Cody Beebe & The Crooks

By: Andrew Shaw
May 22, 2013

In the Buzzine offices music is bouncing off everything. There are artists everywhere, they’re always bringing new projects for the world to hear, and we want to talk to as many of them as possible. There is much to say, much to discover, and a whole bunch of tunes that we need to hear.

Every week we like to flirt with artists, hear their stories and take a brief glimpse at what we could and should be listening to. So with that in mind – we pick up our phones, hit up the artists and invite the quick-fire Speed Date…

What is your name and where are you from?

Cody Beebe & The Crooks, from the Pacific Northwest.

Where are you right now?

We are in our van driving to the Redwoods Nat'l Park to go camping.

Hey, do you have a cam on your phone, can we have a pic to see what you’re up to?

Yes.

If our moms were setting us up on a blind date, what 3 things would your mom tell my mom about you?

That I'm cute as a button, and a good man, and thorough.

Why are you answering these questions (what are you promoting)?

We are touring in support of our new album, Out Here.

What 3 words best describe your musical style?

Dynamic, Authentic, and Energetic.

What sentence best sums up your latest album?

It is a historical document; it reveals to the listener a distillation of our collective perceptions, all while provoking serious dialogue and unabashed head banging.

What are you most proud of in your professional life?

That our music has allowed us to travel the country and share our craft with so many people. We write the types of songs we want to, we have founded our own music festival, ChinookFest, and we have all sacrificed for this together.

What other music (apart from your own) are you listening to right now?

Rx Bandits, Monsters of Folk, Incubus, Blake Noble

Who is your musical hero?

Juicy J, jk, there are too many to name.


When are you the happiest: recording in the studio or playing live on stage? Why?

We all love the studio experience, but performing live and exchanging energy with the crowd is unlike anything else.

What has been your greatest ‘rock star’ moment so far?

We got recognized in a Goodwill once, turned out to be my grandma's neighbor Melvin.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Touring the world and working on our 5th album.

What is your motto?

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

Anything more to add?

No.

Where can online fans find more about you?

Our official website.

Cody Beebe & The Crooks' album 'Out Here' is available now on Cody Beebe and the Crooks Music.
- BUZZINE.COM

"Providing a little bit of everything with a strong roots and alternative rock undercurrent, Out Here is an enticing continuation of the eclectic musical styles that Cody Beebe & The Crooks are quickly becoming known for." -Meghan Roos, BluesRockReview.com - BluesRockReview.com

Cody Beebe and the Crooks
Label: Unsigned
Website: www.codybeebeandthecrooks.com
Who They are: Cody Beebe and the Crooks are an eclectic hard-rock outfit from rural Washington. They released their debut in 2010 and have since played over 400 shows, retooled the band, refined their sound, and released their sophomore album Out Here on Tuesday, May 7.
What they sound like: After listening to the first two tracks on Out Here, it would be easy to write off Cody Beebe and the Crooks as just another blues influenced hard rock band. And that wouldn’t be a bad thing since cuts like “Alleyway” and “Hold the Line” absolutely rock and feature razor sharp riffs, thunderous drums, and hair raising vocals. But the truth is, Cody and the band clearly feel comfortable in a variety of musical idioms, and besides 70’s riff rock, Out Here highlights strong blues, country, and, even funk influences.
“Dangerous” for example, is a funky minor bluesy tune that features sharp horn lines, and some bluesy female vocals. It’s a great tune, and while the heavy drum sound helps the song mesh with the album’s louder material, the song’s feel is a little out of sync with the album’s harder tunes. The same goes for the title track “Out Here” which feels at home with the smokey blues/jazz influences of “Dangerous” but marks an even a sharper stylistic departure from the album’s heavier offerings. “Counting Sheep,” the album’s closer, represents a third distinct genre shift, and utilizes, strings, mandolin, and acoustic guitar. It’s a nice tune that sounds like a mix between Zeppelin’s acoustic material such as “Goin’ to California,” Andrew Bird, and nashville country.
Often when a band tries to occupy too much stylistic space, the results are watered down tunes that fail to effectively capture any one sound. Interestingly, that isn’t the case here and although the new album is stylistically diverse, the band is more than competent in every genre they attempt and the songwriting remains strong throughout.
Still, the album would be more effective if the band had more common ground from song to song. Of course there’s a fine line between sounding repetitive and stuffing too many influences onto one album, but Out Here is most effective when the band just turns up and rocks out, while letting their other influences seep through more subtly. Still, Out Here is a well done album that is surely worth more than a few listens.
Don’t Miss: “Hold the Line” It’s a really cool hard rock tune that somehow makes the very unrock star idea of being a family man seem extremely cool. The band also produced a great video for the song that’s included above.
What’s Next: The band is gearing up for a summer tour in support of the new album and organizing and performing at Chinook Fest, the band’s independent music festival. - WorkinMansBlues.com

"Out Here is an accomplished, organic step forward for Cody Beebe & the Crooks."

-Chris Senn, BackBeatSeattle.com - Backbeat.com

"Out Here is a very genuine sounding album from some very hard working young men who bring their small town heritage along with them as they build their own destiny in the wider world."

-Rick J Bowen, Examiner.com - Examiner.com

"One of the most memorable rock ensembles in the Northwest." -Alina Shanin, SeattleMusicInsider.com - SeattleMusicInsider.com

Cody Beebe & The Crooks – Summer 2011+ Playing last show as 7-piece September 23, 2011 @ Neumos w/ Hot Bodies in Motion + Ben Union

After spending the summer on the road, crisscrossing the country, playing countless shows, adding somewhere around eleven thousand miles to the odometer and passing through twenty-four of the forty-eight continental United States, Cody Beebe & The Crooks return home to rock Neumos on September 23rd. Of course they have sandwiched many more shows between now and then – including one more small little cross country jaunt out to New York to play Albany’s Larkfest.

