BandWagon Magazine - December 2022 - Treaty Oak Revival

Trash. Ghosts

achievement. The three song release is filled with tales of anti-love, angst, and feelings of helplessness, all cinched-up into a mostly fun, bouncy, pop-punk package.

At the helm of the group is frontwoman / guitarist Kayleigh "Jack" Gustkey whose powerful vocal delivery exudes equal parts attitude, emotion, and sex appeal. Paired with Michael Olivier’s punchy guitar work and voice, the songwriting team effectively turns Trash.’s poetry into sonic treasure.

Let’s face it. For many, the past couple of years have been pretty garbage, in a lot of ways. However, for Colorado's progressive poppunk outfit Trash., it would seem the past two years have been about growth and preparing a sophomore release that, in every sense of the word, is quite the opposite of what the band’s moniker projects.

December 1st sees the release of Ghosts, their second EP which is, thus far, Trash.’s crowning

The musicianship of the outfit, rounded out by bassist Sam Rucker and drummer Jordan Bettner, brings an interesting concoction of pop-punk and prog to the record. The band’s unique brand of power pop truly piques one’s interest when most unexpected: angular guitar work and dissonant chords jump out and catch the listener off guard.

Ghosts explores lyrical themes such as heartbreak, healing from a breakup, and, well, ghosts. In fact, the opening track “Residual”

is not only spooky in a lyrical sense, but is accompanied by a music video partially filmed in Denver’s Cheesman Park with a prelude featuring one of Colorado’s creepiest true stories.

Recorded in Fort Collins at the famous Blasting Room, Ghosts is an exquisite representation of a band that is Warped Tour meets Dream Theater: punky yet grown up, raw yet articulate, fun

yet a little heartbreaking, with relatable lyrics on life’s dregs which you may find you need to exorcize or dispose of yourself.

Support Trash. directly at officialtrashband.bandcamp. com or stream Ghosts wherever you hear music. Catch Trash. live with Silver and Gold at the Moxi in Greeley on January 28th. Tickets at bandwagonpresents.com

Nate Wilde BandWagon Magazine

TOGETHER WE ARE BUILDING A BETTER WELD COUNTY

Together we are building a better Weld County, one where children are reading to learn by the start of 4th Grade, youth are working at good jobs by age 25, families have stable housing, older adults are aging well and people are connecting to the help they need.

Building the Foundation for Early Childhood Success

Children are entering kindergarten ready and reading at grade level by the start of 4th Grade.

Connecting Youth to Caring Adults

Youth are graduating high school and transitioning to a successful adulthood by age 25.

Preventing and Ending Homelessness Households are attaining and maintaining stable housing.

Helping Older Adults Age Well in our Community

Older adults are living full and productive lives.

Linking People to the Help That They Need Human services are increasing in visibility, accessibility and capacity.

ROCK IN PEACE | JESS REDMON

GREELEY GUITAR TECH AND MUSICAL MENTOR FOR DECADES. THE GUY WHO SOLD YOU YOUR FIRST GUITAR. FENDER STRATOCASTER PLAYER FOREVER AND LEGEND FOR ALWAYS.

BY DAN ENGLAND

OAK

Treaty Oak Revival didn’t really have a choice but to be a country band. They grew up in West Texas, a market that practically demands bands play coun try, and, well, it’s also hard to escape your roots.

“I have an accent,” said Sam Canty, the band’s lead vocalist, in an interview with BandWagon – and for the record, he sure as heck does.

Even so, all that Texas red dirt coun try the band seemed destined to play couldn’t bury their love of rock and roll, especially in a world of mod ern crossovers. Canty is un

afraid to proclaim his love of big punk acts such as Sum 41 and Blink 182, and so, like Chelsea Grin’s mix of metal and rock or Dropkick Murphys’ blend of heavy-leaning Irish folk, Treaty Oak Re vival finds themselves with their feet in more than one arena.

But the band loves its roots. So much, in fact that it stuck the fictional jackalope on its merchandise. The an imal, and local residents’ joy in tricking others that they exist, is a big thing in Midland, Texas, where the band got together in 2019. Musically, they pay homage to their roots too, espe

cially on their first album, a traditional, country-sounding record. Canty writes most of the songs, though they all have a part in the process, and he based many of the tunes off his own life and observations of his hometown.

“MOST OF US SPENT OUR LIVES IN 'OILFIELD,' WEST TEXAS,” CANTY SAID. “WHAT YOU DO IS GO HOME, DRINK AND GET IN A FIGHT WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER. THAT IN ITSELF IS A LOT OF COUNTRY SONGS.”

