Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers

(Left to right: Roger Clyne, P.H. Naffah, Steve Larson, & Danny White)

Any one, who knows me, knows my regular choice of music is glam/hair/pop metal. Bands like Warrant, Cinderella, Poison, Lillian Axe, and so on and so forth. So I think it’s ironic that my favorite band play nothing close to the Aqua-net infused tunes I usually listen to. Funny how things turn out, isn’t it?

In 1996, I was watching MTV (Back then they actually played music videos…pretty novel concept huh?), and I caught the video for the song Banditos, by a band named The Refreshments. I was instantly blown away. These guys were incredible. The song rocked. Not only was it a catchy tune, it had an awesome hook as well. The video itself stood out also. It was very funny. Sadly, I think I’ve only seen the video a total of twice. As soon as the video ended, I headed out and bought the CD. I got it home, put it in the player, hit the play button, and from the opening notes of the song Blue Collar Suicide I was a fan. It was (and still is) unbelievable! It’s one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. It’s one of those discs that at no time do you want to hit the skip button. From Down Together (the band’s second video, and one I only ever had the pleasure of seeing once) to Nada, from Girly to Mekong, there isn’t a throw away on it.

Then in 1997, the band released it’s second opus; The Bottle & Fresh Horses. Again, I was enthralled from the opening of Tributary Otis. Granted (and I won’t lie here), it did take a couple listen throughs for a couple of the songs to grow on me. It’s also funny that those same songs are my favorites from this album. Songs like Heaven Or The Highway Out Of Town, and Preacher’s Daughter just reach out and grab you, while Sin Hombre, and Una Soda embrace and lull you. In my opinion this album is a bit darker than their first, but I also see it as a transition towards where the band was heading. Unfortunately we’d never know. The Refreshments broke up.

I was crushed. All I’d have from them from now on would be two discs. Also, I never got to see the band live, which was even more of a travesty of justice. I could just imagine how great these guys were if their studio stuff was ANY indication. More is the pity.

Then one day, while surfing through some Refreshments web pages, I came upon a link to a band called The Peacemakers. I followed that link to the bands official page, and I found out, The Refreshments lead vocalist Roger Clyne, and drummer P.H. Naffah were in said band. I began to wonder, Could there be light at the end of the tunnel? Could these guys be as good as The Refreshments? I got a copy of the Peacemakers debut CD Honky Tonk Union. Again, I put it in the CD player, hit the play button, and with the opening chord of Beautiful Disaster, the phoenix rose from the ashes. All my fears subsided and were appeased. Not only were these guys as good as The Refreshments (could it be possible?), they were better. The rock solid drumming of P.H. along with the twin guitar attack of former Dead Hot Workshop guitarist Steve Larson, and former Gin Blossoms guitarist Scotty Johnson and the new kid on the block Danny White, make the perfect band to showcase the utter musical genius of Roger Clyne.

Vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, a wicked triple threat Roger is. Actually, he doesn’t write songs, he an audio painter who works in the medium of six strings, and a mean back-beat. His canvas is our imagination, the notes he writes are his paints, and they blend flawlessly.

Listening to the songs on Honky Tonk Union, you can see every song. You know what the characters look like, and you know them as well as your own family and friends. You’ve been to the places they are. You’ve been where they’ve been. From the epic story of a man trying to get a shot of tequila in the heart of Jack Daniels country in Jack vs. Jose, to the guy losing his lady who has decided it’s time to move on to the big time in City Girls. And from the dusty old ranch in Green And Dumb, to the dark, neon lit bar in the song Honky Tonk Union.

Next came the live CD, Real To Reel. The rawness of the songs performed live comes through. No glossy over dubs, no studio tricks, just plain live rock-n-roll. The band feeds off the crowd like a starved man at a all you can eat banquet. The band mixes the perfect amount of Refreshments tunes, and Peacemakers songs, with a cover of Steve Earl’s Feel Alright. If you can’t make it out to see the band live, this is a taste of what you’d get.

