To Live and Rock in Wyoming…

In much the same way that being a punk rocker at 30 is much different than being a punk rocker at 16, being a “rock and roll guy” in central Wyoming is a much different affair than being that same person in New York, San Francisco, Austin, or Denver. When a person lives in the city, the rock finds the person. All one must do is walk out the door and BLAMMO- a killer show is happening. I think that might be a reason so many of my friends have left Casper for Portland or LA… rocking out is simply easier.

However I must question whether “easier” translates to “better”. When rock and roll is harder to come by, I find myself appreciating it more. I don’t get to choose what bands I see play live in Casper. If I want to see a live band, I have to go to the show and watch whatever band happens to be playing. By doing so, I have seen tons and tons of bands that blew my mind, most of whom I never would have watched otherwise. I love that feeling.

And when a band I am way way into DOES come to Casper, the rock session typically becomes something of legend. I think about seeing The Electric Six with like forty other people at The Hall of Champions, or seeing TSOL at Club Dance West, or Bob Dylan in the park… I will probably be prattling on about these shows well into old age. And I have Casper Wyoming to thank for that.

Whether “working for the rock” takes the form of throwing underground gigs in Casper, or driving through blizzards to get to the show out of state, or dealing with dry spells and droughts in live action, the “work” element lends itself to a greater depth of appreciation.

Rock unto thee, Casper.