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we
just play rock
Major label debut for Legends of Rodeo
by Jim Doherty
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| "We just play rock 'n' roll." This is the simple,
no-nonsense answer that drummer Jeff Snow gave CLOSER recently
when asked to describe what Legends of Rodeo are all about.
We spoke with Snow from Salt Lake City in between shows on a
tour that has seen the band on the road since the end of February.
They are due back to their Palm Beach County home on April 19
to play a CD release show at Respectable Street. |
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"We're certainly looking forward to being home again," Snow
admits. But, he's quick to add; "It won't be for long, though."
This is a band getting used to being on the road and spreading their
word and energy. For many young bands, being on the road for any stretch
of time is a real strain on their energy, friendship and finances.
But that doesn't dissuade this foursome. Early in their career, which
dates back four years to their former band, Recess Theory, they made
a point of spending time and energy on the road. "That's the
way it's supposed to be done," observes Snow. "Bands always
used to just hit the road and play, and we've done it that way."
It helps that all four band members (Snow, John Ralston-guitar/vocals,
Nathan Jezek-guitar, and Steven Eschelman-bass) have been able to
drop any day jobs to concentrate on the band's fortunes. "Yeah,
I packed all my stuff up in storage," says Snow. They've been
able to do this thanks to a recent record deal with a subsidiary of
MCA/Universal Records. After four years of hard work in the area and
on the road, Legends of Rodeo caught the ear of the label through
the typical friend-of-a-friend story. A rep came and saw what Snow
described as a tense show, but he apparently came away impressed enough
to offer to release the band's newest material.
After releasing some EP's on their own, Snow is emphatic in discussing
what a treat it is to have someone else handle the details. The subsidiary
is a small offshoot called Bieler Bros., and Snow thinks that Legends
of Rodeo are experiencing the best of all possible worlds right now.
"The label has the distribution of MCA behind it, so we know
that our CD will get out there, but we have a personal relationship
with the people at the office." One of the frustrations that
a younger band often has is the conflict between how they see themselves
and how the label wants to market them. Snow says that there is none
of this tension here. "They really seem to get it with us,"
he says.
If you're familiar with the band, you know they really ARE a rock
'n' roll band. But that label has a number of interpretations. These
guys aren't the party boy, wild living kind of rock 'n' roll, they're
more the sweaty, hard working, have a Bud while you play type of guys.
Snow admits that the most frequent comparison that they get is with
recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Tom Petty. In a way, that's
an easy comparison because of geography, but it's also a fair one
in terms of style. Legend guitarist John Ralston writes sturdy, classic
American rock songs.
What's especially impressive about the band's set is that they've
been so warmly received on this recent tour. Opening for fellow South
Floridians Dashboard Confessional has been a mixed blessing. While
the band appreciates the camaraderie and the crowds that Dashboard
Confessional draws, the musical marriage is not a natural one. But
the band's energetic sets and strong songs shine through, and Snow
indicated that the band has definitely been pleased by the response
from the crowds on this tour.
On April 19, The Legends of Rodeo return to Respectable Street to
celebrate the release of their major label debut. www.lormusic.com
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