from Universities, but those are gone, too. Kyle Cervantes, a UNC grad and saxophone player, had just arrived in Memphis for a twoweek rehearsal in preparation for a five-month gig with Holland America Cruises. He had to fly himself out to Tennessee for the rehearsal, and while a cruise ship will usually cover travel expenses after the rehearsals, he was now unsure whether he would have to pay his way back to Colorado. “There is so much uncertainty,” Cervantes said. “It’s because when you do ships, you have vacation periods. I stay busy with gigs, but I specifically waited an extra month so I could get a ship that goes to Europe and visit all the counties I wanted.” Even though this timing seems especially unlucky, Cervantes believes the drastic measures are warranted. “They are doing the right thing,” Cervantes said. “It might be time to consider trading my sea legs.”

Anniversary And Unknown Future

concerts put on by students as a part of their performance degree, and Weis hoped to show off all the music writing skills he learned at The University of Northern Colorado. He put together a full orchestra of 38 people, both jazz and classical music majors, scheduling time with them months in advance to prepare his music. But those were canceled as well, as anything beyond a jam session with two people in a basement was deemed too dangerous to host. “The hard part is getting people together for two rehearsals,” Weis said. “I probably won’t be able to replicate that. It’s so rare as a composer and especially as a jazz composer to get in front of an orchestra. It really sucks.” Weis prepared mentally as UNC began to cancel big performances such as the 50th Anniversary installment of the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival. He worked as the registration and student coordinator for the festival, and though braced for cancellation, when it happened, it still hurt. He wondered when he was going to put on a recital necessary to receive his degree: He wasn’t planning on living in Colorado next year. “It was definitely the right move to cancel the festival. I was anticipating a bunch of cancelations anyway since there was a ban on student activity or travel. That would have put a big hole in the festival anyway if they continued with it,” Weis said. Now Weis was busy communicating with 250 student

groups across the country to arrange refunds of their registration fee to play the festival. The virus also showed it would affect many things down the road, as Weis’ replacement for next year’s student coordinator for the festival won’t have any handson experience. “I have one of the biggest jobs, so that is rough,” he said. “How do we train that?” Indeed, even summer festivals are wondering what to do, as the spread of the virus is supposed to taper by then. Hot summer days and the sun’s ultraviolet light both weaken the virus’ chances of surviving long enough to infect anyone outdoors, but so much is still unknown. “I don’t think anyone is canceling summer shows yet,” said Pam Bricker, who organizes Greeley’s Blues Jam with her husband, Al, “but it will be a wait-and-see for sure.” Bricker worried as well about her son, Colin, who runs Mighty Fine Productions, a studio and live sound reinforcement business specializing in outdoor and festival shows in Colorado.

private lessons, which are of course, possible via the internet to an extent. Claxton says many have embraced online teaching, which he already practiced and taught at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. “The cool thing is, every conversation I’ve had is inspiriging,” Claxton said. “All of them are asking, ‘How can we refine our teaching?’ I’m making sure students don’t miss out on opportunities.” Claxton just released When I Get Home, a CD of his own jazz compositions, and has plans to start another one while we’re all socially distanced from the rest of the world. “I’m hunkering down, doing some writing and trying to see the good in all this,” he said.

“Everyone has the blues,” Bricker said, and yes, she got the pun but wasn’t in the mood for laughing. “Everything is getting canceled.”

Music Finds A Way In the face of this massive unknown, Brian Claxton is uplifted by the musician’s steadfast and pragmatic spirit. Though in-person gigs are halted, many musicians teach

Greg Weis had big plans for his doctoral recital. Recitals are essentially full

PHOTO: VALERIE VAMPOLA

ALL TOGETHER NOW:

THE BURROUGH’S BANDS

GIVE BACK INITIATIVE SEEKING COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN YOUTH MUSIC PROGRAMS BY VALERIE VAMPOLA

Mary Claxton was 5 years old when she started piano lessons, but it was her older brothers who pushed her to take up percussion. By middle school she was playing a mean “Hot Crossed Buns’’ in the percussion squad. Meanwhile, Briana Harris was picking up the saxophone and embracing the band geek life. Music was such an important part of their lives that they decided to make a career of it. Eventually the two would join forces as core members of Greeley’s nine-piece,

selfdescribed “sweaty soul” band, The Burroughs. It’s these humble beginnings in school which pushed The Burroughs to start the Bands Give Back initiative. “The arts are a mental lifeline for kids in the public school system,” Claxton said in an interview for BandWagon. “Everyone deserves to express themselves and have joy throughout the school day. It’s not a privilege.” Claxton has a vested interest in propping up

the arts in schools, as she’s the director of programs for Little Kids Rock in Colorado, a non-profit organization that provides free music instruction and instruments to public school districts. But that’s also part of The Burroughs’ mission, as they participate in benefit concerts or making in-person appearances to play and sing their favorite Dr. Suess books. In the fall of 2019, they decided to start a special fund through the Success Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves the Greeley-Evans

