It was a dark school night of March when Dorin the Cougar showed me the full extent of her groupiness (in the spiritual sense, not Pamela De Barres way – which would make this post much juicier but even cougars have morals nowadays. sigh.) I had had hints of her fierce rock ‘n roll attitude in the past but had never really had the pleasure to witness it first hand.
For her birthday week-end, Dorin had driven more than 200 miles to Oklahoma City on Friday to catch a concert of Roger Clyne and the Peacemaker (RCPM for the initiated – and I will consider you initiated for the rest of this story), then had come back to Dallas on Saturday to attend The Old 97’s gig, and on Sunday night, she picked me up and drove another 40 miles to go see… RCPM play AGAIN! Thank goodness for the environment it’s not her birthday very often!
After duly plugging my ears and breathing a set of second hand smoke from The Drams (good but hellbent on destroying lung tissue), I saw Dorin head to the bar and order tequila shots in anticipation of the main event – the shots, not for her… but for front man Roger Clyne. Along the edge of the stage, tiny glasses began to appear from all directions. A tradition. A bit like buying beer for the sushi chef in a mark of appreciation. But beforehand. The atmosphere was quite friendly. People seemed to recognize each other from previous shows, and were exchanging hellos and knowing smiles. Dude, love was in the air.
Then… there was Tim. Young blond Tim with the huge sombrero. Tim who was celebrating his birthday. Tim who knew no one at the beginning of the show and was everybody’s best friend at the end (but I doubt he remembers any of this very clearly.)
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers were born out of the ashes of the Refreshments (think “Banditos” or the King of the Hill’s theme song.) The band split in 98 not through lack of talent, but unsupported by new management at Mercury records, and plagued by various personal problems of band members (think rock ‘n roll: drugs and nervous breakdowns.)
When offers from other record companies did not pile up in the mail, freshly unRefreshed Roger Clyne, a ranger’s son who majored in anthropology and psychology at Arizona State, and P.H. Naffah, the quiet drummer with the pre-med degree, packed backpacks and guitars and set out to the desert near Tucson in search of a new direction. The soul searching venture was to last the biblical 40 days… but it got hot and they ended up in a bar after 17 days (which Roger deemed plenty.) They took the resulting songs to Phoenix bars for happy hours, and fairly rapidly received an enthusiastic response from the audience. The band with the name of a Colt bringing out peace was created.
Three other musicians joined the Peacemakers through natural circumstances, almost by accident. Gin Blossoms’ clean-cut Scotty Johnson on guitar, consummate rebel guitarist “Dirty” Steve Larson from the defunct Dead Hot Workshop, and a walking music encyclopedia, bassist Danny White who brought his country sensibility to the Peacemakers. The odd quintet boarded a van (dubbed rolling germ tube by P.H.) and hit the road with Jamie Lee, the road manager.










J Boots (a hottie in his own right)
In the end, I understand better now why my buddy Dorin shows so much interest in this band. I’m converted (in a non-practicing sort of way.) More than anything, these are lovable good guys that play intelligent organic rock (I mean organic in the sense that they don’t rely on any fancy shmancy clicktracks or samplings – it’s just the four dudes with vocals, guitars, bass and drums… and J Boots being thrown on stage with a trumpet occasionally.) They do it the hard way, trying to ride a very fine line between art and being able to pay their bills, and it’s in my nature to root for the underdogs (especially quality mutts.)
After the show, they hang out a bit, talking to the fans and letting them take pictures.
Dorin and P.H.
Dorin and Roger
Roger and Dorin in 1996! They haven’t changed a bit! Hee! Hee!
After the photo op, it was time to go home, but then our good friend Tim showed up, walking what seemed to be a winding sidewalk, and crushing his sombrero on the wall for balance while his poor loyal pal tried to put some sense into him: “Tim, man, you’ll be plastered all over the net tomorrow!” Well it took a little longer than that… but to prove your friend right, here it is:
Just time to take another one of Tim with fans who were lining up to have their picture taken with the infamous birthday boy…
For the people who regularily read my blog, you’re probably wondering about my subject matter this time. Not exactly my usual stuff. I just had so much fun at their concert I felt it would be a good thing to spread the love. Their next gig in Dallas is on May 9th, 2009, at House of Blues… but a word of caution to the newbies out there, I have first dibs on front row. I would not want the love to come back and bite me in the bottom either.
I have pillaged many many sources to write this sprawling piece of more or less random facts: the brain of Dorin and her Troublemaker friends, the Canadian documentary “Long Ride Home”, The article “Tequila-Fueled Tunes” from High Country News, the interview of Roger Clyne by Keith Howardson from Americana Music Times, fan posts, and other articles I failed to bookmark because I’m imperfect. Alas.