Cody Beebe & The Crooks’ eclectic sound has helped them grow a large fan base around the Northwest. The 4th of July show at Seely Lake in Montana was an early tour highlight. After that, the band took off east. On their way to the coast they played a show in Bloomington, IN, a town far removed from their fan base in the Northwest and not exactly known for a thriving music scene. They went from playing to a couple thousand in Montana to a couple in Indiana. I’m sure this couple was dancing along to the music but the audience was a bit smaller than the band was hoping for.

On the East Coast they rocked the Capitol, played the Bus Stop in Pittman, NJ which is quickly becoming a favorite (they’re rocking the joint again in mid-September) and played two shows in one night in Greenwich Village, where Dylan, Simon and Buckley gained a following and launched their careers. Cody said that he could almost feel the history in the air. After New York they turned the van around and headed back west playing shows in Colorado, Taos, New Mexico and the Hotel Cafe in L.A. before swinging up north. A gig opening up for Jimmie Vaughan and Buddy Guy in Roseburg, OR followed along with a spot on the lineup for the Summer Meltdown Festival in Darrington.


Along the way the band also worked hard on promoting their single, “Waiting On You” to radio stations across the country. It seems their hard work paid off. The campaign is successful beyond all expectations. As I type this “Waiting On You” is sitting at number 66 and rising on the AAA radio charts.

When the band finally did return to the Northwest the van was a little lighter. The band has mutually parted ways with guitarist Greg Floyd and wish him nothing but the best. Multi-instrumentalist Ty Paxton will also be leaving the band to be with his fiancée and find a path for his life that is more aligned with immediate priorities. The band states: “Both Greg and Ty are something like brothers to us, and we know that they will find happiness and success in whatever path they choose. They are great men, and we wish them all the best. That said, we will always miss playing with them and having them with us in our travels and on stage.”

The show on September 23rd at Neumos will be Cody Beebe & The Crooks’ final show as a seven-piece band. They are ending one chapter and opening a new one, moving forward as a five-piece. The band plans to play a few shows here and there and write new material over the last few months of the year.

The Neumos show is not a show to miss. Cody Beebe & The Crooks rock hard and give it their all each time out, seven-piece, five-piece or other. Hot Bodies in Motion and Ben Union open.

by Chris Senn

- Backbeatseattle.com

By Pat Muir

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The past year has been good to Cody Beebe and The Crooks, and it's been a little rough on Cody Beebe and The Crooks.

The good: The Seattle roots-rock outfit, fronted by Selah native Beebe, has toured nationally, drawn attention (if not contract offers) from major labels and moved about 5,000 copies of last year's album, "Friends of the Old Mill." They're booked alongside headliner Ellen Whyte and two other acts for a homecoming show Saturday at A Case of the Blues and All That Jazz, one of Yakima's premier annual events. They even had one of those cinematic moments when, during a tour swing through the South, Beebe and the boys heard their single, "Waiting On You," playing on a Knoxville, Tenn., radio station.

"We didn't call and request it or anything," Beebe says in a phone interview earlier this week. "All of a sudden it just came on."

The bad: The band's blossoming success has led to tumult. Lead guitarist Greg Floyd and multi-instrumentalist Ty Paxton have decided to call it quits in the past month, taking the seven-piece band down to five. The departures were amicable but bittersweet, Beebe says. Paxton and Floyd have lives to lead outside the band and weren't interested in "being on the road as much as we're going to be on the road the next couple of years," he says.

Now the band, which has spent four months on the road this year, has to refocus and learn to play as a five piece. Beebe is trying to find ways to see that as a good thing and says he's sure the sound on future recordings will be a little more raw, a little more rock 'n' roll.

"It will be difficult," Beebe says. "But as a seven-piece we've always tried to be so eclectic that we've had trouble finding our real sound. This will allow us to really find ourselves and our sound."

The band will miss Floyd's guitar and Paxton's harmonica on the bluesier numbers. But Beebe expects they'll still be able to get that mix of alt-country and classic rock that they've become known for.

"I've been very lucky to be able to play with Greg," he says. "It allowed me to just sit back and play rhythm (guitar). But I know I'm capable of some other things. So this will be a chance for me to push myself a little more over the next few years."

The upshot to all of this, insofar as it matters to those planning to attend Saturday's event, is that A Case of the Blues will now serve as one of two remaining shows for all seven members.

"We'll start the show off as a five-piece, sort of saying, 'This is the direction we're headed,'" Beebe says. "Then we'll bring the other two out."

And that will be the end of Cody Beebe and The Crooks, Chapter 1. They'll spend the next few months after that holed up in a room, recording and learning to play as a smaller band before shedding the cocoon and heading out on tour again in January.

"For us, it's a steady progression," Beebe says. "As long as we're taking steps forward, we're OK."



The other acts at this year's Case of the Blues are:

* Ellen Whyte, the event's headliner, a Portland-based blues singer with a sound not unlike Bonnie Raitt but bluesier. Whyte doesn't sing her songs; she belts them out. With four albums on her resume and three decades as a performer, Whyte has reached the level of Northwest blues stalwart. And she still gets out and gigs constantly, bringing high energy to shows like the one she played in April at The Seasons Performance Hall.

* Billy D and the Hoodoos, another Portland act that's probably familiar to local blues aficionados. The band played the Jazz in the Valley festival in Ellensburg just last month. Billy and the band aren't exactly straight blues. They wear their rock 'n' roll influence on their sleeves, but the band's sound is definitely a close cousin to Chicago blues.

