colorado music buzz april 2013

MANAGING PUBLISHERSKeith [email protected] [email protected] EDITORJennifer [email protected] EDITORTimWenger303-725-9359TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.comASSOCIATE EDITORSDarnell Teague- The #[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Web [email protected]

SENIORWRITERSJenn Cohen, Chris Daniels, Jami Duffy,Ryan Edwards, Jennifer Livingston, BrandonMarshall, Jonathan McNaughton, Sean MichaelMorris, Charlie Sullivan, Darnell Teague, Torch,Harrison Welshimer TimWengerPHOTOGRAPHYMiles Chrisinger, Jenn Cohen, Ted Davis

ADVERTISING &MARKETING INQUIRIESSales ManagerBrett Finn - [email protected]@ColoradoMusicBuzz.comMarketing ManagerChris Murphy [email protected] RepresentitiveRyan Edwards [email protected]@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com303-870-7376

GENERAL [email protected] / OTHERPlease email us a written request proposal for all inquiresto [email protected] with the subject lineincluding the words “Sponsorship proposal”

CMB Submissions andAdvertising PolicyColorado Music Buzz welcomes submissions, advertisementsand sponsorships from those connected to every musicalgenre and style, as well as the general public. Due toour publication’s community focus, article content andadvertisements containing nudity, drug references, profanewords/visuals, or sexually exploitative material will not beaccepted. Please feel free to voice any concerns you mayhave and collaborate with us to adapt what you would like topresent in a way that respects both our all-ages audience andyour artistic integrity. We are here for the music, and we arehere for you.Artists may submit press kits/CDsfor review by mail. Please emailrequests for coverage directly tothe editor and copy the writer ofyour choice in your musical style.

April 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com12

Music Matters May Brings Fresh Take on Showcase Performances While BenefitingFlobots.orgThe Vote is In – MusicMattersby Jami [email protected] is an understanding– spoken andunspoken – that young people aremore engaged in their education if theyare also involved in creative activities.Having growing up with both a love ofart, and with reasonable athletic ability,I found myself on the volleyball court,the track field, sculpting and paintingin my high school art studio, and atrehearsal with the thespian crowd.Looking back, I realize just howfortunate I was to have access to avariety of programs offered by my highschool. Most of us have an inherentdesire to create something, to bepart of a team, and to participate inactivities that inspire us. One of myall-time favorite quotes, “When youare inspired, you are creating. Andwhen you are creating, everythingis working,” – reminds me just howdeep the longing for inspiration trulyis. At Flobots.org, we see this desireevery day in our students.Fortunately, Denver voters agree. In thelist of things that we have to be proud of asColoradans, something that ranks high on thatlist is the passing of the Mill Levy and Bond for

Denver Public Schools last November.Colorado was lagging behind in governmentfunding for school arts programs, even whileresearch showed that students participatingin these activities are more likely to excel

academicallyandbecome involved in leadershipopportunities. So, voters took to the polls andapproved significant funding for arts, music,and physical education programs in DPS. Thequestion now is what impact might this fundinghave on the staggering 52% graduation rates

in the district?Schools with music programs have graduationrates of 90.2 percent, as compared with a72.9 percent rate for schools without musiceducation, according to a 2006 HarrisInteractive poll of high school principals fundedby the National Association for Music Educationand International Music Products Association,known as NAMM. The poll also found that

schools with music programs have attendancerates of 93.3 percent, compared with 84.9percent for those that don’t.This is why Flobots.org’s programs and theMill Levy are so crucial. Our school partnersrecognize that Flobots.org brings somethingunique and valuable to the table – professionalaccomplished musicians who are alsoeducators, role models and activists who teach

for-credit classes during the school day. Ina time when youth are searching for positiveinteractions with adults outside of their familiesand schools, Flobots.org is able to meet thisneed in our classrooms.Further, our educators come from diversebackgrounds – not unlike the backgroundsof the students that we serve. As such, whenstudents interact with these accomplished andrespected musicians wholook and speak like theydo, they begin to see thepossibilities for a brighterfuture.

And while Flobots.org isn’tspecifically a mentoringprogram, many of ourpartner artists do end upbecoming role models andmentors for the students weserve. We know that youngpeople in high-qualitymentoring relationshipsare more likely to graduatehigh school and pursue higher education. TheDenver music community can now providethose relationships - and that’s why musicmatters.

Music Matters May toMake Huge Impact forYouth Media Studioby Sean Michael [email protected] May, music matters more than ever.Denver’s Arts District on Santa Fe, alongwith Flobots.org, will host evenings ofmusic, art, food, and wine throughout themonth, all to benefit the Youth Media Studio(youthmediastudiodenver.org). Enjoy thetalents of our best local artists in the beautifulspaces of the 910 Arts Gallery, Vertigo, theColorado Arts Center, Space Gallery, andmore.Tickets are $40/person for each evening, andinclude three intimate art gallery performancesand three free drinks. And all proceeds fromMusic Matters May go to support musiceducation for Denver’s youth.Shows run at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00pm eachevening. The dates for Music Matters May are:Friday, May 10Saturday, May 11

Saturday, May 18Sunday, May 19 (shows at 4:30, 5:30, and6:30)Friday, May 24Saturday, May 25The month will finish off with one final concertfeaturing some of Denver’s top musical acts.Music Matters May was created by the folks atFlobots.org to support their work with Denveryouth. As part of their ongoing mission to bringmusical play, experimentation, and educationback into the lives of Denver’s young, talentedartists, Flobots.org founded the Youth MediaStudio. The YMS will provide digital arts-basedprogramming for at-risk youth in Colorado, andwill connect local youth to students around theworld in a state-of-the-art global classroom.When it is constructed, the YMS will house notonly instruments and production equipment,but also cutting-edge technology that will allowDenver’s at-risk youth to discover and growtheir own musical abilities through hands-onexperimentation and instruction.Flobots.org believes that Denver is a vibrantcenter for art of all kinds. From music andsong writing to fabric arts, paint, and sculpture,the arts community -- centrally located in the

Arts District on Santa Fe -- forms the often-overlooked backbone of creative work in thecity. Because Flobots.org recognizes theoverlap between song, dance, drama, and art,they chose to create a multimedia event in Mayto raise awareness for all of Denver’s art, aswell as support the ongoing construction of theYouth Media Studio. By supporting music, you’llsupport all of Denver’s artistic community --and contribute to the growth of that communityin the form of youth music education.“I’ve been involved with music at many levels,”says Denver musician Matt Morris, who hasreleased independent as well as major-labelalbums, has appeared as a musical guest atDenver’s Light the Lights event as well as onnational television programs like Ellen and TheLetterman Show. “And I believe it’s importantto support music on all those levels. We can’tjust fund the highest levels of music. Wehave to honor all our musicians, singers, andsongwriters... Starting with our young people.”Come out throughout the month to enjoy thebest music Denver has to offer, and make a realdifference to the music and arts communities,and to Denver’s talented youth. They’re waitingto be discovered... All they need is your support.Make music matter this May.

FLOBOTS.ORG AND DENVER’S ARTS DISTRICTON SANTA FE PARTNER FOR THE FIRST-EVERMUSIC MATTERS MAYWHO: Flobots.org members, Denver’sArts District on Santa Fe members,local recording artists Chiney Choir,Grayson Erhard, Melissa Ivey,Bianca Mikahn, Adrian Molina,Angie Stevens, Suzi Q, Varlet,Wheel Chair Sportscamp, and MikeWird, and more musicians to beannounced.WHAT: Music Matters May celebrates theDenver artistic community by connecting localmusicians and visual artiststo produce authentic, live andunplugged performances. Eighteendifferent art galleries serve as thevenues over three weekends andsix days.

Tickets for a single night are $40and include three drinks. ColoradoMusic Buzz is an event sponsor.All proceeds benefit Flobots.org, anonprofit organization offering diverseprograms that reflect the belief thatmusic and the arts are tools forbuilding awareness, inspiring action,supporting personal transformationand building leaders. Their mission isto create positive social change byharnessing the power of music andthose who love it.WHEN/WHERE: Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11– 800 Block on Santa FeSaturday, May 18 and Sunday, May19 – 700 Block on Santa FeFriday, May 24 and Saturday, May25 – 900 Block on Santa FeTO PURCHASE TICKETS: https://adreproductions.webconnex.com/Music_Matters_May

April 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com 13

by Tim WengerMark your calendars forApril 21-27. The secondannual Upper Colfax Root 40 Music Fest ishitting, of course, at the Upper Colfax businessdistrict, which runs from the State Capitoleast to Columbine St. Those familiar with thearea, or with Denver’s music community, haveundoubtedly spent their fair share of nights

crawling the 24 blocks that make up UpperColfax, and have probably spent a fair amountof time drinking cold brews and watching livemusic in the 15+ venues that span the district.The idea for Root 40 came from the brain offormer Upper Colfax Business District boardmember Randy Swan, who is involved inarchitectural preservation, and has beeninvolved in helping improve the business districtfor years. “During his second term, he had beennudging me with the concept of doing a week-long music event,” says Stephanie Salazarwith the Upper Colfax Business District. “Thereason for this was, this area in Denver is thegateway to the State Capital, to City Hall, and isone of the most historic areas in Denver.”Originally, they hoped to not only highlightthe many venues and independent shops onthe strip, but to celebrate the rich history ofmusic in the area. “Music has a history here,”says Salazar. “This is where the epicenter ofDenver’s music scene originated.”“East High School has produced some prettyrenowned artists including Judy Collins andBobDylan.TheSatire Lounge at one time wasvery active with music, and they are becomingmore active during Root 40. You’ve got all of

these historic structures in the area.”“Randy kept saying, ‘You know, we reallyneed to look at doing something to drawattention to this area,’ which has reallybeen changing and growing,’” saysSalazar. “We want to celebrate the historyof music and culture in this district. Wewant to draw attention to this district fromour neighbors and visitors to bring peopleonto Colfax as a dynamic and fun place tobe, and to celebrate the fact that it is a veryentrepreneurial area.”There are two big things that separateRoot 40 from the majority of music festivalsthat grace our fine city every year; first andforemost, this event is billed not only as a festival,but also as a conference with workshops andfeatures heavy interaction with music industryprofessionals throughout the week. The wholething kicks off on Sunday, April 21 with the Root40 Expo at the Fillmore Auditorium. Featuringlive music outside as well as on the main stage,the event plays host to bands, vendors, and

industry pros looking to showcase their servicesand do as much networking as possible. “Bothregionally and locally owned music-relatedbusinesses will showcase their products.There will be listening sessions (bring a musicsample), keynote speakers and performances,”said the Fillmore’s parent promotion companyLive Nation in a press release.“We are expecting this to be very interactive,”says Salazar. Musicians will be able to set uptables to promote their music. There will also beguest speakers.On Monday, April 22, there will be a paneldiscussion featuring top music industry prosfrom across the nation. Being put together byCU Associate Professor Chris Daniels, thisevent will take place at L2 Arts &CulturalCenter beginning at 7 pm. Attendees will havethe opportunity ask questions and interact withthe panelists after the discussion.Tuesday, April 23, features two additionalpanels at the Auraria Campus, focusing on thepublishing industry. 100-150 seats are availableto public, with the first discussion starting at2 pm and the second at 3:30 pm. Check thecurrent schedule at root40.com.