But the band, they say, found its sound on No Vacancy, their 2021 full-length record, when they embraced their love of punk rock. Songs such as the title track, with more than 4 million plays on Spotify, have an edge to them, and some, such as “Boomtown,” sound much more like Sum 41 than anything out of Nashville.

“IT WAS MUSIC WE LIKED TO PLAY AND WHAT WE LISTENED TO,” CANTY SAID. “BUT EVEN THEN, IF YOU LISTEN TO OUR FIRST RECORD AND COMPARE IT TO THE COUNTRY WE USED TO LISTEN TO AS KIDS, IT’S NIGHT AND DAY.”

The mix should go down smooth in Greeley when they headline the Big 97.9 Big Country Bash at The Moxi Theater on January 6 with Tyler Halv erson. The band’s excited about the show. And with good reason: it’s the first time they’ve played outside of Texas.

They have a big following in Midland, but also in random places all over the country with fans who will drive hours to see the band perform live in their home state. Many of those fans were raised on punk and rock and metal, having later stum bled across Treaty Oak Revival’s music.

“We get many people who say to us, ‘this was my first Texas country concert,’” said lead guitarist Jeremiah Vanley.

They wanted to play music they liked — if they’ll end up having to play those songs thousands of times over their career, they said, they’d better be fun — but they also wanted to offer audiences a high-energy show. If shows got a little rowdy, all the better. The punky country music they play fits that vibe better, Canty said.

CATCH TREATY OAK REVIVAL LIVE AT THE BIG 97.9 BIG COUNTRY BASH ON JANUARY 6, 2023 AT THE MOXI THEATER IN DOWNTOWN GREELEY. TICKETS AT BANDWAGONPRESENTS.COM

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

11/18 • OSKAR BLUES • CO SPRINGS

BY NATE WILDE KREW

Everyone has that band in their back pocket that they keep around just in case the day just isn’t going right and a quick pick-me-up is in order. For fans of local music in Colorado Springs, that “frown upside down” band could very well be KREW.

KREW is a raucous four-piece indie rock outfit who defies the possibility of any negative vibes. The group brings a bouncy, energetic 80’s garage-style of rock to the Olympic City and beyond with lighthearted lyrics and unmistakable charisma.

In fact, KREW lists charisma, along with unity, determination, artistic passion, and something called

OVIRA

Creating a “sonic punch to the face” is something that every metal band strives for, and numerous examples indicate that Colorado’s OVIRA not only have experience with the term, but the territory that comes with it as well.

OVIRA is a monster of a metal band, blending sheer heaviness with melodic elements all while maintaining a constant level of pounding brutality.

The aforementioned face-punch cliché is more than appropriate for the outfit, as each member of the band sacrificed their own “money makers” in the music video for “F*ck You,” by – yes – getting punched in the face at full force with a boxing-glove-clad fist.

‘rizz’ (Urban Dictionary can help you with that one) as their biggest strengths as a unit.

Like a pumped-up ska band without a horn section, KREW will bring you out of any funk. With just one dose (as presumably prescribed by any musical physician licensed in the state of Colorado) you’ll be walkin’ on sunshine.

– LINKTR.EE/KREWBAND

The band goes from rough, shouting vocals to clean melodies, all atop lightning-fast double kicks and chugging guitars. It makes the perfect soundtrack for beating up your steering wheel in traffic or starting a mosh pit in a fast food line.

Be it at this year's battle or not, pick your own scenario for listening to OVIRA, but be forewarned about that “sonic punch in the face” thing, because that is guaranteed.

– INSTAGRAM.COM/OVIRAMUSIC

KNUCKLEHORN

Upon preparing to listen to a band with a name like Knucklehorn for the first time, it’s easy to assume you’re not going to hear the most serious music in the world. Well, you’d be right. But odds are you’re also going to be pleasantly surprised by what you hear.

Knucklehorn is a groovy rock n roll band hailing from Castle Rock, Colorado with serious musicianship to counteract their not-so-serious name and, oftentimes, lyrical content. Borrowing themes from the jam band world, Knucklehorn echoes elements of Frank Zappa and Phish with not only their often tongue-in-cheek lyr ics but an exceptional grasp of their instruments as well.

CELL 23

If you know where to look, you’ll find that Colorado has an amazing metal scene. The state is rife with all of the components to allow for such, including, but not limited to: great venues to support the scene, a legion of dedicated fans, and plenty of top-notch local bands with the passion and intensity necessary to carry the flag.

If you consider yourself part of said metal scene you’ve likely heard of Cell 23, but if not, get ready to fully appreciate their existence.

