The Trappers

Listen to The Trappers perform and you will hear vintage rock and blues with a twist of country. That may sound ordinary until you learn the five-member group uses one of America’s most unique-sounding instruments — a pedal steel guitar. - Salt Lake Tribune

Running down the same roads as the Band, Hank Williams, and Gram Parsons before them, the Trappers play a gritty brand of rock-n-roll that emphasizes the roll over the rock, all with a generous shot of woodsy country. But where those luminaries pointed south, the Trappers face west, like a summer zephyr (or the California Zephyr) pushing up against the setting sun. On their self-titled debut, the band draws inspiration from a wide range of sources: "Cut Loose," a bleary saloon stomp, rests by the plaintive country of "Waterloo"; "Oh Leroy" is a full throttle blues rave up, while "Solid Ground" casts about a bit more quietly; and "Bloodshot Bill," showcases the band at its Stonesy best. Fronted by Dan Buehner—an original member of Salt Lake City's alt-country pioneers the Trigger Locks—the Trappers bring their goods down from the mountains. - Dirt Shores- Oxford, MS

The Trappers have not been together as a band for too long, but since their formation they have already played a number of live shows and recently released their debut album on Ten Records, a label that was started by the band’s guitarist and vocalist, Dan Buehner. They proudly describe themselves as musicians who bring an older style of rock ’n’ roll with a twist of country that makes it their own Trappers sound.

How long have The Trappers been making music?
As a band we have been playing together for about a year.

How would you describe The Trappers music?
Our sound is a mixture of an older style of Americana, rock ’n’ roll and blues with a country twist. We try to keep people interested in what we are doing, every song has its own feel. When we play live we like to play rock ’n’ roll tunes and then part of the set we will add in a few country tunes. After all it would be a shame if we didn’t play country music with the pedal steel being part of the band. The country music that we play is more of an older sound than a modern sound.

Who are some of your musical inspirations?
There are so many but just to name a few: The Band, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Gram Parsons, Rolling Stones, Hank Williams Sr., Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and the list goes on.

Where did you come up with the name The Trappers?
Since we are from Utah we wanted a little Utah history behind the name. Before the local baseball team, “Salt Lake Bees” there was “The Trappers”. We figured we would try to keep the name around the state a little longer. Now that we have the name for the band, by appearance it looks like we are more of “Fur Trappers” than baseball players with the rugged look.

What sets The Trappers apart from other bands in Utah?
Our sound is pretty distinct. There aren’t too many bands around that have pedal steel guitar cutting through the mix.

What is a pedal steel guitar?
The pedal steel guitar in an amazing instrument, it is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal slide to stop or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it uses foot pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch. The instrument is horizontal with the strings face up, and is typically plucked with finger picks. The pedals are mounted on a cross bar below the body and the knee levers extend from the bottom of the guitar’s body and are used to stretch or slacken the strings and thus change the pitch in the process of the guitar being played. The pedal steel, with its smooth bending chords and complex riffs, is one of the most recognizable instruments of American country music.

What does a pedal steel guitar add to the music?
The pedal steel adds character, in our sound in particular it glues everything together and really brings that old time country feel to the table. It’s a instrument that can be very versatile, a lot of times you can have the steel right up front in the mix for most country tunes. Or you can use it more as a texture in the background for the more rockin’ tunes.

What opportunities has The Trappers had?
One of the most recent opportunities we have had was playing at EVE 2011 downtown. It has made us grow as a band playing big shows like EVE.

Why should people check out your music?
We feel like our sound is one of a kind for the local scene right now. We have a lot of different styles of music to our sound that makes it interesting throughout the entire set.

Where can locals see The Trappers play?
We are usually playing all around the Salt Lake Valley, some of our upcoming shows will be at Pat’s BBQ, The Woodshed and Urban Lounge. We are looking to branch out to other parts of Utah, and we are looking to plan little mini tours to the surrounding states.

Describe a Trappers live show
It really depends on the venue we are playing at. If we are playing in more of a bar setting we usually like to keep it upbeat so people can move around and have fun. If we are playing more of a sit down setting, of course we will still try to keep it upbeat, but that is when we play more country tunes, and we are able to be more dynamic with our set. We try to keep it interesting and entertaining for the entire show.

