The air is musky, the room darkened, but the stage at John’s Alley in Moscow is alight. Four young men prepare for their set, with pints of beer accompanying them on stage.
The lead singer, Andy Sydow, approaches the microphone and the show begins.
This Denver band featuring Andy Sydow on vocals, Seth Beamer on bass, Troy Thrasher on drums and Luke Bastion on keyboard, encouraged patrons of the Alley to dance and sing along with them as they performed. They even partook in a round of Fireball shots purchased for the entire bar.
The 25-year-old Sydow said he has been playing music for six or seven years, and his band in the most recent reincarnation has been together since September. The band, self-described as Americana and rock ‘n roll, plays everything from blues to folk or just good songs, Sydow said.
With how big DJs have gotten, the clubs all have the same music, Sydow said.
“We are more improvised than that,” Sydow said. “Our music is fun and different.”
Andy Sydow | Courtesy
Andy Sydow, left, and Seth Beamer, right, perform at the Corner Bar in Fremont, Nebraska, in October 2016.
The band tours all over the country. They have been to Austin, Lincoln, Nebraska and McCall, Idaho, as well as Moscow.
“We all wanted to play music for people,” said the bassist, Seth Beamer. “It’s what we wanted to do when we grew up.”
Sydow said the band is currently working on a new album. The last extended play, “A Little Messed Up,” was released in October. Thrasher mentioned tour dates booked in Alberta, which will be the first time they’ve performed in Canada. Thrasher said he enjoys touring and meeting fans from outside Denver.
While in Fremont, Nebraska, Sydow said someone from the crowd joined them on stage and played guitar and a younger man MCed for the band. Those two became part of the family and they make sure to see them when they are in town.
“It’s fun to make genuine interactions with people,” Sydow said.
While in Moscow, the band talked with fans during intermission and thanked people for dancing and even had a dance off with me during the second half.
“Our shows are more like a party than a show,” Sydow said. “We get everyone involved.”
Sydow said the band likes to joke around with each other and they call each other friendly dudes or regular guys. Beamer video blogs their tours and travels, and Thrasher said they have rap battles in the car from time to time.
“We’re all really good looking and funny and smart,” Sydow said. “Come party with us.”
The band has been to Moscow before. Sydow originally came to play at the Alley in June, and the entire band played a set in October. Sydow said they loved Moscow when they arrived because it is similar to Denver. Thrasher said that the bagels from Moscow Bagel and Deli were the best part of his trip.
“Those are the best damn bagels in the country,” Sydow said.
Sydow said there should be a big shout out to the owner of John’s Alley. The band will be returning to the venue Tuesday, and Sydow said he guarantees it will be a good time.
“You’ll have the funnest time you can have with your clothes on,” Sydow said.
Claire Whitley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cewhitley24