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The Blasting Room

9 stories

Photo for “A Brother’s Bond: Holdfast. Stays, Fights and Reflects”

FeaturesA Brother’s Bond: Holdfast. Stays, Fights and Reflects“We are three brothers” is the first sentence Holdfast. wrote in their Facebook bio and they’re not really wrong about that. Brothers Tom and Mikey Maddocks and their cousin Charlie Maddocks grew up right next door to each other in Windsor, CO. They did everything together, including signing a sync licence with Audio Network in 2020 and releasing their first full length Stay And Fight on January 8, 2021.Valerie Vampola · Jan 11, 2021

Two people in sunglasses pose against a pink brick wall and a pale green wall, with no instruments visible.

FeaturesSarah Slaton Says It’s Time to Get Up and You Know ItDespite the chaos that was 2020, Fort Collins singer-songwriter Sarah Slaton has been able to find one gig: “I’m joining a bunch of other folks from the music industry who have been laid-off from their normal jobs,” she tells BandWagon. “We are part of a Covid rapid-response team, going to small cities to build testing infrastructure and testing sites.” Because let’s be honest, if you need to build a mobile facility meant to deal with a lot of people, call are the music festival folks. “We get shit done quickly,” Slaton says. Additionally, Slaton released the “Get Up” single and video in December, which speaks to what so many are going through. She championed the Save Our Stages Act, spearheaded community events and much more.Laura Giagos · Jan 5, 2021

A woman sings into a microphone while a man plays an electric guitar with a paisley strap in a small studio room.

MusicAlbum Review: VIVIAN – The Warped GlimmerEven during the pandemic, Fort Collins-based dream pop band VIVIAN pushed forward the release of their debut full length album The Warped Glimmer, and according to the band, are already well into producing a full length follow-up. Spacy in all the right ways and saturated in the tell tale signs of art-rock gone pop, The Warped Glimmer is VIVIAN turning on cruise control and putting the seat back for you. It’s a warm envelope to rest in but exciting enough not to put you to sleep.Laura Giagos · Jun 11, 2020

Black and white collage of four musicians performing: two guitarists, a singing bassist, and a drummer in a club.

MusicAlbum Review: I Am The Owl – I Can’t See“I Can’t See” is an evolution for I Am The Owl. Their no-nonsense shredding with a twist of experimentation has flourished into a galloping monster of thought-out riffs and rhythms that will have Every Time I Die fans grinning from ear to ear. It deserves to be heard and supported, so buy this EP if you can.Michael Olivier · May 12, 2020

FeaturesThe Blasting Room: FoCo’s Punk Rock Heart Beats For 25 YearsThe Blasting Room didn’t start with a Big Bang, as you might expect, but a drunken nap.Dan England · Nov 11, 2019

Black-and-white group portrait of four people in dark tops against a plain backdrop, with no instruments visible.

MusicAlbum Review: Post Paradise – Lonely WorldsPost Paradise has been a staple of the Northern Colorado music scene for several years with their blend of cello, piano and guitar-driven alternative prog rock.Nate Wilde · Nov 6, 2019

Four men crouch close together for a fisheye photo in a studio with a drum kit, mic stands, and an amplifier.

ReviewsAlbum Review: I Am The Owl – A Mission to Civilize: Part III Am The Owl’s newest release is for longtime fans of the Fort Collins punk/metal band and new listeners alike. Recorded at the Blasting Room, a heavy hitting local recording studio readers should familiarize themselves with (if you haven’t already), A Mission to Civilize: Part II rips. Fans of the hybrid genre will dig the searing guitars and signature “tight, but huge” drums. Following up their first release, A Mission to Civilize: Part I, the new drop expands on I Am The Owl’s galvanizing sound with much-welcomed production value increase. Fans of local DIY punk rock, don’t let that turn you off.Michael Olivier · Jul 1, 2018

Two men shout excitedly against a yellow backdrop, one in a striped shirt and cap, one in orange sunglasses.

MusicAlbum Review: In The Whale – Quicksand EPSince In the Whale began they have been a band not afraid to take chances.Jed Murphy · Oct 4, 2016

Five young people in casual t-shirts pose on a street bench at dusk, with a brick building and tree behind them.

MusicAlbum Review: Silver & Gold – Headed West EPFor three days Pie Lombardi of Silver & Gold essentially lived in The Blasting Room.BandWagon Magazine · Oct 5, 2015