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Best Colorado Bands

11 stories

Trash. poses at night inside a large rusted metal ring sculpture, four members in dark clothing.

MusicAlbum Review: Trash. – GhostsLet’s face it. For many, the past couple of years have been pretty garbage, in a lot of ways.Nate Wilde · Dec 13, 2022

Features100 to 16, Now Down to 4: BandWagon’s Battle Of The Bands Closes in on Title BoutEternal Glory, $5,000 and the cover of BandWagon Magazine are grounds for musical fisticuffs in Colorado.Kevin Johnston · Dec 6, 2022

Four men in black graphic t-shirts pose in front of dense green foliage for a band portrait.

MusicAlbum Review: Jellyfish Farm – JellyfishProgressive rock is certainly its own multi-tentacled beast. Its key characteristics align with virtuosic musicianship and a sort of refined taste which, as with caviar or any stereotype, can lend itself to negative connotations. But the debut release from Colorado’s Jellyfish Farm could not be further from any preconceived notion of “stuffy” progressive rock. Rather, it’s a delightful and abstract breath of fresh air for not only the state’s local music scene, but modern prog as a whole.Nate Wilde · Nov 10, 2022

Photo for “Album Review: Musuji – Blanket Statement”

MusicAlbum Review: Musuji – Blanket StatementTo say that Musuji’s reputation precedes them would be an understatement. Known for their “wild with madness” moniker, Musuji mash together layer upon layer of sound and energy to create their own blend of funky, intense indie rock that is equally as chill as it is disastrous – and that’s in a good way.Nate Wilde · Jul 7, 2022

Three people in black-and-white on orange crinkled paper: two long-haired men flank a woman in a patterned blouse.

FeaturesPink Fuzz: Blood Runs DeepIf you notice a particular sweetness in the vocal harmonies soaring above the sludgy riffs, ripping guitar and ruthless drums of Denver rock trio Pink Fuzz, you’re on to something.Kevin Johnston · Apr 12, 2022

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MusicSingle Review: Branson Hoog – “No Vacancy”Intimate and sexy, Branson Hoog’s nimble, close-up vocals evoke an alluring darkness. The NOT A TOY (fka Shatterproof) frontman employs deep and minimalistic beats on “No Vacancy,” the second release under his own name.Kevin Johnston · Jan 11, 2022

Photo for “INTHEWHALE Gets Real on Vanishing Point”

FeaturesINTHEWHALE Gets Real on Vanishing PointWhat sets Eric Riley and Nate Valdez apart from other heavy acts isn’t their musicianship (though it is excellent) but their ability to translate unflinchingly raw moments into music. Starting with INTHEWHALE’s last EP, Dopamine, the band’s tone shifted from the sophomoric humor of their earlier releases to brutally honest explorations of the darker moments of life. These explorations continue on Vanishing Point. The band wrestles with pharmaceutical addiction, suicidal ideation and gentrification. The pain and anger is palpable.Gabe Allen · Dec 4, 2021

Three people sit on an orange couch against a teal wall, two in black hoodies and one in striped purple sleeves.

FeaturesTrash Cat and the Absurdity of the Human Experience~ Greeley’s silliest band takes making good music seriously ~Gabe Allen · Nov 12, 2021

Photo for “Album Review: No Hands Brass Band”

MusicAlbum Review: No Hands Brass BandNo Hands Brass Band brings an upbeat New Orleans sound with considerable chops to Colorado, with their debut EP “Off The Curb.” It features an instrumental mixture of pop, jazz, funk, and traditional Dixieland swing through their original compositions and arrangements, and it shreds.Valerie Vampola · Nov 4, 2021

Six people in bright vintage clothing lounge and climb through a tree with blurred branches against a blue sky.

MusicAlbum Review: The Crooked Rugs – THAT!There is a cultural, dad-inherited fondness for flipping through AM radio channels while driving late at night.Gabe Allen · Oct 5, 2021

Reddish-brown ink illustration of three long-haired men's heads and shoulders against a beige background.

MusicAlbum Review: King Crawdad – King Crawdad 3Fort Collins-based rock outfit King Crawdad has hit an impressive new stride, producing an EP alive with the particular energy they are clearly looking to translate. Taking their latest material to the renowned Fort Collins recording studio The Blasting Room and adding Tucker Valentine into the mix on bass, King Crawdad 3 stands as some of their best work yet. It punches where it needs to punch, kicks out the jams when it needs it the most, and shows a band really honing in on their sound.Laura Giagos · Aug 10, 2021