SlaughterHouse Rootz
by Sheila Broderick
Colorado Music Buzz

Four years ago one of Denver's coolest and Colorado's best bands came together: SlaughterHouse Rootz self-proclaimed, in short, as Reggae-Ganja-Rock-Ska-Hop. This fun get-your-party-on group comes together to put on an entertaining and high-energy evening with a strong beat and somewhat Sublime sound mixed with Rock. SHR is currently working on a new album so keep your ears open for more information. The members are frontman Wyatt on vocals and guitar, Kyle on drums, Heroic D on bass, and DJ Unique Thret. Here are a few words from the talented group.

CMB: Tell me a little about yourselves.

SHR: We are a three-piece band with a DJ ... we have been called Reggae/Rock, Ganja/Hop, our favorite though is Mento ... the three of us began playing as SHR in 2007, we all had been in other bands and because of that we all met up through other musicians and shows here in Denver. We met up in a little basement in the Highland neighborhood of Denver and once we jammed together we all felt that that this was the kind of band we were looking for. We met up with our DJ, Unique Thret, last year when he played with us at the Gothic, because Wyatt got taken away at sound check by bounty hunters, and he has been partying it up with us since.

CMB: What are some of your musical backgrounds?

SHR: It's kind of a little weird, but both Wyatt and Dana have a parent who was a musician, both were Country musicians, actually. That started them off on music at home, but none of the guys were formally trained in anything really, except for maybe Kyle's hockey … the boys do rock some mean Country music, though. Influences on our band are easy, you can hear the Sublime and NWA style, what you don't really hear but it's there is Kyle's love of Miley Cyrus, for real.

CMB: What is in the near future and beyond for SHR?

SHR: We are currently working on a new album with our friends at Lowkey Records, so writing has been a big part of our time. We also have some sweet shows scheduled for the summer like a show with local Reggae/Rock masters P-Nuckle on June 17th, and a Fourth of July gig in Washington, DC, to support cannabis legalization. We are also looking forward to getting out to the West Coast in late summer. ... As far as the music goes we have been rocking with our DJ for a while and recently we have added a female voice to some of our songs, so it definitely brings a new feel to our live shows, so come check us out Colorado. ...

CMB: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

SHR: It has changed quite a bit, when we listen to old songs or some of the stash like an old recorded practice it makes us laugh. We play a lot of our older stuff faster now depending on the show and the crowd; we definitely have gotten better playing drunk. Musically we have gotten more in tune with each other and our parts of our overall sound. When we first started out we had songs and riffs we wrote outside the band, it was easy putting them together and finding our sound but it took us two years. Now when we work on songs it's more of a collaboration. We just sit down and see what flows; it's easier.

CMB: What has been your biggest challenge as a band?

SHR: So far it seems to be jail. A lot of bands sing about things that they don't really do, they have an image issue or something, but we sing the shit and then go and do it and the other way, too, which, if you have listened to any of our songs, usually involves weed and some type of liquor. Now those two, fun substances can lead to run-ins with Johnny law and they do. ...

CMB: What is the strangest thing or greatest story that has happened to you as a band?

SHR: Keeping it local. ... We were playing this show with a Rap group who thought we stole some of their gear (we did not), but when we were loading in some of their fans were talking shit and then the MC too, so BLAM! We had an all-out brawl in the middle of the street in downtown Denver! That's right, we kicked their asses and their fans, too!! Ha-ha bitches, you know who you are and you still are wack!

So go see these guys, you're in for a party you won't remember. Warning: The cloud of smoke will get you eventually so go with it.



June 2011 - Colorado Music Buzz Magazine, Sheila Broderick