The Chain Gang of 1974

Chain Gang of 1974's Kam Mohager on how surfing changed his sound and his life

It's been a few years since Kam Mohager (aka the Chain Gang of 1974) has called Denver home, but if cellphone area codes are any sign of geographical allegiance, then he still keeps a little bit of Colorado close to his heart. He returns to the Mile High City to ring in the New Year with old friends ... More >>

Ten best concerts this weekend, Friday, September 7, through Sunday, September 9

Welcome to the weekend! We know, it's here already? Indeed. As always in our beloved Mile High City, the options are ripe for the picking and plentiful. We have them all listed in our massive concert calendar. If you're feeling industrious and have some time to kill before lunch, print that bad boy ... More >>

Chain Gang of 1974 on World Cafe

While Kamtin Mohager started performing under the moniker of Chain Gang of 1974 in Denver about five years ago, he's been living in Los Angeles for close to a year now. As he tells David Dye in a recent interview with World Cafe, "I was just never a big fan of Denver. I moved out there as a young ki ... More >>

Tonight: Tapes 'N Tapes at the Bluebird

​Tapes 'N Tapes (due at the Bluebird Theater tonight with the Chain Gang of 1974) may have initially snagged some recognition outside of its Minneapolis home by way of the obligatory music blog circuit, but the quartet has long outlived the hype. The band's jangly sound has grown bigger and mo ... More >>

The Chain Gang of 1974 takes on "Hold Me Now" by the Thompson Twins for Under the Radar

​Fresh off a stint at this year's Lollapalooza, The Chain Gang of 1974 is steadily gaining momentum and garnering tons of attention from every corner of the web. In addition to giving Wayward Fire, the act's latest effort, a seven out of ten rating and listing it amongst its 20 Must-Hear Artis ... More >>

Rescheduled screening of Pineapple Express showing tonight at Film on the Rocks

​When Pineapple Express was originally scheduled to be screened at Red Rocks a few weeks ago as part of Film on the Rocks, it was canceled due to a lightning storm. Keith Garcia, programming manager for Denver Film Society, said it was the first time the organization had to cancel a Film on th ... More >>

Lollapalooza lineup: The Chain Gang of 1974 and Tennis due at this year's fest in August

​Lollapalooza turns twenty years old this year. Can you believe it? We can't. Doesn't seem like it was two decades ago when Perry Farrell introduced America to his roving festival in 1991. The inaugural version, which made a stop at Fiddler's Green, featured Farrell's band Jane Addiction, alon ... More >>

This Weekend in Stoke: Yes, ski season is two weeks longer this year. Go big!

​Rock out with your sunblock out! The Spring Back to Vail concert lineup kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. in Vail Village with Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and The Chain Gang of 1974 at Solaris Plaza (Train and Saint Motel play tomorrow night at Ford Park and The Greyboy Allstars and Jonn Mogambo ... More >>

2011 Westword Music Showcase Ballot

​Seventeen years! It's hard to believe we've been doing the Westword Music Showcase for that long. I can still remember being at the first one in LoDo nearly two decades ago. And when I think back, it seems like that cold, rainy Sunday night was just a few years ago.

SXSW Travelogue: Air Dubai engages in water gun fight and plays its first showcase

​ Saturday, March 19 (or Friday, March 18 -- since the night just isn't over) Let me first start today's travelogue by saying how amazing a time it has been here in Texas. It's 4 a.m. currently (technically, still the night of Friday the 18th, but whatev), and I am writing from our hotel roo ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Shows announced/on-sale this week, local radio playlists and top local sellers

​ Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week. On the concert front: The Flaming Lips have announced a co-headlining date with Primus this August at Red Rocks. Kenny Chesney is also at the Rocks in July, and Panic! at the Disco is due at the Ogden in June. Meanwhile on local radio, Air ... More >>

SXSW Tip Sheet: Colorado bands

The Chain Gang of 1974 listed among SPIN's 35 Must-Hear Acts at SXSW

​ Props to the Chain Gang of 1974, who has really captured the attention of the editors at Spin. Last fall, after the outfit's performance at CMJ, the magazine praised the act for delivering one of the best sets at the festival. And now, the group, led by former Denverite Kamtin Mohager, now ... More >>

It's official: The Chain Gang of 1974 inks deal with Modern Art Records / Warner Bros

​For the more astute among you, this news comes as no surprise. Just over a month ago, we posted a video of Kamtin Mohager signing some sort of contract. While the Chain Gang of 1974 mastermind wasn't at liberty to confirm or discuss any specific details at the time, we relied upon on keen obs ... More >>

Chain Gang of 1974 signs... something or other

So it looks like there's been some interesting developments in the Chain Gang of 1974 camp. Over the weekend, Kamtin Mohager -- whose band attracted a substantial amount of notice at CMJ -- posted this video in which appears to be signing some sort of contract, while "Everybody Wants to Rule the W ... More >>

Tennis gets lacy, Pictureplane goes bowling, and Chain Gang readies re-release White Guts