Do The Trappers have any albums out?
We just came out with our debut self-titled release. We recorded it at Counterpoint Studios in Salt Lake City. It is available at Slowtrain, Graywhale and Raunch Records.

Are the members of The Trappers working on any side projects?
Not right now, we are focusing on The Trappers full time, just trying to get this thing rollin’.

What do you see for the future of The Trappers?
We are going to continue pushing our self-titled album that just came out. We will be playing quite a bit locally and hopefully traveling a bit. We have some new songs that are yet to be recorded so we hope to hit the studio for some more recordings. Eventually, we would like this to be our full-time job; traveling around, playing music and just enjoying what we do.

You Should Go: The Trappers
The band includes Dan Buehner (guitar/vocals), K.C. Buringham (bass/guitar), Tyler Pexton (pedal steel guitar), Michael Swanson (drums) and Keith Thomas (lead guitar)

Live Show
featuring Ratty Kate and Lead Pencil
When • Friday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m.
Where • Pat’s BBQ, 155 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Web • reverbnation.com/thetrappers and facebook.com

Live Show
with Small Town Sinners
When • Friday, Jan. 14, at 9 p.m.
Where • The Woodshed, 60 E. 800 South - In This Week Utah- Autumn Thatcher

While most everyone was preparing for 2010 to come to a close, some were reflecting on what the year had to offer. A lot of new bands started up last year, some getting out of the gate right away, others going at a slower pace, some staggering at the start with setbacks, and as usual a few broke up just months after forming. So to formally close out 2010 its only fitting we look at three bands from this past year.

This past Thursday I made my way over to Kilby Court for one of their last official concerts for December. Kicking off the evening with alternative rock of The Descriptive (who weren't able to participate for this in time), the folk-country sounds of The Trappers, and the rocking force that is Holy Water Buffalo. All with over 250 photos of the evening for you to check out here.

The Trappers (Keith Thomas, Tyler Pexton, Michael Swanson, K.C. Buringham and Dan Buehner)

http://www.myspace.com/thetrappers

Gavin: Hey guys, first off, tell us a little about yourselves.

Dan: We are a five piece band; myself on guitar and vocal, K.C. Buringham on bass, Tyler Pexton on pedal steel guitar, Michael Swanson on the drums and Keith Thomas on lead guitar. We are from Bountiful and we have been playing as a band for about a year now.

Gavin: What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite acts and musical influences growing up?

Dan: Music has always been a part of my life, I am big fan of old country, blues and rock'n'roll. It just seems like there is so much character in the older stuff, as far the analog recordings giving them the warmth and the songwriting. The Band is one of my all time favorite bands, Music From Big Pink and the self titled, The Band hardly ever left my turntable growing up and still even now I can’t get enough of that pure music. Some other influences would have to be; Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Hank Williams Sr., Gram Parsons, Doug Sahm, Rolling Stones, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, the list goes on.

Gavin: How did you all get together to form The Trappers?

Dan: It is actually pretty strange how the whole thing came together. I had been playing drums in a different band with my good friends in New Bonnevilles, which is currently on hold because of the other members that moved away to Mississippi and North Carolina for school. I have always played guitar and have always written songs, so when everybody moved away I stayed in Utah, I wanted to keep playing. I started playing guitar a lot more and writing a lot more. I had a bunch of songs that were just waiting to get a band behind them. I have known K.C. since elementary school. He had his own project going on called Mannequin Stick Figure, he was playing guitar and writing songs for them. That whole thing has sort of dissolved at least for the moment. We needed a bass player for the band, I had been talking to K.C. about playing and he said, “I play guitar I am sure I can figure out the bass.” So he bought a bass and we got together a few times to work out some songs and he has playing with us ever since. Tyler was also in a band previous to The Trappers, he was playing guitar in a honky tonk country band with our good friend Johnny Rank. That band also seemed to be interrupted by people moving away.

