Arizona’s Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers are one of rock’s hardest touring bands, and on Thursday, March 28, they will return to The Reef in Boise. While it seems improbable that such a small venue could contain the immensity of RCPM and their devoted fans, the party’s going to be unstoppable. RCPM is first and foremost a live band and must be experienced in its raw and energetic state. Tickets are still available here.
If the East Coast has Bruce Springsteen, the South Tom Petty, and the Midwest John Mellencamp, than the West can boast an equal talent in Roger Clyne. Clyne was certainly not as well known as the aforementioned singer/songwriters, but shares an equal amount of talent and arguably a better voice than all three. Clyne also finds sonic kinship with the likes of Bob Marley and Elvis Costello.
Roger Clyne was born in Tucson, Arizona and raised primarily in Tempe, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. He also spent plenty of time South of the border in his misspent youth. The Southwest flavor of his upbringing is an ambient element of his music. His journey into music started as a child when he began writing his first songs at the sagacious age of five.
Clyne’s musical career began in the 90s as vocalist/guitarist for The Mortals, later, The Refreshments. The Refreshments were college radio favorites, especially at Clyne’s party town alma mater, Arizona State University. The band’s feel good, alt rock vibe resonated with fans, and they scored hits with the songs “Banditos”, “Girlie” and “Down Together”. The band was also known for writing the theme for the television comedy, “King of the Hill”: A song called “Yahoos and Triangles” which they performed initially at soundchecks.
After three albums and no label support, The Refreshments dropped the label and two of the band members departed. In 1998, Clyne along with drummer P.H. Naffah changed the name to Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers, and continued forward on their simpatico sojourn. Bassist Nick Scropos joined the festivities, left and returned permanently in 2004. The band’s newest member is lead guitarist Jim Dalton who joined in 2009.
The RCPM sound would still contain many of The Refreshments lighthearted elements, but the songwriting would become more somber as well; Clyne’s border influences more pronounced. The band would hit No. 1 on Billboard's Online Album Sales chart with two of its first three albums, and top 10 overall with their first five efforts.
The band’s 1999 debut, “Honky Tonk Union” offered up soon to be fan favorites in “Jack vs. Jose”, “Beautiful Disaster” and “Green and Dumb.” Released in 2004, RCPM’s third studio album, “¡Americano!” was heavy with a number of songs that remain crowd favorites, including the title track, “Counterclockwise”, “Switchblade”, “Leaky Little Boat” and “Mexican Moonshine”. More great songs would follow with 2007’s 14-track “No More Beautiful World” with songs like “Hello New Day”, “Maybe We Should Fall In Love” and “World Ain’t Gone Crazy”.
In 2008, RCPM would head to their second home in Rocky Point, Mexico, site of their annual Circus Mexicus and JJ's Cantina concert events. There they would set an unprecedented record by doing a video chronicle of their recording of eight new songs in eight days. The result would be “Turbo Ocho”.
RCPM’s newest album is 2011’s “Unida Cantina” which hit #2 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and #4 on iTunes Rock Albums.
Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers are also annual regulars at Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding events each December which raise money for Cooper's Solid Rock Foundation.
RCPM newcomers can get a free taste of the band with a free download of "The Magnificent 7, Part Uno" and "The Magnificent 7, Part Dos". 14 classic RCPM tracks in all.
Clyne also has his own brand of ultra premium tequila, "Mexican Moonshine". Fans can also download even more music at Roger's tequila website www.mexicanmoonshine.com/music.
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