The weeklong celebration also aims to help theirfour beneficiaries. Musicians In Action will becollecting non-perishable food items throughoutthe week, leading up to the outdoors close outparty on Saturday, April 27, on the MusiciansIn Action stage in the parking lot next to theold Smiley’s Laundromat. 9 Cares ColoradoShares will be distributing the collected items,as well as promoting the legwork that MIA willbe doing. Baby formula and any other itemsthat homeless people can use are encourageddonations.Gently used cell phones and musicalinstruments will also be collected by KBCO forredistribution. “KBCO wants to celebrate earthday by collecting these items,” says Salazar.“We will be doing that at the expo on the 21st.”And, of course, there is something for the kidscoming out of all this. “The other initiative wewant to support is music education,” saysSalazar. “We know that [East High School’s]music program has been slashed over thelast 2-5 years, really significantly in the last

two years, and they have a really goodmusic program. What we’d like to be ableto do is have some substantial corporatesponsorships and be able to provideresources to East High School.”Last year’s inaugural Root 40 Music Festwas just a fraction of what the organizershope to do with the festival as it grows.Board approval was required to get thefestival off the ground. “Last year theysupported a pilot project,” says Salazar.“We rolled it out as a pilot just to test,with very little promotion. We had somuch interest from musicians, educators,businesses, and vendors who asked if wewere going to do it again that we broughtit before the board. Our seven-personboard unanimously supported movingforward with it.”They acquired non-profit status under thename of the Upper Colfax CommunityFoundation 501c3,” says Salazar. “Thisyear, the objective is to have really broadpromotion of the event, and we wantto make sure that we really develop aplatform to support and strengthen themusic industry in Colorado.”

The support from the community has beenoverwhelming. Over 229 artists submitted forconsideration. There are 21 venues on board inthe district alone; many of who do not normallyfeature live music. Additionally, over 30 vendorshave come on board. The only ticketed eventswill take place at the Fillmore, Ogden Theatreand Lion’s Lair. The events throughout theweek at the other 18 venues will not requireadvance purchase. “It’s all about taking theregistrants and trying to book as many acts aswe can,” says Salazar.“We’re trying to accomplish several differentthings with this one event,” Salazar says.“It’s all about the surrounding communityand promoting our neighborhood and ourbusinesses. I think our tagline says it all- ‘7Days of Music and the Business of MakingMusic.”Online: root40.com

Second Annual Upper Root 40 Music Fest to Showcase Denver Talent,Showcase Local Music Industry

April’s ReverbNation Featured Artists of the Monthare a varied group- we’ve got some hard rock, somesoul, some punk, and some pop, and each of thefive artists featured were selected because of theway they represent their genre. Check out theirprofiles to learn more about the artists! We’ll be backnext month with the next batch of selections.


LoadstoneDAn English teacher, a firefighter/graphic designer, a doctor, and a guy with a slate of music degrees? Yep--that’s LoadStoneD! And they’reyour “kinda crazy”! Brought together in the summer of 2011 and based in Denver, Colorado, LoadStoneD is Chris Shoults (rhythm guitar,vocals), Dave Sandusky (drums), Dan Baker (bass), Tim Buckman (lead guitar)--and so much more.The group’s latest project is a full-length release (December 1, 2012) entitled My Kinda Crazy. It’s rooted in LoadStoneD’s own brand ofdriving rock—as can be heard in tunes like “My Kinda Crazy,” “You Want It, Too,” “Bell Jar,” “Stuck,” and “With You, Without You”—balancedagainst the country stylings of tunes like “Mama, She Lied” and tied together by edgy crossover songs like “Sippy Cup” and “Ocean Eyes.”Don’t think such variety can live together on the same record? Give the latest album a listen; they’ll show you how it’s done.As for who these guys are as musicians, they’ll tell you the music speaks for itself—revealing influences from classical to metal, as well asthe members’ broad range of musical experiences. But who are these guys as people? Suffice it to say that whether Dr. Bass is chargingthe camera, Dave’s offending everyone with his attire, Chris is defending his drink of choice, or Tim is blazing his guitar—or banjitar—intosubmission, the members of LoadStoneD don’t take themselves too seriously. So, as Hunter S. Thompson put it, “Buy the ticket, take theride”—or in this case the “trip.” The members of LSD bet you won’t be sorry. reverbnation.com/loadstoned

Zanya LaurenceZanya Laurence, new to the stomping grounds of the Mile High City, is ready to blaze her own soulful trail through the many opportunities ofa new land. Her highly anticipated sophomore album “Always”, just released this October 30th, is only the latest chapter in the story of hermusical journeyshe graduated from the Vocal Institute of Technology at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA with extensive training in theory &performance, while performing the Hollywood area regularly with her band in well-known venues such as the Knitting Factory, as well ascozier venues, like the Bliss Café’.Although, Laurence is compared to several established artists, her original writing style & unique voice can be heard through her passionateexpression, phrasing & thoughtful delivery. At the end of the day, Zanya’s sound is truly one of a kind. reverbnation.com/zanyalaurence

The Dusty Neil BandDusty Neil is originally from Dallas, Texas, where his band played from 2006-2008, eventually landing gigs on local festival line-ups.When his band disbanded, Dusty moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to continue the music project. He met some really great musiciansto form the Electric Country Powerhouse a.k.a. The Dusty Neil Band.After tapping into the Colorado music scene, the band found themselves stepping onto the stage for FoCo Mx, Cervantes Ball Room,Greeley stampede, Mishawaka amphitheater and many more.The Dusty Neil Band blends Electric vibes of Country with Alternative Rock and Blues. This “Electric Country” is an uplifting brandof contemporary country and rock music with an almost-classic rock feel. We are currently tracking for The Dusty Neil Band’s debutalbum, Electric # 13. reverbnation.com/dustyneil

No More ExcusesFormed in the fall of ‘09 No More Excuses set out on an Epic journey, a Rock odessey of sorts. Only good things have happenedsince to the eclectic quartet, so they decided to share it with everyone else. Face melting guitar mixed with driving bass, creative drummingand vocals stingingly sweet but still raw, No More Excuses is poised to return Rock N Roll to its rightful place in the underground. Lead singerJustin Duran put it best, “Rock n roll lost its edge, its supposed to scare your parents and make you wanna take ur pants off! We wanna bringthat back.” Their music borrows from hardcore, indie, metal, punk, rock and whatever forms of trouble Kyle, Cody, Sam and Justin can findtheir way into. Sam rounds out this motley crew with innovative drums with Kyle on bass and Justin and Cody on guitars. Give ‘em a chanceyou won’t regret it, or maybe you will but at least your pants will be off! reverbnation.com/nomoreexcuses

Starcar SundayStarcar Sunday is a female-fronted rock-pop band from Denver. If Gin Blossoms had two women as lead singers and they hada baby No Doubt that was raised by Cheap Trick, they might sound something like this. Together for roughly three years, DaynaGeiger, Carla Weikel, Ryan Miller, Brian AC and Billy Small make up the Denver-based powerhouse that is Starcar Sunday. Theywrite original pop/rock songs that teem with love, fury, jealousy and compassion, and perform regularly around Metro Denver.reverbnation.com/starcarsunday

Take To The Oars-The Bow & TheSternby Tim [email protected] has been a hectictwelve months forTake to the Oars. What with playing RedRocks, being on the cover of Colorado MusicBuzz, and performing a number of other biggigs around the metro area, it’s almost hardto believe that the Denver based rockers hadtime to record a new EP. It happened, though,and the seven tracks that make up The Bow &The Stern are delivered straight, with no filler,staying true to the melodic alt-rock sound theband has become known for.

“White Noise” is the catchiest tune on therecord, despite most of the immediate attentionbeing paid to “Morning Coffee.” The track isfilled with solid lead guitar and picturesquevocals from front man Ryan Gombeski.Each song on the album tells a story, andthe instrumentation does its’ part to paint theintended picture firmly into the mind of thelistener by not over killing the tempo. Remainingplacid and full throughout the album, Take to theOars is able to maintain complete control overthe emotion delivered through their music.Online: taketotheoars.com

Musuji-ChanceyThe Wizard Wagonby Tim [email protected] are not toomany acts in Coloradothat put out the soundthat Musuji does. It may not be a sound foreveryone, but they do it damn well. Their newrecord Chauncey the Wizard Wagon deliversten hard-hitting tracks that rely heavily on thefunked-out bass wizardry of Thom Whitney tomake it inherently obvious that you are listeningto none other than Musuji.

Vocalist Arnie Blomquist at times sounds abit like Zack De La Rocha, at times more likethe long-haired hipster front man of an early’90s alt rock outfit, at others like nothing I’veever heard before. They’ve got the weirdnessof Primus with some hip-hop, screaming, andtrance rock all tossed together. The albumsounds, at times, like a group of acid freakslocked themselves in a cabin in the woods witha plethora of instruments and ProTools, andthe new Musuji record is what emerged fromthe madness. Musuji is more than entertainingto watch live, and this full-length record isdefinitely a good album to bump on your drivehome from work.Online: facebook.com/pages/Musuji/188845482183

Sam Lee- RaiseYour Flagby Jenn [email protected] Lee’s latesteffort, Raise YourFlag, is a cohesiveblend of country, rock, and pop. This is a must-add to your music assemblage. Delicious fromthe beginning, Lee’s vocals are so comfortingit’s like hanging out with an old friend andreflecting on times gone by. Beginning withthe toe-tapping, upbeat “According to Me,” andending with the stripped-down tearjerker, “MyDear Warrior,” every track conveys a messageof standing up for what you believe in, findingstrength from your mistakes and so-calledimperfections, and leaving behind the need forexternal validation.

There are so many good songs on this CD, Ikept it on autoplay, but my favorite today, is“My Dear Warrior,” reminiscent of the Eagles“Desperado,” but better.Youcan listen toRaiseYourFlagonSoundcloud,and the CD will be available for purchase onApril 26, supported by a CD release party atthe Oriental Theatre, along with Eldren andthe Yawpers.Online: samleemusic.com

The Reprecussions-Observer Effectby Tim [email protected] ska/punk worldhas seen manyincarnations over theyears, and through it all there have alwaysbeen those bands that stay true to that classicupstroke sound that we all fell in love with asteenagers. The Repercussions maintain thataura with an overdose of two-tone fury jammedinside their new album Observer Effect.

For those who know the genre, it is easy topick out their influence from bands such asthe Specials and Operation Ivy with a doseof ’90s punk-rock flavor thrown in for goodtaste. “Love it or Leave it” and “Agents” bringout that classic scratchy ska sound, while “MRI”provides the dose of distortion to round out theband’s sound.The record reflects what their fans have cometo love about the band’s live performances- askank-a-licious dose of toe tappin’ magic thatmakes it nearly impossible to sit still when youknow there is a steady circle to be had, even ifyou’re alone in the living room.Online: facebook.com/pages/The-Repercussions/121611784578919

Ben Hanna- WeWere All LikeWhateverby Tim [email protected] Hanna describeshimself as “post-suburban Americana.” Before we proceedany further, Colorado Music Buzz is goingto attempt to define this term, in order toincrease the understanding of the remainder ofthis article, if not the actual album itself. TheAmericana part rings true with slow pickingacoustic guitar, the post-suburban part, wellwe’re assuming that is referencing the satirical,sometimes dark, ominous lyrical work Hannadisplays.

