MANAGING PUBLISHERS Keith Schneider Keith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Christopher Murphy CMurphy@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Cohen 303-895-1351 JCohen@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com MANAGING EDITOR Tim Wenger 303-725-9359 TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEBSITE EDITORS Tim Wenger TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Jennifer Cohen JCohen@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEBMASTER SwamiSez Web Design Swami@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com SENIOR WRITERS Sal Christ, Jenn Cohen, Carin Dawn, Chris Daniels, Ryan Edwards, Daniel Rondeau, Brett Finn, Charlie Sullivan, Swami, Mark Sundermeier, Torch, Tim Wenger PHOTOGRAPHY Miles Chrisinger, Jenn Cohen, Art Heffron INTERNSHIP Peter Munteanu ADVERTISING Lead Account Representative Chris Murphy - 720-429-8717 Account Representative Brett Finn - 719-217-9771 Finn@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com EVENT AND MAGAZINE MARKETING Chris Murphy 720-429-8717 CMurphy@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEB ADVERTISING Keith Schneider 303-870-7376 Keith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com GENERAL INQUIRIES Info@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com SPONSORSHIPS / OTHER Please email us a written request proposal for all inquires to Editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com CMB Submissions and Advertising Policy Colorado Music Buzz welcomes submissions, advertisements and sponsorships from those connected to every musical genre and style, as well as the general public. Due to our publication’s community focus, article content and advertisements containing nudity, drug references, profane words/visuals, or sexually exploitative material will not be accepted. Please feel free to voice any concerns you may have and collaborate with us to adapt what you would like to present in a way that respects both our all-ages audience and your artistic integrity. We are here for the music, and we are here for you.
Artists may submit press kits/CDs for review by mail. Please email requests for coverage directly to the editor and copy the writer of your choice in your musical style. Colorado Music Buzz Magazine, LLC P.O. Box 2739, Littleton, CO 80161
Colorado Music Buzz Magazine is published monthly by Colorado Music Buzz Magazine LLC (Publisher) and distributed to over 650 locations throughout greater Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and surrounding areas. Reproduction in any manner in whole or in part without express written consent of the Publisher is strictly prohibited. Views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher or its staff. Colorado Music Buzz Magazine LLC does not limit or discriminate based on ethnicity, gender, age, disability status, spiritual beliefs, familial status, or national origin, and does not accept editorial content or advertisements that do.
an icy, dripping wet Fuchen bottle. I read the label and smiled nodding in acceptance of his humor. Hippies find the coolest stuff. I figured another shot of something that will taste like Fuchen sh*t, but after one swig I thought, “This is f^ckin’ tasty… earthy cinnamon and something else!” He grinned with pride, “It’s blended botanicals!” I had to get the story, so pull up a seat and check this out:
Like a Fuchen Drink? Between the Covers by Torch
Torch@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Summer evening, I was sitting on the porch chillin’ and chatting with some endearingly odd hippie friends. Beach hippie boy asked me if I wanted a fucking drink. I said, “Sure and how about some damn pretzels with that!” playing along in the profanity. He reached in the cooler he was sitting on, and handed me
A couple of guys got this idea of making an all-natural, tree-hugging blended herbal liquor with the greatest name a drink could have. The t-shirt ideas are infinite, “Give me a Fuchen drink!” “That’s Fuchen Right!” or “I want a Fuchen drink!” “I am going to be Fuchen worthless at work tomorrow?” “Don’t touch my Fuchen drink.” I haven’t thought of such brilliant fun with liquor since I had my first bottle of Bitch wine. Be it profane, or a play on the profane, drinking and cussing go together like: pizza and drinking, new friends/old friends, new farts/ old farts, and drinking games; unaffiliated sex and lots of drinks, sports and drinking, wild glowing sparkly parties and mixed drinks, kinks and drinks, dogs and drinks, rock and roll and drinking, sweaty half-naked dancing and drinking, camping with bears and booze, oh my! Now the quest is on, I must share this Fuching liquid love with my other f*&king friends. So, I asked, “Where did you get this?” It was like trying to score Hostess Twinkies. I know this guy, see . . . David Hults, a local master mixologist . . .and the story goes on. Like a good Buzz(ed) reporter, I called the guy. CMB: “Hello blah blah blah . . .Colorado Music Buzz . . . I am sitting here swigging your swag and I have to ask two questions, maybe more. out the music scene this bar delivers, and why it can pull in a crowd night-after-night, seven days a week. Tommy Knoxville’s is a blues band that plays at the Appaloosa Grill every Sunday night. Made up of many musicians who play several different instruments, I had the privilege of sitting down and talking to guitarist Matt Hendricks, a Chicago native who moved to Denver back in October and has been playing at Appaloosa Grill since then. While I sat down with Hendricks I asked him about the audience, the stage, the staff, the drink specials and his thoughts on the venue.
Venue of the MonthAppaloosa Grill
by Ryan Edwards
REdwards@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
I’ve always believed that some of the best venues are hidden--not easy to find. Those bars are often referred to as “dive bars.” But sometimes, the best music venues are right in front of us. The Appaloosa Grill is one of those bars, located on the 16th St. Mall across the street from the Pavilions. Not only is it in a prime location, it’s also a bar that dedicates a lot of its time and energy to giving Denver another solid live music venue. I stopped in on a few random nights to check
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One, whaaaat wonderful craziness did you put in your Fuchen bottle? Annnnnd two, where can I buy more? Apparently this wasn’t his first Fuchen phone call after someone had a few Fuchen drinks in ‘em. David: “Glad you like it, blah blah pleasantries and laughter . . . Well, it’s a handcrafted with various botanicals - all natural ingredients, with hints of raw cinnamon and vanilla … ( I check out for a moment) … European inspired, but designed for the American palate. Bold, yet smooth, and certain to outfox your senses.” (I am pretty sure that’s what he said.) CMB: “Did you really just say outfox my senses?” (giggle, snort) David: “It’s based on the German word “Fuchs” which means “fox”. For years, people have asked my partner Pete Wilson and I how to say the name and what does it really mean. People have fun when trying to pronounce it, from the obvious “Fuchen awesome” to the Canadian “Fuchen eh”... it just never ends. Frankly, we don’t really mind how they say it, as long as they have a good time ordering it. Just think of the great drink names, and believe me we’ve heard them all, but it never gets old. We really just wanted to create a great tasting spirit with a name people won’t soon forget. Don’t you think it’s about Fuchen time people had an American herbal liqueur they could call their own?” CMB: “Okay, mighty wizard of booze, where can I get your Fuchen spiritsssss?” Somewhere in there I picked up an Irish accent even though it has a German name. Yes, I am the Fuchen Lucky Charms guy!
Bonaire, and Curacao. Locally, in CO, you can find it North of Denver in Ft. Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Greeley, Estes. If you happen to be in Ft. Collins, you can stop at Tony’s, Yeti, 100 Octane, Drunken Monkey, or pick up a bottle at Wilbers.” CMB: “Okay, I have to hear one of your funniest Fuchen drink quotes.” David: “The difference between Jager or Fuchen, is the difference between spit or swallow.” I made a follow up, (sober), fact-finding call to David, and found out that they went into production May 06, 2011, and that same month they were the first herbal liqueur to win the Gold, Best in Class, Best in Category, and Best in Division at the 76 Annual LA Wine and Spirits Competition. Paulaner HP USA (based in Colorado) has taken them under their wing and has helped them promote and distribute the Fuchen brand throughout the US and Aruba. They are hoping to soon be in the UK and Canada. Their hard work and recognition in the industry earned them an invite to the 2013 Grammy’s. David: “Since Pete had a business background, and I had an advertising creative background, it just made sense that two guys who knew nothing about the spirits industry, make an herbal liqueur . . . why not, right? Fuchen A!
David: Well, it’s available in TX, KY, NV, WI, NE, SD, TN, as well as Aruba,
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: Returning to Denver by Sal Christ
SChrist@ ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Hendricks loves the audience, because it’s usually full of people who are eager to dance, and there are always new faces, with a majority of the crowd consisting of tourists, or people on business trips looking for a bar to grab a drink. The stage is tight, but they make it work, and the Appaloosa Grill has a sound guy and a good PA system. Hendricks thinks the staff is amazing, because they take care of their musicians any way they can; often hooking them up with drink specials and food. As for Hendricks overall thoughts on the venue, “Five stars, really, just two thumbs up, I love this place.”
Saturday night at the Bluebird Theater was not an evening for the vertically challenged, but one didn’t need to see Jon Spencer, Judah Bauer, or Russell Simins to experience the heart-stopping, earsplitting adventure that is the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. With a sweaty, almost punk-fueled kickoff, the band bent the energy around an almost full house where even the floor vibrated under the weight of every foot stomping in time with the beat.
After that night, I went in again on a night that I thought would be slower; however, it wasn’t. Greg Schochet is a guitarist who plays for the band Hi-Beams, but on this night was filling in and playing for the band Impromptu, a Gypsy swing band. Schochet agrees about the audience being upbeat night-in and night-out, as well as the stage being tight, yet having decent sound. Schochet also heavily appreciates the staff, “There fantastic, very supportive of the live music.” And his final thoughts on the Appaloosa Grill? “It’s a really up and coming music venue.”
When their album, Acme, hit shelves in 1998, I’d never heard anything quite like their brand of rock and roll. Amidst whatever cassette tapes and vinyl I’d pilfered from my folks, what came out of the speakers left stardust in my eyes. In short, for the loner in Wonder Bread suburbia who listened to college radio, the record found a place among all the classic rock I inherited from an uncle whose tastes ranged from Jimi Hendrix to Steppenwolf. Although the band hasn’t toured for a new studio album in several years, Saturday night was a conversation among old friends.
July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Gravelly guitar riffs paired with Simins’ unfailing schizophrenic drumming were spooning companions to Bauer’s exceptional harmonica seething and the oft warm and orange twang of old material and new: “Chicken Dog,” “Blues X Man,” and “Magical Colors” all made savory appearances over the course of the night. As Saturday night bled into Sunday morning, the band reiterated the point they’ve made since introducing the world to their deliciously rough turn on tunes: these musicians still create the blood that pumps through the veins of blues rock…in essence, they make and perpetuate the pulse. Online: thejonspencerbluesexplosion.com
Denver’s Zeta Kaye House, owned and operated by John Baxter, is putting together Volume 5 of the popular This Ain’t No Cowtown compilation series. The comps are a collection of local artists coming together not only to spread their music, but also to raise money for a worthy cause.
ZetaKaye House Raises Funds for Mike Marchant Through This Ain’t No Cowtown Comp by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Americana Music & Art Festival Returns to Florence, Aug. 23-25 editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
One of the breakout acts of 2013, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside – http://sallieford. com/site - will headline Friday, August 23, at the Americana Music & Art Festival in Florence, Colorado. Executive Producer, Charlette Henager, recounted, “The second year Festival is attracting some of the top musical talent on the Americana, Indie-Rock, Folk, and Bluegrass scene” with other artists such as the Greencards, You Me & Apollo, and the Flumps performing during the August 23–25 entertainment and art exhibition event. Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside‘s new record Untamed Beast is a visceral rock and roll romp. “Like a cross between Ella Fitzgerald and Tom Waits (Mashable) Sallie has established herself as one of the most powerful female voices in indie rock.” In 2011, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside made their national television debut on David Letterman, were one of the most talked about new performers at Bonnaroo, the Newport Folk Fest and Bumbershoot, and were championed by Jack White and the Avett Brothers. Now the Americana Music & Art Festival in Florence, Colorado, will have Sallie and her talented band as the headliner on opening night, August 23. The Americana Festival will be utilizing the innovative online ticketing company Brown Paper Tickets. The Not-Just-For-Profit ticketing company has the lowest ticketing fee in the country, excellent live 24/7 customer service, and donates a 5% of the profits from each ticket sold to charities in the category of the ticket-buyer’s choice at the time of purchase. All of the Festival ticketing prior to the event will be handled through Brown Paper
The cause for Volume 5 is possibly the most worthy yet, being a fundraiser for long-time Denver music scene icon Mike Marchant (Widowers, Houses, Mike Marchant’s Outer Space Party Unit). The compilation should be out by midAugust and will be available for download and donation at thisaintnocowtown. bandcamp.com.
