Bootleg Rider formed in the fall of 2008 and debuted in March of 2009.
The realization of a long time goal by front man and songwriter Nathan Hickey, Bootleg Rider finds Nathan stepping out from behind a drumkit for the first time in his musical career and taking the helm. A life-long drummer, Nathan has played with a number of local artist over the years including Greg Mahan, Great Modern, Kelly Thomas, and former Queen City favs, The Simpletons…
Nathan was fortunate enough to find a few more veteran players to bring his notion to life including drummer Chris Verbanic formerly of LOHIO and Hyde Park Outrage, as well as too many ‘gun for hire’ gigs to mention, he has simply played with just about everyone in town.
Chris recommended guitar hero Jeff Boling to compliment ‘the six string kid’ of the band Andy Lawler. They instantly formed a bond as guitar brethren the likes rarely seen anymore. Harkening back to the Allman brothers and Stones, or Pearl Jam in more recent years, these two practice what Keith Richards once described as, ‘the ancient art of weaving’…Seperately they can cut heads with the best of them, but together they will simply take your breath away…twenty fingers and four arms, but one mind.
The final piece of the puzzle fell into place with the addition of former Katie Reider bassist and old friend, Greg Hansen. A long saught after sideman, he makes everyone sound better than they are. Drawing from melody and bedrock bottom end, he pours concrete bass lines that simultaneously hold everything in place with flourishes that ‘symphonocize ‘, even the starkest arrangement. He may very well be the bands secret weapon, although not a very well kept one.
Unafraid of not being easily labeled, Bootleg Rider roll through styles and genre’s in music that few might dare to throw together…sometimes in the same song.
Realizing that a lot of time has passed since the days when folks defined their musical preference with one dominating category, B.R. allows all of its’ influences to shine through, be it the giants of classic rock like Springsteen and the aforementioned Stones, or Lesser acknowledged but just as important underappreciated legends like Steve Earle and Los lobos. Even a drop of Outkast will trickle into the mix from time to time.
All in all, Nathan doesn’t attempt to re-invent the wheel when it comes to rock and roll, he instead chooses to mix and match a number of ingredients he recognizes as some of humanities favorite flavors, and stir them together into something fresh and new. There may be rock and roll bones with a country heart and a gospel lyrics, any combination thereof, but you’ll simply hear another good song, which ultimately may be the defining character trait of the band, the focus and reverence they have for a song.
A lilting ballad may evolve into a Miles Davis like maelstrom…A metal edged guitar may be delivered next to a beatlesque melody, and guitars may dive-bomb a verse like the end of the world has arrived, but everything bows at the feet of the song itself…Because while everyone loves a good solo…Hickey recognizes that almost no one wakes up ‘feeling’ a solo in their heart and soul, but almost everyone sings a song in the shower to start each day. Songs are what have the heart of the people, and that is what Bootleg Rider covets…they songs they play and the hearts of their listeners…