The song “Titty Bar Chicken (Ringin’ in MyBrain)” is a pretty good example of what we’retalking about here; not your average tune, asyou may guess, but certainly entertaining. “IWish We Were Beginning It” is the first originaltake on a break-up song that we haven’t heardin years. The songs all have a humorous touch,with just enough pace to them to keep yourhead bobbing while you are laughing your assoff.Online: benhannamusic.com

Na’an Stop-It’s Allin the Cheeseby Tim [email protected] else would aband called Na’anStop be from, butBoulder? The five-piece drops songs that arereminiscent of their classic reggae forefathers,but what really stands out about these guys(that often goes unnoticed in the reggae world)is the guitar. The upstrokes are very prominentthroughout the record. Not necessarily pushingthe envelope musically, but the guitar work issolid and provides backbone for the songs.

The opening song “Support” is very up-tempo,almost sounding like two-tone ska at times.They feature horns on “The Cheese,” givingsome more of that ska feel. They demonstratetheir ability to slow it down and go moretraditional on “One Question.”Na’an Stop has a great sound, very energetic,and could easily become the next big force tobe reckoned with in Colorado’s reggae scene.Online: facebook.com/naanstopmusic

Straight Outta Luckby Tim [email protected] Outta Luckhas finally given uswhat our ears havebeen asking for sincethat one drunken night at 3 Kings Tavernthat no one remembers leaving--the abilityto bump their jams in the car. Their debut EPepitomizes their west coast punk-rock style:rapid fire drumming, chunky power chords andquasi-melodic, sometime scratchy vocals thatare easy to sing along to, understandable, andmeaningful.

Thesongs“Here”and“Khakis”showcaseexactlythat. It is almost impossible to not sing alongto the anthemic choruses. The entire record issolid and consistent, never compromising thepunk-rock style that undoubtedly brought theband together in the first place; the music thathas always given us “Something to Believe In.”Online: reverbnation.com/straightouttaluck

The Worthby Tim [email protected] Worth hasdropped their debutEP, an energetic takeon sludge rock thatpresents elements of everything from metal topunk to alternative.

The 4-track album kicks off with “The Tide,”jumping right into catchy, sometimes dark,guitar riffs and lyrics that are actually wellpresented and sung, and fit well with the music,something not always associated with sludgerock.They slow it down a bit with “Statistic,” stillmelodic, but more of a rhythmic head banger.The last two tracks stay more on line with theopener, hooking the listener with well-writtenguitar lines.Online: theworth.bandcamp.com


Want your musicreviewed?Send 2 copies to:P.O. Box 2739Littleton, CO 80161

KING. Joe King.by Jenn CohenFeature Photos: Jenn CohenIf anyone still harbors doubt aboutColorado’s stellar music scene, they’rein for yet another reality check.We Coloradans have always knownthere is something mystical about oursoil, so we just keep producing madmusical talent. The latest local to grabthe music scene by the proverbial ballsis KING, also known as Joe King. Thename may or may not ring an immediatebell, but Google it, and everything willfall into place.King is, for the moment, best known asthe guitarist for the Fray. But remove theman from the band, and it won’t be longbefore KING is established as his ownthriving solo-artist entity. KING’s debutCD, Breaking, is set to drop on April 23,followed by four shows in Colorado. Stilla virgin to performing solo, KING willperform his first show as a solo-artist atthe Bluebird Theatre on April 25. “It’simportant to me [to have the first show inDenver],” says King. “I want to play herefirst, [with] friends and family, it’s myhometown. Whatever Denver bands thatare touring right now, if they’re in town,if they want to come out, and come on

stage . . .”Since releasing the first single, “Need aWoman by Friday,” on March 5, (availableon iTunes), King has been preparing forthe release of the video this Friday onVH-1, as well as an appearance nextweek on the Big Morning Buzz LiveShow. “I’ve been doing a lot of hustling,”says King, “which is fun, because it’sdefinitely getting into the roots of themusic business and why I do it. Just thefact that, instead of you having to connectthrough eight people at a label, it’s niceto say, ‘I’ll meet you on Monday.’ I findit’s actually refreshing for the industry as well, when they getto work with independent artists. They’re excited that we cancreate fresh ideas, and it’s not like going through a label.”Not that having “people” and being on a major label is bad . . .“Yeah, I’ve been on the major label thing, which is necessary,you know. It’s nice, but also, you get really disconnected frompeople, which is okay if all you want to do is write music;everybody else does everything for you. That’s a beautifulthing, and I love that aspect of it. But I also love connecting,

like, ‘I’m going to send this song to thisguy over here, and maybe we’ll dosomething.’”A “sheltered kid who [wasn’t supposed to]see R-rated movies or listen to Dr. Dre,”King was raised chiefly in Aurora andArvada, with a family heavily involved inthe church. “My dad was a pastor,” hesays, “which is probably why I turnedout to be a musician.” Driven by classicteenage angst, King found himself introuble growing up, “but I was smart aboutit,”he says. “My parents didn’t know what Iwas up to--until I came home in a policecar.”“NeedaWomanbyFriday,” the first releaseoff of Breaking stemmed from being singlearound his birthday. “It was my birthday,having a party that Friday, and I had afeeling that I wish I had a woman--wishshe was there waiting for me, so yeah,that came out of wants or desires.” I can’timagine it’s hard for King to find dates.“It’s not a bad place to be, in a band, whenyou’re single,” he says. “Those things arehelpful, but it can be extremely caustic.”However, he has two daughters who keephim on his toes. “I’m the hero right now,

they want to hang out still. I know it’sgoing to change a couple years fromnow. Unless I can introduce them to thenext Justin Bieber at that time . . .”Everyone starts somewhere, and Kingclaims that before the Fray, he was ina couple of bands that played, “reallybad, bad music.” And as for advice tothose just starting out? “Just startingout, I don’t envy that. But I also feel thesame way right now. I feel like a newartist because if you hear ‘KING,’ or thesong, you have no clue, unless you reada backstory about it,” says King. “I thinkit takes a lot more hustle now than it did back in the day whenI started [with the Fray in 2002]. Obviously, connecting throughsocial media, [and] I just started that. I literally just signed upfor a Twitter account a couple of weeks ago.

“It’s usually the ‘left-field’ things that break you. It’s not usuallywhat you’d expect. Even for the Fray, we were chugging away,we had our single out, we were starting to tour, the first singlewas doing well—at least put us on the map—we’re selling records, and then

wegot a call about someTVshow, (“Grey’sAnatomy”), and that was a complete left-field thing.”On deciding to go for a solo album, Kingsays, “In all ways of my life, I was readyfor fresh, ready for innovation, readyto change the way I’ve always donethings; my perspective, relationships,how I approached songwriting, or how Iapproached the production of songwriting.So everything changed. One of the quotesthat was resonating in me was, “Youeither innovate or you die. I think that’strue for a relationship or your songs. If youcontinue to copy yourself, like, ‘It workedlast time,’ and you just keep doing it againand again, it gets boring.”“I feel like, for a couple of years, I wasdrifting into the ocean. Like things weretaking me to spots, and I didn’t have anycontrol, not that I really want control. Ifeel like if you try to control your life, itonly ends up in more frustration. So forseveral years, I felt like I was drifting insome ways, which was great, and then,you know, I drifted to some islands, andit was like, ‘Yay, stay at the island forawhile,’ then get off and go to anotherone. And I feel like I’m ashore to a newplan, to whatever that is right now, like I’mjust venturing out into this somewhat of anew world, which is exciting.”

Collaborating with locals Matt Morris,Patrick Meese, and even a cameo on atrack by Bethany Kelly from Churchill,this CD is loaded with goodness. Thesix songs on Breaking are very differentfrom one another, each one tapping intoa different emotion. I tried to think of whoI would compare the sound to, (somepeople feel more comfortable having thatcomparison before they listen), but all Ikept coming back to is, ‘It sounds likeJoe King.’ Refreshingly upbeat trackssurround sometimes-personal lyrics,and delve into emotions everyone canrelate to. Says King, “Coming out of along-term marriage—when that ended, itwas scary. But it felt good to be liked again, and then just fallingvery quickly, and learning what girls are right, but may not beright for me. But some songs, I just channeled something thatwas going on, not necessarily from a specific experience.“I love what Quentin Tarantino said, ‘You’re not really writingunless the people around you are uncomfortable.’ I love that.Not that you should try to write to make people uncomfortable

because then it just feels contrived. Youdon’t want theresponse [to what you write] to be what’sexpected; you want the response to beshock, and that people don’t really knowwhat to think at first.”Best compliment you’ve everreceived? “It was kind of a compliment/bubble-bursting thing from my daughter.We [The Fray] were opening for U2, andshe didn’t know who U2 was. We’re at theshow, she sees daddy’s set, this massivestage, stadium—and she’s seen showsbefore, so it’s normal for her. So we getoff the stage, it’s like this incredible high;lifetime experience, they’re one of thebiggest bands in the world. And it’s ourtime to go out and see the show. So I takemy girl out to the front of the house, she’son my shoulders, people are screaming,lights and lasers and sunglasses—rockstars, like the biggest rock stars. And sheleans down half way through the set andyells in my ear, ‘Daddy, why is U2 somuchcooler than the Fray?’ So, I consider thatone of my greatest compliments, andalso one of the most humbling. Brutalhonesty.”I wish I could . . . “I wish I could speakany language in the world at any time.”

And while King loves to travel, “Afterawhile you’re in your own little bubble,not grounded to normal, domestic life. Istart craving making eggs, or something,pulling weeds, or shoveling snow. It’sso therapeutic to shovel snow. Theseare the domestic things you miss whenyou’re on the road.” Also therapeutic toKing is Ping-Pong. (Just don’t crack thePing-Pong ball. Especially if it’s the lastone. He doesn’t like that.)Lucky for us, KING has four Coloradodates in April. You’ll want to capture hislocal shows now, before the rest of theworld recognizes his remarkable talent,and he hits the road. Joining King, locally, are Patrick Meese onkeys, and Jeff Linsenmaier on drums. Tickets are available atjoekingoffficial.com, and at only $16, you should be there.

Shows: April 25 @ the Bluebird Theatre in Denver, April 26 @the Aggie in Fort Collins, April 27 @ Black Sheep in ColoradoSprings, April 28 @ Fox Theater in Boulder.Online: joekingofficial.com | Twitter: @joekingofficial

Right away they didn’t holdback, opening up with smashhits that everybody in theaudience sang word-for-word.

Songs like “The Resistance” off of their albumNew Surrender and “Paperthin Hymn” off oftheir second album Never Take FriendshipPersonal. The crowd loved the show from thestart with clapping and fist pumping to almostevery song.Stephen Christian (vocals), and the restof Anberlin fed off the crowds energy withridiculous guitar and drum solos, and at onepoint as patrons were getting kicked out forcrowd surfing, Christian decided to crowd surfwhile singing, which got the crowd going further.As the night went on, every song seemed to bebetter than the last, and the audience (includingmyself) didn’t want it to end.