* Shoot Jake, Yakima's version of a supergroup, which combines former Tieton Driver drummer Lindsay Jacobson and Deny Your Deceiver bassist John Gonzales with Ben Johnson. This is a straightforward rock 'n' roll group dedicated to stealing the genre back from whiners and commercial-jingle writers.



"They're all bluesy, and they're all rock 'n' roll," says Liz Fonfara, membership and marketing coordinator for the Yakima Greenway, the organization coordinating the event. "It's something different this year. It should be fun. ... We don't want that front area up there empty; we want people up and dancing."

The event typically draws about 3,500 people, Fonfara says. It benefits the Greenway organization as well as the Junior League of Yakima. There will be about a dozen Northwest beer vendors, twice that many wine vendors and a pair of cider vendors. Food will be available from more than a dozen of the Yakima Valley's favorite eateries. There will be a margarita booth, as well.

- Yakima Herald Republic - ON Magazine

Cody Beebe & The Crooks is one of Seattle's hottest up and coming bands. This outfit is a Roots Rock band that fuses several genres to create an electric, eclectic and catchy musical stew. The group is made up of seven local musicians, launched the first leg of their national tour two months ago at Seattle's Hard Rock Cafe.

This past weekend the band returned to the Northwest to open for Augastana, last Friday, April 22nd for KINK FM’s Earth day Celebration at the Aladdin Theater in Portland. The next night the band headed back up the I5 to headline a sold out show last Saturday, April 23rd at the Crocodile Cafe.


The band is taking a well deserved break before they gear up for the second leg of the tour in support of their radio campaign, which will start in July. This portion of the tour will take this hard working band to the East coast.

Before the band embarks on the leg of that tour they will play a couple outdoor shows. The group will play the Fremont Festival on June 19th and The Emerald Queen Taste of Tacoma on June 26th.

Before the group hit the road a couple of months ago, SMI Radio’s Greg Roth got together with the boys, backstage at the Hard Rock Cafe prior to the band embarking on the first leg of their tour. The band talks about their music, their influences and what the future holds for this talented group of artists. In addition, SMI Radio features several cuts of off the groups debut LP, “Friends of the Old Mill."

It was great to talk with these cats. They are good guys and are as authentic as their music, which is saying a lot. They are definitely going to be a Seattle band to keep your eyes and ears on. We expect that they will be doing some great things in 2011 and will do The Emerald City and their local fans proud.
- Examiner.com

Local band has a big year ahead
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-02-14
Cody Beebe & The Crooks, a Roots Rock band made up of seven local musicians, launched their first true national tour on Saturday with a show at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Saturday was a triple celebratory event as it also marked Cody Beebe's birthday and the band's two year anniversary.

"It's a huge show for us," said Tyler Paxton.

Their two-moth tour will take them across the country and includes some big showcasing opportunities. In L.A. they'll be showcasing at Triple A radio alongside K.D. Lang and Iron and Wine, and in March they'll hit up SXSW at The Texas RockFest.

They will also be playing at the conclusion of the Galveston Mardi Gras celebrations.

"We're really hoping to make an impact down there," lead singer Cody Beebe said.

"We're really excited to get down there. We're just excited to hear some good music and share ours," added pianist Aaron Myers.

The band said they're unsure what to expect but they've been told frequently by fans that their music will fit in with the Texas music scene.

Self-labelled as a "Steve Earle meets Pink Floyd band", the band takes gritty and emotional song writing and pairs it with intricate music.

"We call ourselves roots rock but we're a mix of country, blues, and rock," said Beebe. "For a lot of us we would get really bored playing in a tight boundaries and we want to be clear that we're not a pop country band by any means."

In December, the band used the power of their music to bring cheer and hope to those who need it most. Playing a concert at Nickelsville, Cody Beebe & the Crooks turned the spotlight on Seattle's homeless issues and launched a national campaign to give hope to all who are going through economic hard times with a deeply reflective song titled “Nine to Chain.”

"It was an eye-opening and humbling experience to hear what they're going through," lead singer Cody Beebe said about playing at Nickelsville.

As part of the campaign, the band asked people to share their stories of hard times. These stories have been collected and are featured in the upcoming music video shot last month by Seattle-based video production company, Fueled Creative.

“This song is THE anthem for what is going on in the country right now, people need to hear it and see it," said Fueled’s Executive Producer, Bret Nielsen in a press release.

With their music video slated to be released in April and a national tour, 2011 is a big year for the band.

Unsigned and independent, Paxton said the members run the band like a business.

"We all have a task," he said. "We've put all our eggs in the basket. We're full time musicians and we all feel good about where we're at."

Their independently produced record "Friends of the Old Mil" was recorded last year with legendary producer and engineer Jonathan Plum (Candlebox, Blind Melon, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains) and is available on iTunes and Amazon.

While the band names The Tractor and Nectar Lounge among their favorite venues, the dream is to play at the Moore.

"It's a big dream but it's attainable in the next few years," Beebe said.

- Ballard News Tribune

This new roots-rock album has compelling lyrics, musical variety, and an overall upbeat feel. Cody Beebe and the Crooks (most of whom are WSU alumni) offer up twelve tracks with titles such as “Nine to Chain,” “Change of Pace,” and “Hurricane,” a pleasing assortment of rock/jazz/funk songs that contrast nicely in their use of instruments and varying tempos. Guitar is prevalent throughout, but piano can also be heard here and there, often adding a jazzy or syncopated feel.

Some songs, such as “Nine to Chain” and “Much of Anything” incorporate fiddle and/or harmonica redolent of country music. The titles of the album’s songs don’t necessarily provide clues of how they will sound. “Fireworks” has a slower rhythm, while “Perfect Day” picks up the pace.

“Friends of the Old Mill” is one of those albums that you can listen to any day. Whether you want to relax to a mellow tune or are looking for an upbeat song to work out to, this album has it. These are seven talented musicians whose unique combination of instruments and beautiful harmonizing are definitely worth listening to.

