Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers w/ Parker Ryan @ The Fine Line 3-24-23
Review & Photos by Scott Cornell
On a chilly Friday night in downtown Minneapolis, the Fine Line music cafe was a beacon of warmth and energy as Parker Ryan and his band took the stage. Despite the lingering snow banks and just above freezing temperatures, the trio from College Station, Texas delivered a scorching hot performance that had the audience grooving and moving all night long.
Parker Ryan, the lead singer and guitarist, sported a glistening striped club shirt, which added to the vibrant energy of the performance. The bassist, Adrian Santacruz, wore rose-colored shades that complemented the hot pink adornments on his headless bass. Meanwhile, drummer Kyle Garrison used The Peacemaker's drum kit in a calculated move, eliminating the turnover time between sets and adding to the efficiency of the show.
The buildup of the set was very chill, with moments of intensity and crisp instrumentation throughout. The band's funky blues rock sound was infectious, with each song building upon the last and culminating in a spectacular finale that left the crowd wanting more. Ryan's honest lyrics were a standout feature of the set, drawing upon his personal experiences and adding a layer of authenticity to each song.
The trio, much like a jam band, clearly enjoy performing together. The energy and synchronicity they brought to the stage were perfectly on par with their brand of rock. Garrison harmonized with Ryan on most songs, with Santacruz vocalizing from time to time, adding depth to the performance.
The atmosphere was enhanced by the lighting, which shifted through a range of colors and intensified the vibe. As the band played on, the haze-filled air added to the ambiance of the performance, creating a truly immersive experience.
The set also included a nod to Green Day with a cover of "Brain Stew," which was met with cheers and applause from the crowd. A witty segue into a song about Ryan's mother’s commentary on his tendency to write songs about smoking pot helped the band recover from a minor misstep stating that marijuana had just been legalized in Minnesota but managed to recover and keep the energy high throughout the night.
The atmosphere was enhanced by the lighting, which shifted through a range of colors and intensified the vibe. As the band played on, the haze-filled air added to the ambiance of the performance, creating a truly immersive experience.
As the concert came to an end, the trio seemed to have gone over the 45-minute set by a song, with the intent to play two more, which was an indication of their love for performing. Overall, Parker Ryan and his band delivered a spectacular show that left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Their dedication to their craft, combined with their infectious energy and raw talent, made for an unforgettable night of music.
Later in the evening, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers entered the stage under an array of amber, green, orange, purple, and blue lighting streaking its way through the hanging haze as the crowd roared with excitement. The Arizona-based quartet's mature college rock sound was infused with a Tex Mex flair, creating a unique and unforgettable musical experience, a high-energy set that had the crowd singing and dancing along from start to finish.
As independent artists with no major label affiliation, the band proved they can put on a show just as good as any major artist out there. They started off the night by raffling off an opportunity for an audience member to join them on stage to play the triangle during the “King of the Hill” theme song, which was a fun and interactive way to engage the crowd. They then also auctioned off a signed guitar and a custom Polaroid, which would put diesel in their tour bus tank to get them to Milwaukee. The winning bid was an impressive $1600.
Clyne and his band mates, drummer P.H. Naffah, bassist Nick Scropos and guitarist Jim Dalton exuded charisma and confidence, never taking themselves too seriously and put on a fantastic show. The four 50-somethings were jovial and interactive with the crowd, and it was evident that many in attendance have seen them perform many times before. It was clear The Peacemakers play for their love of the music, their fans and their lifelong accomplishments as musicians were evident throughout the night.
Each member harmonized with Clyne, and their tight performance was nothing short of impressive. Their music had a fun-loving yet topical and energetic party vibe, with catchy and memorable lyrics that had the crowd singing along but the distinct yet diverse sounds between each of the songs kept the crowd on their toes.
Their stamina was truly impressive, with a two-hour, 20+ song set performed without intermission and they proved to be true professionals in every sense of the word. They are a marathon party band that wants the crowd to enjoy themselves as much as they are.
The structure of the set was built to two climaxes coinciding with the top of the hours, which added to the excitement of the night. They even played a cover of Cracker’s "Low" before ending the night with "Banditos." The raffle winner, Chris, played the triangle during the King of the Hill theme, which added to the fun and interactive nature of the show. The multi-song encore was the perfect way to end an amazing night.
Even if you’ve never heard their songs, somehow they seem familiar, and that’s the magic of Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers. Their energy, confidence, and charisma were contagious, and I left the concert feeling inspired and thoroughly entertained.
