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BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
Amanda Marie Paints Childhood Kelly Cook BandWagon Magazine When you were little, you read different books than you do now. They usually had pictures, bold lines, simple text, and all the things that catch a child’s attention. Next time you are hanging out with a niece or nephew, or peek into the children’s section at the library, pick one up. Make sure it’s an old one -- Seuss, Silverstein, and Berenstain will all work. You’ll probably notice two things: they are both nostalgic and creepy. If you are like me, the lilt of your mom’s voice, or your favorite babysitter probably rings in your head. But then there are also all those memories of fleeting, restless nights and the monsters under the bed that seem to vanish when we wake. Those childhood books come to represent the warmth and confusion of growing up, and the joy and the fear of when your life is constantly changing. By the time you grow up you’ve probably lost that world, that otherness… unless you are Amanda Marie Ploegsma. Internationally celebrated artist, who signs her pieces simply Amanda Marie, is coming off of a whirl-wind tour of Amsterdam, and a newly
completed, larger than life mural for Ft. Collins’ Atzlan North Side Skate Park. This season, she is bringing her work to the streets of Greeley. After several commissioned and designated projects, her next big work, a large mural on North 8th Street, is going to be a return to her roots. Her illustrations and characters are reminiscent of iconic mid 20th century children’s books. She meticulously hand cuts stencils in classic shapes, embracing a “homogenized depiction of an ideal modern American childhood [shaped] with her own contemporary devices.” Acrylic on wood, sewing patterns and spray paint round out the innocent and striking paintings. Look quickly, and you see a version of that children’s book that comforted you, look longer and you will see something else. Haunting, understated and powerful images leave the viewer feeling like they are living out of context and the work itself is what is real. Last January when Amanda Marie was in exhibit at the Atlas Theater, it was easily the most talked about and mulled over show to go through the
space. Her work begs not a second look, but a third and a fourth. Before I knew it, a month had gone by and one painting was still trying to tell me something. I found myself obsessed with a picture of two small girls who had exploding geometric shapes in their face (or coming out from their face, or hovering around their face). I visited it several times that month, and when I feared it would be put away I brought it home to continue to puzzle and delight me. And this is how each painting seems to work; like our favorite stories from youth. When I spoke to Amanda she intimated that this is exactly what she loves about painting. She is, at heart, a story teller, but embraces the narrative that each viewer finds for themselves in her work. In her studio she often spends time in a rocking chair studying each painting as if waiting for the book page to turn and reveal the next bit of the plot. It is certainly this fresh concept blended with familiar feelings that make her art extraordinary, and Greeley fortunate to be there for it.
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
ALBUM REVIEWS Earth Burnt Black
Harrowing Catharsis Luan Roberts BandWagon Magazine
is less of a conclusion and more a peaceful coda of acceptance to an unwanted fate. Last Saturday Earth Burnt Harrowing Catharsis is Black celebrated the release of intended as a singular piece, to be their debut album Harrowing listened to in its entirety. Each of Catharsis at A.F. Ray’s. No the eight sections that comprise strangers to the Colorado metal the album distinctly flow together scene, these guys have been as a whole. It is not something playing together for five years, to be passively listened to. From two as Earth Burnt Black. The start to finish Harrowing Catharsis band features Tyler Russell tells a story through atmospheric on drums, Patrick Wickman sounds and sweeping vocals. providing vocals, Ian Gamble on This fifty-four minute piece is guitar and Wil Spaedt on bass. grandiose in its musical scope. It Their sound has been claimed by demonstrates that concept albums a range of genres, but quite simply can still be well done. they are metal. While influences from a range The album begins with a of bands show through, there is foreboding introduction with nothing to be called derivative slow heavy rhythm matched to here. Just as you ease into the harsh, almost chanting, lyrics. It rhythm of each dirge the band quickly yields to a more melodic wakes you up with an unexpected offering with rhapsodic vocals but not unwelcome disruption. and a hard-hitting bass line. Transitions between tracks can Harrowing Catharsis doesn’t get be abrupt, but not jarringly so heavier in a linear fashion, but and imagery steeps the album rather heightens and releases. The throughout. second to last track, “Vengeance If you are looking for answers and Fire” is the climax of the album as to the meaning of Harrowing and surrenders to the tension Catharsis none are provided, yet built up throughout. The epilogue clues are strewn throughout.
Wasting no time explaining themselves, Earth Burnt Black prefers the listener match their own experience to the album and bring away from it what they will. “The concept will be different for every listener, we don’t want to tell anyone what to think, we want everyone to think themselves and draw their own conclusions. If there is an overall theme we want people to draw from our work we would say it’s ‘you decide your own fate and never be afraid to do what is best for yourself. No one is your master,’” said bassist Wil Speadt. You’ll be seeing a lot more of Earth Burnt Black. The Greeley based band plan to play shows locally throughout the winter, branching out further in the new year.
Justice
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Audio, Video, Disco Jed Murphy BandWagon Magazine Justice’s Audio, Video, Disco, released in October 2011, has been a long time coming. Since the 2007 release of Justice’s freshmen album, †, the epic arena electrorock duo has been redefining the genre. But it’s been some time since we’ve heard anything new from our favorite French electro act except a few really awesome remixes, a live album, and a collection of production credits. As far as new material though, fans have pretty much been left in the dark. Four years is a long time to go without releasing a new album, especially when you’re one of the biggest acts on the planet, and some would say it’s almost too much of a wait putting expectations at an impossibly high standard. The hype for this album has put millions of audiophiles and dance festival enthusiasts worldwide in a fever pitch and ready to riot (probably much like in Justice’s video for the song “Stress”), but did Audio, Video, Disco live up to what fans new and old wanted? The answer, after continuous listens and scouring for reactions online from bloggers and people who simply like to hear
themselves speak about electro, the answer seems to be mixed. Audio, Video, Disco is very much a change in direction for the group while still maintaining their signature larger-than-life sound and presence. Gone are the clubby dance hooks with wobbling, almost flatulent bass lines, and replacing them are bombastic ‘70s prog-rock guitar solos and a display of the duo’s musicality. Justice’s previous work showed the world their command of pop chords and dance electro instrumentation on an orchestral level. Audio, Video, Disco is a purposeful move to stretch those wings in order to create more of a musical landscape and less of an in-your-face disco romp. This comes at a cost though, as there is nothing really on the whole album that stands apart, alienating many of their long-time fans. There is no “D.A.N.C.E.” on this album. There is no “Genesis,” or “Dvno.” Hell, there isn’t even a “Newjack”! In the group’s attempt to progress into new territory, they’ve left behind some of the things that brought so many people to their table in the first place. In a time when the genre is filled-to-the-brim with electrodance DJs trying to get a slice of the pie, Justice continues to stand above
Lil Wayne
The Carter IV Mikey Unruh BandWagon Magazine After Wayne’s 2008 triple platinum Tha Carter III, he released Rebirth, his attempt at rock music,
disappointing to both fans of rock and his core fan base. A few months later, he was arrested and sentenced to nine months in prison on illegal weapons charges. While incarcerated he released I Am Not
the rest. Audio, Video, Disco is without a doubt one of the most ambitious albums of the year. It takes a certain amount of bravery and that “fuck it” mentality to make a record of this scope and talent when the world is expecting another four years of dance gold. But sadly, there is not a lot that will bring new (or even old) listeners back after a few times through. I put this album up on the same level as Sufjan Stevens’ Age of Adz where the artist chose to reset the bar for themselves instead of trying to live up to old recordings the world has immortalized. Without a doubt, the supporting tour for Audio, Video, Disco will probably be beyond amazing, and the next wave of remixes will keep fans firmly grounded in the Justice camp no matter what their album sounds like. a Human Being, a collection of songs originally intended for Tha Carter IV, to mixed reviews. His release from prison marked the new beginning for the Tha Carter IV, and further increased public anticipation for the record. Numerous delays stalled the release of the album throughout 2011, but the final release came at Lil Wayne Continued.... pg. 6
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BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
Lil Wayne Continued....
