The Risk

There's enough memorializing going on this week already; no need to downplay real tragedy by making a big deal about some local band breaking up. Still, the Risk is playing its final show this Saturday, September 11, at the Climax Lounge -- and Denver doesn't even know what it's losing...

By Jason Heller

September 9, 2004

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $17,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Denver. Thanks for reading Westword.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$5,250

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

There's enough memorializing going on this week already; no need to downplay real tragedy by making a big deal about some local band breaking up. Still, the Risk is playing its final show this Saturday, September 11, at the Climax Lounge -- and Denver doesn't even know what it's losing. Street Thunder, the group's debut, summons every soulful hook and dick-kicking riff in the rock-and-roll rule book without once lapsing into the cheesy shtick of garage. A scruffy, blue-collar collision of the Replacements, Cheap Trick and even cheaper whiskey, these eleven songs are whipped into a feverish uproar by singer/guitarist Joaquin Liebert, whose Solomon Burke-meets-Bruce Springsteen voice is as choked up on broken hearts as it is on anger, confusion and pure, utter fucking joy. The guys in the band never gave a shit about haircuts, websites or expanding their fan base. They cared about songs. That's it. Denverites would do well to learn a lesson from them -- and get their asses blown away in the process.

Jason Heller is a staff writer at Westword. He's the author of the book Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded (Melville House/Penguin Random House), and has contributed to the New Yorker, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and NPR.org. His work has won a Hugo Award and a Colorado Press Association Award.

A message from Music Editor Emily Ferguson: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today