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Steamboat band, Yer State Birds to release new album Saturday

Audrey Dwyer
Yer State Birds is a Steamboat band comprising members J.R. Adams on lead vocals and guitar, Jeff Goodhand on bass and background vocals, Ryan Fanders on drums and John Miller on keys and background vocals.
Courtesy Photo

If You Go...

What: Yer State Birds CD Release Party

When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9

Where: Schmiggity’s, 821 Lincoln Ave.

— It’s heard in their voices, it’s understood through their lyrics.

Steamboat’s own Southern roots, “dirty blues rock” band, Yer State Birds, is taking the next step, both as musicians and as a band, with the release of its debut album.

Through the past two years, the four-piece band has garnered a reputation for rocking the house, playing such local venues as Old Town Pub, Steamboat Smokehouse, Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse, Schmiggity’s and Butcherknife Brewing Co.



If You Go…

What: Yer State Birds CD Release Party

When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9



Where: Schmiggity’s, 821 Lincoln Ave.

“I think J.R. (Adams) is a pretty unique songwriter for around here,” said Steve Boynton, from First String Music, who has worked with YSB in the past. “It’s interesting, listenable and has a combination of a gritty sound steeped in the roots of old R&B, which is not a common combination. YSB draws water from a little different well than most bands around here.”

Manifesting its aspirations, YSB has created a full-length album, “Build A Fire,” that will be featured at a CD release party Saturday at Schmiggity’s. The band will take the stage at 9:30 p.m.

“They’re an all-American, rock ‘n’ roll band with an attitude,” said Steamboat resident Greg Sagan, who regularly attends YSB shows. “It’s the close group of fans that the ‘Birds bring together to make it a good time, every time. They are genuine, and the overall energy that they bring always makes you want more.”

YSB, which includes Adams on lead vocals and guitar, Jeff Goodhand on bass and background vocals, Ryan Fanders on drums and John Miller on keyboards and background vocals, chose nine of its 18 original songs to feature on the new album, which will debut during the first set of the Saturday performance. The second set will feature a mix of originals and covers.

An album is something the group has wanted to do since the start, when Adams met Goodhand and moved to Steamboat Springs from Georgia. The timing, Adams said, felt right.

“We’re becoming our own sound,” Adams said. “On the album, you can hear where we started and where we’re going. It has a raw, rock ‘n roll feel to it. It’s still professional but not overdone and is a pretty good representation of what we are live.”

The Motown-blues laden “Four Winds” and “I Wouldn’t Know,” the meandering swagger of “Play It Cool” or “Wine” and rock ballads such as “YSB” and “Shoot the Hooch,” are among the nine original album tracks written by Adams. The songs were inspired by life events and experiences here in Steamboat Springs, dating back to his Southern roots in Georgia.

Created on behalf of friends and fans, the album cover pays homage to YSB’s early days. The cover art design was created by local artist Kathleen Schlabach, featuring her watercolor chalk pastel painting of Rabbit Ears Pass. Rob Royall and Adams also contributed to the design.

Each song included on “Build A Fire” was engineered by Scott Singer, with A Room With No Views Studio, and mastered by Tom Capek at Colorado Sounds Studios in Denver.

Starting in October, YSB spent a few hours in the studio each week, ultimately devoting a total of 75 hours to recording the album. Adams said they started with the rhythm section, drums and bass, then added keys, guitar and vocals.

“It has a bluesy tone but with a pretty laid back, groove-centric feel to it that’s a big part of our sound,” Goodhand said. “It’s opened up a lot of new ideas for us.”

Moving forward, YSB plans to spread its namesake throughout Colorado.

“We are all taking it a lot more seriously now that we’ve got this album that we think is really good,” Adams said. “Since the reaction has always been a good vibe connecting with crowds here, we hope that will carry over to other towns, too.”

“Build A Fire” will be available at the show, along with other YSB merchandise. The album is $10 and will also be released on Spotify and iTunes.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1


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