It can be difficult to give an objective review of the concert performed by your favorite band, and it's near impossible to give one when they played in your very own back yard.
In case you are unfamiliar with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, here is a brief synopsis of the seemingly cult status band that is passing you by unnoticed: RCPM was formed in 2000 from the ashes of the late '90s alternative band The Refreshments. The Refreshments had a couple of hits, MTV videos and radio releases that you may remember – Banditos, Girly, Down Together, Dolly, etc. And you most certainly may recognize their TV theme song to Mike Judge's King of the Hill.... Still doesn't ring a bell? Doesn't matter, because that doesn't begin to describe the cult of RCPM.
Their music can't really be described, but I will try anyway. Imagine the rock n' roll fun we feel when we hear Cheap Trick, The Ramones, Weezer. Then imagine the party we feel when we hear Jimi Buffet, Sammy Hagar, or a good Mariachi band. Imagine the lyrics of Springsteen with more sense of humor, the sense of adventure of Steve Earl, the sincerity of Johnny Cash.
The guitarists, bass and drummer have all done individually what so few rock musicians have achieved, finding their own voice, sound and style. Their recipe is unique, the ingredients are familiar. Their unity in rhythym and sound is world class.
RCPM are accessible, and musically respectable. They are deep, but not unrelatable; they are happy, but not corny; they are completely original, but not bizarre. You can listen to their music, check their videos on YouTube and think they are fun, but it won't be until you see them live that will you understand why twice a year they have thousands upon thousands of Americans from all over flock south of the border to watch their favorite band play at their famous event called Circus Mexicus.
Once a year they have a Backyard BBQ Tour to celebrate their biggest fans. RCPM will show up in their tour bus with a couple of bottles of Roger's famous award winning tequila, take the tour of your home, and enjoy your fresh home cooking. They have what I consider the coolest and friendliest roadies in business who will cheerfully do a terrific job in setting up the equipment for a rock show as good as what you will experience in the club or theatre.
My wife Michelle and I planned this event for several weeks. We had our tiered back yard decorated with Mexican flags, tiki torches, hand painted fan signs, pinatas, serape blankets, chili capped lights, Neon Cacti, you name it. We invited every friend we had who didn't leave town for the 4th july weekend, filled with fifty five lawn chairs, our backyard was ready party. A huge potluck was established with every sort of Mexican dish you can imagine – no one was going to be left hungry for food or for Rock n' Roll.
Our little home in Albuquerque was about to be blessed with possibly its finest hour when something strange happened. Our seven year draught ended seemingly all at once. The heaviest rain this town had experienced in seven years began practically the moment band took the stage. The crew and our friends and I frantically scattered, covering their equipment and instruments with blankets and tarps. The locals made the usual cliche of, "If you don't like the rain, wait five minutes." But the rain persisted for nearly 4 hours of heavy downpour.
Despite the almost comically tragic luck, we all pulled together under our little tin awning on our deck and the band gave what was possibly the most intimate show any of us has ever experienced. All of us huddled in that little area, protecting the band's equipment from the rain with our bodies, RCPM playing away as we were all dripping from head to toe. We were all so packed that we were squeezed at elbow distance between guitarist Jim Dalton and Roger Clyne, and the drummer's bass drum was at our knee caps.
They opened with their fan favorite and show staple Mexico, followed by songs whose lyrics fit the appropriate situation, such as Leaky Little Boat, Love is the Road, Switchblade, Contraband, U.F.O. and any other song we wanted to hear. Regardless of the adverse conditions, unplanned equipment issues, they didn't play sloppy or like they didn't care. They played just as well as when I watched them open for John Fogerty or Sammy Hagar, or to their own album release in Phoenix. They brought the heat, while still keeping it intimate.
Not all of the crowd of 55 had the stamina to withstand the elements, but those of us who did experienced what is a once in a lifetime memory, and those who weren't fans before became fans for life. And, as it turned out, this show landed on our third wedding anniversary.
The band kept the attitude that this was even more fun than what was planned and seemingly had just as much fun as the crowd did for the 2 and half to 3 hours they played. I asked originally to play a song or two on the guitar to open up the show. At that point, I scraped the idea, but the band brought me in, as I played on Roger's guitar with his band that backed me up impromptu some Johnny Cash songs. The crowd sang along and it was the most epic experience of my life. The night was summed up when our friend Hailey who was new to the Peacemaker family said between songs, "Best. Party. Ever!"
The following morning before they took off to their next destination, they pulled up in their massive tour bus again to pick up some of their equipment they had left to dry off. They had breakfast with us that my wife Michelle had prepared. They sat and hung out with us and we all laughed about life, music, and Breaking Bad. It was like we'd known them for years, we were all perfectly comfortable being ourselves. The band were family men like us, they watch what food they eat like us, they probably listen to a lot of the same music and read the same books as we do. We felt such a sincere friendship even if it was only one evening and one morning – it didn't feel forced, or just polite – it was organic. They even played with our dog Snickers like our friends would.
If I can end on one note about the band, it's this: they are exactly like their songs' messages and philosophies: we are all the same on the inside, we are here to enjoy life and have good relationships. The lyrics to Roger's songs I believe are a reflection of the people he surrounds himself with and people he likes to perform for.
How much is a backyard bbq show?
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