- Washington State Magazine

Cody Beebe and the Crooks are really making a go of it over in Seattle's alt-country scene, having played joints like The Tractor Tavern and Neumo's. But there's nothing like coming home.

Beebe and bandmates Ty Paxton and Joe Catron are from Selah, and their holiday shows at the Yakima Sports Center serve as unofficial reunions of their friends and classmates. Their show there Saturday, the first such Christmas show since the release of the band's debut album, "Friends of the Old Mill," promises to be packed and primed for some good hard-driving rock-tinged Americana.

Those who attend can expect a straightforward kind of sound from Beebe, whose influences include classic rock as well as outlaw country from guys like Steve Earle and Johnny Cash. He and The Crooks, in other words, are not your typical Seattle band. They don't get cute. They aren't trying to prove how hip they are. They just want to jump on stage and rock a little bit. Especially for a hometown crowd.

The show starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $5. The Sports Center is at 214 E. Yakima Ave.

-- Pat Muir

- Yakima Herald Republic - ON Magazine

By Cambree Benetua

The sound of the djembe drum melding with the sweet sounds of the harmonica and acoustic guitar filled the SURC pit. Sly glances and silent laughter fl ying back and forth between band members across the stage could only mean one thing: Cody Beebe and the Crooks have graced Central Washington University once again.

Selah native Cody Beebe, along with his 6-piece band, released their new CD in 2010, entitled "Friends of the Old Mill."

"We're a collaboration of a bunch of different bands who all came together and formed together into a soup," said Beebe, lead singer.

Describing themselves as a "roots rock" band, Cody and the Crooks kept the audience clapping along to the songs "Hurricane" and "Waiting on You" off their new album.

"They are a mix between country twang and rock n' roll," said Ashley Bone, junior business major. "They sound almost like if Kurt Cobain were to do a country song - it's sultry."

During their noon acoustic performance, Beebe tapped his cowboy boot against his stool while bass guitarist Eric Miller and percussionist Joe Catron shot glances at each other, seeming to reminisce about the background behind each song.

"We write a lot about things that we see happening around us, to other people or to ourselves and try to fi nd a positive light in everything." Beebe said. "We don't write sad music but we write very serious music, meant to try to better people. We write about the economy, we write about war. We're not preachy but we like to ask questions of people and make them think outside of the box a little bit."

Full of laughter and jokes, the band, per request by the audience, did their rendition of Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time." Tyler Paxton on the harmonica and banjo threw off his black plaid shirt and hit the high note, then told the audience not to speak a word of this exclusive cover to anyone.

"I think that we're all fun-loving people," Catron said. "We all enjoy life and we want others to enjoy life and enjoy our music."

Their larger-than-life instrumental sound and soulful performance, along with their stories of perusing Ellensburg's thrift stores to add to their collection of pearl button-down shirts, was enough to keep a fi lled audience enthralled.

Cody Beebe and the Crooks took Central by storm for the second time in two years and Beebe says they look forward to performing at Central whenever they get the chance.

"I think the future defi nitely holds some great things for us," Paxton said. "I can feel like we're working so hard and for us this is our job. This is our life; we hold the utmost respect for our band and we're very driven. Hopefully we'll be wearing shades soon because its going to be so bright."

- The Observer

By Shawn Stewart

2 approaches to getting the MD to listen to your local band:

1. “The Onslaught”: use your friends, families, and fans to inundate The MD’s inbox with ‘spontaneous and genuine’ requests for your band. The ‘spontaneous and genuine’ emails should read like this:

“I heard this new band, The Sweet Dominiques, playing a show and would love to hear them on your station! I think that other listeners would agree!”

Make it easy for your friends, family, and fans to cut and paste the ‘spontaneous and genuine’ requests and provide the MD’s email. No hard feelings, Sweet Dominiques! I like you and your fans are clearly invested in your success, not to mention obedient!

2. “The Spontaneous Meeting”: Ask a stranger at The Mountain Booth at the U Village Concert Series how to get your music on and Emerging Mountain Artist CD. You never know, that stranger might be a Music Director! Be charming and enthusiastic about your band, and then follow up by hand-delivering a CD and press kit to that MD’s office.

Of course, neither of these approaches work if your band blows. But neither The Sweet Dominiques or Cody Beebe and The Crooks have to worry about that! Take a listen to these two very different Emerging Local Artists: The Sweet Dominiques, who sound like they love The Velvet Underground; and Cody Beebe, who will appeal to fans of The Allman Bros and Ray LaMontagne.

- KMTT

By Shawn Stewart

2 approaches to getting the MD to listen to your local band:

1. “The Onslaught”: use your friends, families, and fans to inundate The MD’s inbox with ‘spontaneous and genuine’ requests for your band. The ‘spontaneous and genuine’ emails should read like this:

“I heard this new band, The Sweet Dominiques, playing a show and would love to hear them on your station! I think that other listeners would agree!”

Make it easy for your friends, family, and fans to cut and paste the ‘spontaneous and genuine’ requests and provide the MD’s email. No hard feelings, Sweet Dominiques! I like you and your fans are clearly invested in your success, not to mention obedient!

2. “The Spontaneous Meeting”: Ask a stranger at The Mountain Booth at the U Village Concert Series how to get your music on and Emerging Mountain Artist CD. You never know, that stranger might be a Music Director! Be charming and enthusiastic about your band, and then follow up by hand-delivering a CD and press kit to that MD’s office.

Of course, neither of these approaches work if your band blows. But neither The Sweet Dominiques or Cody Beebe and The Crooks have to worry about that! Take a listen to these two very different Emerging Local Artists: The Sweet Dominiques, who sound like they love The Velvet Underground; and Cody Beebe, who will appeal to fans of The Allman Bros and Ray LaMontagne.

