Roots of Thought
Now I love Rocklahoma. I love the headliners. I love the scene. I love seeing the old friends every year. I love the focus on traditional heavy metal. I love the respect the organizers show to old-school rock-and-roll by signing bands that are in--or surely will be in--the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But I also love it when they go off beat and find something that does not fit with the heavy metal theme of the weekend.
Whether it is Lovebettie or Nicnos, Rocklahoma organizers have a way of finding eclectic music that metalheads can really appreciate. Both of the aforementioned fantastic bands are back this year on the Axis stage, which will, as always in Pryor, cause tough decisions about whether to stay inside with the headliners or venture out to Axis with bands whose names are often unknown outside of their hometown.
Roots of Thought is another of those amazing Axis stage bands that should not be missed. Being Tulsa, Oklahoma, natives, they have appeared at Rocklahoma before, but for some reason I missed them in their last appearance. But that is certainly not going to happen this year. I will be up front.
Headed by talented vocalist Tazmen West and backed by guitarist Logan Meldrum, bassist Tyler Burke and drummer Gavin Wendlen, Roots of Thought is what I would call “Psychadelic Indie Rock.” I am not even sure that is a genre, but it definitely fits. There are Indie overtures, but when the music gets going there is definitely a 60’s psychadelia going on.
Nowhere is this truer than in the song “Lotus,” where West’s vocals shine and the guitars are allowed to dance around in your head freely. I am sitting, writing this in a tie-dye shirt, and feeling quite at home.
Another great song, “Diamond Mind” has a truly enjoyable video here:
Roots of Thought is another of those amazing Axis stage bands that should not be missed. Being Tulsa, Oklahoma, natives, they have appeared at Rocklahoma before, but for some reason I missed them in their last appearance. But that is certainly not going to happen this year. I will be up front.
Headed by talented vocalist Tazmen West and backed by guitarist Logan Meldrum, bassist Tyler Burke and drummer Gavin Wendlen, Roots of Thought is what I would call “Psychadelic Indie Rock.” I am not even sure that is a genre, but it definitely fits. There are Indie overtures, but when the music gets going there is definitely a 60’s psychadelia going on.
Nowhere is this truer than in the song “Lotus,” where West’s vocals shine and the guitars are allowed to dance around in your head freely. I am sitting, writing this in a tie-dye shirt, and feeling quite at home.
Another great song, “Diamond Mind” has a truly enjoyable video here:
Roots of Thought serves up a much more traditional Indie sound in “I Think.”
“Wake Up” offers Roots of Thought’s punk side. If you listen to the EP Parallel Mind you will get a sense of the diverse abilities of this group of talented musicians. I am really looking forward to enjoying their show at Rocklahoma. Along with The Grizzly Band, this is another local band you should put on your “must-see” list.
 | Dan Adler was raised in Southern California to a mom and dad, one of whom appreciated Creedence and left wing anti-war politics. By the teenage years, Dan became obsessed with Black Sabbath, listening to the same seven albums repeatedly for 5 years. During this time, his favorite concert experience was seeing Metallica open for a bunch of bands that no longer exist and winning the 1st ever Santa Cruz Air Guitar contest. After several years in Africa listening and dancing to Chimurenga music, Dan returned to have the two best children in the world, one of whom spends a lot of time at concerts with him. What a lucky dad! |
RSS Feed
