By T.J. Tranchell

George Thorogood looks almost exactly like the bulldog depicted in one of his band’s many logos. It is a fun yet slightly menacing look and he plays the part well. He may advocate against drinking and riding, but there is something in his face that makes one think he’d buy your little brother a beer and sleep with your girlfriend.

In other words, he could be the king of Sturgis and it would be hard to find someone to challenge him for the title.

Thorogood and his band the Destroyers (also known as the Delaware Destroyers) connected with the crowd in a way rarely seen at the average rock show. The bikers accept him as one of them and he gives back all he can, coming back for two encores.

Much like the biker audience (roughly four times as large as the audience for Saturday night’s performances by the Family Stone Project and the Classic Rock All-Stars), Thorogood is a throwback to another time. His brand of rock is bluesier than anything getting radio time. When his lyrics make a reference to John Lee Hooker or he dedicates a song to Johnny and June Carter Cash, it isn’t just fluff. Those are his roots.

The Cash dedication came in the form of the blues classic “Cocaine,” which Cash performed during his tours of prisons.  The rendition rang truer than if Thorogood had chosen a more obvious tribute such as “Walk the Line” or even “Folsom Prison Blues.” Thorogood could easily make “Cocaine” his song, but knows better.

The songs Thorogood does own are anthems to rebellion. The loudest reactions were to the Destroyer hits “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” (a John Lee Hooker original), “I Drink Alone,” “Get a Haircut and Get a Real Job,” and their biggest hit, “Bad to the Bone.” None of these songs made it to the first encore or even second. The way it looked, Thorogood might have played until dawn. He’s performed at the rally three years in a row now and with this kind of reception, don’t be surprised to see him here again.

Thorogood also promised to get arrested. Promise or not, arresting the king might not be a good idea.

By: Aubrey Watts

Journal Staff

The Denver music scene has seen it’s fair share of rising artists. From the recent up and coming band “Flobots” to the ever popular “The Fray.” What is even more awe-inspiring than the die hard fans is the amazing diversity of artists you find in the area.

I was first introduced to a Denverite artist by the name of ‘Nina Storey’ through my sister as well as my best friend. While enjoying our thanksgiving break together six years ago I started to burn CD’s they said I MUST listen to. ‘Nina’ was third on the list. In goes the CD and down drops my jaw. Struck by her smooth mellow dramatic notes and brutally honest lyrics I was in disbelief that she was only a local artist. From then on I have been hooked and enfatuated by this beautiful singer.

Blues, funk, jazz and honesty are the words that come to mind when trying to describe her sound. In reality she is so much more….

My favorite song on her’s to this day is “No Man” from the “Shades” CD. A simple song stating, “I don’t need no man, I don’t need no lovin.” The statement imprinted on my brain like a rubber stamp is that of independence. A statement showing the stereotypical need of a couple being dependent on one another is not a necessity.

She is a must listen to in my book. By far one of the best artists that I highly recommend to anyone I meet.

Any local bands here or in other cities you find yourself always talking about?