It’s hot and it’s humid. You’re sitting on the porch in a creaking rocking chair, fanning yourself and clinking ice cubes in your lemonade. Waves of contentment wash over you as you are transported to another time and place by the sound of the blues. This is the feeling you get when you hear The Huckleberries. The band plays straightforward, genuine blues that transform Salt Lake into the South if only for a moment.
The Huckleberries are definitely easy on the ears. Crooning and howling in classic blues form, the three-piece ensemble leaves you wanting more. Band members Zach Parrish, guitar and vocals; Larry Alexander, bass; and BB Melanson, drums; create toe-tapping, hip-shaking music song after song.
Oldtimer is a band that screams for attention. Intense, cascading riffs with down-tuned guitars and throat-shredding vocals make them one of the best grindcore bands in Salt Lake City. But before you listen to Oldtimer’s session, get comfortable. Sit down, pour yourself a drink and put on some headphones to fully experience the intricacies in each track. The songs are long and complex — definitely worthy of your undivided attention.
The four-piece band formed in late 2007 and features Maxx Johnson on vocals, Dave Jones on bass, Dave McCall on drums, and Matt Miller on guitar. Despite their dark songs about hell, death and doom, they are local boys that enjoy the simple things in life: music, art, skateboarding, and drinking cheap beer.
Oldtimer’s music breaks rules, it shatters windows, it’s organic, and it’s loud. Fortunately, there are no rules in hell. Do yourself a favor and check out a live show. You can see Oldtimer with Dwellers and Kingdom of Magic at Club Vegas on June 22nd.
The Chickens, hatched locally in Salt Lake, visited the studio to record three songs for the SLRS Sessions. The result? “Eggs”. Just as we expected. The high caliber of music that this group has been putting out over a short period of time is truly exceptional. These six musicians, all of whom play in other local bands, began collaborating early this year and are already producing heavy, wide-ranging sound and energy.
By design, there is no set game plan when The Chickens record. While none of them run around headless, the band’s philosophy lends itself to capturing musical moments versus producing rehearsed “pieces.” Getting caught up in these musical moments is natural, even for members of the band. Just ask bass player Andy “The Back” Evans, who earned his new nickname during this session by repeatedly blocking Derek Howa on the Rhodes piano and facing away from the camera. Other (fully visible) members of the band include Dan Nelson, tenor sax and composition; Shaun Thomas, drums; Dave Salmon, guitar; and Josh Francis, trumpet.
To our delight, The Chickens brought more than “Eggs” to the set by adding “Pox” and “Afro Pete”. They delivered a musical experience of epic proportions in the studio. We hope you’ll enjoy this installment as much as we did.
