Ryan Endean’s Music Column

Image: Ryan Endean's Music Column::

Image: Ryan Endean’s Music Column::

Read Ryan's latest Showcase column below

Kissing bands goodbye

Ryan Endean

State Hornet Music Columnist

Previous Music Showcase columns by Ryan Endean:

November 7

Dead Rockstars Tribute

October 31

Fast and furious Sacramento rock

October 24

?Bands Lend a Hand? benefit

October 17

Sacramento?s

open mic scene

October 3

Razor Lily,

Umpteenth, Popgun

September 18

Showcase: The music must go on

September 12

Showcase: Rocking banjos and Amazing Sweethearts

September 7

Showcase: G St. Pub in DavisFeaturing: Infinite Martini and Rock the Light

One thing about local music that can frustrate fans is that bands tend to come and go. This past weekend I saw what could quite possibly be the last shows of two really great Sacramento bands, Snubnose and Forever Goldrush.

Now, I?m going to try and quell any rumors up front. Snubnose did officially play their last show on Friday night at The Distillery. Forever Goldrush, however, may not be breaking up for good. The band played its last show with its long-time drummer on Saturday night at Old Ironsides and claims they?re not breaking up, but rather are taking a long break to regroup and figure things out. So they may come back ? or at least, I really hope they do. In the words of an unnamed coffee shop owner, “If they break up, I?m going to be really pissed.”

And she should be pissed. Forever Goldrush is by far the best alternative country-rock band in town and to see them go would be a sad thing. Their rocking hillbilly tunes are a welcome relief from always hearing the same thing on the radio day after day, and lead singer/songwriter Damon Wycoff has a talent I don?t even comprehend.

As for Snubnose, those guys had a stage presence to match Kiss. Often dressed in costume, with the lead singer always doing full splits while playing the guitar, their music was a hard-hitting “full throttle” rock ?n? roll sound that will surely be missed.

Even if these bands don?t come back, I know their members will all be back out there playing music, because that?s what they love. And whether or not they?re in the same bands, I?m sure they?ll still rock and I?ll still go and see them.

But I can always hope for a future comeback ? a reunion tour, if you will. Until that day, you can check out either of Forever Goldrush?s albums, “Unknown Territory” or “Halo in my Backpack,” and Snubnose?s “Self-titled Debut Album,” or their Web sites, www.rootsrock.com/goldrush and www.snubnose.org.

Hey, I?m running out of good bands to go see and I know they?re out there! If you want your band, or a friend?s band or your cousin?s band, to be reviewed,write me at [email protected]