Which then leads up to Sonoran Hope And Madness. Again, this is another progression. And again, it took some adjusting to. But these songs grow on you like the cactus grow in the Sonoran desert Roger loves so much. The first song/title track sets the tone for the CD. It’s a celebration, a celebration of life, love, beauty, hope and madness. Roger pulls out all the stops with his to date masterpiece Buffalo, a song about the struggle of Native Americans vs. American progress. The festival feel of Better Beautiful Than Perfect and Sonoran Hope And Madness, make the perfect counterparts to the be yourself inspiring Mile High And Rising and Smaller And Better Things. But the boys also remind you to enjoy, grasp, and love life and simple things with the songs Ashes Of San Miguel, and Sleep Like A Baby. Sadly, after the release of Sonoran Hope And Madness, Scotty Johnson left the Peacemakers to re-join his old band mates in Gin Blossoms. Roger and Steve stepped up and took over all guitar parts, and never looked back.

We were then blessed by the DVD ‘Long Ride Home’. Shot by Nick Fletcher and his Canadian film crew during the Honky Tonk Union tour, this documentary rivals U2’s Rattle And Hum, and the Woodstock movie. It’s funny, touching, eye opening, and educational all at the same time. It’s cool to see these guys doing what they do best…kicking ass on stage. But it’s also cool to see them off stage. Giving the slightest glimpse of the people they really are, along with their relationships with each other, and with their fans. It’s also nice to see some of the stuff I missed since I didn’t get to see them till the Sonoran Hope And Madness tour. Like getting to see Scotty Johnson playing with the band, which just adds to the debate, is the band the same without Scotty? (Personally I think they are, if not better…but that’s just me) Not long after Long Ride Home was released, a second promotional DVD came out. Viva La Paz gives just the slightest taste of how great the band is live in concert. Shot down in Mexico, this was suppose to be the album between HTU, and SH&M, but thanks to a thunderstorm that destroyed all the tapes that were recorded, these songs are the only remains of that show. They are just beyond words incredible. The show starts off with the only song they could begin with, Mexico, then goes into a unimaginable rain soaked rendition of Color Blind Blues. The big bonus on this video disc is the actual video for the new track, God Gave Me A Gun.

The next chapter of the story was released in January of 2004, and is titled !Americano! Where as Sonoran Hope And Madness makes you feel like you’re actually part of the south western desert, !Americano! gives you the feeling you’re on vacation in Mexico. The fiesta feeling you get from songs like ‘Counterclockwise’ and ‘Mexican Moonshine’ are only tempered by the longing of a loved one with ‘Your Name On A Grain Of Rice’ and the haunting heart breaking loss of ‘Switchblades’. The thing about !Americano! is the feeling of the CD is same but different than the others. It’s Roger and the boys, but, it’s them saying: ‘Hey, we can also do this, so check it out.’ They can make you smile with a little reggae tune called ‘Leaky Little Boat’, feel rebellious with the title track, or ponder the deep workings of love with ‘I Don’t Need Another Thrill’ and ‘Love Come Lighten My Load’. This chapter was well worth the wait. It’s like, after our long soul searching trip through the desert, it’s time to party, south of the boarder style! But, alas, during every party, people come and go. It’s rather ironic the last listed song on the disc, (there is a hidden track) is ‘Leave An Open Door’, because as of March 19, 2004, Danny White is leaving the fold to peruse his dreams. The bassist extraordinar is opening his own studio in Nashville, TN. and wants to make his own music. He’s going to be missed. I never got to see the band with Scotty, but I did see them with Danny. I was lucky enough to meet the man. He was extremely kind, generous and humble. He had no problem taking time to sign autographs, take pictures, and share a moment, without ever making us feel rushed, or that he didn’t want to be there. Good luck in the future Danny. May you achieve all your dreams, and get everything you want. But, leave an open door behind you. I’d also like to welcome Nick Scropos aboard as the Peacemakers new bassist. I look forward to hearing you play next time I catch the band live.

I can’t wait till the next chapter in the Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers story. I wait for it with baited breath. But till then, I have no problems at all re-reading the past chapters again and again. Because, no matter how many times the pages are read over, they always seem fresh and new.

Here’s to life!

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