Diagnosed on December 23 with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stage 2, Marchant was put into heavy chemo treatment until recently when he was placed into a short, localized radiation treatment. The disease is currently in remission; however, the medical bills are still piling high and paid downloads of the compilation aim to take a good whack at those bills and help keep Marchant’s stress level in check. “I am incredibly grateful that I am healthy and grateful for all the love and support I have received from the community,” says Marchant. Baxter started the compilation series in 2011, “In order to assist Colorado bands reach new and different audiences, through the medium of a free downloadable compilation,” he says. All donations through the Bandcamp page will be deposited directly into Marchant’s bank account to assist with medical bills. Once the album is released, fundraiser parties of many types will commence to help push the record
and help raise more money. Submissions for the compilation will be accepted through July 31, and can be emailed to thisaintnocowtown@ gmail.com. “It’s been anywhere from hip-hop to death metal,” says Baxter. “It’s called a Colorado comp. It’s open to everyone. It gets the word about new artists through it. I use a new local artist to do the artwork for the cover for every volume. On this one, we have a friend of Mike’s doing it, her name is Dara.” The ongoing process aims to not only raise a sum of money once, but to become an ongoing process of consistent help. “He’s going to continue treatment, and the treatments are a few hundred dollars every time he’s going to go,” says Baxter. “And that’s not doctor visits, that not tests. To continue to do that, it mounts pretty quickly.” Marchant has a few words of wisdom going for our readers. “Don’t get cancer because treatment is terrible. Also, swollen lymph nodes don’t always just mean you have a bug. Go see a doc now and then no matter how healthy you think you are. Pay attention to your body and always buy American made Fender tube amps.” Online: facebook.com/zetakayehouse
Tickets. Visit the Americana website www. americanamusicandart.com and find out how easy it is to purchase tickets! The first Americana Music & Art Festival showcased 28 bands and 20 visual artists while raising $5,000 for regional charities. 2013 plans project substantial growth in attendance and production values as well as relocation to a more “crowd friendly” shade tree outdoor environment in Florence, Colorado’s Pioneer Park. The Americana Music and Art Festival will feature a vast array of musical genres including renowned Folk, Blues, Bluegrass, and Indie performers from around the United States. The festival is a grass roots event produced by Frog Dawg Productions that not only focuses on bringing quality entertainment to Florence, CO, but is designed to increase economic stimulation through tourism, raise community awareness for local non-profit groups and become the showcase event for Southern Colorado. Local artist Mary Shell will host the Art Show, and at least 20 projected art exhibitors are expected. Estimated attendance is 12,000-15,000, and parking is free throughout Florence. Performance Schedule is Friday, August 23 from 4pm-11pm, Saturday, August 24 from 10am-11pm, and Sunday, August 25 from 10am-4pm. Fun for the whole family!
July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
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ReverbNation Featured Artists of the Month give five independent artists who have not previously been featured in Colorado Music Buzz the opportunity to not only get their bio in the magazine, but also get their tracks on Music Buzz LIVE Radio (Wednesdays from 6-8 pm on callywoodradio.com) and get on our radar with what they have upcoming. Each month we select a varied group of musicians to showcase based on the music they have posted on the ReverbNation profiles.
Moses Jones Band Moses Jones aims to fulfill peoples need to jump, move and groove to a beat that just won’t stop. We offer a wide variety of music from the songs of yesterday through today - music that your guests will know and love. The band features a tight rhythm section, solid horns and smooth vocals. We have an amazing sound that will make your next event truly memorable! So if you’re looking for a band that will truly deliver a sensational and entertaining experience, check us out. Moses Jones is the band that will wow your guests time and time again. reverbnation.com/mosesjonesband
Megan Redmond \With her debut EP freshly released, Megan Redmond continues to climb the ranks and collect accolades in the country music world. As a young and emerging artist, Megan has been making a name for herself in Nashville these past few years thanks to a strong work ethic and an incomparable passion for music. The Colorado-raised singer released her debut EP, Dreamland on January 31st, 2012, with her first single Falling hitting radio the same week. Falling quickly caught the attention of country music and was placed on industry news leader ALLACCESS.COM’s “Cool New Country” highlight list. Falling then landed on mega radio powerhouse Clear Channel Media’s show on hot new country propelling Falling onto the Top 100 Country charts on both Mediabase and Nielsen BDS. Megan will hit fairs and festivals this upcoming spring, summer, and fall, in support of the release and welcoming new supporters to her fan base. reverbnation.com/meganredmond
Television Generation Television Generation is an alternative rock band from Denver. Bringing back a bit of anger and nihilism. Because everything is too happy now. ... reverbnation.com/televisiongeneration
Wandering Monks Wandering Monks’ music is unlike most hip hop you’ll hear, old or new. Their sound is a distinct, yet cohesive amalgam. Their lyrics – always deliberate, never convenient – inform and challenge without resorting to soap-boxing. Their captivating choruses weave gems of insight and truth through layers of danceable beats, producing sincere messages that convey anything BUT the hedonistic indifference found in most popular club music. The group depicts a wide array of well-researched social issues in their rhymes, but more importantly, their music portrays positive messages of gratitude and self-empowerment. Wandering Monks’ gift is appealing to audiences across many demographic spectrums: age, gender, cultural, and even habitual hip hop listeners vs. non-hip hop fans alike. reverbnation.com/wanderingmonks
The Dead Side Are you tired of the pop on the radio? So are we. Here in The Dead Side, we rebel against the notion that electric throbbing in 4/4 time is artful. If you miss The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins, or Jimi Hendix, then we think we could be friends. Give our first studio album Cabin Fever a listen, or purchase it on iTunes no matter where you are in the world! reverbnation.com/thedeadside
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July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Acoustic Circus Compilation – Vol III
By the Swami Swami@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
How lucky are we in Denver to have local artists and promoters come together to put together a unique series of albums? Acoustic Circus Vol III continues the fine art of having local artists share their songs in a stripped down format. As with Vol. II, the production and overall quality is top notch for catching an artist in a live setting. Vocals on top, good sound acoustics, and of course quality tunes really make for a collectable CD for local fans. Stand out tracks include for me included Stu Miller’s “I Got You”, Strip the Stars “28 Days”, Zuet’s “Shells” and Dimmer Switch’s “Waiting For You.” 17 total tracks are featured on the disc. I strongly suggest you get down to the Toad Tavern in Littleton on Aug 9th and 10th and catch the artists on the disc in a live setting along with a few surprises. $8 gets you in the door and the first 125 people that attend will get a copy of the disc as well. Show your support to our local musicians and to the great people that put this together.
Ivory Circleentropy
John Bunzli
by Tim Wenger
by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Connie Hong is on to something with her project Ivory Circle. Mellow but traumatic, emotional and honest, the EP entropy is a five-song journey into her mind, which takes the listener on a climbing journey into what soft, melodious indie rock can do. “Scarlet Letter Girl” is the catchiest tune on the disc, with a dominating piano line that plants a dancing image of a woman struggling to find her way. Impressive for a solo project, Hong herself lays down the vocals and piano, and splits percussion duties with Chris Beeble (the Say So). The record, at times, paints an image of Hong putting on a poignant and arousing performance in a dark, smoky bar. Online: ivorycircle.com
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
The Whiskey Bottles-Grandville by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
John Bunzli’s new album of demo sessions does not sound like a demo. The record is well put together, featuring strong instrumentation and Bunzli’s twangy, folky voice, singing slightly humorous but relatable songs.
The Whiskey Bottles bring a fresh take on Americana with their new album Grandville. Molly Orlando’s vocals are seminally poppy, but with enough country twang to head up the country image that the band portrays.
Hints of rock, country, and folk perpetrate the disc creating a sound that is mellow, but loud, and an easy listen. “Inhabit Me” is the strongest on the album, an upbeat track with a blissful rhythm guitar line and strong solo. Also of note is the track “Big Sur California,” a bit more country-rock than the rest of the disc and with a darker undertone, painting a vivid picture of a child finding his father murdered.
Fusions of country and rock stand stiffly with the Americana heart, creating a well-rounded sound perfect for just about any bar situationfrom a small town honky-tonk to the Grizzly Rose and all the way to downtown Denver. “Powder and the Keg,” a solid slow number, conveying solemn emotion, and “Baby, You’re Bad Luck,” a more upbeat country tune, stuck out as the strongest tracks on the record.
Online: johnbunzli.com
Online: thewhiskeybottles.com
Hot Apostles
by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Denver rockers Hot Apostles spared nothing on their new self-titled full length. Eryn Swissdorf’s powerful vocals are reminiscent of rock music from the ’80s spliced with a heavy dose of modern flare, and Tay Hamilton’s guitar parts make for a perfect intense match up. The band mixes elements of hard rock, pop, and plain old rock-n-roll to provide a swift kick in the ass for their fans. And they are sure to attract a hungry horde of new addicts craving more of the blazing energy present throughout the disc. They throw some organ and keys in for extra flavor. Picture the raw, rocking essence of hair metal mixed with the diligence of well-produced pop, and you have the basic formula for Hot Apostles--rock and roll the way it was meant to be. Online: hotapostles.com Elway-leavetaking
The Widow’s Bane-Don’t Be Afraid, It’s Only Death
by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Exotic, dark, and harrowing, all words that come to mind when listening to the pirate-themed death polka of The Widow’s Bane’s new record Don’t Be Afraid, It’s Only Death. Danceable rock from the land beneath, the record sounds a lot like a satanic version of Gogol Bordello- swapping the upbeat, jovial beats and replacing them with ominous and mellow tunes that, despite their dark nature, are impossible not to nod your head to. Songs like “Ancestral Ray” and “The Plague” tell murky stories with what can only be described as a fun twist, making for an album that holds the attention of the listener like Todd Helton holds down first base.
Matt Nasi BandAnticipation
by Jenn Cohen
JCohen@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Anticipation, the latest release from Denver locals, Matt Nasi Band, is light-hearted, soulful and poppy at the same time. The 9 tracks have a happy feel to them. “Unsafe and Sound” has a very catchy melody, and beautiful, emotive lyrics. “Cold Front” and “Curtains” are upbeat while delivering thoughtful messages. The album sends you off with the tender and soothing song, “The Wait.” Anticipation is scheduled for a release party on July 20 at the Walnut Room. Online: mattnasiband.com
Online: facebook.com/thewidowsbane
by Jenn Cohen
JCohen@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There’s not a bad track on this full-length release, leavetaking, from Fort Collins locals, Elway. When a formula works, why change it? Mastering the pause before the punch, Elway stays with the tried-and-true formula of punk rock: catchy melodies, thoughtful lyrics questioning authority and religion, and aggressive guitar style. One of my favorite tracks, “The Great Divorce” opens the album with a tenderness that remains even when the guitars kick in. “One Flew West,” is easily my favorite track, harboring lyrics as painful as they are powerful. First run through, I couldn’t help but think of Bad Religion, and that’s not a bad thing. Repeat? Yes, please. Online: facebook.com/ElwayTheBand
Rumours Follow
by Jenn Cohen
JCohen@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
This album, just completed at the Blasting Room, is sure to be a hit with people who love “love” and anyone who’s had their heart broken. “Where were you when I was lost and broken?” All the songs have an American Rock feel, with a slight Rocky Mountain twang, and are very easy to listen to. The songs are retrospective and sentimental, “Do you ever fall in love just because they’ve fallen for you?” and delivered in various ways; at times, poppy, and other times mellow. Online: facebook.com/rumoursfollow
July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
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“We all have a destiny, but it’s never what we expect.”