midnight on August 28th , which concided with the conclusion of his performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. Within the first week the album sold almost a million copies; however, the initial sales don’t accurately represent the quality of the album. After so much time focused on the album, the bar is set especially high, but Weezy fails to deliver. Several tracks are a fantastic representation of what fans have come to expect from Wayne, including the singles “6 Foot 7
Foot” featuring Cory Gunz, “John” featuring Rick Ross, and “She Will” featuring Drake, one of the strongest tracks on the release. Lil Wayne shines the most when he teams up with Drake, who brings a sense of melody that works far better than Wayne’s forced attempts to do the same. The most memorable moments of the record are the verse delivered by the impressive list of guest artists (including an awesome, uncredited verse by Outkast’s Andre 3000). “How to Love” finds Lil Wayne attempting too hard to stretch
Ovakawv
(Sorta) Pop Joe Lee Parker BandWagon Magazine To say the newest fulllength album by Denver based Ovakawv is alternative may be an understatement. Perhaps you’re tired of the same ol’ same ol’ and ready for something different. If that’s the case, let me introduce you to the brave new world of Waldo Vargas. On his bandcamp web
site, he tags his music as anti-pop darkwave electronic experimental post-punk synth. Although a mouthful, it is rather spot on. If this were the early eighties and Southern California, he’d likely be a KROQ hit-maker by now. But alas, it’s not and he isn’t. I assure you though, he operates without boundaries in a class of his own, and the outpouring of his recent musical offerings reflects this wholehearted approach. He’s
The Chain Gang of 1974 Wayward Fire
Jed Murphy BandWagon Magazine
wide. What used to be small sets with an iPod and a bass, playing solo dance, electro-sampling punk, Kamtin Mohager has been at the Beetle four years ago, has performing as The Chain Gang of evolved into a synth driven, full 1974 for several years now and, mature band with a unique sound being a Denver based artist, has that lingers in a past decade. That made a regular stops to the Greeley is what you get, from beginning area. Not so much as of late, but to end, with Wayward Fire. This with good reason, as Wayward twelve-track LP is ambitious in its Fire, the second full-length album, scope and shift of direction from has the Gang blowing up nation his series of EPs and self-releases,
Feist
Metals thanks to her blue-sequined jumpsuit and the single-shot video that Apple featured in their iPod nano promos, but “1234” certainly The super-poppy “1234” from does not encompass Feist’s Leslie Feist’s 2007 The Reminder sound, style, or lyric capabilities. may have put her on the map, Case in point, just listen to her
Marte Samuelstuen BandWagon Magazine
beyond the fast, clever rapping that makes him a notable artist. The track, which is primarily sung (definitely not Wayne’s strong suit) drags on and feels generic. Similar tracks are better executed when they feature artist more familiar with R&B, like John Legend on “So Special” or Bruno Mars on the bonus track “Mirror,” leaving sung portions to those who do it well. Despite the overwhelming number of tracks that are easier to skip over than listen to, Weezy delivers a few moments that prove why he is considered one of the
talented, creative, innovative and prolific. Perhaps Ovakawv is not the next big thing, but given the fact that he operates freely outside the mainstream, it’s probably a good thing. He indeed dances to the tune of a different drummer. Or to quote a lyric from track one, “dance until you don’t feel a thing.” Many of us welcome something off the beaten path, music that is most certainly left-of-center. As a visionary, Vargas is all that and more. On this, his 8th release and third full-length album - (Sorta) Pop is cohesive, consistent, and crafty. He marries well-constructed melodies and a catchy rhythm to lyrical wordplay
which were more sample-heavy dance tunes. Wayward Fire is a true step out on to his own for Mr. 1974, having really captured something fresh and very original for himself. With heavy synth pads and leads, the album is saturated with that epic, 80’s sense of accomplishment that we felt from bands such as Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode, but it still holds that modern flavor that many electro fans look for who aren’t on board with dubstep artists. Songs like “Hold On” and “Matter of Time” are definitely throwbacks with a contemporary feel, but for me, the real strength recent October 2011 release, Metals: a more edgy, reflective, experimental album that proves she’s evolved as a songwriter and an artist. For fans who loved The Reminder, you’ll still love Metals. The essence and core of Feist as the ever-alluring, mysterious songstress who possesses an unending fount of creativity and
best rappers alive. The album opens strong with a trio of tracks, “Intro,” “Blunt Blowin’” and “Megaman,” that sport memorable beats and are void of guest artists, giving Wayne a chance to show off. The mid-album track, “Abortion,” also showcases his abilities well, while discussing his fame and using the image of being in the belly of a beast, considering abortion to suggest quitting music while he’s as big as he can be, an issue he’s recently spoken about in a few interviews. We can all just hope that he doesn’t leave the as strong and memorable as his game without giving us an album classic, Tha Carter III. that makes one think. In addition, he brings it all together with a keen ear for production, highlighting his efforts so far. If you want to sample the goods quickly jump to track six, “Sugarplums + Snoozeberries” or the eighth minute, final track (# 13) entitled “Birds + Bees = Blues = Booze” and you’ll get the general flavor. Holding to his standard MO, he teased the release with two single tracks from the album earlier this year. Thanks to bandcamp.com we can download his entire body of work to date. And if that’s not enough, jump on over to youtube
of the album comes from tracks like “Undercover” and “Stop,” which holds the energy fans of The Chain Gang of 1974 have known for years. This album is not to be passed over, and with wide distribution, it can be picked up almost anywhere. Things are looking up for one of Denver’s favorite electro bands. Their performance at SXSW put them on SPIN Magazine’s artists to watch for 2011 and radio stations across the country have picked them up for regular play. Mohager gets around too, playing in the 3OH!3 backing band for a European tour and even graced
originality remains consistent. But she’s put in work, exposing new layers. Just when you thought she might plateau after attaining pop stardam, “Bam!” She hits you with a new pulse of energy. While The Reminder was perhaps more playful and fun-loving, Metals engages a deeper, darker side that I would venture to guess both Feist and her fans were hungry for. There’s more weight to this album, more gusto. It’s clear that Feist chose to really dig, which can be daunting, but she came up with something that’s truly solid. Her sound as well as her lyrics are emotionally bare. There’s a rawness that is almost tangible, and it can be felt more with each listen. And that’s appealing. Terribly appealing. When genuine vulnerability is paired with an underlying strength, the music world’s ears must perk up -- you have to pay attention. Recorded at a farm that overlooks the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur, California, Metals is an album that evokes great scenery, it pulls you to familiar places and transports you to different seasons of life, with different emotions. It begs to be listened to from beginning to end; it’s one collection, and it follows a particular sequence, building and crescendoing at all the right moments.
and check out his videos. They too further exemplify the emerging talents of this young artist. http://ovakawv.bandcamp.com/releases
the stage with LCD Sound System. Continuing to push themselves to new levels, it is only a matter of time before they become a household name.
With that being said, I still have a favorite track. The layers of vocals in “Undiscovered First” envelope the listener, and without intending to, you find yourself singing along (and with such conviction!), “Is this the right mountain // For us to climb? // Is this the way you live // for you to be mine? // Is this the right river // for us to ford? // Is this the way to live // For me to be yours? // ...Is it wrong to want more?” The upbeat pop of Feist’s previous releases have been exchanged for a richer, experimental, chamber sound. There’s no Apple promo spots/”1234” here. Instead, intricate rhythms, challenging vocal melodies, and darker themes reflect her overall progression. There’s a fusion of folk and electronic, Feist’s signature sound, but it’s been reclaimed with such authenticity and a felt freshness.
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
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BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
Book REVIEWS Night of the Living Trekkies Jay Wallace BandWagon Magazine Pop culture critics and historians will look back on the early turn of the century as the decade of the zombie. Since Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later hit American shores in 2003, zombies have enjoyed a resurgence similar to the hip/ meta slasher films of the 1990s following the success of Scream. But unlike the ‘90s slasher films, zombies haven’t yet petered out. In fact, they’ve taken to television (The Walking Dead and Community’s 2010 Halloween episode) and, most interestingly, literature. Tales of the undead now clutter bookstore shelves and Amazon’s warehouses, most straight-up horror stories of questionable quality that are indistinguishable from one another. Authors’ Kevin David Anderson and Sam Stall avoided that in Night of the Living Trekkies by bolding going where no zombie tale has gone before – a Star Trek convention. Night of the Living Trekkies follows Jim Pike, an Afghanistan War veteran, former Star Trek
fan, and assistant manager at a hotel in Houston, Texas. His two tours of duty in the Middle East shattered Pike’s ideals (and enthusiasm for Trek) and sent him toward a responsibility-free life as a glorified bellhop at The Botany Bay. Pike is reintroduced to Star Trek when the hotel decides to host GulfCon, a small Trek convention, and his sister Rayna, also a Trekkie, arrives with her friends in tow. As the first day of the convention goes on, Pike’s battlefield intuition starts going off like a fire alarm. Two of his co-workers have been bit (by a little kid and a con-attendee) and their wounds aren’t healing. Cell phone coverage and TV signals get worse as the day drags on. Coworkers and hotel guests going out for smoke breaks are missing. He knows something is wrong, but he doesn’t quite believe it’s a zombie attack until the hotel is surrounded by bloodied, staggering Houston citizens and zombified cosplayers. With help from convention booth babe Princess Leia, Pike soon finds himself having to take control. Donning the yellow shirt made famous by William Shatner,
he only has one goal – get his sister, her friends and Leia out of Houston alive. “Night of the Living Trekkies” isn’t grand literature, if you haven’t already figured that out. It is nothing but pulp fiction and nerd-bait; fans of genre films and TV shows will enjoy picking out the references littered throughout the novel. It’s a fun read, and also has some clever moments, such as when Jim prepares to slaughter a cosplayer dressed as Richardo Montalban’s character in Star Trek II while screaming out, “KHAAAAN!” One of the more enterprising aspects of the book is that the zombies aren’t traditional zombies: they bite, they moan, they stagger slowly, but the source of the zombie virus isn’t the product of a pharmaceutical company or a fallen, radioactive satellite. You’ll have to Levar Burton that shit if you want to find out the cause. Night of the Living Trekkies is an awesome read overall. It’s a geeky, funny, action-packed sci-fi/ horror story that anyone, zombie fanatics and “Trekkies” included, will enjoy. Grade: B+.