- KMTT

By Mike Showalter

Following on the heels of their CD release performance at the Nectar in June, Seattle-based roots rock band Cody Beebe and the Crooks will be opening at The Tractor on August 7 for the Texas-based Randy Rogers Band, currently out on a national tour. The Crooks will later open for local favorite Massey Ferguson at Neumos on September 17.

The 7-member Crooks can be described as country, funky, bluesy and americana, but perhaps mostly as roots rock. Think Steve Earle meets John Mellencamp meets Keith Urban. They recently released their first CD, “Friends of the Old Mill,” which was recorded at Seattle’s legendary London Bridge Studios with renowned producer/engineer Jonathan Plum (Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Blind Melon, Candlebox). “Friends of the Old Mill” was recorded mostly live to analog tape.

“We did this as a monument to an “old school” honest style of performance that is sometimes lacking in the music world today, and we will be representing that ideal while we promote this album during these upcoming shows,” said Beebe of the analog recording.

Beebe began his music career in 2004 when his song “Remember My Name” received honorable mention in the VH1 Save the Music Foundation songwriting contest. He also won first prize in the 2005 Washington State University Acoustic Battle of the Bands, and his songs were featured on the syndicated Fox television show, Jackson Horn, in 2007. He has released two solo albums, Verbs (2006) and Much of Anything EP (2008). The group that eventually turned into “Cody Beebe and the Crooks” in 2009 began forming first when Beebe began playing acoustic duet gigs with his childhood friend, Ty Paxton in 2007. They later added Joe Catron on percussion and guitarist Greg Floyd to form a quartet. They rounded out The Crooks by bringing on drummer Chris Green, guitarist-turned-bassist Eric Miller, and pianist Aaron Myers.

They’re opening on Saturday for a very good Randy Rogers Band, an Austin-based country group that has recorded four studio albums and two live albums and charted six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Their highest-charting single, “Tonight’s Not the Night (For Goodbye)”, reached #43 in 2005. The tour is in support if their upcoming album, “Burning the Day.”

- Culture Mob

By Mike Showalter

Following on the heels of their CD release performance at the Nectar in June, Seattle-based roots rock band Cody Beebe and the Crooks will be opening at The Tractor on August 7 for the Texas-based Randy Rogers Band, currently out on a national tour. The Crooks will later open for local favorite Massey Ferguson at Neumos on September 17.

The 7-member Crooks can be described as country, funky, bluesy and americana, but perhaps mostly as roots rock. Think Steve Earle meets John Mellencamp meets Keith Urban. They recently released their first CD, “Friends of the Old Mill,” which was recorded at Seattle’s legendary London Bridge Studios with renowned producer/engineer Jonathan Plum (Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Blind Melon, Candlebox). “Friends of the Old Mill” was recorded mostly live to analog tape.

“We did this as a monument to an “old school” honest style of performance that is sometimes lacking in the music world today, and we will be representing that ideal while we promote this album during these upcoming shows,” said Beebe of the analog recording.

Beebe began his music career in 2004 when his song “Remember My Name” received honorable mention in the VH1 Save the Music Foundation songwriting contest. He also won first prize in the 2005 Washington State University Acoustic Battle of the Bands, and his songs were featured on the syndicated Fox television show, Jackson Horn, in 2007. He has released two solo albums, Verbs (2006) and Much of Anything EP (2008). The group that eventually turned into “Cody Beebe and the Crooks” in 2009 began forming first when Beebe began playing acoustic duet gigs with his childhood friend, Ty Paxton in 2007. They later added Joe Catron on percussion and guitarist Greg Floyd to form a quartet. They rounded out The Crooks by bringing on drummer Chris Green, guitarist-turned-bassist Eric Miller, and pianist Aaron Myers.

They’re opening on Saturday for a very good Randy Rogers Band, an Austin-based country group that has recorded four studio albums and two live albums and charted six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Their highest-charting single, “Tonight’s Not the Night (For Goodbye)”, reached #43 in 2005. The tour is in support if their upcoming album, “Burning the Day.”