School District, as well as donate a percentage of every merchandise sale. Their goal is to raise $2000 and supply music teachers across the district with teaching materials. But outside of raising funds, what The Burroughs really want to see come of this initiative is more involvement from their peers in the local music industry. “We want it to be a program initiative, in which we are leaders, but the ownership belongs to everyone,” Harris said. Larger entities have donated heftier sums with similar intent. The Newport Folk Festival, for example, gave $10,000 towards purchasing materials

But they also want to engage businesses such as WeldWerks Brewing Company, which matched the Burroughs dollar for dollar and they want to encourage people to

support bands that give back by buying their CDs and going to their shows. As someone who constantly works youth music programs, Claxton sees those needs extending beyond monetary support to services like constructing instrument storage, providing transportation, instrument repair and instrument tuning. “The stronger the professional scene is, the more interest there is in fundraising, which feeds the musical ecosystem,” said Harris. After several years of community outreach, the Burroughs have seen results. Kids recieve instruments, and other hands-on benefits. But other results even go beyond the tangible. Claxton, Harris and crew have seen children

they’ve touched via the program grow up and come to their shows. Not all of these kids grow up to be musicians like they have, but they serve as another example of an adult member of the music community outside of their school and home environment. For kids to see someone like themselves grow into successful community members, musicians or not, is downright elementary.

THEBURROUGHSSOUL.COM/BANDSGIVEBACK

for Mariachi ensembles in Denver. But the Burroughs know how hard it is for new artists and bands to engage in larger charity functions. Everyone is just trying to stay afloat in the beginning, which is why they are encouraging smaller acts of philanthropy. Other area bands like The Great Salmon Famine are contributing by donating $1 for every CD they sell. Members of Silver & Gold worked at the Boys & Girls Club, and another Claxton band, Trashcat, paid a recent visit to Scott Elementary and engaged students in a sing-along of “How To Catch a Leprechaun.”

FOR ARTISTS AND BANDS INTERESTED IN BECOMING INVOLVED WITH THE BANDS GIVE BACK INITIATIVE, VISIT

PHOTO: VALERIE VAMPOLA

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D O D A OLORA RT R N O ER COL RT H T E R C O N CO LENDARNCOLORADO CONCE AR ND T CA E R L E A C C O CON AR D A R O COL ERT CALEND CONLECNDAR CA

CONCERT CALENDAR

Friday, May 1st Cosmis Hot Sauce w/ Oliver, Night Champ, Smelling Melons @Hodi’s Half Note - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM Poudre River Irregulars @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 4:00 PM Heather Land @Boulder Theater - Boulder, 7:00 PM

Saturday, May 2nd Presidio Cinco De Mayo Celebration @ Moxi Theater, Greeley, 8:00 PM Fox Creek @Key Largo Lounge, Greeley, 7:00 PM Heather Land @Aggie Theater - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM Diana & The Big Time @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM Woolawaka 3 @Mishawaka - Bellvue, 8:00 PM The Cactus Blossoms w/ The Still Tide @Fox Theatre - Boulder, 8:00 PM

Lillie Mae & Aubrie Sellers @Aggie Theater - Ft. Collins, 7:30 PM w/ Out of Limits Against Me! w/ Baroness, Destroy Boys @Washington’s - Ft. Collins, 6:30 PM Diggin Dirt w/ Special Guests @Hodi’s Half Note - Ft. Collins 8:00 PM The Stanleytones @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins 7 PM Augustus @Fox Theatre - Boulder, 7:30 PM w/ The Beeves, Boot Gun, Ben Hanna

Saturday, May 9th Stumble Monkey @Key Largo Lounge, Greeley, 7:00 PM My Dog Ate Chad @Aggie Theater - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM w/ Chess At Breakfast, Yail, Oliver

Thursday, May 14th Brian Culbertson The Armory - Ft. Collins, 6:00 PM Triton w/ Wolffblitzer, Saeva, Casket Hugger, By Fire & Sword @Hodi’s Half Note - Ft. Collins, 6:00 PM Jalan Crossland @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7 PM

Friday, May 15th Sol + Sam Lachow w/ Special Guests @Hodi’s Half Note - Ft. Collins, 8:00 PM Just Jazz Quintet @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 4:30 PM Jimmy’s Friday Night Follies @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 9:00 PM Colorado’s Finest Underground Hip-Hop Fox Theatre - Boulder, 7:30 PM Founder Fights 5 @Boulder Theater - Boulder, 6:00 PM

Saturday, May 16th Sunny Sweeney @Moxi - Greeley, 7:00 PM Southern Culture on The Skids Washington’s - Ft. Collins, 6:00 PM

Manabi Latin Band @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 9:30 PM Head For The Hills 16th Annual Pickin on the Poudre @Mishawaka - Bellvue, 8:00 PM Global Dub Festival @Red Rocks - Morrison, 6:00 PM