anymore.” These may seem like strange topics to tackle in the same book, but they are the kind of topics one would expect in a story that takes place in a pack of Camel Cigarettes. Do not be fooled or let your emotions trick you into thinking that Robbins’ exploration of love will lead to the warmth and fuzziness often associated when the topic comes up. Still Life with Woodpecker is much more a akin to the Symposium, tackling the topic of love in a philosophical way. All three of the Greek forms of love are extensively explored. For example, eros, erotic love, is clearly alluded to in LeighCheri’s relations with men other than the Woodpecker. Perhaps there is even a reference to Sartre’s Nausea, as Leigh-Cheri’s involvement with other men is depicted as a necessity rather than a fruit of passion. The contrast between passionate erotic love and apathetic erotic relations is thoroughly explained, but to hear Robbins’ conclusion on the subject, you’ll need to pick up the book. Robbins doesn’t leave us stranded in the ethereal or leave on our own to sift through Platonic Forms hoping to find some practical truth. He shows us the lives of people who are
actually in love, and what people will do for the one they love, even if it means setting off a few bombs. The truths that Robbins teased out are applied in real-time, marrying the metaphysical and the practical, and in a beautiful way, the book itself becomes an example of how to make love stay. Do not, however, let yourself be fooled into thinking you’ve just read the a Reader’s Digest synopsis of the entire book. The real answer to Robbins’ question is far too complex to explain in an exposition and in less than thousands of words. Still Life with Woodpecker is full of time for reflection and time for laughter. Even the saddest moments have a comedic overtone, and in the end, Tom Robbins’ brilliant novel leaves one wondering who is the true outlaw: Woodpecker or Love?
Still Life With Woodpecker
Zach Martinez BandWagon Magazine Insightful, irreverent, and hilarious are the first three words that come to mind when thinking of Tom Robbins’ novel, Still Life with Woodpecker. It’s just the kind of thing you’d expect from this pseudophilosophical author as he tries to tackle a question like, how to make love stay. Still Life with Woodpecker is a of love story between princess Leigh-Cheri the daughter of a deposed king and queen, and the infamous outlaw (or more accurately urban terrorist) The Woodpecker. The story takes the two from Hawaii to Seattle, Egypt and to a near death experience inside a pyramid, and it’s all to explore why lovers are the third lost continent. By the end of the first page, the reader knows that they are in good hands, as they can almost hear the sound of Robbins’ Remington SL3 as he frantically types to lay the trap in which, by that point in the novel, the reader is helplessly ensnared. It is the work of a true artist who really has something to say. According to Robbins, the last quarter of the twentieth century was “a severe time for lovers” and that “nobody quite knew what to make of the moon
Grade: A.
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
Andrea Gibson
Slam Poet Visits UNC Zach Martinez BandWagon Magazine Performance poetry is one of those art forms that most people have heard of but, usually, know little about. It’s also pretty under-appreciated in our little town, and you’d be lucky to catch a quality performer once or twice a year. This month, however, University of Northern Colorado students have a chance to catch one of the greats in action. Colorado’s own, Andrea Gibson, of Boulder, will be performing at the University Center on November 14th. Anyone who hears the word poetry and automatically thinks of Shakespeare, is in for a surprise. This event is a chance to experience poetry in one of its most engaging forms. It is raw, exciting, and full of energy. Gibson is not your ninth-grade English teacher’s poet; while she writes incredible poetry about love and childhood, her poems are usually laced with a political message. In fact, most of her poetry is more akin to an activist’s desperate cry for change, a cry whose beauty bespeaks the beauty of the soul behind it. “I Do”, a poem about love and same-sex marriage, describes
how desperately Gibson wants a guarantee that she will be allowed to stay near her dying partner’s hospital bed. “When visiting hours are for family members only, I want to be sure they’ll let me in,” Gibson says in what strikes me as the most powerful line of “I Do”. The poem is emotional and moving as well as expertly crafted and performed. And that’s just one example of her work. All of her poems cut to the heart of the issue and present it in a beautifully simple manner. “For Ely”, tells the story of when too many Iraqi War veterans find themselves homeless or unable to continue living. “Fuck your yellow ribbon,” Gibson exclaims at the end. “You want to support our troops? Bring them home, and hold them closely when they get here.” November’s show will be extra special because Gibson has never performed in Greeley before, but she has heard good things about UNC. She says she is looking forward to bringing her poetry to new turf. “I especially enjoy performing locally,” Gibson said. And when someone tours the country for 180 days out of the year, a show this close to Boulder is about as local as it gets.
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Gibson has had the chance to perform all over the world and has several noteworthy media appearances under her belt including the BBC, CSPAN, and NPR. She also appeared in the 2006 documentary, Slam Planet: War of the Words. In additon, Gibson has placed within the top three in three different international poetry slams. At the UNC show, Gibson will have books, CD’s, T-shirts, and maybe even press-on tattoos, because, well, who can pass up
the chance to wear a press-on tattoo? If you decide to go, and I would sincerely encourage you to, be prepared to be awed. It is a rare luxury to experience an act of high literary integrity in Greeley, and Gibson’s words of acceptance and hope are desperately needed in a town like ours. It will be a night of eloquence and beauty. Visit the University Center’s Fireside Lounge at 9:00 p.m. on November 14th.
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BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
Occupy Movement Reaches Greeley
Protester Alyse Infante at Lincoln Park in Downtown Greeley
Jed Murphy BandWagon Magazine You know things are tilting in a certain direction when the people of Greeley have joined in protesting. Okay, Greeley may not be a city to cause big changes on a national level, but something has to be said for a movement if the effects can be felt in a community such as ours. Beginning on October 19th, a group of concerned individuals started meeting at Lincoln Park to form the Greeley Chapter of the Occupy America initiative. The Occupy America movement has the country swept up in the current of civil disobedience, but why Greeley? It seems so far off the beaten path to Wall Street, and how much impact can a protest in this part of the country really have on what is taking place outside the doors of Wall Street? These were the questions I had when I attended the first few meetings in Lincoln Park, and I was very surprised by what I found. Let’s be honest, the turnout for Occupy Greeley wasn’t very impressive, but I was immediately struck by the diversity and organization of the attendees. With no clear leader, beyond a few very out-spoken individuals, the group is made-up of members ranging from college students and young adults, to professors and professionals from every walk of life. They maintain an organized and open discussion about the group’s mission, so anyone off the street can approach them with
questions. Their mission? To show the people of Greeley that everyone is being impacted by the economic crisis, and they don’t have to stand for it if they don’t want to. “Occupy Wall Street is not like any other movement that’s happened in this country. This totally could have been avoided,” says Scott Tilton, a Greeley native and Navy veteran. Tilton recently went back to school to study Archeology and is worried about the dwindling funds in his GI Bill set aside for his education. He initially came to simply observe the protests before he made his decision to join or not. Someone not so reluctant to take up the cause is Shannon O’Leary, a sophomore at UNC and one of the leaders of the media committee for Occupy Greeley. The final straw for O’Leary was when he recently had his identity stolen. His bank dragged their feet canceling his cards resulting in a loss of more than $900. By the time the protests were beginning in New York, O’Leary wanted a way to vent his frustration with a system that had become so large that his problems were being seen as insignificant. The Occupy America movement is something of a breath of fresh air to a lot of the regular people who have been watching the state of our financial institutions over the last decade. As lower and middle class earnings have dropped and the top percentile has had theirs increase drastically, some might say it was only a matter of time before things
“Occupy Wall Street is not like any other movement that’s happened in this country. This totally could have been avoided.” - Scott Tilton, Navy Veteran
came to a head. The people of Occupy Greeley are no exception, no matter how far from Wall Street they might be. They mean business as several members have been camping overnight in the park, despite the dropping temperatures during Northern Colorado’s fall. But what now? Many feel (including representatives from both political parties) that the American people have become so apathetic that we are incapable of popping the proverbial head that has risen from the dirt and grime of fifty years of economic policy. Now a determined group of individuals have come together outside of Wall Street itself to put on the pressure. Unfortunately, social change takes a tremendous amount of time; and with winter here, corporate lobbyists working against them, and pressure from large media outlets asking for a clear, unified mission to boil down into sound bites, there is worry that the movement won’t be able to make it to summer. The wheels are turning though, and while some may still see Americans as largely apathetic, the reality is, when we get fired up about something, shit gets done. But it takes a long time. One thing history has shown us is that the United States does social movements well, and things really do change when it’s all said and done. At this point, the seeds have been planted, it just needs time for growth and some good ol’ TLC. If you want to know more about everything going on with the Occupy Greeley movement, they hold meetings at 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at Lincoln Park and are very willing to answer any questions that come their way.
