Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers is a rock band from Arizona, USA.

Related Topics:
Arizona - USA

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After the demise of The Refreshments, a semi-successful rock band of the 1990's whose top radio hit was "Banditos", former frontman Roger Clyne and drummer PH Naffah began to form a new band, that would be called Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers.

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The two were joined by former Gin Blossom, Scottie Johnson, the ex-guitarist for another Tempe band, Dead Hot Workshop, and bass player Danny White. They released their first album, Honky Tonk Union in 1999. Honky Tonk Union (HTU) was released in limited quantities with a bonus live CD, Real to Reel (R2R). The next year, they released an extended version of R2R as a stand alone album.

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The musical feel of HTU was very nearly a 180 degree change from Roger's previous works with The Refreshments. Whereas The Refreshments had an edgy southwestern rock feel, HTU was a hard-living album full of tongue-in-cheek wisdom and country sensibility.

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RCPM's next studio effort, 2002's Sonoran Hope and Madness explored the deeper themes of returning to the basics of life, of loss, and of resurgence. Sonoran Hope and Madness was an endlessly eloquent tale of the demise of a much-loved way of life. It mourned progress without tears; there are no dirges here, only celbration of what is loved.

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2004 saw the release of ¡Americano!, the band's third, and most streamlined, studio effort. ¡Americano! is a story set not in the dusty Mexican borderlands, like the previous albums, but on a Mexican beach, miles away from the daily grind. This album was conceived and written in a third-world cantina, and canvasses the full spectrum of human emotion.

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In 2002, Scott Johnson left the band to rejoin with the Gin Blossoms, leaving the part of lead guitar in the capable hands of Steve Larson. Steve's playing wasn't properly showcased until the release of ¡Americano!, and it is plain to see that his talent was wasted at second guitar.

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In early 2004, shortly after the release of ¡Americano!, Danny White left the Peacemakers to start his own recording studio in Nashville, TN. He was replaced by Nick Scropos, who was the bassist for another Tempe band, Gloritone. Scropos was slated to join the band when it formed in 1998, but was unable to do so due to his obligation to Gloritone. His playing can be heard on track nine of Honky Tonk Union, the waltz, Green & Dumb.

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Currently, the Peacemakers tour heavily, both as a headlining band and opening for national acts such as Sammy Hagar and John Fogerty. Twice a year, an ever-increasing following of fans from around the globe descend on the Mexican beach town of Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point for the gringos) for their "Circus Mexicus" bash. Attendees to Circus Mexicus take part in a weekend-long celebration of life, love, and music that culminates with a four-hour long concert at the Sunset Cantina.

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In March of 2005, the Peacemakers were asked to play at Billy Bob's Texas, a famous honky-tonk joint that has hosted the likes of Merle Haggard and Pat Green. They quickly turned around and sold a live CD featuring songs from that performance, which sold well enough to make them the only independant band to have four consecutive top-ten albums on the Billboard Internet Sales Chart.

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