Cell 23 is a band that has evolved rather quickly into one of Colorado’s premiere alternative metal outfits. Citing influences such as Tool, Avenged Sevenfold,

In addition to the aforementioned “juggernauts of jam,” Knucklehorn lists The Grateful Dead, Talking Heads, and DEVO as influences.

If that sounds like your cup of coffee, be sure to check out the band’s “Coffee Song” and be on the lookout for a sophomore album filled with Knucklehorn’s groovy goodness early next year

– INSTAGRAM.COM/KNUCKLEHORN

and Lamb of God, Cell 23 blends beautiful yet intense melodies with super-heavy elements making them an especially versatile outfit that represents multiple facets of metal and its subgenres.

When not honing their craft by rehearsing tirelessly, Cell 23 is actively working toward representing Colorado’s metal scene beyond state lines and hope to work on new, original material in the coming year.

– INSTAGRAM.COM/C3LL_23

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

11/19 • MOXI THEATER • GREELEY

BY DAN ENGLAND

THRASH HARD CITY

This Longmont band doesn’t like labels, preferring to let fans decide what kind of music they play. But if you really want to know what to expect, all you have to do is look at the band’s name.

Thrash Hard City presents a more modern take on thrash; these guys won’t play Slayer. They say they are influenced by the Deftones, System of a Down and Coheed and Cambria, and you can hear it in their two singles – with a heavy dose of the hip-hop/metal mix best personified by Rage Against The Machine.

“Our music is the soundtrack to every hard head pushing through life’s friction,” the band says, and

they’ve pushed through life together, thus far. They’ve known each other since they were kids, having fueled their adventures with candy bars and Mountain Dew, and finally formed a band this May.

The band prefers to think of their name as a destination, they said, not necessarily a music style, no matter how well it fits what they play. In their words, Thrash Hard City is “where bums get to be bums and we don’t give a f***. Come as you are and do as you please.”

– THRASHHARDCITY.COM

SLOT MACHINE BUDDHISTS

According to a statement made in preparation for Battle of the Bands, Slot Machine Buddhists have big plans for 2023. Namely: sex, drugs and rock and roll. But they’ve got to get through 2022 first. Thank goodness they’ve got their fun and possibly goofy attitude to help them along. They named a 2022 EP All Sham, No Wow after the infomercial (IFYKY) and play songs such as “Gnomenclature,” “Monkeybrains” and “Face Punch.”

Still, as even their name suggests a philosophy that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously, it would be a mistake to dismiss their music in the same manner. They play

a grooving, classic style that could fit along with the psychedelic rock bands of the 60s and early 70s, though they prefer to be grouped — correctly, as it turns out — with Queens of the Stone Age, Jack White and The Cars.

They formed in Loveland in 2015 and have made music ever since, developing a raw, real alt-rock sound along the way. Their musical accomplishments are light (their biggest obstacle so far was getting their bass player to stop wearing shorts, allegedly) but they hope to change that as of this year’s BOTB and look forward to 2023: They’ve at least got one of their three goals nailed down.

INSTAGRAM.COM/SLOTMACHINEBUDDHISTS

SWEET ASYLUM

Sweet Asylum call their music “progressive/alt rock,” but that comes with a caveat: “Maybe?”. They further describe their sound as a Wes Anderson movie projected through a distortion pedal. So, yes, that would fit.

“We’re serving our own desires as creators,” the band tells BandWagon, “but more importantly, we want everyone we meet to gain some positive psychic inventory from our energy.”

They all live in different cities and admit to having musical projects other than this one, but they’re committed as well: Their first full-length record will be out in 2023.

“We’ve carved out a really honest creative process,” they said. “We’re very lucky to have four gifted songwriters in this

band and have valued each other’s input. Our strength is our ability to listen to each other without ego and get the best of four worlds.”

They consider Greeley their spiritual home, as it’s where they met, wrote the majority of their music and formed the full band in 2019.

Their influences include an eclectic mix of Rush, Tame Impala and the Fall of Troy. So there’s a lot going on, but they also want to keep it simple when on stage. Their overall goal is the goal of many bands when they play live: “We want to help people party and be happy,” they said.

DEFEATS THE PORPOISE

Yes, it’s a goofy name, and yes, they like to play a fun style of punk, surf, ska, grunge, gypsy, and yes, they could see their origin story playing out like a mockumentary a la Spinal Tap. But their name does carry some weight, if you believe their answers to questions recently posed by Bandwagon Magazine.