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
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Pictured Above: Founders Jeff Copeland & Heather Bean
Greeley’s Own Distillery Syntax Spirits opens local distillery & tasting room
Joe Lee Parker BandWagon Magazine The people of Syntax Distillery are probably tired of telling people it’s right next door to Crabtree Brewery. After a year of being open, it shouldn’t be a secret anymore! But understandably, Syntax Distillery - at 625 3rd Street, is a bit off the beaten track. Despite the slight detour away from downtown, they are fast becoming one of the hottest spots in town. Founders Heather Bean and Jeff Copeland have over thirty years of combined brewing experience and became inspired to try their hands at distilling after visiting many of the fine micro-breweries in Portland, Oregon. Heather is a chemical-mechanical-software engineer who enjoys whitewater kayaking, cycling, and building stuff (like whole distilleries from scratch). Jeff is an atmospheric scientist with a black belt in Aikido and has been mixing cocktails since the age of seven. He hails from an eastern European family that knows good vodka. Both Heather and Jeff share lifelong passions for Colorado, the outdoors, the Photos By: Joe Lee Parker
environment, and a really good cocktail. They, along with Production Manager (Still Monkey) Ryne Sherman and Head of Sales, Ryan Dregalla; have been working diligently to put themselves on the map of local coolness with great spirits, unique surroundings, and live entertainment. Located just outside of Downtown Greeley in the historical northeast corner of town, they create each batch of their vodka by hand and from scratch. They use handmade stainless steel and copper stills, local Weld County grown wheat and Poudre River whitewater to achieve handcrafted bliss-in-a-bottle. Their flagship Class V vodka is a fresh take on Colorado’s most popular spirit. “We designed our stills to produce a complex vodka with the buttery mouth feel that wheat vodka is known for, along with a sinfully smooth finish.” The vodka bar itself provides an excellent view of the custombuilt production line, and tours of the manufacturing area are available upon request. Customers
range from college to retirement age and are frequently found gathered around their two classic pinball games or sitting at the bar and winding down at the end of a long day. Stop by the distillery and vodka bar for a taste, a cocktail, or a bottle. They have a full menu of classic and signature drinks as well as infused flavors that vary frequently. They’re now featuring a wide array of live music and special events that can be found on the calendar section of their web site or posted regularly on facebook. They also have regular drink specials so you don’t have to break the bank to have a great time. With Wednesdays being a recent addition to their schedule, they’re now open Wednesday through Saturday from 4:00 to 11:00 pm. I’ll see you there! Syntax Distillery & Tasting Room 625 3rd Street, Unit C Greeley, CO 80631 970-352-5466 www.syntaxspirits.com
BIGBIGPIZZA SLICES
start at just $3
822 9TH ST. //
Syntax bar in their tasting room
LOCATED BELOW THE PENALTY BOX
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
to take part of an artists in the round at the UCCC in Greeley, Friday October 7th
By: Marte Samuelstuen Photo By: Luke & Mallory Leasure
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
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t’s worth noting that Renée Swick is the first truly local artist that we’ve ever featured on the cover of the BandWagon. And we’re pleased to give her this recognition because this girl is doing things and going places. When it comes to promoting herself, Swick keeps a fairly low profile. On any given day, you might catch her frequenting Margie’s Java Joint and then cruising around on her bright green, single-speed bike, whom she affectionately named, “Harper Lee” (her personal shout-out to the To Kill a Mockingbird author). You might see her helping lead music at Atlas Church, working at The Bike Peddler on West 10th Street, or hosting Open Mic Night at Patrick’s Irish Pub on Wednesday nights. Her involvement throughout the city points to the fact that she’s passionate about engaging the community here as well as advocating on behalf of the music scene. “I love how local businesses are working to support Greeley’s music scene,” says Swick. “There’s a real community aspect here; it’s small and tight-knit, more like a family. Greeley’s music scene doesn’t have the competitive edge that you’ll typically find in other cities, and we should be mindful of how awesome that is.” Growing up in Pueblo, CO, Swick moved to Greeley four years ago to attend UNC. With thirteen years of piano experience, eleven years on clarinet, and eight years with the djembe and other percussive beats, she’s already become a well-seasoned performer through both Pueblo and Greeley’s music scene. This former Music major turned English major is one of the more invaluable members of Greeley’s music scene because her participation is so multi-faceted as seen in her song-writing and collaboration, playing all the local venues, and then dreaming-up the more avant garde recording-project-meets-live-music-experience, like her imminent release (due out November 6th), A Mass of Orphans. A Mass of Orphans is Swick’s first full-length studio-recorded album. She has collaborated on other full-length studio projects, but this is her first solo one. She’s spent nearly a year writing the songs and seeing the entire vision come together. “I’m proud of this recording because it’s the most cohesive project I’ve ever written,” says Swick. Shying away from thematic writing in the past, Swick says she felt compelled to explore the ideas that kept surfacing in her own writing surrounding an orphan girl whose storyline could be told through the framework of a Catholic Mass. “This project
is utilizing the ancient liturgy that people have identified with for centuries and infusing it with my own language,” says Swick. “A Mass of Orphans follows the basic storyline that we are all orphans. And orphans find other orphans and make a family together, and in turn, home is created for them.” Swick generally describes her sound as soulful pop/jazz but says of this ten-track album, “it’s less jazzy and more eclectic with experimental sounds including music boxes, auxiliary percussion like sleigh bells and masion jars, and whatever unconventional sounds our instruments can make.” Other local artists who’ve contributed to A Mass of Orphans include Tim Coons on guitar and vocals, Dave Farrell on bass, David Hamaker on euphonium (a smaller version of the tuba), and Luke Leasure on drums and vocals. “All of the people I most enjoy playing with are a part of this project, and that makes it really meaningful; it’s the epitome of collaboration.” This largely experimental, eclectic sound from A Mass of Orphans can be experienced live at the Atlas Theater (709 16th Street)) on Sunday, November 6th (coinciding with the album release date) at 6:00 p.m.. In what’s being described as “an art and music worship concert,” Atlas City is presenting, Skin and Bones. Essentially, the overall storyline from A Mass of Orphans will be told through spoken word, music, art, and dance. “Music is being translated into movement and design, and it’s been so exciting to see these songs take shape in multiple veins of art,” says Swick. Through various art installations, the Atlas Theater will be transformed for Skin and Bones. “Skin and Bones is being presented in an atmosphere where you can make connections with other people, whether you already knew them or not,” says Swick. “It will be a totally different experience than anything else you will see in town. It’s different from your typical concert because the audience is invited to tangibly experience the music. Everyone should come!” Swick’s A Mass of Orphans will be available for free listens and downloads ($9) on Bandcamp beginning November 6th. To purchase a physical CD ($10), come to the Atlas Theater for Skin and Bones on November 6th at 6:00 p.m. or look for it at Margie’s Java Joint in the weeks to come. To stay up-to-speed on all of Swick’s various projects and and performances, you can “Like” Renee Swick Music on facebook.
