Authors: James Orme
Roots Runnin’ Wild: An interview with Chuck Ragan
Chuck Ragan is one of those artists that has the ability to speak to a vast amount of different people. He’s a punk rocker with roots. He’s an outdoorsman, a poet and he’s able to tap into those things and be relevant. Though we may have awhile to wait for new music from Chuck, I know that it’ll be worth the wait. … read more
He’s got the California Blues: An Interview with Dave Alvin
Dave Alvin has always been a true original. He’s followed his passion for music, and it’s taken him through an incredible career that is to be envious of. Catch Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore onstage together at the State Room on Tuesday, Sept. 25. … read more
Crowdsurfing at Warped Tour ’18
On Saturday, June 30, the energy around the final Warped Tour was palpable. There was the usual buzz of excitement with a twinge of the bittersweet. Warped Tour was my coming of age. I moshed to my favorite bands, discovered new music and forged friendships that have lasted to this day. As a final goodbye
Junior Brown: The Torch Bearer
Junior Brown is someone who has put in over 30 years of touring and recording, keeping the fire alive for anyone who values sincerity over flash and glitz, and substance over a passing fad. … read more
Local Reviews: Salt Town Greasers
I can’t tell if these folks are trying to create an eclectic sound or if they just can’t make up their minds up on what to play. Country, punk, psycho and rockabilly all find their way into the mix, but with little thought as to how to play these genres well. … read more
Local Reviews: Die Monster Die
Die Monster Die has truly become a staple of Salt Lake’s underground scene. They play on a fairly regular basis and release a record every now and then. Their metal-laden horror punk is fun and creepy, but they’ve never really stepped above the regular horror punk sludge that inhabits the music collection of anyone who wishes there were more Misfits’ records. … read more
Punk Rock Valhalla: Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, The Selecter, Kevin Seconds...
For the encore, both Dropkick Murphys and Rancid took the stage, and what transpired was glorious: a slew of covers from the Ramones to Johnny Cash. … read more
Walking Contradiction: Justin Townes Earle
There’s an inherent conflict to Justin Townes Earle. He’s often touted as Americana or alt-country, but he’s able to incorporate blues and folk in a very sincere way, while still keeping himself as a through line in each song. … read more
Local Reviews: Opal Hill Drive
Rumor has it this record took eight years to release. What was the big hold up? I’m sorry, but at this stage in your music career, you should be pushing as hard as you can. … read more
Local Reviews: Timothy Hay
This Wreckerd is all over the place as far as genre, bouncing back and forth from blues to folk and everything in between. However, this roots cavalcade hits all the right spots to make an interesting record. With over a dozen players featured, the record becomes epic in scope. … read more