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by Jeri Chadwell-s singley ingley

Rollin’ on THe RiveR’s THe RiveR’s 2016 oPening aCTs

Rigorous Proof Proof july 15

the Wingfield Park amphitheater

The Umpires

The Umpires is a new band on the Reno music scene. The group made its debut at Shea’s Tavern in April and has since taken its rocksteady, ska sound to venues across town, including Pignic Pub & Patio and The Loving Cup.

The band may be new, but the members are established musicians who’ve played in a variety of favorite local outfits over the last few decades. Drummer Dan Weiss, bassist Mike Mayhall and guitarist Ryan Hall are all former members of Reno’s much beloved Keyser Soze. Fans might also remember Hall from the avante-garde jazz metal band Cranium that hit the Reno music scene in the mid ’90s and kept audiences entertained into the mid-2000s.

The Umpires will be the first opening act of the 2016 Rollin’ on the River concert series on July 1. Weiss is actually the drummer for The Sextones, who are the headliners that evening. The horn section that will be playing with the Umpires will be playing with The Sextones as well.

Bazooka Zoo

Bazooka Zoo has played Reno venues since 2010, bringing their constantly evolving blend of psychedelic funk, space rock and chillwave to the Biggest Little City masses. The self-described “space rock collective” Bazooka Zoo started hosting its Groovy Good Time Bash at The Saint late in May. Prior to taking up residency in one of Reno’s newest venues, the group hosted this monthly event at Saint James Infirmary.

According to frontman and founding member Bazooka Zac, the group has spent much of 2016 working on a new record. The band’s lineup is also new this year. The group is excited to perform as the opening act at the Wingfield Park amphitheater on July 8.

“People can expect a space rock performance that’ll bend space and time,” Zac said.

Rigorous Proof

The several members of Rigorous Proof have been playing together since middle school. The band’s first EP Songs from East 8th Street was released in 2011, followed by an LP called Perspectives in 2015. The group is currently working on a second LP to be released this fall. Rigorous Proof’s thoughtful, often witty lyrics combine well with the band’s solid post-modern-meetsalternative rock instrumentation, calling to mind the best of genres ranging from indie to classic rock.

Rigorous Proof has opened for national acts like New Politics and Bloc Party, as well as regional favorites like Moondog Matinee and Whitney Myer. Now, the group is preparing to take the stage as the opening act for the July 15 Rollin’ on the River concert.

Canyon White

Canyon White is a Native Nevadan who’s been bringing her mix of acoustic roots rock, country and soul to fans in Nevada for more than two decades.

She was the winner of the 2008 “Reno’s Got Talent.” contest. In 2015, she took first place for “best local musician” and “best local songwriter” in the RN&R’s Best of Northern Nevada contest. Fans may know White from Acoustic Tuesdays at Carson City’s Living the Good Life Nightclub-Bistro-Lounge, 1480 N. Carson St., Carson City, 841-4663.

White released her third album, Shadow Shine, in 2014. She’s currently working on her fourth, a best-of album, that she anticipates releasing sometime this fall. She’ll be opening for Spike McGuire at the Wingfield Park Amphitheater on July 22.

Jake Houston & The Royal Flush

Jake Houston & The Royal Flush is not a pop country band. Think Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams and George Jones—then factor in the band’s Nevada, high desert roots.

Frontman Jake Houston started playing guitar when he was just a kid—initially focusing on blues and classic rock. In a 2015 interview with RN&R editor Brad Bynum, Houston said he didn’t realize he was a country fan until he heard Brad Paisley’s song “I’m Gonna Miss Her.” 2015 marked the release of Jake Houston & The Royal Flush’s debut album, Carrying the Flame. The band members are currently in the studio working on their second album. Up Yonder is set for release early in the fall.

“It’s more traditional country music,” Houston said. “We’ve got two covers and, like, eight originals. It’ll be a good record.”

Jake Houston & The Royal Flush opens for Hellbound Glory at the Wingfield Park Amphitheater on July 29.