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BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
Jay’s Sub “Shop”
Jimmy John’s vs. Cheba Hut vs. Taste of Philly Jay Wallace BandWagon Magazine Jimmy John’s. Cheba Hut. Taste of Philly’s. If you’re sick of burgers and pizza, sub shops are awesome, especially if your choice consists of more than Subway. I decided to order up a sub from each restaurant and put them under the microscope to find where you can best stuff your piehole with meat, cheese, and bread. The three subs I selected for this comparison are Taste of Philly’s small Ham and Cheese sub, Jimmy John’s Pepe, and Cheba Hut’s Five-O Nug. All of them are small, basic/ semi-basic ham-and-cheese subs – a good benchmark for sandwiches. My measuring sticks for this comparison is price, value, overall quality, and taste. Choice is the name of Taste of Philly’s game. Sandwiches can be ordered hot or cold, and toppings range from what you’d expect – lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc. – to more interesting offerings, such as sweet peppers and banana peppers. Cheese selection includes provolone, swiss, American and cheese whiz. Yep. Philly’s stacks the meat on their subs – an inch of ham graced my plate, garnished
with American cheese, mayo and mustard. 10 inches long, it comes cut in half for your convenience, a small touch I appreciate. If you got a craving for a lot of meat, Philly’s the place. Be prepared to pay for it, though. The price for Philly’s small Ham and Cheese: $5.99 before tax. Despite the fact that Philly’s sandwich is the largest of the three I compared – justifying the price, sort of – it’s not exactly cheap. The pizzeria in my hometown of Kersey makes an identical sandwich for about $3.75 ($4.80 hot) and the toppings and bread are far better. You can probably make a better sandwich at home cheaper than what’d you get at Philly’s. Jimmy John’s eightinch Pepe is a simple hamand-cheese sub. Except it’s applewood-smoked ham and provolone cheese on freshthat-day French bread, topped with lettuce, tomato and mayo. In terms of price, it’s the middle of the pack: $4.75 before tax. Get a Plain Slim – a sub without veggies or mayo – it’s $3.75 before tax. Speed and quality define JJ’s. More often than not, my sub gets handed to me just after I pay the cashier, even during peak hours. While
Jimmy John’s is skimpy on meat and cheese, the taste is perfect and their bread is fantastic. Compared to Philly’s, JJ’s is epicurean. Jimmy John’s isn’t perfect though. You don’t get a lot of meat for your money, so if you want a stacked sandwich, make your own or look elsewhere. You’ll be walking well over three blocks from West Campus to the 11th Ave. Jimmy’s, further from Old Campus. (Jimmy’s The Contenders, from left to right: JJ’s $4.75 Pepe, Cheba Hut’s $4.00 does delivery, Five-O Nug, and Taste of Philly’s $5.99 small Ham & Cheese. however.) If you value quality over quantity and want Five-O Nug is the cheapest sub be. Some of my peers turn their your food fast, JJ’s is the place of all three: $4.00 before tax. nose up at Cheba Hut because, to eat. If you want something It’s also the smallest sandwich “it’s stoner food.” Guess what, cheaper and unique… well, in this comparison at four stoners have good taste. The read on. inches long, with the same combination of multiple meats Cheba Hut’s Five-O Nug is amount of meat on it as the such as prosciutto and salami the closest sub they have to a Pepe. Cheba Hut also has the with cheese on a toasted wheat normal small ham-and-cheese. longest wait time, due to the bun makes a sub that is steps It’s ham and cheddar cheese, fact that they toast their subs, above other sub shops. You salami, prosciutto, bacon, and so it’s forgivable. Quality-wise, can get it for four bucks, and pepperoni toasted on a four- they don’t match JJ’s, but they it fills you up. The Five-O is inch slice of wheat, white, or are as good – if not better – a damn good sandwich, and garlic bread. You can get your than Philly’s. based on that, Cheba Hut is my sub layered up with the usual If you just want a small restaurant of choice. toppings and sauce, including sandwich with a flavor you honey mustard. can’t reproduce cheaply at JJ’s Plain Slim aside, the home, Cheba Hut is the place to
Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s Pepe. Not much on meat or cheese, but excels when it comes to quality meat, cheese and bread and flavor.
Taste of Philly
Taste of Philly’s Ham & Cheese is loaded with up to an inch of meat. Toppings include sweet peppers, banana peppers and cheese whiz.
Cheba Hut Cheba Hut
Cheba Hut’s Five-O Nug is the smallest of the bunch, but it packs a savory flavor that can’t match the other subs price-wise.
The winner: if you want an inexpensive, unique and filling small sub, Cheba Hut’s Five-O cannot be beat.
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
The Atlas Mosaic Art Show: Village Benefiting the Greeley Central High School Student Recovery Program
Zach Martinez BandWagon Magazine
The last few years have seen major growth when it comes to supporting Greeley’s art scene. Look no further than the art hub on 16th Street, specifically between 10th Avenue and 7th Avenue; with four local spaces, Margie’s Java Joint, Madison & Main Gallery, The Crew Presents Studio, and The Atlas Theater, all featuring an art gallery each month. It should come as no surprise, then, that Atlas Church also hosts the Mosaic Art Show twice a year. Held once in the fall and once in the spring, the purpose of Mosiac is to create an art event that fosters community through both live performances and a silent art auction to benefit a charity or non-profit organization of Atlas’ choosing. Each Mosaic show highlights a particular theme by encouraging all art submissions to interpret/ highlight the chosen theme. The concert portion of Mosaic features music, poetry, drama, and even films that have all been created around the theme, and the silent auction features
a range of medias including ceramics, photography, paintings, textiles, and more. For the upcoming November 11th show, the theme is Village, and all proceeds will benefit Greeley Central High School’s Student Recovery Program. Like most Greeley-area high schools, Central has a large demographic of young, Latino males, a population that has a statistically high risk of not finishing high school. The Student Recovery Program creates opportunities for credit recovery, academic support, and one-on-one mentoring in the hopes that each student in the program will make choices that lead to not only graduation but their future success. The program was started by Bob Tointon in 2008 and is currently funded through local donors and various grants. In the past, Mosaic shows have raised between $1,800 and $2,500. For the Village show, the money raised will go towards an emergency fund for the Student Recovery Program. This emergency fund will be available to help with anything
that could benefit the boys’ studies and academic success including eyeglasses, school supplies, and even college application fees. Mosaic will be held on November 11th at The Atlas Theater (709 16th Street). The gallery will open at 6 p.m., and the art concert will begin at 7 p.m. You can expect to see performances from local singer/songwriters including Joe Lee Parker, Justin Roberts, and Renée Swick as well as a short drama production by the Cheaply Intellectual Theatre Company. Of course all the great locally-made art will be on display and available for you to bid on! For information regarding art donations or volunteering, contact Megan Martinez at mgustkey@gmail.com, or visit an Atlas Church service between now and then at either 10:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. All art donations are due by November 8th. For more information on the Student Recovery Program visit: www.studentrecoveryprogram.org
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BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
LIVE MUSIC REVIEWS Paul Basic
Oct 13th - Sky Nightclub
The Epilogues Oct 7th - A.F. Ray’s
Megan Conner BandWagon Magazine
Megan Conner BandWagon Magazine You may already know that Paul Basic dropped his own beats when he opened a highly anticipated Michal Mennert performance at Sky nightclub earlier last month. What you may not know is that you witnessed the party rocking DJ’s first tour with his new album, The Mirror. Paul Basic started the night off right, with songs from his album that was released just over a month ago, and it was dirty. Basic quickly made it clear why he is the newest member of the Pretty Lights Music team and label. He showcased his skills with songs like “Daydream.” The song begins with a small sample of
Lupe Fiasco’s original, but Basic reworked the original chorus with glitch effects and plenty of bass. With slight touches of the original song combined with a dirty bass drop, the song was a pure joy to listen to live. For the rest of his set, Basic played from The Mirror, and everything was just as good as “Daydream.” Basic is everything that you would expect from the Pretty Lights Music label. His performance included electronic grime mixed with soulful inspirations and hard baselines. Basic is a Colorado native and has been friends with fellow Pretty Lights Music artists Michael Mennert and Derek Vincent Smith since the trio’s high school days. Since then, Basic has traveled around the country,
pursued audio production, and, eventually, landed back in his home state to team up with the Pretty Lights crew. Those who were at the show early last month were able to see how talented Basic is, and that Pretty Lights Music doesn’t forget their CO fans, even the ones in cow town.
