ROCK LIKE A LOCAL:
A Q&A with Denver DJ Nerf of Channel 93.3
Denver’s always had a healthy local rock scene, but it’s only recently that the rest of the U.S. has begun to catch on to the magnificent sounds emanating from the Mile High City. With bands like the Fray, Flobots and Photo Atlas making headway in the national (and international) rock world, suddenly Denver has graduated to the big leagues, musically speaking. DJ Nerf (born Jeb Freedman) of modern rock station Channel 93.3 is one of the biggest boosters of local rockers, playing the latest and greatest Mile High City bands during his weekday afternoon shift. Taking a break from his duties as program director at Channel 93.3, Nerf gave us the lowdown on Denver rock.
VISITDENVER.com: Why do you think the Denver music scene is getting so much attention these days?
Nerf: It’s really a combination of a bunch of things. As a radio station, we’ve turned our focus more on local acts, and I think that’s made a big difference. And then you just had this explosion of exceptional bands – the Fray and Love .45 kind of got it going, and then bands like Meese and Tickle Me Pink started getting attention as well. And with the success of the Fray, people definitely started seeing that bands from Denver can be successful, bands from Denver are getting signed to big label deals. And then a lot of the local venues in Denver have stepped up and started to feature local bands in a more prominent way. There are now dozens of places to check out local bands, which is great. It’s funny though, here in Denver, we think of 2007 being such a big year for local acts – but 2008 is really going to be the big year, because this is when the rest of the country is going to really start hearing these bands. The rest of the country is going to get mighty sick of hearing about how great the Denver scene is [laughs]! But I’m more than willing to torture listeners on behalf of the city!
VISITDENVER.com: Do you think there’s an identifying Denver “sound”?
Nerf: You know, it’s as eclectic as the city is. For a while there were a lot of piano rock-type bands, starting with Meese. But now, it’s all over the place. A local group that just got signed is 303 – they’re gangsta rap from Boulder, so they’re pretty much incomparable to anything. There’s Photo Atlas, who are a sort of indie punk band. There’s Rose Hill Drive, who sound like a cross between Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. So there’s a wide range of styles, just like the city as a whole. Denver’s a tech town, but it’s also a blue collar town. It’s still a little bit of a cow town, but it’s also totally 21st Century. The bands here reflect that mix.
VISITDENVER.com: As program director at 93.3, what do you look for in a local band?
Nerf: Well, it’s gotta sound like it has mass appeal. We do need listeners! But at the same time, I’m always listening for something a little different, something that’ll make a band stand out from the rest. If a band sounds exactly like another band, I’m probably going to be less likely to get behind them. It’s hard to tell – the Flobots are a Denver band who sound like nothing else I can think of, but they’re shaping up to be the biggest hit of 2008 so far.
VISITDENVER.com: Where are the best venues to catch local acts?
Nerf: I’m coming from a punk rock background, so I’d have to say Three Kings Tavern. If I could have a bar in my basement that’d be it. It’s a blast to see shows there, it’s a blast to play shows with my band there. And then across the street from Three Kings, you’ve got the Hi-Dive, which is a great place to see new bands. And of course, the Larimer Lounge is great for that as well. But you know, some of the bigger venues – places like the Bluebird, the Ogden and the Gothic have all started to showcase local bands too, which is awesome.
VISITDENVER.com: As someone who’s both a local tastemaker and a local musician, do you feel like Denver’s music scene is a nurturing one for up and coming groups?
Nerf: Oh, absolutely. A few years back, there was a lot more competition between the bands. But that’s not the case anymore. Now that there’s been a little taste of success, it’s changed the outlook of the scene, I think. Now, it’s incredibly supportive. When you go out to see one of these bands, you’re going to see other bands cheering on in the crowd.