- Culture Mob

By Chris Senn

The audience filtered into Neumos from the rainy, wet and humid night only to find the rain and humidity was able to sneak in as well. The condensation inside caused water to drip onto the crowd from the pipes above. This was perfect weather for Massy Ferguson’s CD release party though. Hard Water, their second album, is an impressive collection of diverse, working class roots rock. The show also marked milestones for opening bands Cody Beebe and the Crooks and Curtains For You as both groups rocked the Neumos stage for the first time.
Curtains For You took the stage shortly after 9 pm as the audience was still arriving. By the end of the set they had won most in the crowd over with their blend of straight-forward indie rock with styles as diverse as swing, ragtime and alt-country. They even broke out horns a couple of times. Their showstopper was the playfully theatrical “Small Change,” a song that instantly brought the Roaring Twenties into the 21st century.
Cody Beebe and the Crooks took the stage like they had something to prove and boy, did they. They nearly blew the roof off the joint with their energetic, highly charged roots-rock assault and the tightness of their musicianship. The music and Cody’s vocals never sounded better, thanks in large part to Neumos’ state-of-the-art sound system. They rocked hard only letting up when the slow build up of songs like “Push” and the radio-ready “Waiting On You” allowed. The audience was packed in pretty good, grooving and moving to the funk jam “Change of Pace” and the galloping rocker “The Aftermath.”
Even though this concert didn’t need more Rock and Roll cred than that provided by Curtains For You, Cody Beebe and the Crooks and Massy Ferguson, I found some towards the back corner of the main floor. As I waited for Massy Ferguson to take the stage I saw a woman sitting on the floor against the side wall. I didn’t think much of it until a couple of minutes later when I looked over to see that she was throwing up into the nearby garbage can. After finishing, she continued to drink her beer. What’s more Rock and Roll than that?
Massy Ferguson kicked off their set and quickly proved why they have earned the nickname “The People’s Band”. Their brand of instantly relatable blue-collar rock coupled with their interaction with the crowd, drew the audience in. They entrusted the audience with singing a line of “Powder Blue.” They encouraged the audience to dance along throughout the set and many did. The new material sounded great. Guitarist Adam Monda broke out the harmonica on “Pretty Plain Jane”. It sounded better on stage then when I heard it on KEXP hours earlier, the mark of a good band.
Surprising and impressing the crowd at the same time, lead vocalist Ethan Anderson interjected flute into the traditional country rock progression of “Freedom Country”. It was a little like Jethro Tull, but cooler and contemporary. Wenatchee Eyes” featured guitar that’s located somewhere in between that of southern rock and the alternative twang of R.E.M.
During the show, Amanda, a friend of the band, was nice enough to walk through the crowd selling copies of the new album for the band. Great marketing move in my book. As they were winding down the set they recruited Cody Beebe and a couple members of Curtains For You for percussion duties. They then recruited a couple back-up singers and a Bob Seger fan. With the crowd dancing and singing along they cemented their working-class reputation by performing a spirited cover of “Night Moves.”
By the time they took the stage for their encore it was 12:30 am. Many in the audience began to understandably leave because it was so late. The closing track of Hard Water, “Aspartame,” was the perfect choice to open the encore. They switched it up a little bit as Anderson sat down and played an acoustic version. Much of the main floor turned into a dance floor for the last song, a fun country rock romp. It got the remaining crowd grooving and rocking and closed the show on a high note. This was one heck of a rock show. The whole bill was strong. The hard water pouring down out of the Seattle sky as the crowd left Neumos ... bad. Massy Ferguson’s Hard Water CD Release Show ... very, very good.
P.S. Many thanks to Jeff McKeown who shot some awesome photos and allowed me to attach them to this review.

- Melophobe

By Chris Senn

The audience filtered into Neumos from the rainy, wet and humid night only to find the rain and humidity was able to sneak in as well. The condensation inside caused water to drip onto the crowd from the pipes above. This was perfect weather for Massy Ferguson’s CD release party though. Hard Water, their second album, is an impressive collection of diverse, working class roots rock. The show also marked milestones for opening bands Cody Beebe and the Crooks and Curtains For You as both groups rocked the Neumos stage for the first time.
Curtains For You took the stage shortly after 9 pm as the audience was still arriving. By the end of the set they had won most in the crowd over with their blend of straight-forward indie rock with styles as diverse as swing, ragtime and alt-country. They even broke out horns a couple of times. Their showstopper was the playfully theatrical “Small Change,” a song that instantly brought the Roaring Twenties into the 21st century.
Cody Beebe and the Crooks took the stage like they had something to prove and boy, did they. They nearly blew the roof off the joint with their energetic, highly charged roots-rock assault and the tightness of their musicianship. The music and Cody’s vocals never sounded better, thanks in large part to Neumos’ state-of-the-art sound system. They rocked hard only letting up when the slow build up of songs like “Push” and the radio-ready “Waiting On You” allowed. The audience was packed in pretty good, grooving and moving to the funk jam “Change of Pace” and the galloping rocker “The Aftermath.”
Even though this concert didn’t need more Rock and Roll cred than that provided by Curtains For You, Cody Beebe and the Crooks and Massy Ferguson, I found some towards the back corner of the main floor. As I waited for Massy Ferguson to take the stage I saw a woman sitting on the floor against the side wall. I didn’t think much of it until a couple of minutes later when I looked over to see that she was throwing up into the nearby garbage can. After finishing, she continued to drink her beer. What’s more Rock and Roll than that?
Massy Ferguson kicked off their set and quickly proved why they have earned the nickname “The People’s Band”. Their brand of instantly relatable blue-collar rock coupled with their interaction with the crowd, drew the audience in. They entrusted the audience with singing a line of “Powder Blue.” They encouraged the audience to dance along throughout the set and many did. The new material sounded great. Guitarist Adam Monda broke out the harmonica on “Pretty Plain Jane”. It sounded better on stage then when I heard it on KEXP hours earlier, the mark of a good band.
Surprising and impressing the crowd at the same time, lead vocalist Ethan Anderson interjected flute into the traditional country rock progression of “Freedom Country”. It was a little like Jethro Tull, but cooler and contemporary. Wenatchee Eyes” featured guitar that’s located somewhere in between that of southern rock and the alternative twang of R.E.M.
During the show, Amanda, a friend of the band, was nice enough to walk through the crowd selling copies of the new album for the band. Great marketing move in my book. As they were winding down the set they recruited Cody Beebe and a couple members of Curtains For You for percussion duties. They then recruited a couple back-up singers and a Bob Seger fan. With the crowd dancing and singing along they cemented their working-class reputation by performing a spirited cover of “Night Moves.”
By the time they took the stage for their encore it was 12:30 am. Many in the audience began to understandably leave because it was so late. The closing track of Hard Water, “Aspartame,” was the perfect choice to open the encore. They switched it up a little bit as Anderson sat down and played an acoustic version. Much of the main floor turned into a dance floor for the last song, a fun country rock romp. It got the remaining crowd grooving and rocking and closed the show on a high note. This was one heck of a rock show. The whole bill was strong. The hard water pouring down out of the Seattle sky as the crowd left Neumos ... bad. Massy Ferguson’s Hard Water CD Release Show ... very, very good.
P.S. Many thanks to Jeff McKeown who shot some awesome photos and allowed me to attach them to this review.