Scan the QR Code above to download The Mirror for free
Denver band the Epilogues, traveled north to rock out at A.F. Ray’s in early October. And even while the band was warming up, their sound clips were amazing and the show only got better from there. After My Body Sings Electric and Strings Like the Sun opened the show, The Epilogues took over and made their presence known. When the first song dropped, The Epilogues music exploded and filled the joint with a non-traditional take on mainstream music. Each song in the setlist was key heavy and synth-driven, while other rock tones and effects blended the songs together. Before a single note filled the air, the band’s equipment set them apart from others. As they set up, the stage was crowded with synthesizers and three keyboards. But when keyboardist Nathan Hammond began to pound the keys, the sound and the equipment all made sense and revealed their
lead instrument. The keys! “We basically developed our sound without a lead guitarist,” Hammond explains. It’s difficult to place these Denver dudes in a specific genre, you could say they fall somewhere in between indie rock and experimental. But even that doesn’t do the band justice. Yet some of their songs are catchy rock ballads, like their hit “Hunting Season.” The four-man band has been playing around the Denver area since 2006. Since then they have released a debut EP and have been receiving radio attention around the country. The band has also been hitting up the studio and working hard so they can drop a new album. The album will be a mix of re-vamped tracks and new material. If there is one thing to be said about this band, it is that they will not be a small town band for much longer. For more information on The Epilogues visit www. theepilogues.com
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
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What the Hell is My Favorite Bands Music Festival? Joe Lee Parker BandWagon Magazine After spending two years at Island Grove Regional Park on the north end of town, this past September, the My Favorite Bands Festival relocated to the Historic Lincoln Park in beautiful Downtown Greeley. Fast becoming an art and entertainment destination area, this move was a welcome change for everyone involved. And what a treat! Now in it’s third year, the My Favorite Bands Festival does not disappoint. Any event in Lincoln Park is worth checking out but believe me, this one is a must. It doesn’t bill itself as a gathering of the
best local and regional talent around but that’s exactly what it is. Festival organizers Damon Smith and Colin Bricker along with a veritable who’s who in the supergroup Peter, Paul and Gary stole the show. They faithfully performed a gamut of pure eighties gems while accompanied by synchronized video depicting visual images from the era. Apparently it was the band’s 15th anniversary and it left me to wonder why they aren’t Colorado’s biggest export. They made it all look rather easy. “Downtown Greeley is the center of the universe!” commented Damon when asked why he chose the new venue. It seems he met Colin
Pictured Above: Organizer & local musician, Damon Smith
through friends of friends and was looking for a way to bring everyone together for a day of music. Over the years, as friends have scattered, they found it more and more difficult to get everyone on board. Thus the festival was born and has been the perfect excuse for fellow musicians to travel in from around the country to take part in the annual event. Its strength isn’t in its reliving the great music of the eighties and nineties for that’s merely a by-product. On the surface, My Favorite Bands is a celebration of music that inspired all the participating musicians. From the music of Neil Young, to the Rolling Stones; from Pat Benatar, to the Pixies – everyone in attendance is able to bop and rock to their favorite hits of yesteryear. But really what it’s really about is fun, family, and friends. Never mind the fact that each group performed music from popular bands that continue to inspire and mold the music of today, what could be presented as cheesy shtick turned out to be anything but. The quality of musicianship and the top-notch performances drove the show beyond expectations. Photographer Michael
J.Smith: A Student of the Game Armas Doran BandWagon Magazine J.Smith hails from Moreno Valley California a.k.a. “South Side Murda Valley”, the genesis of his journey as an artist. Having lived in many places around the world including England, Germany, and every coastal region of the US, J.Smith is well cultured and has always had a passion for music of different styles. While attending high school in California, Smith says he didn’t have a lot of people to talk to. Trouble with parents and a grandmother in deteriorating health inspired him to reach for the pen and begin writing rhymes. To his peers he is known as
a “student of the game,” taking time out of every single day to make the best rhymes he possibly can. But what really sets J.Smith apart from other artists is his creativity and outof-the-box approach. “Being able to have confidence to do anything is important,” he says. “Sometimes it’s hit or miss, but I hit a lot more than I miss, and that’s what matters.” J.Smith is part of the Greeley hip hop/R&B group Delco Recordings, where he regularly records and performs live with his crew. All of the music production is done in house, which allows for complete creative control. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” says Smith. Every artist in his camp is “in it
Pictured Above: J.Smith in the studio
to win it,” and the competitive atmosphere inside the group creates an environment where all artists’ music can benefit. When it comes to his goals, Smith is very ambitious, but it’s not all about getting fame and glory. “There is a difference between being real and being fake,” he says. “The higher you go; the faker people are going to get. They will try to get you to sign your soul away. Entertainment is a fantasy world all its own, and we fall into it.” At the end of the day, he wants people to know that it is truly about the music and that he’s very serious about what he does. “I’m no rapper. The number one title I want to be called is an artist. I take pride in my work, it’s my passion, it’s my soul, my heart. It’s what I do to escape reality.” Don’t let J.Smith’s work ethic fool you. He will always find time to crack jokes and make people smile. So what can we expect from him in the future? “Hopefully next time you see J.Smith you will see him on a yacht in Spain, talking about how we were all in Greeley just a few years ago.... However, I don’t swim so airplanes seem more realistic. I don’t fuck with boats, cuz that’s how we got here in the fist place.”
Pictured Above: Shawn Waggoner & Friends tributing Pat Benatar
McGrath who shot this event and has attended all three years says: “The highlight of the show for me was the Mighty 18-Wheeler doing the Stones, because Bret Bertholf’s antics were a kick to watch. It’s not every day you see a guy in fishnets singing the Rolling Stones in Greeley! I also really enjoyed Andy Monley’s set because I’m a big Pixies fan, and I thought they did a good job with the music. Peter Paul and Gary played their best set ever, everybody seemed to like it.” He goes on to say, “I don’t know of any other festivals of its type so it seems pretty unique. I thought it was run smoothly with minimal down time between acts and everything sounded good. There were good food and snack vendors this year too.” “Lincoln Park seems like a great venue. It’s really nice with
good shade and grass. I prefer it to Island Grove. We’ll definitely be back again for next year’s festival.” The two stages allowed bands to perform one right after another without a hitch. The sound was full and driving without being obnoxious or loud. The crowd was varied and appreciative while the environment was picturesque. This festival is a must see for fans far and wide. Festival attendance was perhaps a bit lighter than previous years but I assure you, every single person there had a great time. I know I did! Find out more about My Favorite Bands Festival by visiting: mfbfest.com Bands who wish to participate can send their info via e-mail to: damonsmithmail@gmail.com
Pictures by: Ely Corliss & Armas Doran
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BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
A Dive into Garden City, Colorado Jed Murphy BandWagon Magazine “I guess you could say Garden City found me,” says Brian Seifried, owner of the 8th Avenue Wing Shack with a laugh. He invited me over for beers at his one bedroom home in the heart of Garden City. Brian is on the Garden City Council and has been working for years to improve the chunk of city he has claimed for himself. Brian moved here seven years ago to set up the Wing Shack but found his timing to be slightly off. Nothing in Greeley was really in his price range, and he was running out of time. Then he found the building it is currently in on 8th Avenue, and the price was almost too good to be true; except for maybe location. 8th Avenue can be a little shady at times. But this wasn’t going to be a problem for Brian because he saw something in the location, and what he soon learned after opening, is there was plenty of room for someone to have bigger plans. When I first met Brian, I was living out of a few boxes as just another poor college student on summer break. I needed a job, and I happened to apply at the 8th Avenue Wing Shack. I was preparing for a semester abroad in Taiwan, and I needed a way to get through to fall. Unknowing to my end-of-the-summer plan, Brian hired me on as a fry-cook, and I survived off of chicken wings and beer just long enough to make my flight. I didn’t know about Garden City, even though I worked there. I didn’t really know who Brian was (except he was pretty cool boss) or where his restaurant and bar sat on the Greeley map. I supposed I didn’t care much at the time, but when I came back from Taiwan, I found I had more of an appreciation for the things happening locally. And for Garden City, locally is not quite what it means for the rest of Greeley. What is Garden City? We’ve seen the signs on 8th Avenue and we’ve all been there, weather it is for a show at A.F. Ray’s or a night at the Whiskey River. Even if you were driving through to Highway 34, chances are you’ve at least seen it. One thing to know is, it is it’s own county, not attached to the larger Greeley area. Word to all you party animals out there, if you get a ticket there, you have to attend the Garden City court (conveniently located right behind the White Horse Inn). When I learned this, it brought a few questions to mind. Why did a place that brings in large amounts of tax revenue have it’s own city limits when it is so close to the heart of Greeley? That brings us again to Brian. Recently, the twenty-eight year old entrepreneur, Garden City Council member, and good friend of the BandWagon took me on a personal tour of a place that formed simply as a reaction to what a few individuals felt was an unjust law. It all begins with a man named A.F. Ray and this little thing called Prohibition. Alcohol was forbidden across the country, and the nation was sitting between two, pretty huge world wars. Greeley, like