What’s in a Name?
by Jenn Cohen photos: Art Heffron Photography
Sarah (def.) princess : 2 nd youngest, violin Hannah (def.) grace : eldest, piano Eva (def.) life : between Hannah and Sarah, lead vocals, mandolin Liza (def.) oath of God : youngest, percussion/drums (polyrhythmic, no less) What began as four sisters playing at church events, led to playing back up for their singer/songwriter father in a bluegrass band, eventually progressed to their father backing them up, and ultimately, to the present amazingness and uniqueness that is SHEL. As you read this interview, keep in mind the meanings of their names, defined above, as the sisters reveal who is most likely to offer comfort in a time of crisis, who is most likely to get her party on, and what will happen to SHEL if one of these sisters decides (is allowed) to get married one day. Sitting with the lovely Fort Collins sisterquartet, SHEL, I witnessed a simple, effortless relationship. Four wise-beyondtheir-years sisters, laughed easily and often throughout our conversation. Different personalities ranging from easy-going to introspective, contribute to how these four sisters manage to live together, work together and play together, without going crazy. It’s not often that such abundant talent oozes from one gene pool. However, SHEL is one of those anomalies, and unique in so many ways that it shouldn’t be surprising. One thing that makes SHEL unique is how they manage their working relationship and family relationship so harmoniously, when many bands, who aren’t related, can’t keep the trivial details from destroying what they’ve worked so hard to achieve. “Early on, we got an idea from our parents of what would be necessary to succeed,” says Eva quietly, from behind a substantial amount of natural curls. “They told us, ‘If you work really hard, you could have a future in music.’ And along with that, they were present for arguments. When we fought, they basically said, ‘You can’t work together like this. If you’re going to be successful, you need to be able to resolve conflicts with one another, or it’s not going to work.’ So that constant reminder of, ‘If you can’t work through this, or if you don’t practice, you won’t be able to have a successful career,’ helped. Resolving conflicts, getting along, and respecting each other.” “We have a unique dynamic, because we work together, but we’re family,” adds Sarah, who enhanced our interview with a frequent, lovely, smile on her face during our chat. “So basically, it breaks down to, if you have an argument or a fight about something that has to do with work, you have to work it out because you have to be professional, on one hand, and you have to work it out because you’re still family. You’re always going to be family, so if it’s something stupid, it’s like, ‘Oh come on, we’re related, we’re family,
we’re just gonna stick together through this.’ And then when something stupid on the family side [comes up], you have to work through it because you have to be professional and maintain the working relationship. So I think in its own unique way, it’s really helped us with our dynamic because we have both sides. So, we do fight, but we absolutely have to work it out, otherwise, we won’t survive. And Liza is the glue that holds it all together, we couldn’t do this without Liza.” Adds Hannah, “Liza is the one that each of us would want to share a room with. We get to the hotel and there are two beds, and we’re like, ‘I get to sleep with Liza!’” Liza wonders why they feel that way. “Because you’re the backbone, musically, but you’re the backbone anyway,” says Sarah. “Without you in the van with us, we would all drive each other crazy.” Adds Eva, “It’s probably because she’s the most low-maintenance, and the most likely to do something kind for you. She has a servant’s heart, and sometimes you need somebody to go to. She’s always a good neutral party.” In between laughing fits, inside stories, and friendly sisterly jabs, we got around to how much of their talent is a gift, and how much had to be learned. “Liza was the only one who was obviously, naturally gifted with rhythm,” says Sarah. “The rest of us had to work really hard to get anywhere, and that’s not to say there wasn’t some musical talent in there, but I was terrible at the violin for a couple of years.” (Hard to believe.) “I remember entering fiddle contests and losing all the time, but Liza is naturally good.” “We were homeschooled,” says Liza. “School was part of our everyday life. We would play in the youth group at church sometimes. Anytime I got up with the youth group, I was petrified. I didn’t really play drums at that point, I had tried a couple times, but I was very embarrassed, actually, cause I hadn’t really started playing yet, so I gave it a go and I was like, ‘I’m never doing this again.’” Adds Sarah, “She played harp at that time.” “There was never any room for [the harp],” says Liza, “except around Christmas or special things at the church, which, even then I was playing with my siblings, so it wasn’t like I was getting up with the band or anything. It was something we did at home and out with our dad at coffee shops, too.” So even dad has the musical gene. “He was the leader of the band for awhile, then it switched over,” says Sarah. “It started with us backing him up, to him being a part of the band, to him backing us up, to him not being a part of it period. And our mom is still kind of in the mix a little bit with the Colorado stuff. Whenever we do a Colorado show, (like when we did Strings and Wood, she came and sold the merch, and she does the online stuff.” Seemingly unaffected or unaware by their formidable force in the music world, we
discussed what would happen if someone wanted to get married, or decided they were just done? Everyone has different dreams, if one sister left, would SHEL be finished? “We were just talking about that, actually,” says Eva. “We decided that if somebody ever left SHEL, it wouldn’t be SHEL anymore, which was not an intentional thing in the beginning when we made the name an acronym, but it worked, because if one person leaves, one letter would be gone, and you couldn’t spell SHEL anymore. But, beyond that, we just wouldn’t be SHEL without every member in the band.” “It’s one of those things that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately,” says Hannah. “I would love to be living in Boston right now, but these guys aren’t into it so much. We like the idea of Nashville, we’ve talked about L.A. a little bit, we’ve talked about New York. It’s one of those things that if we’re going to keep touring and keep doing what we’re doing, we have to stick together. I’ve been thinking about this lately, that SHEL needs to become famous; that’s ultimately what’s going to have to happen for me to do all the things that I want to do, this is what it’s going to take. So, that’s my goal before I’m 30, that SHEL will be famous.” Listening intently to Hannah answer this question, Eva takes an introspective moment before responding. “I think it’s interesting that you say that because I came to a conclusion that I feel is almost the opposite of what you’re saying,” she says. “It was the philosophy of fame. I was thinking about how [fame]-- it’s unimportant. The goal or ambition to be famous doesn’t really mean anything at the end of the day. “We talk all the time about how success is different, and for me, I had a personal realization that doing something with the ambition of becoming famous takes the joy out of it. I realize that what I love about what we do, and my part in it personally, is the interaction with fans that we have right now, and I feel really lucky that we have people who support us right now, and that having that close connection with them—that’s where the magic is for me, and I don’t want to reach that point where fans become numbers so that I can live a particular lifestyle. “I always want to have that connection with them, and I want to make music that touches their lives. We received a fan letter from a young man who just lost his sister, his grandfather, and one of his best friends all in the same month. He has synesthesia; he hears colors. He wrote us this letter and he said, ‘Your music has helped me get through this really hard time,’ and said, ‘I don’t usually write fan mail, but your music is the most colorful music I’ve ever listened to.’ He sent us watercolors of what he saw. It was the biggest reward— numbers mean nothing. “This is why we make music, this is why we make art at all, is to touch people and share that experience with them. It’s called music business for a reason, but there becomes this ambition and this goal that “we need to make music like this or that so we can sell more, so we can get more fans; and it’s all the more-ness of it, I guess. I want to be grateful and excited about the fact that our music is touching people, and I don’t want to change it for the sake of more-ness. I just want it to be what it is and do what it’s gonna do.” “Aaaand, that’s why this dynamic works!” Says Sarah, breaking the silent awe that had filled the room. “Hannah and I are business minded, especially Hannah. Like, “This is what needs to happen to be here at this time. So she has this 5-year plan, and I’m like, ‘This is what we need to get home. ’ This is a discussion we literally just had. Eva is the dreamer. Eva is the main songwriter, she pulls everything together, and that’s how it works, because we’re all different.” So if someone falls in love . . . “We’ve already decided that nobody’s getting married,” says Sarah, laughing. “No one’s dating, no one’s getting married.” “It feels like you’re married to the band,” adds Hannah. “If I fly out to Boston to see my friends, that impacts our practice schedule, so I think in a lot of ways, it’s really good training for later in life, for like when we do get married, because, I’m sorry, but someday I’m probably going to . . . (laughing)” How would each sister describe the others? Eva: “Sarah,vibrant; Liza, laid back and upbeat like a Red Bull/Vodka drink; Hannah, class and beauty.” Hannah: “Eva, genius; Sarah, gregarious; Liza, party.” Liza: (tearing up) “Eva, this is meant as a compliment so I hope it comes across; innocence and innocent in the absolute best way, and I would also couple that with genuine. Sarah, oh my gosh, you’re kinda my favorite--I would say partner in crime because we can party and have lots of fun, and at the end of the night, we’re still okay with each other. Hannah, you absolutely are my older sister—not that you guys aren’t—you are the one who helps me if I have a question about something. If I’m going through something, I will come to you to talk about it. So teacher, wisdom. Sarah: “Eva, straight-up creative; Liza, understanding about anything that goes on; Hannah, loving, loveable.” Final words or shout outs? “Moraine Music. Dianna Maher is our publisher and acting manager, and her father, Brent Maher (think 6-time Grammy Award winner) is our producer,” says Eva. “They’ve really invested in us over the years. In the past five years, they’ve been with us through everything with the labels, and with the bigger management team, and they’ve been the ones who’ve stuck by us, pushed through with us, and not given up on us. And Dain and Evan at Vinefield are the agents that book our shows.” Check out upcoming shows at shelmusic.com and catch them at UMS in mid July!
Appaloosa Grill, at 535 16th St., is run by the good fellas of the band Oakhurst. CMB: Talk about why and how you got this business going. AG: We were simply working jobs in the restaurant biz for the flexible schedule that made making music possible. Then through the network of great musicians, we developed as Oakhurst, and passion for the corner of 16th & Welton we manifested ownership of the Appaloosa. We will always be grateful to the Wynkoop Brewing Company for letting us build Appaloosa in our own image then selling it to us. CMB: Does running the business ever interfere with band stuff?
Musicians Can Be Businessmen, Too. . .Just Ask These Guys (and Gal) by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
It is no secret that Colorado has an amazing music community. But what do all of these musicians do when they aren’t tearing up the stage with their sweet rocking skills? Well, as it turns out, some of them have pretty good business heads on their shoulders. Colorado Music Buzz caught up with a few such vendor-savvy people, and got the lowdown on how they got into running a business, and how it connects with their music .
AG: Food is a passion just like music for us. They go hand in hand for guys like us. CMB: Got any awesome specials? AG: We make EVERYTHING in house--dressings, ketchup, mustard, mayo, Bloody Mary Mix. We also source locally and provide our customers dishes lovingly prepared with organic produce and all natural proteins. Love is our specialty. CMB: Does being a musician seem to help business? Or have any effect on it at all? AG: We love food and we love music. For us the two have always had each other’s back so to speak. Seeing a place basically run from a musician’s mentality makes it interesting to customers. The juggling ain’t so bad when you love what you do. CMB: How did you learn to run a business? Any background? AG: All the partners have mixed backgrounds; college, life, fatherhood, tour management, bus repair, bar-tending, entertaining, song writing/ story telling, passion, Norse parade kings, leadership, listening skills, are all built into our vision for Appaloosa and Oakhurst. What we have learned is that everyone can be reached through one of the senses and though we aim for the ears and tongue mostly the results that satisfy us are when people walk away wanting more.
The multi-faceted Brandi Shigley Brandi Shigley makes happy music. Her band B. Sue is the amalgamation of her dream to do what she loves. She is also one of Denver’s most versatile business owners. She has owned a diverse cornucopia of small companies, including a handbag design business, a marketing company, and a fashion development company. She does everything from PR to consulting, and even offers up her studio on Bannock Street for fashion shows and other events. “My career and what I do is who I am,” says Shigley. “I don’t, at five o’clock, turn into a pumpkin. The overall theme is ‘do what you love, love what you do.’ I help dreamers become doers. I also run a fashion company called Fashion Denver. We promote and bring together local designers and help them grow their businesses. I also have another company, b.23 Productions. This is more focused on any business. I do small business development and event production.” “My first business I ever started, B. Shigley Designs, I was a handbag designer; then b.23 Productions, my marketing company, and B.Sue (my band). The B is always me. B.Sue in French means to kiss, but it’s also my name. I sing a few songs in French that I’ve written. With B.Sue, I write the music, play the keyboard, and sing. “I feel like live, we’re a little more rock and roll, but the happiness is consistent.”
Universal Music Company, 1200 E. 104th Ave. Thornton, CO, is owned by Gary Patterson. Online: dowhatyoulove.us, bsuelovesyou.com CMB: Talk about how and why the business got going. UMC: Universal Music Company is a family-run business, & we first opened our doors in 1963 in the north Denver area. We haven’t always been at this 104th & Washington location, but here in this area. My dad, Jim, is a drummer, I am a drummer, & the family followed their passion & opened a music store. CMB: Does running the business ever interfere with band stuff?
Goombas Pizza Grinder, 10050 Ralston Road-D in Arvada, was opened recentl by Yuli Papastergiou, former drummer of A Memory Down. CMB: Talk about why and how you got this business going.
GPG: My dad had approached my brother Nico and myself back in November 20 and told us that if we could find a place in a good location with reasonable month rent that we would be able to get funding from some of our family members in Greece. So my brother found a location the very next day and about a week later we were working on business licenses, menu concept and interior renovation etc On April 1, 2013 Goombas Pizza Grinder had officially opened. CMB: Does running a business ever interfere with band stuff?