See y’all at House of Blues!
head to El Reno, OK this weekend to see RCPM in a free, outdoor show. No tequila but there is a beer garden!
Thanks for the shout out for the Texas Troublemakers!
“Not exactly my usual stuff”
I enjoy your photo essays about what you’ve been up to more than the records of work photo shoots.
I think it’s great that you’re making a record of your time in the place you live. In years to come these posts will be a valuable historical record (no, I’m not joking).
your wonderful post just makes me relive the Denton show all over again. Viva La Peacemakers! House of Blues — I am SO there!
(in the front — newbies back off!)
surfed over here when your pal posted a link on the RCPM board. Awesome entry and photos. Thanks!!
Awesome photo’s. I came here because of the link on the Peacemakers board but I actually love all over your other photography! I just wanted to give you kudos on the great pictures on your blog 🙂
Geoff, Mark, and Elysia: thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment. This post was way out of my comfort zone… so it’s nice to feel appreciated! 🙂
Razz: right now, I really don’t have much of a life… I’m home-bound with a sick dog and it friggin’ rains all the time which makes renditions of dramatic events spotty at best… Plus I have discovered Facebook and spend whole days writing to crushes I had when I was 16. It’s very time-consuming, you know. 🙂
If my posts became valuable historical records, would that make me a heroin of sorts? I dig the thought, dude! Thanks!
Dorin: Thanks chouchou! Do you think Tim will be there? I hope he reads this post… and leaves a comment… and has trouble recognizing me at House of Blues… 🙂
Mark/Fax: Very nice of you to make that comment! I hope you’ll come back… although I think my rock ‘n roll days are over for now. I’m waiting for someone to come out and say I totally screwed up. So far so good!!! 🙂
I love it. Absolutely beautiful. I am going to send this link to all my friends who don’t yet understand why I love RCPM so much. By the way, I was standing right next to you guys at the Denton show. Dorin even took my picture with Roger after the show when my camera died. Looks like I’ll be seeing you up front again in Dallas!
Raquel (who rocks!): thank you! Please do send it to all your friends… I always welcome the attention! Hee! Hee! Plus, if it helps your friends get a better grasp on why you joined the cult, that added bonus, right?
I remember you! Also you have great pictures of Tim. Poor Tim. 🙂
See you on the 9th! Up front!
The Refreshments were AWESOME! I wondered whatever happened to them! Now I know. Thanks for the lesson and if the band is ever anywhere near Cincinnati, I’m going!
Did it really sound like a lesson? Ouch!
Alan — their website is http://www.azpeacemakers.com. I know they will be in Cleveland May 17th.
I survived! And ya know, I actually like those pictures a lot. It was a rough day the next day, but hey, RCPM in town on your birthday may only happen once in my life.
I will see everyone on Saturday at HoB, and I’ll still be everyone’s best friend, with 100% more sobriety!
Though I’m not a big music person, I learned to appreciate the difference between the bands whose music is more for the records and those who really rock at concerts. I got intrigued by this great post and checked them on youtube and these guys are to be seen live. And preferably,a s you did, on more occasions.
Don’t suppose they’ll be doing their European tour anytime soon though 🙂
Anytime now… 🙂
Awesome photos!
Thanks Princess!
I love these type of series from you, but the thing I noticed was your copyright year in the watermarks 😀 You better make up your mind Nathalie, 2008 or 2009!
And I just checked their Myspace site to listen to some of their music, nice indeed.
Dude, the year does not matter, does it? With old age settling in, the years follow and resemble each other… so 2008 or 2009, same thing. Do you want to be my daddy or something?
Your photos always make your life look like SO MUCH FUN! I’m totally lovin’ that boy Tim:) The crushed sombrero pic is my favorite – lol.
Hey girl! Tim is alive and well! I really was not going to be sure until I saw him in the flesh (even though he left a comment.) He was sober last time I saw him. What a difference!
Spectacular photos….See Y’all in Omaha…5/29
Thanks Tom!
I’m a big fan (oh, very much my own way indeed) of your blog… Love your pillage comment!
As I can’t send you a tequilla shot, I will drink it instead….keep going with new stories, I ‘m addicted….
My dinosaur friend, you drinking the shot of tequila which is destined to me is not doing me a lick of good. I’m sure you’re feeling quite happy though. So… That’s how it’s going to be, eh?
Perhaps, I’d get a whole lot more motivated to write if certain people started getting me drinks instead of selfishly boozing in their little corner, don’t you think? 🙂
i’m new to wordpress, was searching around for RCPM related stuff, and stumbled across your post. what an awesome, awesome story! it’s hard to explain the RCPM experience to people, but i thought it really came through in your words. i always tell people that if they go, they will ‘get it’ … hoping your words inspire more people to go out and give them a try! great post – thanks for sharing! (and the photos are INCREDIBLE!)
It is very good info. Thank you for posting.