“We actually do care about sea creatures,” the band states. “It is the human race that constantly defeats the porpoise in the perpetual repeating of history and de struction of the environment.”

But this Greeley band doesn’t want to get too wrapped up in the imminent destruction of the Earth — this is punk, grunge and gypsy, remember, not death metal — as songs

such as “Skellies” demonstrate (“underneath you’re just a skeleton” seems to be the chorus).

They were founded in late 2020 when two WeldWerks Brewing employees wrote songs fit for a guitar/drum duo. They added a bassist they met while working another job at Cheba Hut, having discussed forming a band with him many times in between stacking White Widows.

They are comfortable with who they are, even having self-effacing, lighthearted “concerns” about their raw power and sex appeal causing fatalities.

“We write whatever we want, do whatever we want and are just ourselves,” they said. “We don’t try to be any cer tain genre.”– INSTAGRAM.COM/DEFEATS_THE_PORPOISE

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

11/25 • THE COAST • FORT COLLINS

BY VALERIE VAMPOLA

CLEMENTINE

These Fort Collins newcomers may look like average punk teens, but they have old souls, with a surprisingly pro sound that pays homage to 2000’s alternative rock. Maybe they were like 2 years old when Green Day's American Idiot was sweeping the nation, but they capture that same upbeat alternative-punk sound and attitude. They bring a modern alternative edge to their sound too, citing influences like Young The Giant, and take pride in knowing how to

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Students by day, rockers by night, Neighborhood Watch is your friendly local Fort Collins band. Playing indie rock jams in everyone’s backyard (or the local tea shop) even with snow on the ground, they can be seen playing the “Thunderstruck” riff behind-the-head or rolling in the grass mid-guitar solo. Their music echoes that of bands like The Backseat Lovers and Flipturn, with danceable drum grooves and bright, clean guitar riffs. Formed in January 2022, they hit the ground running with two singles “Stuck on You” and “Trying,” and a victory

at a Colorado State University Battle of the Bands. They have an EP and full-length album on the way in 2023, and are ready to bring their fun and entertaining backyard shows to an actual stage.

LINKTR.EE/NEIGHBORHOODWATCHFOCO

shred just as much as any seasoned player – especially on the fun and mosh-worthy “Anime Girls.” Formed in 2020, with an EP The Basement under their belt, they are ready to, in their words, “kick ass and take names'' going into 2023.

– CLEMENTINEFC.COM

2MX2

2MX2 is a Latin urban hip-hop band, composed of vocalists/rappers O1, The Juice, Lolita, producer DMD, and drummer Kenny O. Their eclectic sound is a melting pot of old-school 80’s rap/ hip-hop, trip-hop and Mexican folk music, with the intention of creating a unique blend of cultural influences. Their music features calls to action and themes of social justice delivered in Spanglish, all wrapped in a musical style that pulls influences from artists like Run-D.M.C., RJD2, and Bad Bunny.

THE TIMBERLINE

Fort Collins based trio The Timberline revives the pop-punk sound played by artists such as Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday and Blink 182. They’ve always enjoyed the songwriting process, even back when they formed in 2017, bouncing song ideas and sending recordings via email while they all lived in different states. The Timberline have two full length albums, their newest being Ultraviolet, released in March of this year. Their songs have upbeat drum grooves and catchy choruses that people can sing along to, which they

show off in their title track and “Take A Little Time,” all of which are reminiscent of the days when Paramore dominated the airwaves. They’ve shared stages with some rising punk and alternative rock acts like The Unlikely Candidates and TX2 and are looking forward to releasing some new tracks in 2023.

– LINKTR.EE/THETIMBERLINEMUSIC

They’ve floated around the Denver/ Boulder/Fort Collins scene since 2012, eventually touring with Flobots. They are looking forward to releasing a fulllength album in 2023, after teasing fans with lots of singles this last summer. Their live show continues to win the hearts of more fans as they share their individual stories of Latin-Americans living in Colorado.

– 2MX2.COM

Music lovers will find plenty of chances to tap their toes in Greeley, from Friday Fests to the Union Colony Civic Center lineup. From Mariachi bands to bluegrass, Greeley has a mix of vibrant sounds. Classical lovers can look forward to a new season from the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra. And local venues like the Moxi Theater have a full calendar of acts to get out and see. No matter your musical sensibilities, Greeley has every reason for you to keep tuning in throughout the summer and beyond.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

11/26 • THE BLACK BUZZARD • DENVER

BY KEVIN JOHNSTON

BLACK AND WHITE MOTION PICTURE

There is a tradition in Colorado’s music scene of cap turing the mystery and vastness of the West. Call it gothic folk or dramatic rock, trails of reverb on whammed-out electric guitar and rolling snare with impassioned, yearn ing vocals are touchstones of this staple sound.

