OPINION
SPORTS
A&C
THE SOLUTION TO FORT COLLINS PARKING
ALWAYS A RAM: CSU LINEBACKER GOES PRO
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS IS SCARY GOOD
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PAGE 11
Volume 126, No. 125 Monday, May 1, 2017
— FoCoMX Favorites —
Slow Caves performs lively rock concert
The Velvet Rope brings the ’80s to the Aggie By Nate Day @NateMDay
The band Slow Caves, comprised of Colorado State University alumni, performs at the Aggie Theater Friday night. Slow Caves was among other bands performing at FoCoMX. PHOTO BY NATE DAY COLLEGIAN
By Jonny Rhein @jonnyrhein
Fort Collins’ Slow Caves rocked FoCoMX Friday night. The rock surf band played to a packed crowd at the Aggie Theater, one of the many venues hosting shows over the weekend to honor the talented and hardworking local bands of Northern Colorado. After a few songs and a cou-
ple of drinks, the crowd started to loosen up. The audience danced and jumped to Slow Caves’ upbeat songs. Slow Caves’ latest extended play, “Desert Minded,” came out earlier this year. Many people knew every word to the songs off the new release, especially the title track, a daydream-y surf rock tune that could make someone believe an ocean surrounds the inland state of Col-
orado. Singer and guitarist Jakob Mueller was at a loss for words as he performed in front of his hometown fans. He addressed the audience for the first time and said, “I have no words. That’s what I have to say. How are you?” For whatever reason, brothers always seem to have the best vocal harmonies. Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes, the
Wilson brothers of The Beach Boys, the Followill’s of Kings of Leon and, rightfully in that category, is Jakob and Oliver Mueller of Slow Caves. Their voices were meant to sing together. Oliver Mueller swapped his bass for David Dugan’s guitar and Mueller took over lead vocals for a few songs. The fast tempo of his songs really brought out his inner Julian see SLOW CAVES on page 11 >>
The Velvet Rope performed at the Aggie Theatre Friday for the first night of FoCoMX. There is nothing quite like a local band. They are fun, they are genuine and they are able to connect with a crowd in a way that only a neighbor can. This is exactly what The Velvet Rope does. The group, an `80s cover band, is comprised of six white 40-somethings jumping around on the stage, clearly having a blast. Their clothes are mismatched, but 100 percent 1980s, lending itself to the let-yourhair-down fun that can only come with a little-known group like this one. Their lead singer, Johnny Velvet, is a bit cooky. A cross between Willie Nelson and Zach Galifianakis, he performs in a red tracksuit and a blazer until he rips his pants off, revealing cutoff jeans. Unfortunately, Velvet’s obvious drunkenness allowed him to forget song lyrics a handful of times and gyrate on his backup singer “Chakra Kahn.” As if that were not enough, he peppered his performance with jokes about a recent stint in the slammer. All in all, Velvet is an odd dude. The rest of the band was fantastic. A man nicknamed Ivory Finger Blasts played the keys and brought an early `80s funk to the songs that just are not in the originals, bringing The Velvet Rope stamp to the numbers they performed. Another standout was Stu, the saxophonist, who added stellar see VELVET ROPE on page 11 >>