Sunday, May 17th Cosmic Collective @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM

monday, May 18th Hillsong @Red Rocks - Morrison, 7:30 PM

tuesday, May 19th Avo’s Open Mic @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM Kevin Gates w/ Jay Rock, Mozzy @Red Rocks - Morrison, 6:30 PM

wednesday, May 20th Charley Crockett @Moxi - Greeley, 7:00 PM Bluegrass Jam @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM

I Love The 80’s Night @Washington’s - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM Deborah Stafford & The State of Affairs @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7 PM Sagebrush Sessions Lineup Reveal Party @Mishawaka - Bellvue, 2:00 PM

Tuesday, May 5TH

Start Making Sense w/ The Runnikine @Fox Theatre - Boulder, 8:30 PM

Avo’s Open Mic @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM

Sunday, May 10th

Wednesday, May 6th

The Mountain Goats Washington’s - Ft. Collins, 6:00 PM w/ Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards

Bluegrass Jam @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM

David Matters & MacKenzie Page @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7 PM

Arlo Guthrie w/ Folk Uke @Boulder Theater - Boulder, 7:00 PM

Tuesday, May 12th

STILL OPEN FOR PICK-UP AND DELIVERY

Avo’s Open Mic Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM

ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.MARGIESJAVAJOINT.COM

Thursday, May 7th Sage Francis w/ Wasteland Hop @Hodi’s Half Note - Ft. Collins, 8:00 PM

Friday, May 8th Kolby Cooper w/ Pecos & The Rooftops @Moxi - Greeley, 8:00 PM

dreaming of better days . . .

Wednesday, May 13th Bluegrass Jam @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7 PM Russ w/ Benny The Butcher, Bia, Bugus @Red Rocks - Morrison, 8:00 PM

Thursday, May 21st Yung Pinch @Aggie Theater - Ft. Collins, 8:30 PM Christone “Kingfish” Ingram @Washington’s - Ft. Collins, 6:00 PM Quinn XCII w/ Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, Ayokay @Red Rocks - Morrison, 7:00 PM

Friday, May 22nd Shakedown Street @Aggie Theater - Ft. Collins, 8:00 PM Marc Broussard @The Armory - Ft. Collins, 6:00 PM Desert Noises @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 9:00 PM Yung Pinch Fox Theatre - Boulder, 8:30 PM The Motet w/ TBD @Red Rocks - Morrison, 6:30 PM

Saturday, May 23rd Steelo Bass ‘Cold Hearts’ @Moxi - Greeley, 8:00 PM

Samantha Fish @Mishawaka - Bellvue, 8:00 PM The Devil Makes Three @Red Rocks - Morrison, 8:00 PM w/ Charley Crockett

Sunday, May 24th Opera Fort Collins Guild @Avogadro’s Number - Fort Collins, 4 PM David Crosby The Sky Trails Band @Chautauqua Auditorium - Boulder, 6:30 PM

SAMANTHA FISH

monday, May 25th Jai Wolf w/ Kasbo, Manila Killa, Claud @Red Rocks - Morrison, 7:00 PM

Thursday, May 28th Eve 6 @Moxi - Greeley, 8:00 PM

Saturday, May 23rd at Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Bellvue

friday, May 29th Groundation @Aggie Theater - Ft. Collins, 8:00 PM Eric Hutchinson w/ Jeremy Messersmith Fox Theatre - Boulder, 8:00 PM

Sensi Trails @Hodi’s Half Note - Ft. Collins, 8:00 PM w/ Luna Shade, Inside The Mind

Andrea Gibson + Zoe Keating @Chautauqua Auditorium - 6:30 PM

Opiuo & Clozee @Red Rocks - Morrison, 6:30 PM w/ LSDReam, Of The Trees, K+Lab

Chromeo + Madeon w/ Yung Bae, Benny Sings @Red Rocks - Morrison, 6:00 PM

Saturday, May 30th Eric Hutchinson w/ jeremy messersmith Aggie Theater - Ft. Collins, 8:00 PM Starset w/ Bones, Physics Girl Washington’s - Ft. Collins, 6:30 PM Quemando @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 8:00 PM Kitchen Dwellers w/ The Great Salmon Famine @Mishawaka - Bellvue, 8:00 PM Barns Courtney Fox Theatre - Boulder, 8:30 PM w/ Wilderado, Chaz Cardigan

sunday, May 31st Slamogadro Poetry Slam @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 7:00 PM Ziggy Marley & Stephen Marley + Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals @Red Rocks - Morrison, 5:30 PM

monday, june 1st Reel Big Fish + The Aquabats! @Boulder Theater - Boulder, 6:00 PM

wednesday, june 3rd David Bromberg Quintet @Aggie Theater - Ft. Collins, 7:30 PM Town Mountain Fox Theatre - Boulder, 7:30 PM

friday, june 5th Poudre River Irregulars @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 4:00 PM Blues Dogs @Avogadro’s Number - Ft. Collins, 8:30 PM Tommy Emmanuel w/ Andy McKee @Mishawaka - Bellvue 6:00 PM

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