Anberlin came out for their encore and playedmultiple songs including “Feel Good Drag,”as one of their last songs. Walking out of theGothic, I was still somehow surprised at howgood they were live, and the only thought thatwas circling in my head for the drive homewas…I would love to see them again.Online: anberlin.com


Michael Zucker, WorkingBoth Sides of the Tracksby Charlie [email protected]’m always amazed when I find a talent likeMichael Zucker (guitars, vocals) operatingsomewhat unnoticed on the local music scene.I was shopping at Absolute Vinyl and noticeda Zucker record on the wall. The cover grabbedmy attention; I took a chance, gave it a spin,and discovered a guitar virtuoso among othertalents. Zucker has been busy crafting someof the finest experimental alternative rock thatthis writer has heard in years. The man hasamassed 14 or 15 solo projects in a ten-yearspan; even he’s lost count. Zucker’s musicpushes the listener into another realm.“I’ve always got lots of ideas and want to keepthe music coming,” shares Zucker. “I got myfirst big push on the music scene from the videogame music community. I was performing withvarious bands and stepped into the solo sceneand things started rolling along.”And the music he’s creating has beenconsistently good; simple melodies, layeredsounds, and great musicians tracking it all.Zucker released his last full-length record inlate August of 2012, Technocracy (the termtechnocracy was originally used to designatethe application of the scientific method to

solving social problems, in counter distinctionto the traditional economic, political, orphilosophic approaches). The album is theculmination of previous thought processesfrom other works. Zucker has a message thathe wants to spread with his music. The laws ofman are not in concert with nature. Technologyis eliminating the labor force. Resources aren’tbeing distributed properly. Things need tochange.Zucker has released two EPs since August,Inner Demons and Clean, and has anotheralbum in the works.“The new material has a lot of break beatsand pop sounds that will grab the listener’sattention,” states Zucker.Through all of Zucker’s musical efforts, hehas also started his own record label (2011),Differential Productions, in Boulder. The labelhas blossomed with six additional acts jumpingon board.“I’m engineering, I’m mixing, I’m producing,”remarks Zucker. “We use several differentstudios but I’m partial to Immersive Studiosand Decibel Garden.”“I’ve also invested in equipment and set up apost-production studio at home,” he adds.Zucker likes working with other artists andpushing them has far as he can. He tries tosee the end result immediately. He wants theartists to show him where they want to taketheir music.“I’ll have the band show me a CD or album thathas the vibe their looking for,” Zucker states. “Ipush where they’ll let me push and help themsee the end result.”Zucker hasn’t been playing a lot of live showslately because he’s been in the studio workingon solo projects and various side projects. Hedoes plan on getting some live dates on theschedule for the band Dark Matter, an outfithe performs with. Check out the DifferentialProductions website and see what’shappening.Were it not for music, we might in these dayssay, the Beautiful is dead. -Benjamin DisraeliOnline: differential-productions.com

Imagine Dragons BringNational Buzz to FillmoreMarch 23by Wendy Villalobosphoto credit Miles [email protected]

There are only a few bands that truly inspireme. There are even less bands that portraythemselves as humble individuals, especiallythose that have reached a level of stardomwhich allows them to travel the world to puton shows. On Saturday, I came face to face(or at least close enough to the stage to beconsidered that) with a band just like that.Imagine Dragons really knows how to put ona show, and their energy was present evenbefore they got on stage.Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of the band,also showcased his persona, as he got thecrowd stomping and dancing. Reynolds madeit clear to the audience that he still couldn’tbelieve that he was able to stand in front ofsuch a huge crowd to sing songs that the band

had put together. He also said he neverwould have guessed that he would be theone up on stage, and thanked the audiencefor getting them there.Imagine Dragons’ music is uplifting andreally gets me in a great mood, rather thantell me to raise a glass in the air, and wavemy hands like I just don’t care. I’ll do thatanyway while I listen to them, and that’swhat makes them so unique. Their soundis their own, and their words resonate withyou, as they did at the Fillmore Auditorium.The fast-paced drums with sliding guitarmelodies that made the sold-out venuecome to life was great to watch; so manypeople celebrating great music at the sametime is always something I love to see.The huge ocean of bodies splashed withred, blue and white lights from the stage isexhilarating to be a part of, and I’m sure thatthe guys in Imagine Dragons felt the exactsame way. The band is due back in May foranother North American tour, and you canalready guess people are on watch as theywait for tickets to sell. Imagine Dragons atRed Rocks? I don’t think you want to missit.Online: imaginedragonsmusic.com Anberlin Bring Alt Rock Style to Gothic

by Ryan EdwardsPhoto credit Ted [email protected] know a venue is solid when it can packthe house on a Tuesday night. It also tells youthe headlining band has a hell of a following.Florida natives, Anberlin, started back in 2002and since then have toured nationally multipletimes and launched six albums with numeroushits on the radio. Once I heard them back in2004 I was hooked, and once I realized I had achance to see them at an intimate setting likeThe Gothic Theatre, I thought, sign me up!Before this show, I had never seen themperform live, but I just knew that this show wasgoing to be amazing, and I wasn’t disappointed.The night began with people of all ages pouringinto the venue with conversations all around meabout how excited they were to see Anberlin. Asthe venue filled up, the first band All Get Outwarmed them up, and afterwards, Tennesseelocals Paper Route surprised everyone withhow good they are, getting the crowd clappingand screaming to their remarkably catchytunes.Eventually, as I was ordering a Coors Lightfrom the bar, Anberlin bolted on stage andthe crowd erupted. Right away they didn’thold back, opening up with smash hits thateverybody in the audience sang word-for-word.

to the hospital, there was a nurse there thatrecognized the [mother’s] name from Dominick’scase a few years before,” says Aaron. “Sheheard the name and figuredout that Dominick’s brotherwas born.”Without concern foranything other than thesafety of the newborn child,the nurse made a decisionthat could have jeopardizednot only her job, but thefuture of the child. It turnedout to be a heroic move,even if only in the mindsof the few who knew aboutit. She called the adoptiveparents of Dominick andinformed them that hisyounger brother had justbeen born. “She called myparents immediately,” saysAaron. “She said, ‘I’m notsupposed to tell you this.I will most definitely getfired if anyone finds out,but Dominick’s little brotherwas born and you guysneed to investigate this andif you want him, come get him.”

Their adoptive parents didn’t think twice, theybrought Aaron into the family and united himwith his older brother. “I was the easy one outof the bunch,” Aaron says with a laugh.Music has been a part of the Wagner householdfor Dominick and Aaron’s entire lives. “Wewere always kind of engulfed in music,” saysDominick. “My Dad played music growing up,and had his own band and they toured all overthe place for years and years, so playing musicand doing that thing was just what we did toconnect as father and son. We grew up inchurch and started playing in church.”

Dominick started playing drums in churcharound the age of six, and Aaron got into theaction a couple years later, although he wasn’tvery happy the instrument he was initially stuckwith. “Dominick was always the drummer, myDad played guitar and sang, and there weresome family friends that would also play withus, so I would always get stuck on the bongos,”says Aaron. “I hated it. I thought it was themost degrading and humiliating thing. No onethought I was cool.”Regardless of that, they played on. “We startedtraveling all over and playing in differentchurches that would have us,” says Dominick.Eventually, Aaron persuaded his parents to buyhim a guitar so that he could promote himself toa “real” instrument.“Dominick and I were almost treated as twinsgrowing up,” says Aaron. “When I got my firstguitar, they also got him a guitar. We neverhad formal lessons, we just learned to readtabs and ask guitar players that we knew. Hewas better than me at first, and I was like, ‘No!I’m not getting stuck back on the bongos.’ So Iwould lock myself in a room for three hours ata time playing just so I wouldn’t get stuck onthe bongos.”The two played in bands growing up and after


Denver Rockers MedicCome From Storied Past,Look to BrightFutureby Tim [email protected] band has a story--a story of who they are,how they formed, and howthey ended up with thatridiculous name. But mostbands do not have a storythe wayMedic has a story.Aaron Wagner and hisolder brother DominickWagner were born in thetoughest of situations,from the same motherwith two different fathers;Dominick, a crack baby;and Aaron, born while hismother was intoxicated,attempting to give birthherself in her home.Through an amazingadoptive family and alot of hard work, the Wagner brothers havebeen able get started on what looks to be asuccessful musical path, growing from whatthey have been through and turning it into apositive path.“My parents were always interested in fostercare,” says Aaron. “My folks were a fosterhome. I think they have had something like 80children in and out of the house throughout theyears, that they would bring in and take care ofand feed and house.” Seven of them are thechildren of the foster parents, with four of thoseseven being adopted, including Dominick andAaron.Being born to a drug addicted mother, it wasinstantaneously necessary that Dominickfind a home where he would be raised underresponsible eyes. It was far from an easy shot,however, as the family that wanted to adopt himhad to jump through hurdle after hurdle to makeit happen. Dominick and Aaron are black, andwere adopted into a white household, whicheven in the 1980s was a bit more taboo thanit is today. “Dominick was immediately takenaway from the mother, and had to get all ofthe stuff out of his system,” says Aaron. “It wasvery hard for our [adoptive] parents to get usbecause it would be a multi-racial home. Theyfought a lot of wars to get that happening.Dominick was almost taken by a grandma thatwe have, but she wasn’t in great health andwas already pretty old as it is.”Two and a half years later, Aaron was born tothe same mother. His story is a bit different inscenario but the same in vulnerability. “Ourmother was trying to have me in the home, shewasn’t telling anyone,” says Aaron. It is unclearas to whether the birth mother was trying tohide the fact that she was having another child,but it took a neighbor hearing her screams ofpain to get an ambulance to the scene. “Theyhave no idea if she was going to try to throwme away. She was drunk trying to have mein her house or her apartment or whatever itwas. A neighbor heard her screaming andcalled the ambulance. I was actually born in theambulance on the way to the hospital.”The ambulance arrived at the same hospitalwhere Dominick was born, and what happenednext could be considered by some to be fate,by others to be an act of God. “When we got

winning some battles of the bands with theirprevious group Saving Daylight, they thoughtthey had it made. “We would just go to highschools and win battles of the bands and thatwas pretty much it,” says Aaron. “We won allthese battles, and thought, ‘We’re gonna besigned, we’re gonna get huge!’” The groupwent to Nashville to perform at a showcase forsome legit music industry professionals, and itdid not turn out as fortunately as their previouscompetitions. “We go to Nashville, we spend aton of money to get out there, and they prettymuch were like, ‘You guys aren’t that good.’”“That was the longest drive back fromNashville,” laughs Dominick.The band eventually called it quits, but Aaronand Dominick did not give up on music.“[Dominick] and I have always been theconstants,” says Aaron. “Friends come and goand move away, but [we] have always wantedto play music together.” A couple of theirfriends, Drew Barnard and Miller Harveauxcame to be in the right place at the right time forthe brothers, and Medic was formed.The group has an EP out currently, with hopes ofrecording a full-length album in the near future.

“We’ve done some tours with it, people havetaken to it really well,” says Dominick. Theyhave toured behind the record a few times, withgood response both locally and nationally.The EP is titled Grace and Gravity. “I think Italk a lot about change,” says Aaron. “I don’tadjust well to change. Songs are easier to writewhen you’re struggling or sad. I think Graceand Gravity has a lot of hopeful elements to it.I think an overall theme is hope. I like to talk alot about hopeful situations and let people knowthat there is a lot more beyond what they cansee, and what is going on right now.”Look for them to be playing more aroundDenver in the near future. “When we startedplaying shows, I think we neglected a lot ofwhat was happening in Denver,” says Aaron.“Not intentionally, it just never really workedout for us to hang out in Denver. We figuredwe should start making some friends aroundhere.”Online: wearemedic.com

The ambulance arrived at thesame hospital where Dominickwas born, and what happenednext could be considered bysome to be fate, by others tobe an act of God.

