Tame the Rooster – An Xperience Interview

Tame the Rooster – An Xperience Interview – by Liam Sweeny.

I love country. In particular, I love old, outlaw country. Willie, Waylon, Cash. Reminds me of the smell of sawdust on a dive bar floor when I was six and my dad and my uncles needed a pit stop (it was a different time.) So when I hear country today, whether it’s that old stuff or some new twang, I get nostalgic and just a little sentimental.

The Band “Tame the Rooster” makes me sentimental. A seven-piece with dual vocalists and a whole lot of country-rock spirit will leave your musical belly full.

We reached out to Mike Richardson from the band and were warmly received.

RRX: Sometimes the phrase “cover band” gets a bad rap, as the songs aren’t original compositions. But maybe we need to redefine that. For example, famous bands do covers, sometimes better than the originals. And few people go to the symphony to hear originals. Now Tame the Rooster covers songs. What do you bring to those songs?

MR: Liam, first and foremost we would just like to thank you for this interview, appreciation, and support in our adventure. We bring our own interpretation and passion to the songs we cover, infusing them with our unique style and energy while honoring the original message and essence. These are tracks that have deeply influenced us, and by making them our own, we aim to pay homage to the artists who created them while also connecting with our audience through shared musical experiences.

RRX: You’re a seven-piece, with dual vocalists. It creates a great, full sound, but I can imagine it can get hectic with all the moving parts. When you’re bringing new songs into your repertoire, do you have an order over who leads who? I’m talking practice room-level stuff here. How does a new song get turned into something you can bring onstage?

MR: Introducing new songs into our repertoire is a collaborative effort. We operate as a team, with each member contributing their ideas and input. When it comes to deciding who leads on a particular song, there’s no set order; it’s more about what feels organic for that specific track and what showcases us in the best possible way. Moreover, we tailor the arrangement to highlight the strengths and abilities of each member, ensuring that everyone shines onstage. It’s a dynamic process that ultimately results in a cohesive and exciting performance for our audience.

RRX: So let’s talk about your originals. It’s been said that you have infectious songwriting. What makes for infectious songwriting? Do you have a primary songwriter, or does everyone in the band contribute? Also, does this usually start with lyrics and branch out, or does it start out with a riff or musical phrase?

MR: Infectious songwriting is a blend of collaboration and individual creativity within our band. We all contribute ideas, whether it’s a riff, a lyric, or a musical phrase, and the process varies with each song. It’s amazing to see audiences connect with our originals even if they’ve never heard them before, singing along by the second or third chorus. Their receptiveness fuels our passion for creating music.

RRX: Tame the Rooster has a lot of influences, but I know, me listening to it, I would say country. You yourselves have said modern country. Modern country may be defined differently by people, along the “Waylon Jennings/Garth Brooks” spectrum. So when you say modern country, are you falling somewhere in that spectrum? If so, where?

MR: When we say “modern country,” we’re tapping into a broad spectrum that encompasses elements from various influences, much like the genre itself. While our sound may draw from classic country at times, we also explore newer rock and pop-infused melodies over the top of our twangy country rhythms, providing something for everyone. So, you could say we fit within the modern country landscape by offering a diverse range of musical styles.

RRX: One thing about country music, especially in this area, is that the venues you play may be different than a lot of bands would expect. Not saying bands are stuck to a handful of venues; the DIY scene is huge. But country can play everywhere. “The best place you played” may be a common question, but I’m actually curious. Where was your dream spot?

MR: We’ve had a motto this past year, “Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in 2025”! It’s a lofty goal, but we believe in dreaming big and setting high standards for ourselves. However, we feel fortunate to play anywhere, as long as people want to hear our music and their energy makes it all worthwhile. The DIY scene has been huge for us, and we appreciate the diversity of venues available to country music bands in our area.

RRX: We haven’t covered a lot of country. Not for any particular reason, but we might not be totally aware of who all is out there. You’ve been traveling the highways and byways of upstate New York, rubbed elbows with a few six-string slingers. Tell us: who’s out there? When we pass the mic on, who should we be passing it to?

MR: This is a tough question, because inevitably we will be leaving someone out. In upstate New York, there’s a vibrant music scene with diverse talent. Some of our favorite artists to pass the mic to include Ky McClinton, a versatile songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a silky smooth voice and delivery. Will Pedicone, a singer-songwriter deeply embedded in the music scene, known for his all-around talent and positive presence. And let’s not forget about The Laura Leigh band, a group of talented musicians known for their awesome originals and camaraderie on stage. Passing the mic to any of these artists promises an unforgettable musical experience.

RRX: This is where you answer the question I did not ask. Comments? Remarks? Educate, enlighten, emote – the floor is yours.

MR: We just want to thank you so much for having us. We can’t tell you how much we appreciate it! We’re truly grateful for the support of our fans and the incredible journey ahead. Every step of the way, we’re fueled by the love and encouragement from our family – both biological and chosen. Their unwavering support is the foundation of everything we do, and we can’t wait to share more music and moments with everyone who’s been a part of this journey. Together, we’re building something special, and the best is yet to come.

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