much of the country, obeyed the laws banning alcohol, but that didn’t stop the demand. A.F. Ray owned a plot of land with a large garden outside of town, perfect for supplying that demand. One of the first places Brian took me on our tour was a visit to the City Hall building, a block from Brian’s house and AF Ray’s, to meet Clarence Krieger, Garden City’s longest sitting board member with a record of fifty years of service. He is also the only living person in town to have known A.F. Ray personally. “He was one great guy,” Clarence said with a laugh, sitting in the main courtroom with Brian and I. A friend of Clarence’s father, Clarence told us about many of his fondest memories of being a young man and spending time with A.F. Ray. He told us how A.F. Ray would smuggle booze into the city hidden in melons from his garden, and keeping his own law when he had too. Once Prohibition ended, Greeley voted to remain a dry county, leaving A.F. Ray and his friends one choice: start their own town. They managed to do so by selling off plots of land, $100 each, until they had enough people in the area to create their own municipality, and the first order or business was to grant a liquor license. The first bar to open was the White Horse Inn, it was only open for eight hours a day and is still in operation. Things were different back then, and over the next forty years, the bars and liquor stores boomed, capitalizing on the thirsty citizens of Greeley. Eventually, the city saw which way the wind was blowing, and in the 1970’s, became a wet county again. This took some of the thunder out of Garden City as the place to go for a drink, but the traditions the town was based on had long been established. The question now is where is Garden City headed? To find the answer to this we had to take a few more steps on our tour to see what Garden City is really about. We started the day with shots of Jameson and beers at Lisa’s to catch the afternoon crowd. Lisa’s used to be known as The Working Class, which pretty much sums up the people who drink there on a Tuesday afternoon. According to Brian, you can tell a dive bar if they have pickled eggs for sale, and Lisa’s was sold out, an irony I was thankful for, saving me the experience. On another note though, Lisa’s has Greeley’s only regulation size shuffleboard table. Pickled eggs aside, we were both pretty hungry, so Brian took me next door to El Pollo Feliz, what he called the Wing Shack’s cousin. We got the half of a chicken, which was by far one of the best Mexican meals I have had in a long time. It easily served two and came with rice, beans, pickled onion, and tortillas, creating the perfect pregame meal for the night ahead of us. The next destination was to the White Horse Inn for more shots of whiskey and beers, which, if you weren’t paying attention earlier, was the very first bar to every open in Greeley more than seventy years ago! It says a lot about a place to be
open for so long, especially a bar, when most places change owners and names every couple of years. The White Horse Inn has had the same name since it opened and the same sign, which doesn’t say White Horse Inn anywhere on it but simply a picture of a white horse. Although most of the interior was pretty dated, the staff didn’t think there was anything left from the original building. It is fitting that here we met up with a few of Brian’s friends who, upon their wishes, desired to have their identities hidden for this article. The reasoning was perfectly understandable as their occupations as caretakers of a very serious medical marijuana grow operation based in Garden City has them treading on a very murky legal line. In the last few years medical marijuana has been, pardon the pun, a budding industry. It’s had no home in the greater Greeley area, but Garden City, keeping with the traditions of it’s founding, saw something that was already being widely grown and consumed throughout Northern Colorado, and capitalized where no one else would. Brian’s three friends, (we’ll call them Boss Man, Jim Bob and his brother Ratchet) were very aware of Garden City’s past and the comparison between alcohol then, and marijuana now. To give you an idea of how Brian felt about it, he started the next leg of our tour with a Martin Luther King Jr. quote, “It’s the duty of a citizen to disobey an unjust law.” It, of coarse, has to be understood in the pretense that Boss Man and his employees follow the marijuana laws to the letter, and adhere to anything the state inspectors tell them. They are a very legal operation, but they know at anytime the laws can change, and they’ll have to change as well. “We’re at the tip of the iceberg with this plant,” said Boss Man, who says he more interested in the genetics side than the inebriating effect. Boss Man and his employees believe in quality and that they are far ahead of many other growers. They feel that the rest of the nation will come around with legalization, and when they do, these guys will have already established the finest
product available. Our next stop was The Tavern, which was the beginning of the end of our journey for me. It had all the qualities of a real dive; pickled eggs on the counter, old carpet on the walls, and about five or six rough patrons giving us crazy looks like we had crashed their party. The owner bought us all a round of his own cherry flavored Jim Beam, which was the straw that broke the camel’s back. After that things went down hill pretty quickly. I interviewed the owner for a few minutes and don’t remember any of it, and my notes don’t make any sense. We played pool, I think, and then we left for a stop at Istanbul, the local hookah lounge. We came here for two reasons: to see Jay Ybarra, friend of the BandWagon, who has been managing the place for several years, and because Brian liked what it represents. To him, it is a vision of a future Garden City where a younger, hip crowd can come to hang out and revitalize the area in a very artistic way. Istanbul hosts regular art shows, and Jay has opened up a screenprinting business next door called AnthroVelo. This stop was welcomed because Jay is a cool dude, and it gave me a chance to cool my heels and drunkenly call my girlfriend. After this we went over to the V.F.W. (Veteran of Foreign Wars) for a quick shot, a beer, and a tour of this massive complex. It is a building with huge potential, but the decommissioned cannons out front do little to attract a new crowd. Still, I found it comforting to know that veterans have such a place in the Greeley area where they can go and feel welcome. Once we left, we walked somewhere, but I couldn’t tell you the general direction. We ended up at the house of the Rusty Boyd and his wife, Teresa, the owners of Whiskey River and residents of Garden City. They were very welcoming even at our late hour, and gave us each a glass of Crown Royal on the rocks. They moved to Garden City because it was close to work and eventually fell in love with the area. Teresa found she
grew attached to the Art Deco style of some of the buildings, and that with some renovations, it could become a very appealing place. Maybe becoming something similar to Old Town Ft. Collins. They were very gracious hosts, but we didn’t want to keep them and we still had a few stops to make before we could call it. Club 2121 was not so much of a club as I recall, but more of a bar like everywhere else we visited, but I could be wrong. If I was ever out to lunch, it was at this point. The one thing I do remember was meeting a certain Señor Willy, who sold us a few burritos and two jars of olives stuffed with jalapeños and garlic. Losing steam, we went back to familiar ground for one last drink: AF Ray’s. It was a funny feeling going there after this trip, looking up at that picture of A.F. Ray they have behind the bar and thinking about what he started. Some people have their preconceived notions about Garden City, AF Ray’s and Whiskey River in particular, as they are the places the younger crowd frequents the most, but they don’t know about the rest. They don’t know about everything else that seems to sit just under the surface. If they did, they probably would never come back because Garden City would chew them up, but with the right guide, a good time is absolutely there. The next day, waking up on Brian’s couch, cradling a jar of olives with my hangover, I knew I had some sorting to do. Looking back on the night, I can see why Brian likes Garden City so much. It’s small enough to make a big difference if you want to, but it’s not for the weak of heart. It is a place that doesn’t play by any rules but their own, and you have to have a high mental fortitude to really carve a place for yourself. You probably won’t find me hanging out at the Tavern, but when I’m at A.F. Ray’s for the Battle of the Bands next month, I’ll probably swing by The White Horse Inn for a beer, and I’ll toast to the ghosts of all the people who sat at that same bar seventy years ago and made a town happen.
1940’s: Knob Hill Tavern, owned by A.F. Ray. In 2008, the bar was renamed after its notorious founder.