GPG: No. The reason being is, in early November, I had parted ways with my former band, A Memory Down, due to the fact I wasn’t going to be able to tou extensively because of personal and financial situations. I took the split up pretty hard because I love nothing m in life than playing drums on stage. It the ultimate feeling whether or not it is front of the guys or in front of a thousan people. It is my drug of choice. I still talk with many of the guys in AMD and we are still brothers to this day. I will return to the stage again as soon as my business can function regularly without me being required to be there every day from open close. Whether I return to A Memory Down or start a new band remains to be see and it would have to be the right time and it would obviously be something that th guys and I collectively could agree on. In the mean time, I truly wish my boys all the success in the world because I know as good as anyone else that they deser it, but I absolutely do plan to get back into the music scene within a year - more stronger, more focused and more fired up than ever! :) CMB: Got any awesome specials?
GPG: We do various specials daily, whether it is 10% off, or five dollars off any order of 25 or more. We are a pizzeria but we run it like a quality restaurant as fa as overall standards, expectations, food quality and service are concerned. We a barely two months old and already the buzz for Goombas is very strong and we also have a cult following too! CMB: Does being a musician seem to help business, or have any affect on it at all?
GPG: It absolutely does! Being in AMD, it was and still is very much a business (A Memory Down is signed to Turkey Vulture records and are currently touring), and you begin to understand the nuts and bolts from a business aspect. I learned quite a bit from my days in the band and also projecting my musical skill-set into the restaurant business and vice versa. For example, in both band and restauran you have to be sound and precise with your timing and execution. Being quick als helps. Critical thinking, social skills are a must on each front - plus marketing and promotion plays a huge role in both sides of the spectrum. CMB: How did you learn to run a business? Any background?
GPG: This is my first job as role of owner. I have been working in the restaurant business since I was fifteen years of age. That is 20 years of learning and growin and yes, suffering. But in this business, it takes tough skin and the ability to take criticism. The same holds true for performing in a band. Having an opportunity and chances to grow in both the music and culinary world have been an amazing ride, for both good and not so good. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Online: facebook.com/goombaspizzagrinder
UMC: Running a business definitely takes up most of my time, but that is the benefit of owning your own music store. If I can’t meet with the band for a bit, I can at least practice my parts all day while helping customers & other day-to-day CMB: Got any awesome specials? UMC: We always have specials!! We can do 50% off cymbals, Zildjian or Sabian. We are also having a blowout guitar sale, & we can do trades, rentals, or layaway. Here at Universal we will work with you because we want you to get what you CMB: Does being musician help or have any effect on business? UMC: Being a musician helps very much. I can talk to the customer about drums & recommend them the right product or give them advice. And not just about drums, after being around music all my life, I can help with just about anything. Being some way, they immediately know they can trust me to get them the right gear. Being a musician help us make contacts & network for Universal because Denver’s scene is filled with musicians that want to help one another & spread the word secret in the music business world. CMB: How did you learn to run a business? Any background? UMC: My dad ran the business before me, so I learned along the way. You pick up tricks of the trade as you go. Owning your own business has its ups & downs, but that’s the beauty if it. To figure out different ways to market yourself to be able & music, working with public schools & giving lessons on multiple instruments etc. so that makes it rewarding as well.
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July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
being done. And, I’m like mom, you’re taking all the tickets and the fans can’t get them. Regardless, both our moms are so supportive and have been a big part of who we are today. I don’t think they actually understand where we are in our music career now because they are just so die-hard DIY and push our shows, help with our marketing and are just there to do whatever we need.
Large Marge’s Philly Cheesesteaks is owned and operated by Brett and Johnson of Denver punkers Synthetic Elements. CMB: Talk about how and why you got business going. LM: We practice in my (Johnson’s) basement and Large Marge’s is right down the street. Every Monday Brett and I would get together in the mornings and work on other projects we have going on. We would break for lunch at Large Marge’s before meeting up with Synthetic Elements to practice in the afternoons. Marge wanted to retire and was going to close the doors for good. We needed some cheesesteaks. She offered to sell it to us and we joked back and forth a few times until Brett and I seriously looked into the numbers and business of purchasing from her. We decided it would be a smart investment so here we are…. CMB: Does running the business ever interfere with band stuff? LM: Running the business can interfere with band stuff sometimes yes. As with anything, schedules have to work out with one another. We all have our own things going on outside of Synthetic Elements so we make sure to try and have all the schedules not effect each other, however we all understand there are certain times of year that are busier or slower compared to other times, whether that is for family or business. CMB: Got any awesome specials? LM: MENTION THIS COLORADO MUSIC BUZZ ARTICLE AND RECEIVE A FREE FRY & DRINK COMBO!! We offer a combo for touring bands, which entitles them to an Original Cheesesteak with a side of fries and a fountain drink for $5. We are HUGE supporters of the men and women serving this country so we may live free and safe. Those people include all Military, Police, Fire Fighters, and EMTs. To thank them for their service, we offer discounts on their meals. If they bring us one of their unit patches to hang on our wall, we gladly give them their sandwich for free that day. CMB: Does being musician help or have any effect on business? LM: Being a musician hasn’t had much effect on business other then we have gained many life experiences through Synthetic Elements. Living in a van touring for 10+ years throughout America and Asia will teach you a lot of life lessons that aren’t taught in schools or college. There is a lot of good to speak for college, if that’s for you, as for us, we will take the life experience route traveling the world, meeting interesting people of different cultures, countries, and life experiences. BOOM SON!! C MB: How did you learn to run a business? Any background? LM: We both have worked in restaurants since the beginning of us working because it is the only industry that allowed us to come and go when we pleased, to leave on tour with Synthetic Elements. Through the different restaurants and jobs, we have gained management experience and decided that if we are working hard for someone else, why don’t we work hard for ourselves instead! DAMN THE MAN!! We are learning every day as we go, are we ever done learning? I hope not.
operations. We don’t tour or anything, so most of my time is spent here at Universal.
CMB: What else about your childhood helped shape you into who you are today? T: When I was 5, my mom asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I told her I wanted to play basketball. So my dad built a court, and part of my schooling (yes, we were both homeschooled!) everyday was to practice. I believe that my parent’s really instilled a strong work ethic in me that I carry with me still today. If you’re not the best at whatever it is you try to do, what’s the point?
Up and Away With Twenty One Pilots by. Brett Finn
Finn@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com To say this band from Columbus, Ohio is in a league of it’s own, well, that would be a grave understatement. The pair that is Twenty One Pilots, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, have a style that is irreplicable. Twenty One Pilots music is a complex mixture of piano-driven beats, soul reaching drums and synthetic back tracks layered all together as Schizoid Pop and topped off with a unique style of energetic rapping and poetic slams. The music is incredible, but the live performance, well, that’s something that you just can’t convey onto a song recording. This is one band you gotta see, to believe. I personally, have been a huge fan of this band for many years, but recently the whole CMB crew had the chance to catch them live at Mammothfest in Snowmass. The simple abililty of their control with the crowd and general connection was unmistakably the best I have ever seen. These two ridiculously funny and abstract characters had more control over their crowd than most National A level bands. To end their show, they jumped off stage, the crowd parted around them and Tyler and Josh finished with a maddening drum-off that truly made the entire festival go crazy. CMB:: How have things changed for you with all your recent success?
T: It’s been great. We have gotten to experience so many amazing things lately. We are still the same people we always have been but there was a moment when we were back home when things were just different. You feel it when you walk down the same streets you’ve walked your entire life. You feel it at home. You feel it at your local Chipotle. Something just switched in a good way…it was this overwhelming feeling of support. CMB: How do you like your current label? T: Fueled by Ramen has been great. They are a smaller label, but have a really cool family of bands, from Paramore, Panic! At The Disco, to Fun. It’s so different not being DIY as much anymore and having other people to help. We were lucky to structure a very beneficial deal with them, they weren’t out to “get us” like most labels. We felt like they were in it for the right reasons. We currenly own all our publishing rights, which is a rare thing in this industry, and really important to Josh and I. CMB: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
need, & not be hindered because you can’t afford it. Just let us know how we can help.
T: Well, not really. I mean it’s not like we run around crazed and kill a cow before every show. Usually we just try to all sitdown and refocus, get ready. We don’t drink, so maybe slamming a red bull would be the most exciting we get!
a musician makes talking to the customer a lot easier because we both have something in common, we can relate in about us, without expecting something in return, which helps drive sales to the store. We really are Denver’s best kept
CMB: Your mom seems to have a lot of influence in your songs and the things you talk about on stage, why is that?
to stand the test of time like we have has been tough, but very rewarding at the same time. We do a lot with the youth
T: My mom could be her own character on a show. She is one tough lady. Frankly, she scares me sometimes! She, well both our moms, have always been extremely supportive and it’s funny because even to this day my mom still tries to buy up all our tickets and sell them herself to make sure it’s
July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
CMB: You just got back from touring in Europe, correct? How was it? T: Actually, we just got back last night. It was awesome! We love it over there. The fans there are so dedicated and just amazing. It’s always been a dream of ours to play over there…so ya, it was pretty incredible. CMB: You guys have such an intense live show, what happens when and if anything goes wrong? T: It’s funny, I guess something always goes wrong. We constantly move around and something can get knocked over. The bass hits and makes the stage vibrate which then makes plugs and cables for all the electronics come lose or mess up. It’s always something. But you learn. For instance, instead of using the laptop directly to run programs off of, we now use an external hard drive for everything. It just keeps everything running smoothly and the programs from crashing like they use to. CMB: What else has changed performance wise with all the current success? T: We are still the same guys we have always been. That won’t ever change. But, it’s been nice also to be able to upgrade a lot of our equipment over time. When you first start out, like all bands, you are broke so you buy what you can. It’s nice to have good equipment now. It’s awesome to have techs and people that tour with you too. It use to be such a fun thing to walk into a new venue everyday and try to explain to a sound guy everything that we needed, and he would just look back at us with a blank stare. Now, the guys that tour with us, just have it done and that’s, that. So, that’s been really nice. CMB: What do you think has changed about the music industy recently? Would you ever sell-out to make it big? T: People always say that selling out is a bad thing. At some point, every band sells out in some form or the other to make it to the next level. To me, I think selling out begins and actually happens in the studio. You can’t help what stations play your music, the things that people say about you, etc. You sell out the moment you decide to play your music a certain way. But, I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting to make music that a lot of people enjoy. We are still us…we will always be us. CMB: Car Radio is a great song, and I have to ask, since you say your songs are all inspired by true events, what’s the story there? T: When I was in college I was late for class and accidently left my car unlocked. Unforturnately, someone stole my GPS and my radio. I was a broke college kid so it’s not like I could just go out and buy a new one. Plus, now there was just this really weird feeling that someone had been in my car, in my space. I guess not having a radio gave me a lot of time to think and inspire free thinking. Music has a way of distracting you and you don’t notice how much so until you don’t have it anymore. There isn’t much more to it than that. Finn’s song favorites: Car Radio, Trees and Slow Town. Check out their new full-length album, Vessel or to learn more about Twenty One Pilots: Online: twentyonepilots.com
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No Matter How They Are Classified, Queensryche Are Back with A Vengence by Mark Sundermeier mark@toadtavern.com
Queensryche are a quintessential mainstay within the Progressive Rock movement and have been for over 30 years. The have been nominated for Grammy Awards for such ground breaking discs as Operation: Mindcrime & Empire and have a very decorated and respected place in halls of Rock-n-Roll history. The band parted ways with original vocalist Geoff Tate in 2012 and have replaced him with vocalist Todd Latorre (formerly of Crimson Glory). They have recently released the self titled Queensryche disc on Century Media Records and it is clearly (in this writers opinion), their best work since 1990’s Empire. I sat down to speak with the band at a Festival in Sheridan Wyoming at the end of June, this is how our conversation went...