Hey Congress, HomeDepot is Hiringby [email protected] people who don’t do their jobs get fired.We the People would like to fire Congress andstart over with some folks who are “working”for solutions to the tasks at hand, and withthe same obstacles we the people have beenovercoming to survive. You may re-applyfor your position, but be prepared for somechanges. From now on, you will be job sharingwith someone else, so none of you will getbenefits and you will all start at $10.00 an hour.This will be an at-will position so you may befired at anytime for any reason.Now, you will all have to have pass backgroundtests, drug tests, and have a thorough checkingof references. You will probably have to workmultiple jobs to cover expenses to enjoy being acongressman/ handyman, or congresswoman/waitress at Chili’s where you bring home yourshift meal to share with your family. You mayneed a smaller house, and good luck trying toget a mortgage, as the banks aren’t lending.Have fun paying for gas with change you dugout of the couch, the bottom of your purse, andunder the car seats. Get your hair cut at GreatClips with a coupon, buy your suits at GoodWill.You see, the rest of us have been doing this forsome time. I work four jobs right now in orderto get by. I am tired. I have a degree, spentyears working for non-profit organizations thathave run out of money due to the economy, andthey lay off over half the staff or close down,and my job disappears. I have enjoyed doingcommunity work, but have now had to take apart-time seasonal job while I continue to lookfor work.Home Depot is hiring. I took a position as a

cashier, as a knee-jerk reaction to my last andloved job that ran out of money. I sat therelistening to the big “Welcome Aboard” speech,and all I could think about was the wild waysone could commit suicide in a Home Depot. Ithought about dangling from the rafters like abloody display over the aisle that sells chainsand garage door openers. As they played thevideo, I thought about shooting myself in thehead with a nail gun, but then I remembered anews story where a man somehow managedto impale himself with a screwdriver in theforehead and he didn’t even notice until he sawit in his rear view mirror. My dark fantasies weresimply a distraction to keep my reality at baywhile sitting there trying not to cry.We endured more instructive speechesfollowed by a video of the CEO. Then we wereall given a folder, which included a letter fromthe CEO. I read it and found three errors.I wanted to tell someone but knew that onmy first day I shouldn’t say anything. All thenew recruits received an orange apron, tapemeasure, and a box cutter. The suicide dreamhad presented itself with an orange handle andsharp razor blade, and I giggled. Next we wereinstructed to put our names on our aprons. Ihad to fight my desire to write “Inigo Montoya” ajoke from the movie “The Princess Bride.” I justwrote my name in small letters, as I was feelingembarrassed to be there.We had a break, and not being a smoker, Iwent to the training room to wait. There weretwo guys chatting in there and I casually posedthe question about letting the CEO know aboutthe errors in his letter. They looked at me withthe shock of “How dare I correct the CEO!” Iwas quickly put in my place by who turned outto be the General Manager, a former footballplayer ,and the assistant manager, a young guywith spikey hair. I asked the GM if he thoughtI was a little snot, he agreed. I usually have aregular case of foot in mouth disease. As muchas I struggle with this job, I have a job.The point to this is that our policy makers havelost sight of the fact that we are out here payinghigher prices for the basic necessities, andpeople are swallowing their pride along with theday old food from the food bank. It is humiliatingbut it is survival.If suddenly Congress had to play by the rulesand uncertainties the rest of us do, they wouldbecome very efficient and forget party politicsand get the damn job done!


Between The Linesby Brandon [email protected] month we have a very special edition ofBetween The Lines. CMB caught up with arocker who rarely has opened up in the past.While Rex Brown may have been a monsteron the bass, creating a wall of sound duringhis tenure with Pantera, he remained largelysilent and let the music do the talking. Veryrarely would Brown grant interviews, guardinghis rock-star mystique in the age of the Internetand social media, until now.The Official Truth, 101 Proof: The InsideStory of Pantera offers a perspective from theeyes of the silent member of Pantera. Oftenhumorous, tragic, brutally honest, and alwaysentertaining, TheOfficial Truth is aunique view told inthe way only oneman could say it.Scheduled for aMarch 12 releaseand publishedthough De CapoPress, “The OfficialTruth” is a must-read for any fanof rock, metal,and Pantera. Co-authored by MarkEglinton, “TheOfficial Truth” isfilled with shockingrevelations, mostlychronicling Brown’stime in Pantera, andoffering a story thatsurely will surprisethe reader with eachturn of the page.“The Official Truth”is a 259-page bookthat flies by, while still leaving some questionsand statements open for interpretation. Filledwith the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,“The Official Truth” is a rollercoaster ride thatyou want to keep speeding along with. Bottomline, “The Official Truth” is similar to the musicof Pantera, no compromise and no room forbullshit. Below is an interview with Mr. Brown:CMB: You stated several times in your bookhow much you value privacy and how youpreferred to stay out of the public eye. Wasthe decision to publish a difficult one foryou?Rex Brown: This book is just my truth aboutwhat my eyes saw. I had the really good, cheapseats. There were only four of us in the bandthat really knew what went on with the internalPantera situation. I thought it was about timefor me to go ahead and spill some truths. Evenwith the private life I do like to lead, I think thatthere was something inside of me that said,“OK Rex, it’s time to go ahead and let this thingout.” It’s just my side of the story.CMB: Was it tough to get the words out,onto paper, about certain subjects?Rex Brown: Of course. The whole Dime thingwas f**king--some days were fun, thinkingof the great things; and then others, the sadtimes. Absolutely, I had to brush through thisthing like ten times with a toothbrush, dot the“I”s and cross the “T”s. Some days were good,and some days were really rough.

CMB: Did you place limits on what to printand, in hindsight, do you wish you left somethings out or added a few more topics in?Rex Brown: Probably add topics in. I have 600pages of stuff on the cutting room floor that Iwanted to put in, but the book company didn’twant to. Maybe this is just the start, maybe I’lldo number two. The reaction so far has justbeen great; now that I know how the publishingside works, who knows, I have a bunch of stuffthat would be just funny stories.CMB: Why did you write a book mostlyabout your time in Pantera instead of anautobiography?Rex Brown: For me, it was all about the jam. Ididn’t care about the press or anything like that.So, I never really said anything. To me, it’s moreabout the jam; it’s moreabout getting onstage.It’s not about the Rockstardom or anything likethat.

CMB: What do youthink will be the mostsurprising revelationfor the reader? Whatdo you hope theygain after reading thebook?Rex Brown: Whateveryou want to take out of it.Pick your favorite story;pick your worst, I don’tcare. I put my truth outthere, my experiencesand my point of view.CMB: Terry Glazeis the only memberof Pantera quotedthroughout the book indepth.Whynot includeVinnie and Phillip?

Rex Brown: Because, it’s my book, and theycan write there own damn book.CMB: Phil has an autobiography in theworks. Have you been helping him withideas, stories, or anything like that?Rex Brown: Umm NO! Phil and I are still greatfriends. We talked about a year ago. He saidyou are going to do your work, and I’m going todo mine. We are not going to talk about it in thepress, and that’s the way it is. I don’t want toturn the fans off what he does, and he doesn’twant to turn the fans off of what I do. It’s anamicable decision.CMB: What I found unique about this bookwashowyou includedcontributing thoughtsfrom friends and family, from front to back,in the book. Did you want to include anyoneelse but declined?Rex Brown: I basically can tell my truths andmy story, but there is always collaboration andcorroboration with what’s going on in the book.To me, at least it’s honest, and that’s why I call it“The Official Truth,” because I’m not bullshittinganybody. This is through my eyes, but there aredifferent stories that go along with it. It’s all inthe same picture, the same genre, and I’m notbullshitting anybody.CMB: In your book you state, “I’d readbooks like “Hammer of the Gods” and shitlike that. I loved reading about the dramaof Rock n’ Roll bands and what they did on

tour.” Do you think the fans will enjoy thedrama that’s in your book?Rex Brown: I hope so. I put in entertainmentvalue so you could turn the page, so you wantto keep reading this thing. I’ve read so manybooks. Actually, to tell you the truth, I wasreading “Life” by Keith Richards, Keith’s ahero of mine, and I kind of ripped the old boyoff. Mine isn’t 900 pages, it’s 300 pages. It’shard to get 20 years your life into 300 pages.Just the way he talks in the first person, andhow he has other corroborating stories to goalong with it.CMB: What was the process of writing thebook? How many hours did you log?Rex Brown: Down was in Spain, and we hadlike five days off. I rented a cottage. My co-author and I just stayed in and got like 60 hoursof tape. That’s a lot of coffee; just going throughand trying to dig. He had his work in front of himprepared out, and we had to just edit it. That’sthe hardest part, trying to get everything into320 pages for years of your life. Like I said, Iam a private person, but it was time. I didn’twant to be 65 years old and say, “OK, I’m goingto write a book.” The time is now, and I think it’sa good read.CMB: Do you think you will receive backlashfor the way you portrayed a few people inthe book?Rex Brown: I couldn’t give a shit less.CMB: Do you have any plans on a full booktour and signing copies at\stores throughout the USA?Rex Brown: Yeah, it’s in the works. I’m tryingto get the record done with Kill Devil Hill atthe same time. So my plate is pretty much full.We’re trying to go to as many places as wecan to sign these books, but the problem is thebook stores are going out of business, just likethe record stores. It’s hard. You’ve got to findthe mom and pops, but that’s what I like to doanyway.CMB: Any interestin becoming a NewYork Times bestseller?Rex Brown: If itcomes to me, great!My expectations arealways at five. Youkeep them there,and if it goes belowfive, you bum out alittle bit|; if it’s at ten,what the f*ck!C M B :Hypothe t ica l l y,if Pantera werestill together, howwould you wantthe last chapter toend?Rex Brown: Without Dime around, that is notan easy question. I would just answer that I justhope we would have worked our stuff out bynow. We all get into the same room, beat theshit out of each other, go to rehab together, andfigure it out. We can’t do it without the originalband. There is just no way.CMB: Is the Pantera reunion talk frustratingfor you?

Rex Brown: Not at all. I think it’s kind of funny,in a weird way. Who are you going to get toreplace Dime? Who’s going to be able to playthe way he did? There are a ton of players outthere, there are a ton of pickets out there, andwe’ve got a ton of offers on the table, but untilthings are water underneath the bridge betweenPhil and Vince, I just don’t know. Let me saythis also, I never say never. Phillip and I, weare open armed. It’s up to Vinnie if he wants togo ahead and do something like that, but I justdon’t see that in the immediate forecast.CMB: You stated in your book that VulgarDisplay of Power was your favorite albumto record and that magic was in the studio.Do you have that same feeling now with KillDevil Hill?Rex Brown: It’s just come full circle, being ableto play with the guys I’m playing with now. Wehave just become so tight as brothers and thatfeeling again. It’s full circle, invigorating, and thehunger, and just that feeling in your stomachwhen you know that it’s good. I’ve never beenknown to put out crap, and I feel confident inwhat I’m doing with these guys. As cliché as itmay sound, when I first plugged in with theseguys, I blew an amp up at the practice studiothat we had, and we got down to business.We only played like four or five tracks herein Texas, but I never met these guys before,except for Vinnie (Appice). We have been goodfriends and acquaintances for 20 years. I get toplay with the baddest mother-f***ing drummeron the planet. I’m just blessed. These two otherguys are just as good as we are, and so thisadds to this big aura of, again, a music journey.How many times are you going to get blessed?You are not going to take things for granted.CMB: You stated earlier that you arerecording Kill Devils Hill 2 release. When doyou expect that do be out?Rex Brown: We have nine tracks that arefinished down, and vocals are going on as wespeak. Jeff Pilson is co-producing this with us.Jeff is a brilliant engineer, and it’s so good tohave that kind of ear. Jeff is so good with thevocals, because he is such a great vocalisthimself. He knows whatworks, and what doesn’t.Dewey Bragg is writingeverything (lyrics) forthis record, but it’smore of a collective andcollaborative piece ofwork than the first one.I just kind of came inand put my spice ontoit. Half the songs werewritten before I camein. We played a fewshows, then went intopre-production, and putthe record out. Now,Mark Zavon and I willcome up with a riff. I’llsay yes, or he’ll sayno, and that’s cool. Wetake it to Vinnie, and hewill put his two-cents in,and then Dewey will singwhat he’s gotta sing. If you like the first one, thisis going to knock your damn dick off.CMB: Any final words?RexBrown: Go check out my book and the newKill Devil Hill album this August or September.We may tour in between there, you never now.Thanks again.Online: pantera.com