Black and White Motion Picture’s dueling vocalists Juls and Josh lead such a charge, expressing agony and longing on the band’s singles “I Can Be Cruel Too” and “Strange.” Their tormented energy is picked up by the Denver group’s rhythm section, who run with it.

That mesh of rhythm and pain propelled the band from their core formation in August of 2018, to the current line-

up finalized in the fall of 2021. Their identity and dedication have only grown stronger, using this year’s BandWagon Battle as an investment in themselves. “We have put a lot of time and energy into getting the band to this point,” BWMP tells BandWagon. “We have missed family get-to gethers, events with friends and have worked odd hours at our day jobs to make time.”

With a batch of new songs finished just in time for Round 1, the sextet are putting themselves first and are ready to put their next musical era into motion.

– BWMPBAND.WORDPRESS.COM

MILQUETOAST & COMPANY

“We don't stay in the same place sonically for long,” Milquetoast & Company tell BandWagon. “We try not to become stagnant. When we hear something in a new piece that we are writing, we go where the sound wants us to go.”

Milquetoast & Company’s pursuit of these ideas makes for a trip into micro-worlds of melodic chamber-pop, arena folk, smoky jazz and, “gypsicana,” if you will. In the band’s words, the sound is “a copious collection of subgenres,” but founder James McAndrew’s croon and a distinguished pol ish in the arrangements is Milquetoast’s bread and butter.

The music may be an acquired taste for some, but like any artisanal offering, it’s well crafted. “Sonically, it takes a little effort to traverse the journey with us,” the band states.

“Like us or not, we put a lot of effort into what we create. We aren't here to waste anyone's time, time doesn't come back to us.”

Seizing the moment is the Denver-based outfit’s M.O. The ensemble are, as it happens, a band of transplants, hailing from cities across the nation. Having completely reiterat ed the band with a new line-up around 2019 (after nearly a decade-long absence) the Company is united in their new home and ready to rock. They plan to release the album Run Rant Rave in March, 2023 and tour the nation.

– MILQUETOASTANDCO.COM

JULIAN

FULCO

Culture is cyclical. Musical trends repeat themselves with a certain level of predictability, but once in a while an artist’s throwback throws you a curve-ball. Denver-based Alaskan native Julian Fulco Perron’s early 70’s bohemian-pop is one such surprising revival, and he goes all-in.

Citing influences like The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney, Perron carries the retro hippie aesthetic through every step, from the initial songwriting to the final visuals. “I appreciate older physical formats such as film and tape,” Perron tells BandWagon. “I also take on a bit of filmmaking by shooting my own music videos with my 1965 Canon Super 8. I value limitations and see them as new ways to explore and create. We have too many options today. Things are too perfect. I try to place myself in the mindset of these early artists.”

SUITABLE MISS

Sarah Perez and Kelsey Gant are family. And their story of forming a female-fronted punk band together as both cousins and best friends sounds like the plot to the next cult Netflix series. Indeed, like a “coming-of-age” mov ie about trying to find your place in the world, the band says their music is emotionally vulnerable. And like their young fans, they shroud those "feels” in makeup and clothes as dark as the shredding passages of lead guitar and pounding drums in their music.

“Combining aspects of bubblegum radio pop with the blistering intensity of metalcore / post-hardcore has al ways been at the forefront of our sound,” Suitable Miss

PERRON

As a retro-obsessive recording artist and film-maker who plays every instrument on his albums himself, translating the vibe to the stage required patience, versatility and effort.

“It has been a challenge deciding how to portray the music live and keep an authentic, on-brand version intact,” Perron says. “With my new live band, I think we have done just this. I can’t wait to showcase the work everyone has put in on bringing these songs to life.”

As for 2023, Perron’s throwback will move forward a few years, focusing on hips rather than hippie, grooving into disco and funk-inspired territory.

– JULIANFULCOPERRON.COM

tells BandWagon (think Sleigh Bells meets a poppy Eva nessence). This combo of extremes parallels the rarity of the band’s diversity. Their self-sufficiency (each member doubles as an engineer or director) and tenacity (they’ve played over 50 shows this year) could make Suitable Miss the new face of pop punk.

And that face is fresh. The band just formed in Denver in 2019 and has wasted no time, playing big stages statewide, touring the nation with more releases and heavy touring planned for 2023. As heavy pop-punk goes, Suit able Miss hit the mark.

– SUITABLEMISSBAND.COM