- Melophobe

By Pat Muir

When he was as young as 7, Cody Beebe would accompany his uncle, country musician Robert Shaun Beebe, at the Oak Park Stage at the Central Washington State Fair.

Sometimes he'd catch a show over at the fair's main stage. It was part of a musical upbringing that eventually led him to start writing and singing his own songs. Well, tonight he'll be back at that main stage, this time with his Seattle-based band Cody Beebe and The Crooks.

"It's going to be very exciting for us," Beebe, 25, says in a phone interview this week. "Out of the seven of us, there's three of us from Selah."

The band, which plays a Steve Earle-influenced brand of country-rock Americana, has become a regular on the Seattle scene, playing three or four shows a week. The Crooks have played some of the better Seattle venues, too, such as Neumo's and the Tractor Tavern, but the show at the fair is going to be something special for them, says 24-year-old Tyler Paxton, who plays harmonica and banjo.

"The very first concert I ever went to was Clint Black at the Central Washington State Fair," he says. "I was 5 years old, and I saw him playing harmonica. I just thought that was so cool."

Paxton, Beebe and fellow Selah native Joe Catron, one of the band's two percussionists, have been playing together since 2008, along with guitarist Greg Floyd. They added Eric Miller on bass, Aaron Myers on keyboards and Chris Green on drums in 2009 when they moved to Seattle from Pullman. Of the seven, only two have day jobs, an indication of how seriously they're pursuing music as a career.

"All of us want to follow this dream and make it happen," Catron says.

Five of them, including the three from Selah, live together in the same house, which helps cut down expenses and creates opportunities for songwriting.

"It's great," Paxton says. "We have what we call our office, which is basically half of our two-car garage, and we sit there and work on booking. But just last night, we picked up guitars and started to work out a new song."

Their first full album, "Friends of the Old Mill," came out this year and will be available at the fair. In addition to the opportunity to pick that up, the band promises a high-energy show.

"We are a little bit different than that standard Americana band," Beebe says. "Our rock 'n' roll influences shine through."



* Pat Muir can be reached at 509-577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.

- Yakima Herald Republic

By Pat Muir

When he was as young as 7, Cody Beebe would accompany his uncle, country musician Robert Shaun Beebe, at the Oak Park Stage at the Central Washington State Fair.

Sometimes he'd catch a show over at the fair's main stage. It was part of a musical upbringing that eventually led him to start writing and singing his own songs. Well, tonight he'll be back at that main stage, this time with his Seattle-based band Cody Beebe and The Crooks.

"It's going to be very exciting for us," Beebe, 25, says in a phone interview this week. "Out of the seven of us, there's three of us from Selah."

The band, which plays a Steve Earle-influenced brand of country-rock Americana, has become a regular on the Seattle scene, playing three or four shows a week. The Crooks have played some of the better Seattle venues, too, such as Neumo's and the Tractor Tavern, but the show at the fair is going to be something special for them, says 24-year-old Tyler Paxton, who plays harmonica and banjo.

"The very first concert I ever went to was Clint Black at the Central Washington State Fair," he says. "I was 5 years old, and I saw him playing harmonica. I just thought that was so cool."

Paxton, Beebe and fellow Selah native Joe Catron, one of the band's two percussionists, have been playing together since 2008, along with guitarist Greg Floyd. They added Eric Miller on bass, Aaron Myers on keyboards and Chris Green on drums in 2009 when they moved to Seattle from Pullman. Of the seven, only two have day jobs, an indication of how seriously they're pursuing music as a career.

"All of us want to follow this dream and make it happen," Catron says.

Five of them, including the three from Selah, live together in the same house, which helps cut down expenses and creates opportunities for songwriting.

"It's great," Paxton says. "We have what we call our office, which is basically half of our two-car garage, and we sit there and work on booking. But just last night, we picked up guitars and started to work out a new song."

Their first full album, "Friends of the Old Mill," came out this year and will be available at the fair. In addition to the opportunity to pick that up, the band promises a high-energy show.

"We are a little bit different than that standard Americana band," Beebe says. "Our rock 'n' roll influences shine through."



* Pat Muir can be reached at 509-577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.

- Yakima Herald Republic

Verbs. You perform them every day. Walk. Write. Listen. Talk. Sleep. Learn. But have you ever tried listening to them? Now you can. Local acoustic artist Cody Beebe will hold a release show for his second solo album, "Verbs" at 7:30 p.m. in Zoe's Café on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Beebe, a senior civil engineering major from Selah, Wash., will unveil what he calls his “first legitimate CD” during his free acoustic performance.
The acoustic rocker’s sound harkens back to sweet, simple summer days, but his lighthearted songs mask thoughtful lyrics that tug deeply at the soul. When asked where he gets his inspiration, Beebe said that he bases his songs on life’s trials and tribulations.
“You won’t find too many songs about girls on this CD – those were on the last cd. As you grow as an artist, you start to focus on what really matters,” Beebe commented.
Nevertheless, Beebe’s girl-infatuated songs charmed his audiences and earned him first place in the Acoustic Battle of the Bands, hosted by the Student Entertainment Board (SEB) in December of 2005. Beebe was also featured at the SEB’s Springfest event in April 2006.
Yet despite Beebe’s success in the 2005 Acoustic Battle of the Bands, he is not sure if he will participate in the next competition.
“I don’t think I’ll be competing this year,” Beebe said. “I kind of just want to leave that title of first place up there.”
However, Beebe will be supporting his good friend and fellow performer Ty Paxton, who will be opening at the Nov. 2 release show. According to Beebe, the show will introduce the songs from his new cd, and will feature a guitar accompaniment.
So what is Cody Beebe most proud of on this album?
“It’s representative of who I am at this point in my life,” Beebe said. “I’ve even received a few e-mails from fans saying that it put things into perspective for them; that they need to live life while they can.”
The songs from Verbs vary in subject, but all address things that have happened to Beebe or are important to him. For example, “If” is dedicated to Beebe’s friend Isaac Figgs, who took his own life last December.
Another song titled “Remember My Name” is about moving through life, and reminds listeners that as long as you live a good life and treat people kindly, you will be remembered after you are gone.
Then there are some upbeat songs as well, like “Good Times,” which Beebe said he wrote as he left Washington State University for the summer after his freshman year. The song is one that many college students can relate to; “The memories that filled these walls will go on forever,” sings Beebe, remembering new friends and bonds formed at school.
Although the album deals with difficult issues, it is overall well-balanced and leaves the listener with a sense of serenity and an appreciation for life.
Beebe cites his influences from many different genres, from country to R&B; from the punk sounds of Underoath to the soul-filled tunes of The Jackson 5. Other influential artists include Incubus, Sublime, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Mayer, From First to Last and Keith Urban.
Fans also liken Beebe to acoustic artists such as Dashboard Confessional, Dave Matthews and Gavin DeGraw.
"When people listen to Cody, they find it hard to pin down his style. Fans have even told me that they think he sounds like a young Bryan Adams," said Beebe's manager Tommy Simmons. "When they try to describe his sound, most people call it 'fast-paced acoustic rock'. I just call it good music."
Simmons also said that Beebe is currently accepting bookings for the Pullman, Wash. area for shows after his Nov. 2 release performance.
For more information on Beebe, to listen to his work or purchase a cd, visit www.myspace.com/codybeebe or www.codybeebe.com.
- Lacretia Taylor