S: To tag onto what Michael was saying, we really do feel like there is only one Queensryche and that is what we are doing now. This band has always been about the collective, creative energy that we make together. For any one of us to walk away and call themselves Queensryche is kind of a ridiculous situation in our eyes, so we just don’t really focus on it. The unfortunate part about all of this is the confusion for the fans and the media, but the benefit for us is that this is now a good positive working situation. When a judge makes a decision about this whole thing later this year, we feel pretty confident that we are doing the right thing. CMB: How did the band come about meeting Todd La Torre? T: Craigslist (band laughs collectively). No, I met Michael at the NAMM convention last January (2012) and he was working on musical pieces for television
in at least 20 years. With these guys on board we were able to say “Wow, we now have a team of people who are on the same plain as us”. E: Todd is also a guitarist and drummer so it really helped us to communicate much better as a team within the writing process. P: Things have actually gone so well writing the new record, that new recordings are already in the works! We already have 4 or 5 tunes ready to go for a new disc. It’s a very exciting time for us all. T: In this band there are really no ego’s, so it is very easy to pitch a part to another person in the band if it’s a cohesive or better idea. We have all collaborated on each others parts and everyone in the band has brought vocal melodies to the table as well. The new disc is really a true representation of everyone pouring their ideas into the pot. There has been so much enthusiasm on all sides and it just reaffirms that
CMB: How do you guys feel about how he has reacted publicly about the split and his usage of the name “Queensryche” with a new band? M: We do here what is going on in the press with him through friends and whatnot, but we are really focused right now on rebuilding the Queensryche brand. Things for the band were just not running at an optimal level anymore. Very scattered business decisions were being made at the 11th hour and we were not feeling good about it. We have a new record label, a new publicist and a new booking agent. That is what we are very excited about. Our new business is running on all cylinders and this is a good thing.
Remember the Radio is Taking it Seriously by Charlie Sullivan
CSullivan@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Remember the Radio hit the scene in 2009 as a tribute band to British punk rockers Guns `N´ Wankers calling themselves Nuns `N´ Bankers. Somewhere along the line things took a different turn, and the outfit quickly started crafting their own music. The band has found their niche on the local scene playing alternative punk/grunge/beatnik rock.
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CMB: Some of the disc sounds very dark tonally. Was this intentional and were there a lot of Alt tunings used on the recordings? M: Yes some of the songs have “different” tunings (band laughs collectively). Take “A World Without” for example. S: I write many things with pianos, computers and sound effects. So in this case, I gave a demo to Michael and said “I have no idea what fuckin key this is in” (band laughs) but I like the idea”. He always finds a way to make things work! CMB: Jazz chords are back baby (bands laughs collectively)!!! CMB: Todd, tell our readers a bit about your musical background please…
CMB: Why did the band decide to part ways with Geoff Tate? S: This really began several years back and has been has like a divorce for us. It started by stemming from musical differences in songs that we were writing and songs from our catalog that we wanted to play live that we were not doing. Michael, Eddie and I started in this band and had even worked together prior to that. We all used to have a common goal musically and it just became a struggle working together many years back. So people ask “Why didn’t you just part ways years ago?” The truth is that years pass by and you hope things will get better when everyone is not on the page. It’s a marriage ya know? Bottom line is that we really wanted to be able to get back to playing music from our early days and work stylistically toward what we think Queensryche is best at doing musically.
The songs are no nonsense in part because Jim would say “This part is really doing nothing for me, so let’s talk about changing it”. It was a true collaborative effort on everyone’s part.
T: I started playing guitar when I was ten, drums when I was 13. I have always enjoyed singing but am not a formally trained vocalist. I’ve always sung for fun but have only done it professionally for 3 years. I had a friend who introduced me to Jon of Crimson Glory a few years back. I jammed with them and ultimately did their 25th Anniversary European Tour. We were working on a concept album that eventually fell flat... then I was introduced to these guys through Michael Wilton. CMB: …and how does it feel to be the new front man for Queensryche?
and film and he asked me to write with him as a side project. This built a great report between us very quickly. Geoff was off working his solo record at the time and Queensryche was on the back burner. In their downtime, this eventually brought up an idea to have me come in and sing with the guys and play tunes that the band wasn’t doing currently. We played a couple of shows as Rising West mostly just for the fans last June. As you know certain events unfolded and it wasn’t working out with Geoff. This opened the door for me to continue on with these guys as Queensryche…and here we are.
we are doing things the right way. CMB: Jim “Jimbo” Barton, who engineered the bands most commercially successful discs, Operation: Mindcrime, Empire and Promised Land was on board to produce the new disc. How was it for you to work with him again?
T: It’s amazing. It’s a thousand dreams come true. For this situation to come along…it’s surreal, very hard to put into words. I have been accepted into the family both personally and as a writer and it feel’s fantastic. CMB: Thanks for you candor guys, what sort of songs can fans expect to here on the current tour?
E: It’s been great having Jimbo back around for the new album for sure. S: Jimbo is like a 6th member in this band. He really knows us well and we have a great relationship.
S: You will certainly here tunes from the new disc. You will also here many tunes from the EP and The Warning as well as a decent selection of Queensryche’s catalog. Online: queensrycheofficial.com
S: It was fantastic! With Todd and Parker’s creative input on this disc it was the best time I’ve had writing
T: From day one working on this record with Jimbo was mind blowing. He remembered exact settings and amp configurations used on those records. He knew exact guitars and amps that Michael used on certain tunes and because of this really knew how to get the correct tones needed for these recordings.
When Jon Frailey (vocals, guitars) pulled the act together he had a good idea who he wanted in the crew. He tracked down friends Seth Yannacone (bass), Jim Bonner (rhythm guitar), and Dave Peterson (drums), hit them with the idea, and the festivities began.
What the band hopes to accomplish is to write and release LPs. They would like to make records that stand on their own. They want the album to be the attraction and have fans, more so than the band.
CMB: You guys sound re-invigorated on the new disc. What was it like for the band and for Todd writing music together in this new environment?
“We’ve all known each other for years,” states Frailey. “Sometimes we played in the same bands, other times we crossed paths while performing in other bands. Getting the band formed and figuring out what we wanted to do just sort of worked itself out.” When asked about the band’s name, Frailey responded, “It’s a name I had been tossing around in my head for a while. I was 25 and thinking, “Wow, the radio’s over, it’s not a big deal anymore.” “Generations of people have found the music they liked on the radio,” adds Frailey. “Now it’s all on the Internet and people download what they want; they’re not paying attention to the radio or buying CDs.”
“We want the records to build the buzz for the live shows,” says Frailey. To the band’s credit, they’re sticking to their word having released their first LP, yes a vinyl release, titled ЯTR 001. Side A of the LP is a concept titled Alta California (1845-1846), check out the history when you get chance. The six songs are about the Mexican American war, a guy who goes to war and loses his spirit in the process. It’s refreshing to see a band put some thought into what they’re writing about. Side B of the LP is a collection of singles recorded by the band, well worth the listen. The outfit recorded themselves for this release and did a stellar job. They took the tracks to United Record Pressing, had the LPs pressed, and have been hard at it trying to market
July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
themselves. P.S. They did hint that they could use some management help. Their next LP, titled Sharper Moon Rabbit, is already written with an anticipated late summer release date. “We want to release everything we do in 12” LP format,” relays Frailey. “We want to try and follow up with a new release every six months, just keep churning it out. We should be able to write a new song every two weeks!” Put the band on your radar for early August; they’ll be at the Lion’s Lair on the 2nd and Gennaro’s on the 3rd (double ЯTR set). This is a talented outfit looking for a fan base, so jump on your scooters, show up, and give them a little of the local love. If you already have a piece of music ingrained in your body, why would you not play it? Keith Jarrett Online: remembertheradio.com/
work on the record last September, and after a grueling ninemonth process, the record is ready for the ears of the world. “It was almost like a baby,” says front man and primary songwriter Chris Michaels.
Portobello Road Talks New Album by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Denver rockers Portobello Road are dropping a new full-length record this month. “We started off with our buddy Joel in his basement,” says bassist Tommy Weber. Once the recording process was finished, they gave the songs to Tyler Zander for post-production. They began
by Daniel Rondeau, Lead Instructor for Flobots.org and front man of Red Fox Run; partner artist editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Playing music in this day and age is a new animal. The giants in the industry have been brought down a few notches to everyone else’s playing field. Listeners with access to the universe of music often only desire a tease or small sample from each band. Plus, the rock star lifestyle has become less and less practical and attractive. In this day and age, the people of our nation strive to back their passions not with their egos, but with meaning and action. This has absolutely been a reality for the band I
The Spot Studios Offers Destination Recording Spot by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
The record as a whole represents the true sound of the band, an amalgamation of most modern types of rock music. “We all bring so much to the table in terms of music,” says Weber. “It’s really diverse,” says Michaels. “We’ve got everything from blues, a lot of alternative rock, tinges of metal, tinges of reggae, some funk in there. We don’t like to pigeonhole ourselves into one specific genre of music so that, not only can we keep it interesting for ourselves, but for the people who like it as well.”
play in, Red Fox Run. But how does a scraggly bunch of musicians exercise tangible purpose? While searching for a cause where we could give back to the community, Flobots.org came up on our radar, and we jumped in at the first chance we had. The moment we stepped foot into the world of Flobots.org, our search for a way to give back through music was affirmed above and beyond. We found an organization that figured out how to harness the power of music to greatly impact community on a permanent and significant scale. I became a partner artist and took every opportunity to serve the youth. Sometimes it
The metro area has a brand new, state-of-theart recording studio situation in a quiet mansion in Lakewood. The Spot Studios, 6006 W. Jewell Ave, is hidden just off Ward Lake, on property owned by the Samsonite family (check the label on your suitcase). “I guess they were big partiers, because the house is set up for entertaining,” says owner/operator Glenn Sawyer. Sawyer and his partner, Rich Veltrop, have created a luxurious guest apartment that can easily sleep and accommodate an entire band (and even features an O2 station to help kick that postrecording hangover). Veltrop has done work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Rage Against the Machine, among a plethora of others, and Sawyer is no stranger to a studio either, having a B.A. in Music from Florida State University, and an A.A. in Recording
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“We ended up calling it The Great Escape for various reasons,” says Michaels. “The typical night for us to get together is Friday nights, and it’s the end of the week and we are finally letting all the stresses off. It’s kind of like our great escape from our regular jobs in the normal world.” The name also ties into the band’s aspirations. They hope to take their newborn record on a ride and show it off not only locally, but wherever they can find listeners hungry for their sound. “We want to go above and beyond Denver,” says Michaels. “Obviously get big here first, and then spread out a little bit. Hopefully this is the start of something better.” They had a track from their previous demo featured on 93.3 KTCL’s Locals Only, and additionally hope to expand their radio play with this album. “It’s not new music to us anymore but it’s new music to a lot of people, so we are going to keep pushing that as much as we can,” says Weber. As far as a release date and party for the record, they hope to do it in two parts. “We’ll probably do something private for friends and everything, and then bring it out to the masses,” says Michaels.
something a little different, rather than your average release party. We will definitely have a cd release party at the end of July. Check out our Facebook and webpage for all that info.” The guys also maintained a steady stream of new music during the making of this album. “We’ve written a little more than half of our next album already. Even though we’ve been recording we haven’t slowed down as far as the songwriting process, which keeps the fire burning a little bit and keeps us going.” They plan on hitting the studio again this fall to begin work on their next project. Portobello Road is hard at work progressing their sound and their band, and are excited for what the future holds. “We’ve got a lot of drive and we’ve gotten a good reaction from people,” says Michaels. “All of us are really into it, so we make it happen, whether it be in practice or in a show,” says Weber. “Whatever it may be, it’s fun. It’s our creative outlet. It’s our great escape.” Online: portobelloroadmusic.com
Adds Weber, “We’re going to try and do meant playing a benefit show, and sometimes teaching a workshop. Sometimes I worked in direct involvement with students, and sometimes I worked secondhand. I was able to serve the community and was blessed in exchange; with excellent networking opportunities, promotion, hospitality, and a new demographic of listeners Red Fox Run wouldn’t have had exposure to otherwise. I became an assistant for a class in Denver Public School’s Venture Prep High, teaching music fundamentals to 25 at risk, underserved and under-credited high school students. Most of these students had never touched an instrument, nor considered any hobby or dream other than the life they were born into. Teaching such kids was at first intimidating, but my enthusiasm for sharing this beautiful world of music outweighed the fear. After some hard work, I was promoted to a lead instructor. I began leading these young people to music in nearly every aspect, saw them open
Arts from Full Sail University. The two recently moved to Colorado from California, where they worked together in a studio for years, and chose to set up shop in Denver because of the vibrant music scene and community. Acoustically, the house is a recording artist’s dream. The main room, dubbed “The Cathedral,” is an oversized, high vaulted ceiling, open room that Sawyer and Veltrop have discovered is amazing for recording drums. “We always say ‘epic drums, huge drums,’ but really it’s good for a lot of things,” says Veltrop. The room, and its adjacent which is still being worked on, are set up for easy isolation, making it ideal for guitarists and bassists as well. The amps can be placed downstairs, with the musician in the Cathedral room and the engineers running the boards and overseeing the operation from up above in the control room. The control room is essentially a balcony above the rest of the studio. “It’s a little unorthodox,” says Sawyer. “Most places have a bunch of glass.”