Crosley Hotshot DropsSingle With a Purposeby Tim [email protected] country outfit, Crosley Hotshot, has justreleased a new single, and in the vein of whatthe band stands for, it is meant to honor thetroops who have served and died in foreignwars past and present. The song is called “Sing

Freedom’s Song,” and it is the first single fromthe band’s upcoming album.“It’s a song I wrote, it’s a kind of tribute to themen and women who live and die in the armedforces,” says keyboardist/vocalist David Sayer.“We will never forget them, whether they areserving today or [served] back in the Vietnamor World War II eras. It is the only song that isabout this, the rest of the album is about life,

basically.” The song is available for download/purchase on iTunes, CDBaby, ReverbNation,and other online sources.“I think that there is a lot of the military creed inhere, as in, ‘No one left behind,’” says guitaristJeff Schaeffer. “The body is not left behind,and neither is the spirit of what you represent,and that is the American flag.”The group has been working on the album forthe past three months, and is looking at a fallrelease. The band has been climbing to the topof the ReverbNation country charts in Denver,and hopes that this album will put them at theforefront of the scene. “I think we are one ofDenver’s best kept secrets, or worst keptsecrets,” Sayer says with a laugh.“The first time we ever performed [“SingFreedom’s Song”], we actually had theaudience singing in the end of the song,” saysguitarist and vocalist Andy Fontana. “That’s arare occasion, to have that happen the very firsttime it is performed. I hope everyone out thereenjoys it as much as I do.”

Crosley Hotshot came together in 2006, withcurrent drummer “Slim” Jim Phillippe jumpingon board just a couple months ago, and hasseen other members come and go over theyears but are very content with the currentstatus. “We feel like the group that we’ve gotright now is a really solid core of individuals,”says Sayer. “I think everybody is into it for thelong haul.”“It’s a treat for me with my background beingcountry, southern rock, and some rock-n-rollto join a band with guys that are very good atevery corner,” says Phillippe. “They all handletheir instruments very well.”The group describes their style as typical of theNashville sound, as it includes keys, a fiddle, aswell as two guitars. “We borderline on the rockedge with the guitars and keys,” says Sayer.Catch Crosley Hotshot at the CHUN People’sFair in June, as well the Jefferson County Fairsinging an arrangement of the “Star SpangledBanner.” They also regularly gig around town atbars and clubs.Online: crosleyhotshot.com

New Label FoundedUnder Name LOOPHEADMUSIC GROUP, Focuseson Underground Hip-Hopby Darnell Teague & Jonathan [email protected] of Colorado’s most talented music groups,Loophead! “Get ya L’s up or take one.”

Founded in 2011 by the group’s CEO andProducer, SunnieBeats, (arguably Colorado’smost promising up-and-coming producer), andhis long-time partner and protégé Rufus, theyset out to raise the bar on quality, substance,and overall creativity. “We want to take you toa place musically where the radio and these“copy and paste” artists can’t take you,” saysRufus.Widely known as one of the state’s bestproduction duos, Sunnie and Rufus havewritten and produced for some of the region’stop artists and local acts.Each member of this Mid-west collective wasrecruited and hand picked by the two, andconsists of lyrical wordsmith Flame, who hasannihilated all competition willing to face him

on the freestyle circuit; fashion vixen andsongstress Vogue, in-house DJ Q-Steed,beat maker King Solomon, and Loophead’sprincess Precious, who is another amazingvocal talent. Together they have been hardat work in the studio preparing some monsterprojects slated to be released this summer andlatter part of the year. With the addition of its twonewest members, Lesha Rox, a powerhousevocalist, and fellow rap lyricist Kandyman,Loophead is poised to make a huge splash inthe Colorado music scene.

Local Teens Form BandVia YouTubeby Tim [email protected] Disaster is proof of how convenient(and some would say easy) it can be to meetlike-minded musicians and get a band goingthese days. The group features five teenagekids keeping their dream alive and workinga hectic band schedule around being in highschool; the kicker being that lead singer, LoganGarcia, resides on the opposite side of thecountry from the rest of the guys in the band.While they all attend school here in Denver,Garcia is down in Florida, keeping in touch

via daily FaceTime chats with guitarist HarrySpringer. Technology has not only allowedthis young group of musicians to form a band,but also to put together an EP and hone theirmusical skills in the process.Garcia flew to Denver the week of the group’sperformance at Rocky Mountain SoundGarden on March 29, which was not only theband’s first show together but also marked thefirst time that the Colorado members met faceto face with Garcia. “I feel like I’ve known himforever, but I (had never) actually met him inperson,” says Springer.Their EP was put together with Springer writingand recording the music, then sending it toGarcia who would put vocals on top. Their takeon metal, consistent with many of the bandsprominent in the scene these days, featuresscreaming as well as melodic singing on top ofthe instrumentation.“I write all of the instrumentals except for thedrums,” says Springer. “For the EP, I wroteeverything instrumentally except our producerwould always program the drums. Logan wouldwrite all the lyrics.”“The guys send the instrumentals to ourproducer, David Alexander, who is actually mycousin,” says Garcia via FaceTime. “Generally,we’ll have an idea of what we want the track tosound like and what it will be about. Recentlywe’ve beenwriting a lot of angsty-teen soundingstuff, very angry. We’re trying to move away

from that a little bit. 90% of the time my lyricsare about things that have recently happenedto me. The song “Girl Named Disaster” waswritten about a person of the female persuasion.I have a big problem with people who lie- I liketo say I do to people who lie to me what TaylorSwift does to her ex-boyfriends.”The debut single “Wolf in Sheeps Clothing” isout now and is available on Springer’s YouTubepage by searching for Harry Springer. The EPYour Dream is My Reality will be released verysoon.The formation of the entire band follows a similartechnological path, with Springer attractingother members through his YouTube channel.“I do covers on YouTube, and I got 2,000 or sosubscribers,” says Springer. “[Guitarist PJ Rutt]saw one of my covers, I was wearing a Broncosshirt, so they went to my page and we talkedabout getting together and maybe jamming. Wemet at the Word Alive concert, started a band,it broke up.”They stayed in touch, however, and gotwhat would become Courting Disaster goingshortly afterwards. “I wanted to get anotherband going, so I went on YouTube and madeanother video asking for members.” This washow Springer first came into contact withGarcia, who responded to the video despite theobvious gap in distance. “It was me and him fora while, we did pretty much the whole EP, andthen I started searching for other members,preferably in Colorado.”

Springer reached out to bassist HenryLovelace, whom he had heard about throughfriends. “It felt like I’d known [Springer] forever,it was an instant connection,” says Lovelace.The two originally met through Facebook.“We had a drummer in Florida, and it didn’treally work out because it was too expensive tofly him and Logan out,” says Springer. PalmerDavis came into the band on recommendationfrom Rutt, with his status as a permanentColorado resident helping his case.As many a fifteen year old would agree with,the guys don’t mind putting off some homeworkto practice music and tighten up their songs.“When I go into school, they’re like, ‘Where’syour homework?’” says Lovelace. “I wantto use the guitar excuse, but who’s going tobelieve that?”They’ve got the teenage appeal going for them,and they sound tight enough to be twice theirage. Time will tell what happens for CourtingDisaster, but if anything they have proved thatthe new generation of musicians will go to anylength to pursue their passion.Online: facebook.com/wethewaiting


The Manager’s Cornerby Chris [email protected]’ve managed my own band since the 1980sand despite the amazing change in technology,success in the music business is built aroundfour tried and true elements: great music, reallyhard work, and timing (often mistaken for luck).The other key element is getting the help youneed to make that luck happen. These daysthat help is everywhere. The book I wrote formy UCD class on artist management is called“DIY: You’re Not in it Alone” and that is exactlywhat you need to understand.Write. I know it sounds so simple to say andnobody who actually writes songs has everhad a clear and easy path to making money,much less big bucks. There are some toolsthat can help you, and some amazing outletsto take advantage of when you are ready. Butthe simple fact is that writing – lyrics, chordchanges, melody lines, beats and “tracks” forEDM, all of it, from country to hip-hop anthemsare YOUR story. If you are lucky, and if youwork at the craft as hard as you can, you mightactually put something down that is extremelypersonal to you – and by getting that honest– that song or composition becomes importantto others, sometimes even millions of others.It takes work, letting go of your own fear ofbeing edited, finding partners to write withwho force you to be a better writer, and a lotof very honest soul searching to say what it isthat is exactly what you mean. I’ll get to a few

of the tools that can be helpful, but first I wantto ask you something. What is more importantto you - the rhyme or the story? What I hopeyou answered is the story. Because so manysongwriters get caught up in the rhyme, thatthey produce wonderful rhyming lines that aremeaningless.Your task is to find the honest “thing” you aretrying to say, without any thought to make it

poetry, and then make it poetry. If I want to sayI love you, how do I say it the way I feel it … Imean really feel it … and then find words andmelody and rhythm that eventually becomesomething that only I could say, and yeteverybody feels. One of my favorite examplesis “I’m A Creep” because it is so bloody honestabout what is going on at that moment in thewriters heart and life.So enough about the craft, I could go on foreverabout that. Let’s get to the tools. Things to checkout include Creative Commons, The Durango

Songwriting Expo, the PROs (BMI, ASCAP,SESAC) various songwriting websites like Taxi,Beatport and Lyric House just for starters.You can Google all these pretty easily, andonce you find them, DIG IN. Start to understandthat there is a world of dedicated music loversout there who believe that great songwriting isone of the best things we can do for each other.In no particular order: Creative Commons is arelatively new concept and organization thatallows songwritersto make theirc o m p o s i t i o n savailable to peoplethat want to sampleyour music for mash-ups or hip-hop tracksetc. YOU set thedials on your songs,so that if somebodyis just doing a mash-up and playing it inclubs and not makingany money, you canallow them to use it for free. You can also seta limit on the free use so that if somebodysamples your songs and turns out a hit, youcan get paid. This is a gross oversimplificationbut it gives you the basic idea. Check it out.The Durango Songwriting Expo is really one ofthe signature songwriter outlets in the world,drawing writers from all over to their fall andspring events. Go check it out but what I can tellyou is that a number of Colorado songwritershave placed songs with various publishers thatare getting used in TV shows and are being cut

by major artists.ASCAP, BMI and SASAC are all ‘performingrights organizations” that collect money forsongwriters when their music is played live,on radio and TV etc. I have written extensivelyabout them in this column but I really wantto make a point of the fact that all of themencourage songwriters, and do whatever theycan to help them out. Again, check out theirsites, they have some really helpful tools andinformation. Plus, if you perform your musiclive, they make it possible to get paid from the‘venues’ that are enjoying the performance ofyour music. It’s very easy to set up once you doa little homework.Lyric House is a new young publishingcompany here in Colorado that is starting tomake some real connections and placementsin the industry. Again, take some time andGoogle ‘em up. From Taxi to Beatport to somany others out there that this little article doesnot have room to mention, the music businessIS supporting your efforts as a songwriter. Willyou make a killing right off the bat? Not likely.But the “use” of music has never ever beengreater. From video games to ‘webisodes’ toTV and movies of every shape and form, not tomention concerts, airplay and the like, it’s hardto think of a place where music is not being“used” in one from or another. So hone yourcraft, work at it, perfect it, study it, and makethe most of all the new opportunities there areto get your music “out there” where others canfind meaning in YOUR story.

