Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers |
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Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers is a rock band from Tempe, Arizona, USA. The band is typically referred to by the fans as "The Peacemakers" or by the abbreviation "RCPM". The Peacemakers' music is known to cross genres, with earlier songs showing a more Country influence, and more recent songs sounding more like a modern pop song with a Reggae/South of the Border influence.
History
After the demise of The Refreshments, a semi-successful rock band of the 1990s known for their top radio hit "Banditos," and also for the theme song to the long-running animated series King of the Hill, former frontman Roger Clyne and drummer Paul "P.H." Naffah formed a new band that would be called Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers.
The Peacemaker's early lyrics showcased Roger's Southwestern roots and invoke images of cowboys, federales, and frequently reference Mexico and Arizona along with other Southwestern references. The early works have much more of a nihilistic feel to them. Recently his work has veered toward a permanent vacation feel, with many references to escaping modern society's suburban lifestyle and trying to avoid a mid-life crisis.
The early musical feel of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers was a noticeable change from Clyne's previous works with The Refreshments. Whereas The Refreshments had a prominent lead guitar and edgy southwestern rock feel, The Peacemakers initially displayed a heavier country influence along with focusing more on the singer-songwriter aspect.
Roger Clyne and PH Naffah were originally joined by former Gin Blossom, Scott Johnson who left to rejoin his former band in 2002. He was replaced by Steve Larson, former guitarist for another Tempe band, Dead Hot Workshop, who had already been playing with the Peacemakers by that time. In January, 2009 it was announced that Steve Larson would be departing "The Peacemakers" and would be replaced by Railbenders frontman Jim Dalton on lead guitar.
Also joining Roger & P.H. was bass player Danny White. In early 2004, shortly after the release of ¡Americano!, Danny White left the Peacemakers to start his own recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee. He was replaced by Nick Scropos, who at the time, was the bassist for another Tempe band, Gloritone. Scropos was the bass player for The Peacemakers when they originally formed, however he departed after having only recorded the bass track for one song, the crowd favorite Green & Dumb, due to a previous obligation to Gloritone.
Albums
Honky Tonk Union
Honky Tonk Union was released in 1999 in limited quantities with a bonus live CD, Real to Reel. The next year, they released an extended version of Real to Reel as a stand-alone album.
Sonoran Hope and Madness
The Peacemakers' second studio effort, 2002's Sonoran Hope and Madness, explored the deeper themes of returning to the basics of life, of loss and of resurgence. Sonoran Hope and Madness was a tale of the demise of a much-loved way of life.
¡Americano!
In 2004 the band released their third studio recording. ¡Americano! is a series of stories set not in the dusty Mexican borderlands, like the previous albums, but on a Mexican beach, miles away from the daily grind.
Live at Billy Bob's Texas
In March 2005, the Peacemakers recorded their 2nd official live album at Billy Bob's Texas, a famous honky-tonk bar in Texas. The recording sold well enough to make them the only independent band at the time to have five consecutive top-10 albums on the Billboard Internet Sales Chart.
Four Unlike Before
In April 2006, the Peacemakers released a four song EP, Four Unlike Before, which is currently available only through iTunes. This EP included 3 alternate versions of songs previously released, as well as a song until then only performed live, Mexicosis.
No More Beautiful World
The band's fourth studio album, No More Beautiful World, was released on March 20, 2007. No More Beautiful World was produced by Clif Norrell who had previously worked with Roger Clyne on The Refreshments album Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big and Buzzy.
The Turbo Ocho Sessions
January 04, 2008, the Peacemakers started an eight day consecutive recording session in Rocky Point, Mexico. For that period, they lived, wrote, and recorded together. The idea was to create a new song each day for 8 days straight. Daily video logs of the creative and recording process as well as rough cut versions of each song were added to the band's web page each day. On the ninth day, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers debuted the newly recorded songs at a special concert at JJ's Cantina in Mexico.
Glow In the Dark
February 2, 2009, RCPM have begun releasing 1 song and a corresponding video per week for 14 weeks. Songs from both the RCPM and Refreshment catologs are supposedly included. The recording is from a show in 2008 at Mexicali Blues. This album has been announced as on-line distribution only. It has been announced that no physical CD or DVD copy will be distributed.
Current Activities
Touring
The Peacemakers have toured both as a headlining band and opening for national acts such as Sammy Hagar and John Fogerty.
Circus Mexicus
Twice a year, a concert is held in the Mexican beach town of Rocky Point, Mexico (Puerto Peñasco) for what is called "Circus Mexicus". Circus Mexicus features a 2 set concert most recently held in a vacant lot adjacent to the Sunset Cantina. The following morning an unofficial "hangover bash" is held at JJ's Cantina in nearby Cholla Bay where band members have been known to mingle with the fans and sign autographs.
Band members
Current members
- Roger Clyne – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica (1998–present)
- Jim Dalton – lead guitar, backing vocals (2009-present)
- Nick Scropos – bass, backing vocals (1998, 2004–present)
- Paul "P.H." Naffah – drums, percussion (1998–present)
Former members
- Danny White – bass, backing vocals (1998–2004)
- Scott "Scotty" Johnson – lead guitar, backing vocals (1998–2002)
- Steve Larson - lead guitar (1998-2009)
Discography
- Honky Tonk Union (1999)
- Real to Reel (2000)
- Sonoran Hope & Madness (2002)
- ¡Americano! (2004)
- Live at Billy Bob's Texas (2005)
- Four Unlike Before (2006)
- No More Beautiful World (2007)
- Turbo Ocho Sessions (2008)
- Glow In the Dark (2009)
Website & Current Management
In January, 2008 Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers changed management. With this change came a new direction in the both marketing and distribution of it's merchandise. In August 2008, it was announced that the band's Website operations was being turned over to EchoMusic, a subsidiary of Ticketmaster. The new website and management elicited a bit of controversy leading to a fractionating of the band's on-line community. For various reasons, many of the bands more devoted on-line community chose to cease their on-line support of the band.