July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
their creative minds, and even have seen the shyest or hardest kid come alive and develop confidence in their new creative voices. I saw a community develop in the classroom - kids working with kids regardless of their race, color, or sexual preference; they were – for perhaps the first time - seeing each other only as fellow musicians to experience music with. These kids blow my mind. They knew close to nothing at the beginning of the year about music or how to play, and by the end of the semester, they all learned the basics of drums, vocals, guitar, and keyboard, theory, composition, and music history. They grouped into bands and each learned songs and performed them at the end of the year. Many of my students will continue to advance their musical talent, and those who won’t have learned a valuable lesson on how to develop a hobby, learn a discipline, overcome fear, and dream. I have been inspired by them, and I know that the classes we teach them inspire on a daily basis.
Outside of the studio, The Spot features a zen garden, tennis courts, an outdoor entertainment area, and an overall relaxing feel that is ideal for a recording environment. Sawyer and Veltrop hope to host out-of-town bands, as well as locals in the studio, and the ability to stay on site overnight is included in any recording package. “We thought, if we can cut down on a lot of overhead by combining that we live in a place and work in a place, we can pass that on (to the artists),” says Sawyer. “We were looking for something half the size of this.” Artists can check out The Spot Studios online at thespotstudios.com and can email glenn@ thespotstudios.com or rich@thespotstudios. com to set up a tour or get more info on the place. Online: thespotstudios.com
The Manager’s Corner by Chris Daniels
CDaniels@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
I’ve managed my own band since the 1980s, and despite the amazing change in technology, success in the music business is built around some tried and true elements: great music & performance, really hard work, and timing (often mistaken for luck). The other key element is getting the help you need to make that luck happen. These days that help is everywhere. The book I wrote for my UCD class on artist management is called “DIY: You’re Not in it Alone” and that is exactly what you need to understand. But here is a new set of questions to consider about the biz.
tech problems kill the show – and I’ve seen it both as a teacher working with young bands, and as a professional playing festivals and gigs all over the world. Last month at a student-run festival on the CU Denver campus, I saw a wellknown ‘headliner’ band with tons of national experience come in and totally blow the set up and tear down, with equipment needs that were vague and not specified on the tech-rider, and
2) Become adaptable in space and the size of your rig. This is especially true of drummers. If you can’t share a drum kit with another band because you have to have a 2-kick set up and 4 floor toms, you are not a pro, you are a baby. Snap out of it! Clyde Stubblefield, James Brown’s famous ‘funky drummer’ sat in with my band on our drummer’s kit for a set and blew our flippin’ minds! This is the most ‘sampled’ drummer in history, whose grooves have been sampled for so many famous hip-hop/ rap albums it’s insane. If he can sit down and play on a simple 5-piece kit using somebody else’s throne and kick-peddle, so can you. This is especially true if you are opening (support act) for a lot of bands. Learn how to use a very small kit because sometimes you will get very little room and no sound check. Deal with it! Become a pro.
While it’s no secret that big-box music stores like Guitar Center thrive on the hopes and dreams of artists with viability -- as well as the ‘hobbyist’ doing it with little chance of ever doing more than spending a lot of money on equipment that will not make them famous or even a better musician -- there are some tricks to the trade that can help working musicians free themselves from the tech nets to walk the high wire of art. In simple terms, if you or your band or your DJ work includes equipment that is difficult or time consuming to set up, finicky or problematic, or just too damn big, you are in for a world of hurt when it comes to the work-a-day, set-up, play, break-it-down, and head-to-the-next-gig life. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing more important then getting the tones and sounds you want or need for the music you perform; but here’s the deal, if the equipment that you need to do that becomes a pain in the ass for you or the sound techs you work with, there will be little joy in your life should you be lucky enough to go out on tour or work a lot of gigs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen the
with equipment that was not functioning the way it should--and these were pros!! It hurt their show, and it was a good show. So a few “rules” you should learn, or “guidelines” as Jack Sparrow might call them. 1) Fix your shit BEFORE you take it on the road. And I don’t mean just fix any ‘iffy’ cords or problematic power sources; I mean make it simple, fast to set up and take down, and easy to control in any environment. EXAMPLE: It’s summer, which means the pros are playing on outdoor festival-stages of all sizes. If your Too many times I see really talented young bands and they literally have no image value to the fan. Dudes up there in flip-flops, shorts, crappy t-shirts, and they are doing hard rock. Is that the image you think of when you listen to AC/DC or Van Halen? What I am saying, is people remember what they see first, not what they hear. Think of the last time you went to a big show – Red Rocks or Ogden or Pepsi Center. The first thing you tell your friends the next day is “I SAW this great band last night, they were awesome!” You don’t say I heard this great band, but that you witnessed a spectacle of visual memory.
Musician 101
What to do to take it to the next level by the Swami
Swami@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Back in the ’90s when I had a developmental deal with Sony, I was privileged to have several great mentors. Then, the labels still had A/R departments and would look for talented artists to sign, and then “train” to be a pro. For me, I was lucky enough to have such encounters. Here in this monthly column, I will share with you not only the things I learned from “the big boys” but really from the school of hard knocks and the other school of figuring out what not to do. # 1: Image is HUGE!
equipment has a problem with heat, not easily readable setting windows in direct sunlight, or if you are used to it sounding perfect in your home studio, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. You have to deal with it. Every single stage you play sounds different. If it sounded great in your home studio and you can’t make it sound just as good at Herman’s or the People’s Fair stage, you have a problem. Simplify, and get so you can get the sounds you need in almost any conditions.
When you do a show at a venue, people should look at you and say, “I bet he’s in the band,” or “She looks like the singer.” One of my mentors said, “Act like you just got off the fucking plane from Hollywood to do a show!” Give the crowd something to talk about from your image. For example, a young band out of Columbus, OH, called Twenty One Pilots is a twoman group. They came out in ski masks and were super energetic. Very memorable. Or the time I saw Weezer at First Bank Center, they were wearing all white jumpsuits. Didn’t forget that one either! Take a look at an artist you really admire, betcha they got some kind of style going on. Your live show is your most powerful weapon. Leave people with a visual impression. I still talk about bands that did something cool visually – not smoke machines or lights, but a well thought out style that represents the band, the genre, and most importantly the memory significance to the fan. Own the venue, own the stage, and give your fans, old and new, something to talk about.
3) Get your shit on and off stage FAST! You want to piss off a festival stage manager, or a venue stage manager, or the headline act? Play your set and then go talk to your fans right away and leave your crap on the stage. I guarantee you will either get a serious beat down by the stage manager; or worse, you will not get asked back to work with that festival or venue. Part of being adaptable is knowing how to structure your gear so that it can get moved on, plugged in, get sounds, and taken off the stage after your set with as little drama as possible.
Vocal Talk w/ CD by Carin Dawn
editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Several years ago, while watching The Oscars, I observed an actress walking the red carpet and became very curious about what I was seeing. In just a few moments, I noticed her demeanor of confidence and grace stood out beyond all the other celebrities that day. People were being drawn to her, and I realized it was due to her posture and the confidence she exuded. I have always known that with singing, posture is key to the quality, tone, and projection of your voice. When we have good posture, our body is aligned and balanced, and we are able to perform at a higher level of endurance. This allows our performance to be one we will be pleased with and others will be drawn into time and time again. As children, we’re often told to “sit up straight,” “stand tall,” and “don’t slouch.” As we grow up, that focus on our posture diminishes. As performers, we transfer
July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
4) If it’s important, carry two of them. In my band, we do not use keys. That means that the two guitar parts that create the bed for horns and vocals really are interdependent. We work on them and develop them like the Beatles did. And if one drops out, the whole house of cards comes down. So I carry two guitars – my favorite ax and a cheap but very, very playable knock-off of the same guitar that also sounds great – just in case (a) something goes wrong in 98 degree heat – I can switch to the back up, or (b) in case I break a string. And our show does not have a lot of stand around time – we burn. That means that the songs choreograph into one another via stories and music segues that are totally spontaneous (we don’t use set lists) and they never stop. Whether it’s a 45min. opening slot, or a two-hour headlining slot. So if I break a string I can’t just say, “Oops, sorry folks, I have to change a string.” And I’ve seen this kind of stuff really wreck a good show. At that same student-run festival, another band with a moog-dependent sound had a plastic key break on the moog. The bandleader spent then next 20 minutes of a 30-minute set complaining about the problem and they lost their audience completely; and the show became about technical crap, not music or art. This may not be an easy thing for some artists to do. It does take time, experimentation, and persistence to get it down to a science. But once you get there, once your equipment isn’t a distraction but a tool to take your audience along with you for the journey you came to give them, then you are set free to go beyond “my digital delay settings,” and to transcend the technical so that it “serves” the performance, and not the other way around. And there is nothing worse for an audience than to see you sit there screwing around with your gear and making lame-oh excuses about why your crap doesn’t work while they listen to you whine and whine. That sucks for them, so get your poop in a group. It really will set you free. that focus to sounding good or being louder, not giving consideration to how we appear physically to others. But here’s the thing we miss out on in this transfer: Our posture is KEY to the outcome we desire. The reality of it is that we live in a slouchy world. If you were to sit downtown at the 16th street mall and people watch, you might notice the majority of people that cross your path are slouchers, and every so often a person will stand out because of their posture. They also stand out because good posture tends to breed an air of confidence that most people don’t convey in everyday activities. For this reason, I work with my students on their posture. With younger students, we discuss what it means to be a lady or a gentleman. For example, when we have a fancy party to attend or a wedding to get dressed up for, we find ourselves feeling pretty or handsome; and as a result, we subconsciously stand taller, roll our shoulders back and lift our chin to match our inward feeling to our outward appearance. As a result, we might feel more confident about who we are in that moment. The same is true for singing. When we stand taller, roll our shoulders back and lift our chin, we feel better about ourselves, and almost magically we sound better and project farther. My teaching mantra is: “90% of singing is what you think; 10% is talent and/or ability.”
Read more of this article at ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
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by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
another generate interest. That’s the key. Feel free to ask me more about THAT. Anyway, Chris LaPlante from P-Nuckle keeps evolving, Something Underground has been working SO hard, Joe Fornothin’ is amazing, Clara Finn, Calder’s Revolvers, Eldren, Seris, Switchpin, Dead For Denver, Jacob Cade, Post Paradise, Reno Divorce, Quemando, Anxious, Bop Skizzum, even Snackcakes and Beer has valid entertainment to offer.
Chris Thomas is a household name in the Denver music community, and it’s not just because he is tall, dark and handsome. Between his time with Spools of Dark Thread and Omniism, and becoming the main contact person and talent buyer at Denver’s legendary Herman’s Hideaway, he has interacted with just about everyone in the scene. He has also been busting his ass to ensure that Herman’s continues to bring in not only the hardest working local talent, but the occasional illustrious national name as well. Colorado Music Buzz caught up with Thomas to dissect his mind and figure out what makes him, and vicariously our favorite south Broadway venue, tick. He wishes to reiterate that he would not be who he is without those around him.
CMB: What takes a live performance to the next level, making it great and not just another band playing another show?
CMB: First things first. Let’s hear about how you got into the music scene here in Denver, and what’s up with Spools of Dark Thread and Omniism.
CMB: What’s in your car right now?
