Snuff the Rooster: Music in The Mountain West
A year ago I had just started a band and was doing all I could to get the work out-- publishing music, booking shows, trying to think of funny and elaborate Facebook posts… And like most bands would understand, I wasn’ quite getting the response I had dreamed and hoped for. My three piece punk band pushing bar chords and Strokes covers wasn’t becoming an internet sensation. Weird, right? One day, though, I saw that my band had been tagged in a post by a Facebook account called, Snuff the Rooster. I had no idea who this was but they had taken the time to tell people about my show coming up in a few weeks. Curious, and flattered, I took a deeper look at the account, seeing that it was working to promote shows all around the mountain west. And not big shows-- small backyard, DIY shows made up of bands that could really use the coverage. I thought that was awesome and sent Snuff a thankyou for promoting my show. And now, a year later - while I’m trying to get Salt Lily Magazine off ground - I decided to reach out to Snuff and ask why they do what they do.
Who is Snuff the Rooster?
I’m just a fan of music. All kinds. I grew up in a little tiny LDS community where music was something we did not really listen to. I majored in music in college but was sidetracked after an English teacher told me I should write for a newspaper. That’s what I did for 20 years until mental burnout and frustration with the business in general took over.
What motivates you to do all the coverage that you do?
The most important thing about what I do is to spread as much awareness of how incredible the local music scenes are in Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. I spent many summers in the Pacific Northwest and was amazed to watch some of those bands become what they did. It wasn’t unusual to walk into a pub in Seattle and see members of Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam jamming together on stage. I also watched an incredible music scene in Portland be at the mercy of big business America. There are incredible acts up there but venues are closing because it’s more profitable to turn music venues into strip clubs. I’m afraid local music is becoming a lost art form.
What makes you want to cover the area that you do,Wyoming, Utah and Idaho?
I grew up here. It’s my home. I thought about starting Snuff the last time I was in Portland and it was going to be a blog about small country boy experiencing big city, but that’s so stupid... I decided if I was going to fully do it, I was going to put my efforts behind something I cared about which is local live music. I learned and grew with many of these local acts and I fell in love with the stories and struggles. You can find so much inspiration in the Mountain West.
Who are some of your favorite acts around the area?
Man, so many. Of course ZamTrip from Rock Springs will always be at the top of that list. I watched these guys grow up and they taught me (especially Kyle Zampedri) a lot about local music, especially the Salt Lake music scene. The cool thing about this is I am learning about new acts all the time. I discovered bands, like Dead Fervor and Jesse Dayne and the Sagebrush Drifters ... that I would have never heard about unless I was doing this. Both amazing bands. I love what Becoming Ethereal is doing. Idaho bands like Silent Theory, Break the Broken, Voice of Treason and Depth of Deception are incredible and still growing. Free Resonance, Hanover Fiist, Lonesome Gold are all great Wyoming acts ... There are so many and I challenge everyone to find your local artists and learn about them.
Why is live music still important?
For me it’s therapy. I think everyone needs to find that reason why music is important to them. It’s an art that needs to be celebrated. I don’t know who said it but I remember growing up with a quote that said, ‘a society that forgets its art loses its soul.’
Do you see rock and roll, or guitar music, ever dying?
I have battled with this question because I’m a metal, rock guy through and through. However, all the emotion and anger right now is in the world of hip hop. You look on the charts and bands aren’t there anymore. I have noticed a horrible trend on my journey that makes me question this all the time. I’ve been to clubs that use DJ’s as opening acts. The dance floor is packed. The minute the band steps on stage, everybody leaves. That band busts-ass to get that crowd back. I was a club DJ and still don’t understand it. People would rather listen to recorded music than live music, and it’s the younger generation thing. I’m sure there is going to be another shift in music, but it makes you wonder.
What’s the big goal for Snuff the Rooster?
Besides becoming the best cell phone concert photographer in the world, just to bring good vibes to a ton of musicians who need that extra boost at times. To bring attention to the local artists that are writing the soundtracks to our lives. They work extremely hard for absolutely nothing most of the time. I want to give them something even if it is just a photo or a positive message about their music.
Anything you want to add that I didn't ask about?
I would challenge everyone to get out and get to know your local artists. Yes, meeting Slash, Elton John and bands I grew up with has been an incredible experience, [but] it’s the local musicians that listen and love back. Who knows, you might be watching the next Guns N’ Roses or Alice In Chains. In turn, artists, get to know your fans. The world is a mess and it’s only going to get worse. I’ve been here 50 years and it hasn’t turned into Disneyland yet. We need each other. We have to cherish the little things, and mine is live music.
Go sure to go check out Snuff the Rooster on Facebook and Instagram ri tune in with all the great shows they promote.