BandWagon Magazine Greeley’s live music and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
19
Anything Goes Sets Sail at UNC
Jacob Bernard BandWagon Magazine
Cole Porter’s maritime classic, Anything Goes, opens this week in the intimate Norton Theatre at UNC. With a young, beaming cast and under the very capable direction of John Leonard, head of Musical Theatre, they charge ahead in this dance-heavy vintage romp, containing the essential Porter tunes “You’re the Top,” “It’s DeLovely,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and, of course, “Anything Goes.” Premiering in 1934, the show has spawned two movies and three revivals on and off Broadway, including the current show starring Sutton Foster and Joel Grey produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company. It contains the classic comedy plot of mistaken identities and scheming misfits, all contained on an ocean liner. Billy Crocker (played by Jeff Zicker) stows away in attempt to woo his love, Hope Harcourt (Lynzee Newton) who is engaged to an English Lord, all while hiding from his visually-impaired boss. Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney (Aisha Jackson) and Public Enemy No. 13 Moonface Martin (Kytt McLaughlin) aid Billy in
his quest to win Hope. The quick-witted and confident cast skillfully uses the delightful set imitating the deck of the London-bound ship making the intimate space seem much bigger, capably traversing Leonard’s terrific choreography whether they tap or tango. While Leonard already demonstrated the ability to do a tap musical in the space this past summer in Little Theatre of the Rockies’ production of Dames at Sea, Anything Goes presents a much more difficult task in including a cast size several times that of Dames, but the cast makes it seem effortless and Leonard’s choreography hits the mark every time. However, the limits of dancing space are not the only difficulties faced when producing a show typically favored by high schools and community theatre groups. Why should one of the best schools for theatre in the west mount this particular show, classic as it is, full of archaic references, slightly racist comedy, and dated plots lines and characters whose devotions change on a whim? Leonard defends that he wanted
to do a tribute to Cole Porter, arguably one of the greatest musical theatre composers of all time and pick a 1930s standard. “I knew that such a big show could be scaled down to a small space,” he said, as most scenes only concern three or four characters. He also pointed out that UNC had selected the show well before the recent Broadway revival. Commented theatre senior Lynzee Newton who plays Hope, “It’s really wonderful to have a chance to do such a classic musical theatre piece in a university setting.” Anything Goes opens November 2nd and runs through the 13th at the Norton Theatre in Gray Hall. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Book by Guy Bolton and PG Wodehouse. Directed by John Leonard, assisted by Amanda Revier. Music direction by Richard Shore. Scenic design by Casey Kearns. Lighting design by Katie Gruenhagen. Costume design by Anne Toewe. Sound design by Michelle Goldberg. Call (970) 351-2200 for tickets or online at www.unco.edu/tickets.
Photo Credit: David Grapes Pictured Above (left to right): Kytt McLaughlin, Aisha Jackson, Jeff Zicker.
20
HUMORGreeley’s on The Wagon - Slightly - Humor on The Wagon BandWagon Magazine live musicRelevant and entertainment magazine NOVEMBER 2011
Turducken
A Holiday Tradition Justin Roberts BandWagon Magazine I work in a meat market. It’s not glamorous work, but someone has to do it. This past month a woman approached me while I was working, and in all seriousness, she asked if the department sold turduckens. “What the fuck is a turducken?” I thought. “No ma’am, I don’t believe we do, but I can double-check with my manager,” I said. I walked into the back of the market and asked a question I already knew the answer to, but it satisfies customers when they think you are working hard to help them out. “Hey, I know we don’t, but I have a woman out here asking if we sell turduckens. I honestly have no idea what that is.” “Tell her to go somewhere else,” my manager replied. I returned to break the news. “I’m sorry, but we don’t carry turduckens, and I’m not sure what that is.” She informed me that not only was it all the rage but simply put, “You just stuff a duck inside of a chicken, stuff that inside of a turkey, and then cook it all together.” Unfortunately, a little research showed this was not an isolated incident and that several local grocery stores were advertising this Frankenstein’s monster of an animal. This interaction served as a vivid reminder that it is once again November, and this means American families are gearing
up for the holiday season. A recent trip to a local department store revealed that corporations are already dedicating entire aisles to Christmas décor, and it seems retailers are allowing Thanksgiving to pass as a mere holiday side-note. Were corporations really willing to forgo mentioning a holiday that so accurately portrays our nation’s history? Are they forgetting that Thanksgiving is arguably America’s favorite holiday? While many would argue Christmas is embedded in the hearts and minds of American Citizens, I believe Thanksgiving takes precedence, and this boils down to one simple reason: Americans love food, and they love gluttonous amounts of it. Each year, American families dig into feasts of epic proportions, capable of meeting the caloric needs of a small village in the Sudan. While these meals vary regionally, there are the constant and recognizable staples of a traditional Thanksgiving feast: green-bean casserole, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and, of course, the crown jewel: the turkey. As the month of November goes on, I will cut-up, package, and stock thousands of turkeys. Being employed in a meat department has given me an intriguing insight into how absolutely outof-control culinary exploration is getting. If cooking a 20-pound bird isn’t American enough for you, then stuff a duck inside of a chicken, stuff that inside
of a turkey, and cook it all together. Though this should be utterly shocking, over the last couple years, the turducken has become more common. It seems that consumers are growing accustomed to this trinity of birds. This year, why stop with just a turducken? I propose something even more radical, something even more American: the osturducken. In the words of John Madden “Go big, or go home.” Essentially, this new creation is a duck stuffed inside of a chicken, stuffed inside of a turkey, stuffed inside the body cavity of an ostrich, and cooked altogether. Since I would like nothing more than families across the country to be able to experience this manmade wonder, I have included a few simple instructions on how to prepare your very own osturducken. If you are following along in the kitchen, place this article at a safe distance. This will get messy.
sustain being deep-fried at an extremely high temperature. This brings us to step 6. Step 6: CAREFULLY place the osturducken into a very large deep fryer, and cook until the core of the bird-combination is at 165 degrees. Step 7: Allow the bird(s) to cool, and then slice it however you determine best.
Step 1: Remove all the bones from the four birds. If you
can’t figure this out, I’m positive your local butcher will be more than happy to assist you. This step is essential, as it allows the other birds to be stretched to fit more inside of them. Step 2: Take the cream of mushroom soup and mix it into the cooked white rice. Step 3: Stuff each bird with the rice/soup mixture until full. Step 4: Place the duck inside of the chicken, the chicken inside of the turkey, and the turkey inside of the ostrich. Step 5: Tie the new creation tightly with butcher-grade twine. There should be no legs or wings loose, and it should be secure enough to
favorite sport either, but the young Avalanche squad has started off the season hot and they find themselves sitting near the top of their division. It’s obviously too early to tell if our boys on the ice are the real deal, but it’s something, and something is better than nothing. And that’s exactly what this NBA lockout has promised us: nothing. The Nuggets left us with a bad taste in our mouths after a first round defeat in the playoffs; but what’s even worse, they left us curious. After the blockbuster Melo trade, we only got a glimpse
at our new Nuggets team. I don’t think I can wait another year to see what happens to them. And I am definitely not willing to stay up until four in the morning as LeBron takes his talent to South Beach to get my basketball fix. It just wouldn’t feel right to watch as NBA superstars dissipate into the various professional basketball leagues around the globe. I heard Dwight Howard is planning on signing with the Chicago Sky; yes, that is a WNBA team. Sometimes I sob myself to sleep in deep frustration. You can call me a fair-weather-
fan if you’d like, but I’ll still be sitting there every Sunday with my eyes peeking through my fingers while the Broncos attempt to play football. There is hope though: the Broncos will not be terrible forever, the NBA Players Association and owners will eventually agree on something, the Rockies will eventually get new owners, the Rapids could use another national championship, and the Avalanche might be playing a game right now. Just remember, when you watch them at their shittiest, it’s that much sweeter when they’re good.
You Will Need: 1 ostrich, 1 large turkey, 1 chicken, 1 duck, 5lbs of white rice, 5 cans of cream of mushroom soup.
*If you are having a hard time locating an ostrich, you can find more information at: www.rm-ostrich.com
If you survived this cooking process, you have successfully prepared one of the most disgusting, yet delicious Thanksgiving dishes possible. Enjoy being a part of a new American tradition, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
episode 2
BANDWAGON MAGAZINE PRESENTS: A NEW MONTHLY ENTRY
GIRAFFE FIGHTS A RANT FROM PATRICK RICHARDSON
These are rough times for the Colorado sports enthusiast. As the NBA season begins to rear its non-existent head, I find myself trying to fill a professional basketball-sized hole in my heart. The hopes of an NBA season are dwindling, and the shit-storm quarterback controversy in Denver is only
getting shittier and stormier. The current condition of the major Colorado sports teams can be described with one word, whatthefuck. With no Nuggets to watch this winter, what are we, the Colorado sports fans, supposed to do with our disenchanted selves? We could watch hockey. I know, I know, hockey isn’t my