CT: I was singing with some friends and looking to be more of a professional vocalist/front man when I met Jamey Crow Bartley (Spools) online in ‘06. We had good chemistry immediately and similar musical interests. We got Spools of Dark Thread up-and-running pretty quickly, created a decent buzz, and had some big turnouts in Denver, both headlining and opening for bigger touring bands. We had a lot of personnel changes over a short time frame and I wanted to keep moving forward with something less likely to implode, so I created Omniism and brought in some of my favorite Spools’ members. CMB: How did you get to be “The Man” at Herman’s? CT: The Man? Ha ha, thank you. I suppose I’ve learned a lot from Mike and Allan Roth and I’ve become savvy enough helping them run business for them to keep me around year after year. During the Spools’ “hey-day” I made an impression on Mike and Allan Roth (the owners of Herman’s Hideaway) with my fruitful promotion techniques. I snagged a Talent Buyer position at Herman’s Hideaway 5 years ago and it’s continued to evolved into cooler things as I’ve learned a lot about the business, met cool people, and indulged multiple skill-sets, like announcing bands, and audio engineering. I’ve made a lot of relationships working at Herman’s and it’s been great! Backing up: Spools is still technically a band, but Omniism has taken the front burner. Omniism is finishing up our second studio record, the band’s playlist has something for everybody, and it feels more and more like a solid future, with growing momentum. CMB: What role do you think Herman’s plays in the music scene here, and why do you feel it is so important?
CT: Conviction, angst, singers who can soar; obviously, technical advantages help, such as lights synced to set, but nothing can take the place of passion and a strong ability to convey emotion. CT: Taproot’s most recent record The Episodes. CMB: It seems like Herman’s has brought in more touring acts lately, is that your doing? CT: Thanks for noticing. Yeah, we’ve been hosting more touring bands, and yeah, a lot of it’s my doing, but the best touring band shows I can remember all have great local support. That’s what these touring bands remember too. CMB: What are your goals in the music scene? Is there anything you haven’t accomplished that you want to? CT: We (my friends and I) just started up a charity, milehighscenesters.com, raising money for school music programs, donating instruments, mentoring youth musicians. I’m looking forward to putting more of my resources in to that as I continue to learn and refine my skills. My goal is to direct a full A/V production facility. CMB: Where do you eat after a show? CT: I prefer home, but Breakfast King is always cool. CMB: What trends are dominating Denver music right now? CT: Let’s see, people appreciate music that the artist can duplicate live. I see the trend moving more toward studio records being more reflective of the live-band show, capturing the magic instead of contriving a bunch of crap that no-longer sounds human. CMB: What approach do you take to song writing? What goes through your head that makes you think, “I gotta write this down?”
CT: I describe Herman’s to visitors by comparing it to The Whiskey A Go-Go in LA (or basically as “Denver’s version of The Whiskey”) Herman’s has a lot of history, and it has an independent vibe that corporations can’t even emulate. Big Head Todd & the Monsters got their start at Herman’s. Also, bands like Jane’s Addiction, 311, Faith No More, and Dave Matthews have graced the Herman’s stage. Herman’s is the embodiment of longevity in the Denver music scene, which I suppose has rubbed off on me, too.
CT: Good question! There’s never any rules, and I’m usually inspired. For me it’s more of a discipline. “How does this tempo make me feel, or what tempo goes with this emotion,” notes, lyrics, etc. I build around a theme, “This is what I want to say.” These words fit with what I’m saying; this phrase fits with the rhythm, etc.
CMB: What bands have really impressed you lately?
CMB: Any shout outs?
CT: There are SO MANY great bands in Denver (and the front range) right now, and such a variety; bands that I feel will be of interest to other markets, if we can continue to help one
CT: Tyler Duffus has been engineering my stuff. Pulled Pin Media Group has been helping with my video. COOL PEOPLE!
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July 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Fri Jul 5 The Portrait featuring Codec / Misuji / The Maykit The Moon Room Summit Music Hall, Denver The Uncluded (Aesop Rock & Kimya Dawson) : Hokey Fright Tour with Hamell On Trial Marquis Theater, Denver Weather Big Storm, the Born Readies Lion’s Lair, Denver Strong Survive Promotionz Proudly Presents: Lucas Hoge The Roxy Theatre, Denver Monstaville & Herman’s Hideaway Presents: Playa Rae & Trey C w/Hypnautic & Top Flite, 2MX2, Mikey P & Key, Dope City Entertainment , Herman’s Hideaway, Denver 88.5 FM / 1390 AM KGNU Presents: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band w/Honey Island Swamp Band The Bluebird Theater, Denver Relay (CD Release) w/Rubedo, Janet Feder The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver Karl Ziedins The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver Trust Fall (VA screamo) / Oryx (New Mexico doom!) / VOLR / Night of the Living Shred Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Sat Jul 6 The American Diabetes Association Presents: Hip Hop to Stop Diabetes w/Thugg Miss, Lil Therapy, Master Black, Juicy, Jus Cash, DJ John John, DJ Ricky Ric, Paisa Movement, Herman’s Hideaway, Denver BKG & Strong Survive Promotionz Proudly Presents: R.A. The Rugged Man The Roxy Theatre, Denver Sublingual, Hot Rod Honeys, Beyond Influence, Scavenger, Suffocation In My Silence The Gothic Theatre, Englewood PBR Presents: Ninja Pirate Robot Party 7,Featuring DJ Abilities of Rhymesayers Entertainment, Dj Gatsby, Joshua Genius Hi-Dive, Denver July Talk with Grounders / El Amor / SR3, Marquis Theater, Denver Radio 1190 and 88.5 FM/1390 AM KGNU Present: Itchy-O w/Il Cattivo The Bluebird Theater, Denver FRONTIER RUCKUS | MOSEY WEST , Larimer Lounge, Denver The Emporium featuring Turner Jackson / Plat / Carl Carrell / Bianca Mikahn / DJ Rashka The Moon Room Summit Music Hall, Denver Faded Freakshow Circus Sideshow B-Day Bash w/ The Faded Freakshow & Dangerous Nonsense Lion’s Lair, Denver Radio 1190 Presents: Achille Lauro Farewell Show w/The Morning Clouds, Vitamins, Land Lines The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver CO Jacob Furr, The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver CO Swinging Noose Productions Presents: 13 FEST w/ Morbid - Asphyxiation - Controlled Demise - ICO - Its Always Sunny in Tijuana - Conquer Everest - Arise the Lie - One Way to Hell (CD Release) - Smackfactor - Nexhymn - The Murder Protocol - War Ends in Silence - Forgotten Within – Dekatur, Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo, Denver RAH FEST!!!! Casual Corruption, Plan-B Rejects, Drunk Diggery, Broken Bow, Spatgasm, Blind Man Deaf Boy, The Rockin’ Rascals, Dying Rebels, LBRO , Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Sun Jul 7 GOODNIGHT, TEXAS (BBQ SHOW), Larimer Lounge, Denver STEP UP & GET LIVE **MC BATTLE**The search for Denver’s Best emcee ~ Semi-finals Round 3 w/June w/ DJ Ktone, Alex Chadwick, D-Re’ll, The FAMM, Origin-O, Mr. Do That, Deyy, Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Copper Gamins, Sam Vicari, Electric Sammy, The Dead End Drivers, Lion’s Lair, Denver Afton / Live Performances by: - Phan.Aeon / Patrick Skyler/ Dr. Bent/ JoFoKe/ The Rapists/P.H. Music,/ #GeekStreetSociety/ HMHuncho – Kazi, Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo, Denver EARLY SHOW! - Rational Anthem / The Larimers / Nasty Bunch of Bitches Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver
Edwards Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver
David Murphy EP Release Show! with Medic / Dakar / Sam Lee / The Stateside Marquis Theater, Denver
Deafheaven with Marriages, Marquis Theater, Denver
Twist & Shout Presents: Andy Palmer w/The Belle Jar, Elin Palmer Hi-Dive, Denver
Orion Walsh, Jordan-Morgan Lansdowne, Lion’s Lair, Denver Swallow Hill Presents: Lindi Ortega, The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver CO Mixtapes / You Blew It! / Light Years / Head Injuries / Jack’s Smirking Revenge Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Wed Jul 10 THE FLUMPS , Larimer Lounge, Denver Mychildren Mybride with In Chase for the Sky / In Arms Reach Marquis Theater, Denver Tone Dynamix Presents: Dark Seas w/El Amor, Solterra, Talk All Night, Cloud Catcher Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Brass Bed w/Strange Kids, Yankee Bang Bang Hi-Dive, Denver Badger, Vomit Slaughter, and Doersovit Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Thu Jul 11 Sk3tchy Entertainment Presents: Tits & Giggles Comedy & Burlesque Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Young Lungs with The Bell Hours Marquis Theater, Denver Hatch the Bird EP relase show with The Feel Good / Oliver Bravado The Moon Room Summit Music Hall, Denver Blankets w/Cruxvae, Verdugo, Hi-Dive, Denver James And The Devil w/Vagabond Swing, Hamhock, Birch Street The Bluebird Theater, Denver The Purrs, Locusts of Egypt, Face Over Fire Lion’s Lair, Denver Daniel Lawrence Walker (CD Release!), Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver CO Plan B Rejects / The DUI’S / The Bad Engrish / 99 Bottles / The Rockin’ Rascals Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver The Photo Atlas tour kickoff , Illegal Petes Downtown at LODO Fri Jul 12 88.5 FM / 1390 AM KGNU Presents: Hot 8 Brass Band w/ Atomga The Bluebird Theater, Denver The A-OK’s, Potato Pirates, Be Like Max, The Last Slice, The RepercussionsThe Gothic Theatre, Englewood THE HITS CD RELEASE PARTY!! w/Rachel & The Kings, The Hits, The Next Arrival, Gription Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Victory Heights with Dead for Denver / Eyes Like the Tide / No Fair Fights / Chasing Addiciton The Summit Music Hall, Denver
Melt the Block - Summer Hip Hop Show Lion’s Lair, Denver Radio 1190 Presents: Little Fyodor & Babushka Tribute CD Release! The Inactivists, Ralph Gean, Gregory Ego, Us From The SuperFuture, Nervesandgel, Gort Vs. Goom, Diablo Montalban The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver Erik Husman and The Golden Rule The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver Euphonic Conceptions & Bhang Bar Present: ELIOT LIPP & SUPERVISION Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo,Denver BLACK METAL SHOW - Willow (NM) / Echo / Triplip / Murder Cafe / Earth Burnt Black Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Sun Jul 14 ROADKILL GHOST CHOIR BBQ Larimer Lounge, Denver Nick Jaina w/Clouds and Mountains, Christian Lee Hutson, Malamadre Hi-Dive, Denver Denver Heavy Metal Society Presents: Satan’s Host w/In The Company Of Serpants, Leigon Of Death, DESPISE THE SUN, Orcinus, Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Nico Vega / Crash Kings / The Outfit The Bluebird Theater, Denver The Slow Poisoner + Guests, Lion’s Lair, Denver GOMORRAH MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT part 2!!! w/ Vomit Slaughter, more TBA Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Mon Jul 15 Melvins : 30th Anniversary Tour with Honky The Summit Music Hall, Denver Moody Mondays - w/ DJ Brewski and DJ Boozer (dirty few) Hi-Dive, Denver THE BEST SHOW EVER: William Bonney / Illustrations / Johnny Edwards / Comrades / Shawn James / Smack Saturday Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Tue Jul 16 ASG | LOW GRAVITY | THE WORTH | CONGRESS OF THE CROW Larimer Lounge, Denver Peter Murphy : Celebrates 35 Years Of Bauhaus with Ours / Youth Remainder The Summit Music Hall, Denver The Quiet Ones w/Cutthroat Drifters, Hi-Dive, Denver SKA / PUNK SHOW!! - Mrs. Skannotto / Head Injuries / Good Sign / False Colours / All Waffle Trick Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Wed Jul 17 Strong Survive Promotionz Proudly Presents: Futuristic The Roxy Theatre, Denver
SP Double with Special Guests, Marquis Theater, Denver
Midwest Rebellion w/Inna Di Red, Tim Huston Project Band Herman’s Hideaway, Denver