by Jenn Cohenlogo credit: unguarde.dkYay! Your bff’s cousin’s friend got you a photopass for a concert! Congratulations! No, really,congrats. However, before you jump into thephoto pit with your shiny new camera or . . .(insert gag reflex here) iPhone, there are a fewbasics you should consider.Let’s start with, perhaps, the biggest offense:the iPhone. If you’re planning on going into thepit with an iPhone, plan on being run over. Evenbetter? Get out, and come back when you cantake quality photos of the band that made itpossible for you to have this opportunity.Have a flash? Turn it off. Not only is it distractingto the musicians and other photographers, yourpictures will look like crap. Learn how to shootwithout it.Most photo pits are small, and (most) seasonedphotogs have an unspoken symbiosis, likea choreographed dance, if you will. There ismutual respect. If you’re tall, stand in the back;quarters are tight, backpacks have no placethere. Want to move around? A simple tapon the shoulder let’s someone know you’rebehind them; never walk in front of anotherphotographer. Seriously.Also, it’s not necessary to style your hair as highas it can possibly go. The band members will

neither notice, nor care, how your hair looks.They’re working, and likely being blinded bysomeone’s flash, so they can’t see you anyway.Also, it sucks to be the person behind yougetting a mouthful when you back up withoutlooking behind you.Look, we all start somewhere. There will bephotographers in the pit who have been doingthis for years. They will be the ones with those“big cameras.” They’ve worked hard, savedtheir money to buy quality gear to support theirskills, so at the very least, shoot with somethingmore respectable than an iPhone.

Your best defense is to befriend a seasonedphotog before you go in. No matter how wellyou think you’ll blend in, you might as well bewearing head-to-toe fluorescent orange. Askquestions; don’t assume that because youshoot photos of your friends you’ll be an expertat your first show. Concert photography is verydifferent, learn the basics before you go in.Oh, and if you plan on lifting your camera up toget some hail-Mary shot, plan on being calledout. And remembered. Respect boundaries.

Pit Stop with JC

Also, it sucks to be the personbehind you getting a mouthfulwhen you back up withoutlooking behind you.

The First Lady ofDenver’s Bringing Backthe [email protected]’s First Lady, Ms. Mary Louise Lee, ispresenting the “Bringing Back the Arts” musiccompetition at the Bluebird Theater on April14th at 6:30 p.m.Students of Denver Public Schools submittedtheir songs to KS107.5 in March, and thefinalists from that competition will perform liveat the Bluebird Theater on April 14, and havea chance to win $1,000 cash, an opportunity torecord a KBCO Studio C Session, a live radiointerview, and an opening gig for an upcomingshow at the Bluebird.Ms. Lee, well known throughout Denver’sperforming arts district, opted not to change herlast name when she married Mayor Hancock,stating, “I come with my own identity.” Lee,a Denver native, has been singing andperforming since the age of three, and hasbeen an advocate for children for more than 15years in Denver. Ms. Lee has been encouragingchildren to make positive choices in life, andguiding them toward careers in the performingarts.This is the second year for the “Bringing Backthe Arts” concert. It is a fundraising initiative,inaugurated last spring with the intent togrow Denver Public Schools’ arts and musicprograms, and will feature some of Denver’smost talented young musicians.This is a FREE event. Tickets are available onat axs.com, or bluebirdtheatre.net, or charge byphone at 888-929-7847.


The best way to make something happen is to do it yourself.Aaron Saye has become The Man at 7th Circle, but no matterhow many epic moments happen there, he wants the focus toremain on the music.by Tim [email protected] Circle Music Collective, at 2935 W. 7th Ave in Denver, has become a hot spot for DIYall-ages shows across a variety of genre lines. Everything from young locals playing their firstshow, to punk legends like Agent Orange, has graced the stage. Aaron Saye, the man behindthe scenes, has been making it happen since he took over the former Blast-O-Mat space inSeptember of last year. The venue is volunteer-run, and is always accepting new smiling faces tohelp run the operations and keep Denver’s music scene out of the corporate gridlock of doom.Colorado Music Buzz caught up with Saye at the infamous Candlelight Tavern on SouthPearl Street, where this ever-responsible reporter enjoyed a delicious PBR while Saye sippedenthusiastically from a bottle of water. Saye, in addition to running the venue, has accumulatedone of the, if not THE, best collections of concert footage in the state, all done by his ownpassionate hand. He shared his infatuation for music and the music community in Denver alongwith some of his best stories from his time served as a Denver’s biggest music fanatic.CMB: How did Seventh Circle Music Collective come to be, and how did you become ElHefe?AS: Seventh Circle wouldn’t exist without Blast-O-Mat. Blast-O-Mat started as far as I’m awarein 2006, maybe late 2005. I wasn’t involved in it in the beginning, but it came to my knowledgeas an underground DIY punk rock venue. I went to shows there whenever something would peakmy interest, and they started becoming more and more frequent. I got more and more interestedin the stuff they were booking so I just became more of a regular. By spring 2010 I startedvolunteering there as somebody helping run the shows, running sound, doing door, whatever thecase may be. After a couple years, in July of 2012, the guys in charge announced that they weregoing to shut it down and move on to something smaller and more manageable that they couldfocus on running, and it would be easier than running Blast-O-Mat had become. I said, ‘Wouldyou be down to put me in touch with the landlords of the property? I would love to try and keepthe venue going, whether it’s Blast-O-Mat or something new.’ They said, ‘Sure, we’d appreciate ifyou change the name because Blast-O-Mat is our thing.’ So I got in touch with the landlords andtook over the lease as of September 2012. I put the word out to the Denver music scene that Iwas taking it over and I was going to do more shows more often, and I needed help running it. Aton of people came out of the woodwork from every little subculture. Everybody that is involvedwas really enthusiastic about it.CMB: As far as booking out-of-town bands, do you hit them up or do you let them come toyou?AS: I have been letting them come to me. It’s been astounding how many bands have cometo me about it. I would say it’s about half-and-half as far as people who booked at Blast-O-Matbefore. The other half is people who have not heard of Blast-O-Mat before, or touring bands whohave not been to Denver.CMB: How did you get into music? What hooked you?AS: If you want to go back to the very beginning, the first show I was ever at, it was friends ofmy parents that had a classic rock cover band that was playing at a campground. I had neverexperienced live music before, and the volume and energy was such a new thing. I got into actualrock music later on, and discovered punk rock after that through Blink-182. I was in 8th grade,and that was the thing that everyone in my school had discovered. From there, I discovered thesmaller punk-rock bands. The first Warped Tour I went to was in 2002 with the sole intention ofseeing Bad Religion. I went to the show, and discovered so many bands that day. I held thatday as the best day in my life for like five years until something topped it. The first small show Iwent to was the Misfits at the Ogden with Qualm and the Stuntdoubles in September of 2002,and then Flogging Molly played the Ogden after that. I started going to the smaller shows andit just ballooned out of control from there. I fell in love with it and with the experience of being anaudience member.CMB: Talk about how you got into filming and some of the best things you have filmed.AS: How I got into it was a band Throw Rag. They opened for the Supersuckers at the Gothic,and I went specifically to see Throw Rag. I had made my own shirt of their album cover, andthey were like, ‘What! This kid did that?!’ and were all stoked. I just kind of became friends withthose guys over the next couple times they came to town. The following April they came to town

again with the Mad Caddies. My friends and I in high school thought we were filmmakers and wewere running around with camcorders making a movie. We had written in a scene in our moviefor Throw Rag to act in, not having contacted them or anything. We were just like ‘Whatever,they’ll probably do it, they’re good dudes.’ So we showed up to the show all early and asked ifthey would do it. They were like, ‘Yeah, do you want to do it after the show or do you want to do itonstage, or what do you have in mind?’We were like, ‘We were thinking afterwards.’ It had never even crossed my mind to try andfilm a show. They hooked it up with a video pass and made it all official and stuff. We didn’thave a tripod or anything; we just switched off holding the camera with our arms back by thesoundboard. It ended up sounding really good so I made a live CD out of it. I filmed them againwhen they came back in August of 2004.In September of 2004 this local band called the Allergies had started to play more often. Theywere kind of my entrance into the local punk scene. They didn’t have any recordings or anythingso I was like, ‘I’m just going to bring my video camera to the show, shoot the show, then make aCD out of it so I can listen to you guys more often than seeing you.’ From there, it slowly got to bemore and more until now, if I’m at a show and I’m not filming, chances are the band or the venuehave told me that I can’t.Before Gogol Bordello blew up all big, I filmed them at the Aggie and the Bluebird. Then theycame again and they sold out the Gothic, and that is probably one of the greatest shows that Ihave on tape. I shot that Descendents show at the Fillmore (in 2012). That’s the only headliningshow at the Fillmore that I’ve shot.CMB: What makes a great live show great, and not just another band playing another set?AS: I don’t tend to focus on the show as much as the music. If the music is average, then I guessthe live show needs to compensate for that. There are some bands who will just stand there andplay but it will send chills down my spine and just blow my mind because they are just such goodmusicians. I think the music should speak for itself.CMB: What are you listening to these days?AS: I was just listening to Ozzy Osbourne in the car on the way down here. I have been anOzzy fanatic pretty much since I discovered rock music. That was my entrance into heavy metalwas Ozzy and B. Other than that, I’ve been listening to Ghost a lot. They are a newer band fromSweden. Their whole schtick is that it’s like a satanic mass. It’s hilarious. I’ve always got Ghost ofGlaciers spinning. Them and Native Daughters are two of my absolute favorite locals. I’ve beenon a real post-rock, post-metal kick lately.CMB: Is their anything else you would like to do with Seventh Circle?AS: I’m pretty happy with where it’s at, honestly. I like the fact that we fill that void for the smallerbands that are only going to draw out fifty people or so. With us, because it’s an all-volunteerthing and we work off of door splits, we can afford to bring in these bands and give them a placeto play. Between [us and the other DIY spots in Denver] we fill that void for that market and Ireally like that. We get to have these local fifteen-year-old punk bands play their first show at ourplace, then send them over [to the bigger venues] after they get good enough. It helps the wholescene in general. It gives them the opportunity to play their first shows without having to go outand sell those tickets to their friends and family for $15, which none of that money they get tokeep. That pay-to-play crap has always irked the hell out of me.It’s important to me to keep it all ages too, because that’s when the music scene is thriving iswhen these kids are 15 and 16 and just discovering music.What I always wanted it to be is to model it after that 924 Gilman in Berkeley where GreenDay and Rancid and all those bands started. I wanted this to be the 924 Gilman of Denver,where there are shows every weekend and sometimes kids will just show up because there issomething going on. That has started to happen, and I am elated.CMB: Where do you eat after a show?AS: My house.Online: facebook.com/seventhcirclemusiccollective