​So far, in its notably short life span, Tennis has had a completely whirlwind and storied existence. Not too long after launching, the band generated a nearly deafening buzz in the blogosphere, one that ultimately resulted in a deal with Fat Possum Records. The label, also home to WAVVES, A ... More >>

The Photo Atlas at Pure Volume House in NYC

​ Lest it seem like The Chain Gang of 1974 was the only Denver band rocking the absolute shit out of NYC last week, we've received visual confirmation that Alan Andrews and company, better known collectively in these parts as the Photo Atlas, were setting off sparks at the Pure Volume house. ... More >>

The Chain Gang of 1974 attracts a fair bit of notice at this year's CMJ

Luca Venter​After spending the better part of the past couple years touring with 3OH!3's as a sideman, Kamtin Mohager stepped away from his hired gun duties earlier this year, which has enabled him to focus all of his attention solely on cultivating his own band, the Chain Gang of 1974. To tha ... More >>

CMJ 2010 partial list of performers announced

​This afternoon, the second round of artists due to perform at this year's CMJ Music Marathon in New York on October 19-23 was revealed. In addition to DeVotchKa which had already been announced, near as we can tell after wading through the massive list, three subsequent Denver acts have been ... More >>

The Chain Gang of 1974, Rexway, Wire Faces, Dressy Bessy spun on local radio this week. See what other acts got spins.

​Here what the area's local-centric specialty radio shows were spinning this week. We're currently tracking the playlists a number of different shows including, KTCL's Locals Only, 99.5 the Mountain's Homegrown Show, The Colorado Sound, which originates at KRFC and is re-broadcast all over Col ... More >>

3OH!3 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno reflecting on "My First Kiss"

In case you missed it, 3OH!3 was on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night performing "My First Kiss," the first single from their new album Streets of Gold. Compared to their shiny vest, bulging-chest-hair and mustache flaunting turn on Jimmy Kimmel last month, this performance is slightly mor ... More >>

Mile High Music Festival single day tickets on sale today

​Got your tickets to Mile High Music Festival yet? No? It's a month away -- what are you waiting for? Ah, you have to work on Sunday, and you can't afford a two-day pass? Good thing you waited. Starting today at 10 a.m., you can purchase single day advance tickets for $99.50 (or pick up sing ... More >>

2010 Westword Music Showcase Awards wrap up

Kate LevyCheck out the slideshow for more pics from last night.​ Whoo boy! What a time we had last night. Every year, I'm always so energized after hosting the awards ceremony -- not to mention hungover (more on that in a minute). As I mentioned last night (numerous times, apparently), I'm re ... More >>

3OH!3 on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night

Ah, so this is why Kamtin Mohager from the Chain Gang of 1974 wasn't on hand to collect his Westword Music Showcase award last night. The 3OH!3 cats are sounding tighter and tighter in the band context, eh? And props to Kimmel and company for being much more generous in devoting screen time to the ... More >>

Presenting the 2010 Westword Music Showcase Schedule and Map

IMPORTANT SCHEDULING UPDATE: Due to circumstances beyond our control (and, more to the point, frontman Chris Fogal's) TAUNTAUN will not be performing in the 6:15 - 7 p.m. slot at Broadway's tomorrow. While Fogal is resting his aching back ("I would tough it out," he assures us, "but the problem is t ... More >>

Nathaniel Rateliff, Sleigh Bells and Bruno Mars top our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

The Chain Gang of 1974, Alan Alda, Bop Skizzum get spins on local radio this week. See who else got love.

​Here what the area's local-centric specialty radio shows were spinning this week. We're currently tracking the playlists a number of different shows, including Radio 1190's Local Shakedown, KTCL's Locals Only, The Colorado Sound, which originates at KRFC and is re-broadcast all over Colorado, ... More >>

Nathaniel Rateliff, Kinetix and Broken Social Scene top our weekly playlists

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

The Chain Gang of 1974, Jónsi, Wire Faces and more top our weekly playlists

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Presenting the 2010 Westword Music Showcase Ballot

​ This past February, when we started putting together the 2010 Westword Music Showcase, we posted an item asking you how we could improve our annual music festival, this year set for Saturday, June 19, in the Golden Triangle (if you haven't already purchased your tickets, you can still buy d ... More >>

The Chain Gang of 1974, Fresh Breath Committee, the Rouge and Hazel Miller get spins on local radio this week. See which other locals got love.