Illegal Pete’s Presents: Possessed by Paul James w/Delaney Davidson, Broken Spirits, Blood Lines Hi-Dive, Denver
Whiteout Dance Party 2013 Marquis Theater, Denver
My Gold Mask, California Wives, The Courtship Proper Lion’s Lair, Denver AFTON Presents: Your Own Medicine w/Bullet InC., Trust No One, The Portait The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver Reed Weimer and The Flat Out Five, Featuring Mr Trashcan Bass The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver SONS OF CREAM Featuring: - Kofi Baker son of Ginger Baker of Cream - Malcom Bruce Son Of Jack Bruce - Cream of Clapton - Godfrey Townsend Opening Acts: Petals Of Spain - Driftin Suns - Michael Morrow - World Famous Johnsons Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo, Denver Instant Empire / The Outfit / Opportunist (AR) / The War Parts / Deep Satisfaction Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver
Capsize / Sovls / No Omega / Says The Snake / Catholic Girls Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver
Sat Jul 13 97.3 KBCO Presents: Robert Randolph & The Family Band The Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Mon Jul 8 Moody Mondays - w/ guests DJs Stella and her pizza boyfriend! Hi-Dive, Denver
Channel 93.3 and Twist & Shout Present: The Epilogues / Quiet Company / Rob Drabkin / Sundown Social The Bluebird Theater, Denver
Ian McGlagan w/Seth Evans The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver
LOLA BLACK w/Warner Drive, A Memory Down, Stay Awake, Immortal Dominion, No More Excuses Herman’s Hideaway, Denver
The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die / Dads / Pity Sex / Black Mask / Autumn Creatures / Johnny
Kottonmouth Kings with X Clan / Imperial Sound Clash The Summit Music Hall, Denver
Tue Jul 9 THE BAPTIST GENERALS | Porlolo | The Changing Colors Larimer Lounge, Denver
Night Beds, Hi-Dive, Denver Westword Music Showcase Awards Ceremony featuring Mile High Soul Club DJ’s The Bluebird Theater, Denver Yao Guai w/ Animal / Object, Orbit Service, Docile Rottweiler The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver First Things First / Wings To Save / Dawn of Exploration / Parkview / Young and Heartless Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Thu Jul 18 M.Florea, The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver Joshua Trinidad, The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver Intuit, Featuting Nephthys Belly Dancing Troop w/Summa, Bad Maps, Hermits, Leghounds Herman’s Hideaway, Denver The Burial Plot Tour Kickoff show with As the Sky Darkens / Rather Dashing / SOVLS Marquis Theater, Denver the UMS,Hi-Dive, Denver Pries LIVE in Concert w/The Letterman Squad, EV.Vinyls, Kid Vegas The Bluebird Theater, Denver Tattoed Strings, Westcoastless Crew Lion’s Lair, Denver
My Old School w/Mean Street Blue The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver Jami Lunde, The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver POP-PUNK SHOW! - City Mouse (Riverside, CA)/ The Coffeemakers / more TBA Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver CAPTAIN OF THE A.M. and Colleen Glynn perform Illegal Petes LoDo Underground Music Showcase 2013 (UMS) Illegal Petes South Broadway, Denver Fri Jul 19 Swami w/Black Lamb, DreadNeck, Several Crowded Ghosts, Vice The Gothic Theatre, Englewood Kill Syndicate w/Ancient Colossal, Skinned, Cellador The Bluebird Theater, Denver
Mon Jul 22 Six Feet Under with Decrepit Birth / Cannabis Corpse Marquis Theater, Denver
Mon Jul 29 Koda Sequoia / Mitts / more TBA Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver
PUNK / SKA-CORE / FOLK-PUNK SHOW!! - Night Gaunts (New Zealand) / Days N Daze / High (formerly Sub-City Culture) / more TBA , Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver
Tue Jul 30 WHISKY SHIVERS | HIGHLAND RAMBLERS Larimer Lounge, Denver
Tue Jul 23 YOUNGSTA ,Larimer Lounge, Denver
MC Chris with Special Guests The Summit Music Hall, Denver
From Indian Lakes with Tallhart / Makeshift Prodigy Marquis Theater, Denver Moving Forward (TX) / Outdoor Velour / Headway / more TBA Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Wed Jul 24 SCORPIOS | JOEY CAPE | JON SNODGRASS The Walnut Room, Denver TRASH TALK | RATKING, Larimer Lounge, Denver
We the Kings with T. Mills / The Ready Set The Summit Music Hall, Denver
The Maine with A Rocket To the Moon / This Century / Brighten The Summit Music Hall, Denver
the UMS, Hi-Dive, Denver
Mike Pinto Band & Natty Vibes Marquis Theater, Denver
Strong Survive Promotionz Proudly Presents: Anybody Killa, & Mastamind of Natas The Roxy Theatre, Denver
Wynkoop Brewing Co Presents: Wayne “The Train” Hancock w/Marty Jones Hi-Dive, Denver
Gang Forward (Acoustic) w/Joe Fornothin, Portobello Road, Highway 50 ft. Al Laughlin and Jeep Macnichol of the Samples Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Hundredth with Special Guests, Marquis Theater, Denver Beard, the Noir, Media Fires, Jif and the Jax Lion’s Lair, Denver Matt Hoffman (of Strange Americans) The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver
Twist & Shout Presents: Adam Ant & the Good, the Mad and the Lovely Posse, Prima Donna The Ogden Theatre, Denver Deras Krig / Abberant / more TBA Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Thu Jul 25 DAX RIGGS | VIOLENT SUMMER , Larimer Lounge, Denver Lost Optical w/The Ever, Hi-Dive, Denver CO
Glenn Taylor, The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver
Mile High Crazies Present: Gang Of Bacon w/Son Survivor, Chasing Addiction, High Tide Low Tide, The Coast Is Ours Herman’s Hideaway, Denver
Century Music Group Recording Artist Steff Mahan , Mary Alma The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver
3 Deep Productions Presents: Casey Veggies / Travi$ Scott The Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Adam Hill (of Oakhurst) The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver
Amaranthe with Kobra & The Lotus, Marquis Theater, Denver
The X Music Group Presents: Coles Whalen CD Release “Come Back, Come Back” Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo, Denver
Ted Nugent w/Laura Wilde, The Ogden Theatre, Denver
Sound of the Stereo / Light the Atlantic / Ryan Dishen / We Are Doom / New York Rifles / Evenstar Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver The Blind Pets and Not the Arrow perform Illegal Petes Pearl St. in Boulder at Pearl Street Mall Underground Music Showcase 2013 (UMS) Illegal Petes South Broadway, Denver
Asphyxian, Lowdead, Lion’s Lair, Denver Jake Paul Band / more TBA , Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Fri Jul 26 Mickey Avalon, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood PASSENGER , Larimer Lounge, Denver Parts of Speech Tour w/Dessa, The Bluebird Theater, Denver RX Bandits with Northern Faces, The Summit Music Hall, Denver
Sat July 20 Channel 93.3 and Twist & Shout Present: Jimmy Eat World w/X Ambassadors The Ogden Theatre, Denver
Defy You Stars & Rumours Follow EP Release Show with Places Marquis Theater, Denver
Potcheen CD Release w/The Yawpers, Lil’ Thunder, Flash Mob The Bluebird Theater, Denver
Andy Thomas Album/Video Release w/Arliss Nancy, PrettyMouth Hi-Dive, Denver
Foxfield Four, Vetta Star, Sleep Well The Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Keldari Station, Mondo Obscura, Cpt. Howdy Lion’s Lair, Denver
40TH DAY (REUNION SHOW), Larimer Lounge, Denver the UMS, Hi-Dive, Denver Resonance Album Release Show with Seris / Tattooed Strings / Averse to the End / Capital Poets Marquis Theater, Denver
Rocky Mountain Cancer Assistance Presents: RACHEL AND THE KINGS, Everything Changes 2013 - Fight Cancer. Have Fun! With: Chemistry Club & Mega Gem Performances by Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo, Denver AWESOME bluesy-folk-soul show - Shawn Waters / more TBA Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver
STEP UP & GET LIVE **MC BATTLE** / STEP UP & GET LIVE FINALS Herman’s Hideaway, Denver
Hugh Miles with Doctor Mike and Friends perform Illegal Pete’s DTC at DTC
Bad Rabbits with Bop Skizzum / Mile High Soul Club The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver
Sat Jul 27 FUTUREBIRDS | DIARRHEA PLANET | SAUNA Larimer Lounge, Denver
Out to Dry, Whiskey Dick and Black Eyed Vermillion, Bottle Rocket Science Lion’s Lair, Denver John Statz, The Walnut Room Broadway Location, Denver CO Matt Nasi Band w/Landon Smith, Lindsey Saunders The Walnut Room - Walnut Street Location, Denver CO Bohemia Presents: Forbidden City Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo, Denver
The Allstars Tour 2013 featuring Every Time I Die / Chelsea Grin & More! The Summit Music Hall, Denver BLKHRTS Mixtape Release Show featuring Widowers / The ReMINDers and Boyhollow Marquis Theater, Denver ZOSO (The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute) The Bluebird Theater, Denver
Underground Music Showcase 2013 (UMS) Illegal Pete’s South Broadway, Denver
Sun Jul 28 WHEELCHAIR SPORTS CAMP BBQ | RUBEDO Larimer Lounge, Denver
Sun Jul 21 Shai Hulud with The Overseer / Hemingway Hero / Flagship Marquis Theater, Denver
Masked Intruder with Special Guests Marquis Theater, Denver
the UMS, Hi-Dive, Denver Underground Music Showcase 2013 (UMS) Illegal Pete’s South Broadway, Denver Stabbed in Back, CONVALESCENTS Lion’s Lair, Denver
Set and Setting (FL post-metal) / Poney (stoner-hardcorepsychedelia) / Caust (VA) / Ghosts of Glaciers / more TBA Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver
Weedeater with Special Guests Marquis Theater, Denver KS 107.5 Presents: The Space Migration Tour w/Mac Miller, Action Bronson, Chance The Rapper, Vince Staples, The Internet , The Ogden Theatre, Denver POST-ROCK SHOW!!! - Cassiopeia / iluminado / Autumn Creatures / Izalith / more TBA Seventh Circle Music Collective, Denver Wed Jul 31 Steddy P w/High Features, Extra Kool, S.T.O.I.C., Austie Frostie w/ DJ Dabble, 6 O’Clock Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Candlebox, 20 Year Anniversary Tour with Open Air Studio / Take To the Oars The Summit Music Hall, Denver Thu Aug 1 Joshua James with Special Guests Marquis Theater, Denver Miss Massive Snowflake, Shotgun Shogun, the Custodians Lion’s Lair, Denver Fri Aug 2 Smallpools with Special Guests Marquis Theater, Denver SOFT METALS Larimer Lounge, Denver BIZZY BONE (of Bone Thugz n Harmony) w/ JAHNI DENVER, Indigenous Peoples, Mista Poedic, Big Loon, Yung Menace, Anxious, Fresh Breath Committee, DJ Stretch Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Pop Evil with Drowning Pool / Gemini Syndrome / Era 9 The Summit Music Hall, Denver Channel 93.3’s Throwback Lunch Presents: Electric 13 World Tour w/The Cult, White Hills The Ogden Theatre, Denver The Hackensaw Boys, The Bluebird Theater, Denver Dead End Drivers, Remember The Radio Lion’s Lair, Denver Bands 4 Bands Entertainment Presents: SALIVA w/Coheadliner Lola Black, Pressure point, Lost Point, Scarlet Canary, Broken Image, A Memory Down Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo,Denver Sat Aug 3 Carolyn’s Mother Reunion w/Thief River Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Soulfly with Incite / Lody Kong Marquis Theater, Denver Roniit w/Glass Delirium, LaRissa Vienna, Hydrogen Skyline The Bluebird Theater, Denver The Pork Dukes , The Bad Engrish . And The Wheelz Lion’s Lair, Denver National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Presents: LES GIRLZ!! Summer Fest 2013 From All Walks of Life Showcase Hosted by Female Illusionist Extraordinaire - Nicole Summers Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo, Denver Sun Aug 4 IN THE WHALE BBQ , Larimer Lounge, Denver First Sundays Artist Showcase: w/Bill Thomason - Carolyn’s Mother Drummer Herman’s Hideaway, Denver Evolution Music, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood Hope 4 Dono / A Fundraiser Benefiting Donovan Lucero in his battle with Leukemia Casselmans Bar & Venue - 26th & Walnut in NoDo, Denver Tue Aug 6 SEBADOH , Larimer Lounge, Denver Plain White T’s with The Wind & The Wave The Summit Music Hall, Denver Davey Suicide with The Bunny The Bear / The Defiled / Caramel Carmela Marquis Theater, Denver Grizzly Bear w/Regal DegalThe Ogden Theatre, Denver Radio 1190 Presents: Smith Westerns w/Wampire The Bluebird Theater, Denver