Chunk! No Captain Chunk! with Handguns / State Champs / City LightsFri, April 5, Marquis Theater, Denver, COHank Smith, The Hollywood Farmers, and BazikunaniApril 5, Denver Art SocietyPigeons Playing Ping PongApril, 5, The Lazy Dog, BoulderSawmill Jow, Fiction is FunApril, 5, Tennyson’s Tap, DenverThe Rocket Summer w/Joe Brooks, Saving Verona, Ian MahanFri, April 5, Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $14Shady Elders EP Release w/Wild HighFri, April 5, Doors: 9:00 pm / Show: 10:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over$6.00Ryan Chrys CD Release w/Little Goose, Jonny BarberFri, Apr 5, 8:00 pm, The Walnut Room, Denver CO(Walnut St), This event is 21and overChunk! No Captain Chunk! w/Handguns / State Champs / City LightsFri, April 5, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $12RMRG Sugar Kill Gang vs. The United States Pummeling ServiceSaturday, April 6, 2013 at 6:00pmVarlet, Chimney Choir, Help Is On the WaySat, April 6 Doors 9:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COFu Manchu with Luna SolSat, April 6th, Marquis Theater, Denver , COThe Epilogues with Vetta Star / We Like MonstersSat, April 6, Summit Music Hall, Denver , COPigeons Playing Ping PongApril 6 ,Quixote’s, Denver, CO2nd Annual Girl Wreck FestApril 6 ,The Oriental Theater, Denver COSonic Archers and Happy DaggersApril 6 ,12 Volt Tavern,Arvada COPigeons Playing Ping PongSun, April 7, The Goat Saloon, Keystone, COStrong Survive Promotionz Proudly Presents: The Stress Free TourSun, April 7, 7:00pm, Denver, COThee Dang Dangs, Violent SummerMon, April 8 Doors 8:30 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COPurity Ring, Blue HawaiiMon, April 8 Show 8:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood COBand Of HorsesMonday, April 8, 2013 at 8:00pm, Ogden Theater, Denver COIllegal Pete’s Presents: Hey Marseilles, The WalesTue, April 9, Doors 8:00 PM • 18 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COModestep, DJ MUGGS of Cypress HillTue, April 9 , Show 9:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood COCU Denver does Motown : A Tribute to Motown, Costello & More!Tue, April 9, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, COAcid Mothers Temple, Tjutjuna, Paw PawWed, April 10 Doors 8:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COBAD RELIGION w/ The Bronx & Polar Bear ClubWed, April 10, 6:30pm, Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, COChannel 93.3 presents: An Open Book: an evening with Justin Furstenfeld ofBlue OctoberWed, April 10, Show 8:30 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, EnglewoodCOSuffocation with Exhumed / Jungle Rot / Rings of Saturn / Primitive Man / OfFeather and BoneWed April 10, Marquis Theater, Denver, COCharlie Parr, Gun Street Ghost, Al TroutThu, April 11 Doors 8:30 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COAnchorage with Viretta / Second to Last / MissyGoneMissing / ParkviewThu, April 11, Marquis Theater, Denver, COBeach Day with Special GuestsThu, April 11, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CORadio 1190 Presents: Mike Fest 2013 w/Il Cattivo, SPELLS, Miss America, SawmillJoe, Marty JonesFri, April 12 Doors 7:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COBULLET FOR MY VALENTINE: The HardDrive TourFriday, April 12, 2013 at 6:00pmRuskoFri, April 12, 2013 at 9:00pm, Ogen Theater, Denver COSoilwork, Jeff Loomis, Blackguard, Bonded by Blood, HatchetFri, April 12 Show 8:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood COVictory Heights with Eyes Like the Tide / Hit the Ground Running / HemingwayHero / The Fulfillment Fri, April 12, Marquis Theater, Denver, COArliss Nancy with Lawsuit ModelsFri, April 12, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO

March of Swine and The Westcoastless CrewApril 12, 9:00 PM, Denver Art Society, DenverTina & Her PonySat, April 13 , 4:30pm, The Tasty Weasel, Longmont COSonic Angels, Brainbox, Pollution, Buteo ButeoSat, April 13 , 9:00 PM, Tennyson’s Tap, Denver COChannel 93.3 presents: Soul Asylum w/ Reno Divorce, SublingualSat, April 13 Show 9:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood CORadio 1190 Presents: Mike Fest 2013w/the Outfit, In the Whale, Kitty Crimes,Ark Life, Patrick DethlefsSat, April 13 Doors 7:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COSlo Pain Reckordz and Strong Survive Promotionz Present: Benzo Da Crook CdRelease PartySaturday, April 13, 7:00pm, The Roxy Theatre, Denver COThe Revival Tour featuring Dave Hause / Tim McIlrath / Chuck Ragan / RockyVotolato / Jenny OSat, April 13, Summit Music Hall, Denver, COWilliam Beckett with Jilette Johnson / Defy You StarsSat, April 13, Marquis Theater, Denver, CODeJangles and Strong Survive Promotionz Proudly Presents Spit Factory 18Sun, April 14, 6:00pm, The Roxy Theatre, Denver COAngel Olsen, Villages, the Still TideSun, April 14 , Doors 8:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COSuicidal Tendencies : The Slam City TourSun, April 14, Summit Music Hall, Denver, COIllegal Pete’s presents: Death Anciients, Vimana, Legion of DeathMon, April 15 Show 7:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, EnglewoodCOFear Factory with Kill Syndicate / Moth / Broken ImageMon, April 15, Summit Music Hall, Denver, COTaddy Porter with Special GuestsMon, April 15, Marquis Theater, Denver, COAn Evening With: The Dear Hunter with Naive ThievesTue April 16, Marquis Theater, Denver, COGWAR w/Warbeast, WilsonWed, April 17 , Show 8:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, EnglewoodC2C with Special GuestsWed, April 17, Summit Music Hall, Denver, COJoshua James with Special GuestsWed, April 17, Marquis Theater, Denver, COThe Patient Zeros, Dead Pay Rent, the Jane Thatcher Band, Rusty HarrowsWed, April 17, Doors 8:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COLydia with From Indian Lakes / Sweet Talker / Indigenous RobotThu, April 18, Marquis Theater, Denver, COGhost B.C.Thu, April 18, 8:30pm, Ogden Theater, Denver CORoyal Dead with Captain Blood / Even Death May DieThu, April 18, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, COTina & Her PonyThu,April 18, 7:30pm, Swallow Hill Music, Denver COHell’s Belles, MF Ruckus, HarpoontangFri, April 19, 9:00 PM, The Oriental Theater, Denver COVoodoo Glow Skulls with Left Alone / The Repercussions / The A-OksFri, April 19, Marquis Theater, Denver, COThe Broadway with The Photo Atlas / Rumours Follows / PawneeFri, April 19, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CODanzig / Danzig with Doyle (Misfits Set)Friday, April 19, 8:00pm, Ogden Theater, Denver COGreater Than Collective, Illegal Pete’s, and Open Air 1340 Present: A. TomCollins ‘Stick & Poke’ Album Release Parties, Fri, April 19 Doors 8:00 PM • 21and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COTesla w/Drug UnderFri, April 19, 8:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood COThe WorthSat, April 20, 8pm, 3 Kings Tavern, Denver COTina & Her PonySat, April 20, 7:30pm, Wesley Chapel, Boulder COThe Ghost Towners, Coastwest Unrest, Maudlin MagpieSat, April 20, 9:00 PM, 12 Volt Tavern, Arvada CONew Elastic Time feat Kang, Shields, Travis and Hann,Ryan Burnett (Of SignalPath)Sat, April 20, Show 9:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood COStrong Survive Promotionz Proudly Presents: Twiztid - Abominationz 420CelebrationSat, April 20, 7:00pm, The Roxy Theatre, Denver COBoldtype CD Release with The Gamits / Reno Divorce / Red StingerSat, April 20, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO

(Hed) P.E. with Special GuestsSat, April 20, Summit Music Hall, Denver, COJohnny Marr w/ALAMARSun, April 21 Show 8:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood COTalib Kweli with Input & Broken / Eddie Knolls / Dealz Makes BeatsSun, April 21, Summit Music Hall, Denver, COneedtobreatheTues, April 23, 8:30pm, Ogden Theatre, Denver, COStarcar SundayWed, April 24, 9:00, Grizzly Rock, Lakewood CO

Warner Drive & Lola Black with Stay AwakeThu, April 25, Marquis Theater, Denver, COHe Is We (Acoustic) with Dylan JakobsenThu, April 25, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, COLGL Records Presents: Radkey, Joy SubtractionThu, April 25 , Doors 8:30 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COChannel 93.3 presents: Face To Face w/Teenage Bottlerocket, Blacklist RoyalsFri, April 26, Show 9:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood COBonoboFri, April 26, 9:00pm, Ogden Theater, Denver CODead for Denver with Down the Rabbit Hole / Stratagem / Almost Eden / RatherDashingFri, April 26, Marquis Theater, Denver, COPhutureprimitive & Ill-Esha with Unlimited Aspect / BlendrixFri, April 26, Summit Music Hall, Denver, CORadio 1190 Presents: The Men, Glass Hits, Dirty FewFri, April 26, Doors 9:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COSam Lee (CD Release) w/ Eldren, The Yawpers, and Shannon & JaredFri, April 26, 8:30 PM, The Oriental Theater, Denver COMurder the Cat and The Born ReadiesSat, April 27, 9:00 PM, 12 Volt Tavern, Arvada COSpeakeasy Tiger Reunion Show with Brave Song CircleSat, April 27, Marquis Theater, Denver, COTwist & Shout and Radio 1190 Present: Imperial Teen w/the Lollygags, the BalticSat, April 27 Doors 8:30 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COFight To Unite Tour with Kottonmouth Kings & MoreSat, April 27, Summit Music Hall, Denver, COStrong Survive Promotionz Proudly Presents: Stevie StoneSun, April 28, 7:00pm, The Roxy Theatre, Denver COSenses Fail with Such GoldSun, April 28, Marquis Theater , Denver, COOctaves with Orphans / Circle of Defeat / Catholic GirlsSun, April 28, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, COTouché w/Vega EvagaMon, April 29, Doors 8:30 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver COTransit with Special GuestsTue April 30, Marquis Theater, Denver, COHar Mar Superstar, Kitty CrimesWed, May 1 Doors 8:30 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver CORed Fox Run, Instant Empire, Anthony RuptakThu, May 2 Doors 8:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, Denver CORadio 1190 and Twist & Shout Present: Crystal Castles, PictureplaneThu, May 2 Show 8:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre, Englewood COTo Write Love on Her Arms Benefit Show with Taking Canyon / The Coast is Ours/ Syke 96 / Discount Cinema / Sell Me Short , Thu May 2, Marquis Theater, ,Denver, COWeWere Cosmonauts with Special GuestsFri, May 3, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, COBarb Wire DollsFri, May 3, 9:00PM, Triple Nickel Tavern, Colorado Springs COBarb Wire DollsSat, May 4, 9:00 PM, Tennyson’s Tap, Denver CO18 Squeeler and In The Company of SerpentsSat, May 4, 9PM, 12 Volt Tavern, Arvada COVices I Admire EP Release Show with Special GuestsSat, May 4, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, COKen Zimlinghaus Sat, May 4 Doors 7:00 PM • 21 and over • Hi-Dive, DenverCOKatchafire, Maoli Sat, May 4 Show 9:00 PM • All Ages • The Gothic Theatre,Englewood COPARAMORE with special guest KITTEN - ALL AGES SHOW!Tue, May 7, Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO

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