​Here what the area's local-centric specialty radio shows were spinning this week. We're currently tracking the playlists a number of different shows including, Radio 1190's Local Shakedown*, KTCL's Locals Only, The Colorado Sound, which originates at KRFC and is re-broadcast all over Colorado ... More >>

Backbeat presents: A first listen to White Guts from the Chain Gang of 1974

​ Earlier this week, we offered up an exclusive advance listen of The Pirate Signal's brand new album, No Weak Heart Shall Prosper, and pointed out the notably significant artistic progression the group had made since its debut more than half a decade ago, Norma(l) Hugh Manchild's American Re ... More >>

See which local acts got love on local radio this week

​Here what the area's local-centric specialty radio shows were spinning this week. We're currently tracking the playlists a number of different shows including, Radio 1190's Local Shakedown*, KTCL's Locals Only, The Colorado Sound, which originates at KRFC and is re-broadcast all over Colorado ... More >>

Twitterpated: the scene speaks tweets its mind 140 characters at a time

​The Twittervese has become one of the most entertaining and insightful places to catch a glimpse inside the lives of some of the most outspoken members of our local music community -- 140 characters at a time, of course. We never ceased to be entertained by the tweets of various members of the ... More >>

Hearsay Bits: Chain Gang of 1974 streaming new album, Battleship Agenda on hunt for new singer, Enemy Reign breaks in new bassist

Luca Venter​ The Chain Gang of 1974 has finally completed work on its new album, White Guts, slated for release on Tuesday, April 27. Impatient like us and don't feel like waiting that long to hear it? No worries. Head on over to the hi-dive next Friday, April 16 (with former Chain Gang drumm ... More >>

The Weekend Showdown: The (Andrea) Ball

​ We would hate for you to miss out on all the awesome that happens every weekend in our fair city, so we've decided to run down five of the best shows in one easy-to-swallow post, with video and audio. Tell us -- and the rest of the world -- what we missed in the comments. Andrea Ball's g ... More >>

Dialed In: This week's local music radio playlists

Here what the area's local-centric specialty radio shows were spinning this week. We're currently tracking the playlists a number of different shows including, Radio 1190's Local Shakedown, KTCL's Locals Only, the Colorado Sound, which originates at KRFC and is re-broadcast all over Colorado, 99.5 t ... More >>

Over the Weekend: The Chain Gang of 1974 at The Bluebird

The Chain Gang of 1974, The Pirate Signal, Pictureplane Friday, January 29 Bluebird Theatre The Chain Gang of 1974​ By the time midnight rolled around on Friday night, the Bluebird was dark. A few stragglers stood by the doors. The marquee had already been changed for Saturday night. What had ... More >>

Dialed In: This week's local music radio playlists

​Here what the area's local-centric specialty radio shows were spinning this week. We're currently tracking the playlists a number of different shows including, Radio 1190's Local Shakedown*, KTCL's Locals Only, the Colorado Sound, which originates at KRFC and is re-broadcast all over Colorado ... More >>

Introducing Twitterpated: the most captivating tweets from our favorite follows

​Unless you're a willful and adamant luddite or a conscientious dissenter pop culture trends, you've undoubtedly noticed how Twitter has steadily and unceremoniously unseated all the other social networking sites to become the primary means of communication and information dissemination in the Oba ... More >>

Introducing: Blackhearts

​Just a bit ago, Blackhearts, the thus far super secret collaboration between Yonnas Abraham of the Pirate Signal, F.O.E. and Karma, made its online debut with a track called "Bloodlines of That Gangsta Shhh." According to Abraham, the still burgeoning outfit will expand to include collaborations ... More >>

The Chain Gang of 1974 drops free remix album tomorrow

​Later today, in an effort to thank fans and to tide them over until the upcoming full-length is released in January, the Chain Gang of 1974 will be posting a new album for free download on its MySpace page. Guerilla, as it's been titled, is comprised of b-sides, remixes and also features "F'n Hea ... More >>

MP3 Freeloader: New tracks from the Epilogues and the Photo Atlas

​Yesterday, we told you about this Friday's split CD release party featuring the Photo Atlas and the Epilogues. Today we present you with a track from each of the bands for free download. The full split, titled the Friendship EP, will obviously be available at the show, and features the Photo Atla ... More >>

Dialed In: This week's local music radio playlists

​Here what the area's local-centric specialty radio shows were spinning this week. We're currently tracking the playlists a number of different shows, including Radio 1190's Local Shakedown*, KTCL's Locals Only, 99.5 the Mountain's Homegrown Show*, the Colorado Sound, which originates at KRFC and ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 5, 2009

​​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list ... More >>

Epilogues and Photo Atlas plan split release

The Epilogues and the Photo Atlas with our own B.A. Frederick​In the tradition of now classic releases like 1997's Get Up Kids/Coalesce split 7-inch, in which both groups covered each other's songs, Epilogues and the Photo Atlas have announced plans to embark on similar effort with a twist -- name ... More >>

Pictures to prove it: 3OH!3 representing the 303

brutalphotos.comNow that's what we call representing the home team in word and in deed. Talking about the old school Broncos sticker affixed to Adam Halferty's drumkit. Attaboy, Adam! When he's not keeping time for Young Coyotes, Halferty and his former Chain Gang of 1974 bandmate, Kamtin Mohager ar ... More >>

Westword Music Showcase: We're here, are you?

Aaron Thackeray It's 2:27. Do you know where your favorite band is? Chances are they're here, in the Golden Triangle, blowing the doors back of the boozed up and sun-drenched crowds that are bouncing from venue to venue, bar to bar, soaking up a shit-ton of local music. Chain Gang of 1974 (picture ... More >>

Elitists, Unite!

Bastille Day is the perfect reason to get your snob on.