Friends, family and people out looking to enjoy local Seattle music on a decidedly mild Saturday night packed the sold out Nectar Lounge in Fremont to celebrate the release of Cody Beebe and the Crooks’ debut album, Friends of the Old Mill. The audience on the main floor were packed in tight; more were enjoying drinks upstairs while overlooking the stage in anticipation. The retractable garage door, stage left, was made for nights like this. It opened up to the outside seating area and allowed some to stand outside with the stage still clearly in view.

As an introduction, Cody Beebe and the Crooks are a Seattle roots-rock band with roots at Washington State University. The band members bring their diverse musical styles and influences together in a fusion of rock, country, Americana, funk and blues to create a sound at the same time familiar and unique. They build around the foundation of Cody Beebe’s (vocals, acoustic guitar) energetic acoustic sound. Chris Green (drums), Joe Catron (djembe, percussion) and Eric Miller (bass guitar) comprise the tight rhythm section while Aaron Myers (piano, keys) rocks the keys and Greg Floyd (guitar) shreds on intense guitar solos.

Cody Beebe and the Crooks brought in tow a couple great opening acts. Tommy Simmons, a Seattle by way of L.A. and Pullman musician, brought his acoustic singer-songwriter pieces to the stage to start the night off right. Simmons sounds like a cross between Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson, his songs incessantly melodic and catchy. He got his start performing with Beebe over at Washington State University. “Got You by the Soul” is an aggressive number reminiscent of Jason Mraz, complete with a scat singing outbreak towards the end. Simmons shared an extremely personal story about “San Diego.” It was written when he was down in L.A. and tells of making a mixtape for a drive down to the titular town after he found out his mom was diagnosed with leukemia. Another highlight was “Joseph,” about a ghost in Simmons’ house. His bassist was consistently making weird faces and gestures that were every bit as entertaining as the music.

The second band to hit the stage was Andrew Vait and the Eternal Fair. They blew me away, sounding like a much more seasoned band than their short time together would indicate. “Brightest Star,” a brand new song, kicked off the set. Andrew Vait entered with a high pitched vocal at times nearing a falsetto comparable to Jeff Buckley. It became clearer as the set carried on that Vait can wail with the best of them. They switched it up effortlessly, shifting between styles and keeping the audience engaged. On “Give Me Any Other Night (but Friday Night)” they indulged their hair metal/Journey side, and “Ballad of Ray Lamone” sounded like a number from the best of Collective Soul.

After the two exceptional opening acts, Cody Beebe and the Crooks took the stage to anticipating, screaming fans. The Nectar Lounge was theirs for the taking. They kicked off the set with the full band funk jam “Change of Pace,” which lives up to its name by starting out loud, slowing down, going softer and then returning to full volume. The bluesy, acoustic “Hurricane” showcased Beebe’s gritty, rootsy vocals. At any one time, up to five band members provided vocals to flesh out the sound.

As the set progressed, more and more of the audience took up dancing in the limited floor space . “The Aftermath” provided room to showcase Myers on the keyboards amongst the galloping countrified rhythm perfect for tapping toes and getting a dance on. They then slowed it down a little with the hand percussion of Joe Catron on “Waiting On You.” It started out slower and quieter before blossoming into a melodic wall of sound.

Cody Beebe and the Crooks appeared to genuinely be enjoying their night up on stage, and their appreciation was evident in Beebe’s constant acknowledgment of and shout outs to the audience.

“Fireworks” showcased the traditional country side of the group. This one could go up against Heartbreaker-era Ryan Adams and put up a damn good fight. The guitar work of Greg Floyd was highlighted here with a solo that perfectly substituted for the vocals. At times Floyd’s guitar seemed to talk.

Other highlights of the set included the heavy rocker “Perfect Day,” the ballad “Evelyn” and the epic, war questioning jam appropriately titled “War.”

Closing out the set was their signature cover of the Jimi Hendrix tune “Voodoo Child.” Floyd was let loose again to shred to his heart’s content as Beebe belted out the vocals and the entire band gave it their all to give a fitting end to an amazing night. After this show, I’m sure Cody Beebe and the Crooks can count a few hundred more people amongst the friends of the old mill. - Melophobe