Dan: About a year ago I was talking to Tyler about playing music and I mentioned that the Trappers needed a pedal steel player, he said he has always wanted to learn the steel. He sold all of his guitars and amps to put money towards a new steel. He has taken off with it ever since then, I have never seen anyone more dedicated to their instrument, he really buckled down and started practicing four hours a day. The steel adds so much to our sound, it is crucial for the sound we are going for. A lot of the pieces were coming together except we were still looking for a drummer that could fit the mold. Michael sat in with us a few times in the beginning stages of forming the band, he would sit down at the drums and just listen to the songs and do a basic beat which is perfect for our style. He had never touched a drum stick before he started playing with us. He literally got behind the kit and started playing, he completely self taught himself. He is a perfect player for the band. When we originally started out we were playing with our friend Todd Summers who moved to Portland recently to go to school. We then found Keith who was working at a local guitar shop, who is also roommates with K.C. and Michael. Keith has been playing lead guitar for us for about five months now. So, that is how it all came together everyone switching and learning different instruments to make this thing work.

Gavin: Was it difficult putting together a five-piece band and coordinating your different tastes into an Americana sound, or did everything come together pretty easily?

Dan: Everything came together easier than we could of ever imagined, everything locked into place quickly. We were all friends before the band ever came about so it just seemed like there was no pressure we were just getting together to hang out and to make music.

Gavin: You released the self-titled album earlier this year. What was the recording process for that like, and what difficulties did you deal with along the way?

Dan: Yeah, the self-titled album was released in November. We recorded the bulk of it at Counterpoint Studios in Salt Lake. I am a freelance engineer at Counterpoint so we were able to go in there and take our time. The whole vibe of the studio is very laid back. Gianni, the owner, has great equipment all over the studio. A few long days and nights turned out to be very rewarding. Terrance D.H. helped us mix it, and then we sent it off the New Jersey to get it mastered by Richard Morris of Felice Brothers.

Gavin: What made you decide to go with Ten Records for the release?

Dan: Ten Records is actually a label that I just started. The Trappers self released album is the first release on Ten Records. Hopefully I can keep it going and get other bands on the label. I have always wanted to start a label, so I figured why not kick it off with The Trappers debut album?

Gavin: What has the public reaction been like since its release?

Dan: It’s been great, it seems like people are enjoying what they are hearing, the local record stores have been great about letting us sell it in their stores. Slowtrain, Graywhale, and Raunch. It has led to us getting some really great shows lined up.

Gavin: You've been picking up steam locally, getting involved with bigger shows and even playing EVE on New Year's Eve. How has it been for you all gaining that kind of exposure?

Dan: Yeah, things seem like they are starting to pick up. We have been playing out quite a bit in the Salt Lake area the last few months. EVE was awesome, it was a great way to bring in the New Year and hopefully it leads to other opportunities. Getting that kind of exposure has really made us tighten up as a band. All the venues and other bands we have played with so far have been great and really supportive.

Gavin: Are there any plans in the works to head out on tour, or mainly sticking to home for now?

Dan: We would love to hit the road, we are going to start with mini weekend tours just to see how it goes, then from there we will see what happens. We are playing in Las Vegas in February that will be our first road experience. We are ready to venture out.

Gavin: Going state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene, both good and bad?

Dan: It seems like the local scene is growing, there is quite a bit going on. There are quite a few places to play and it seems like more people are interested in coming out to hear the music.

Gavin: Not including yourselves, who are your favorite acts in the scene right now?

Dan: We just played the show with Holy Water Buffalo at Kilby Court. Those guys know how to play. They have a really cool sound. Folka Dots have a cool old sound, they have all acoustic instruments, guitars, violin, upright bass and tambourine, then the three part female vocal harmonies that will give you the chills. Some others would have to be: Cub Country, Jared Johnson & The Jackpines from St. George, The Legendary Porch Pounders and Max Pain & The Groovies.

Gavin: What's your opinion on the current airplay on community radio and how its affects local musicians?

Dan: KRCL does a great job of getting local music played on their station, it is great exposure for all musicians that get air time. Especially when they get musicians in the station to do the “Live At Five” with Bad Brad. I think that can really affect local musicians by getting more people out to shows or maybe selling more albums.

Gavin: What do you think of file sharing these days, both as musicians and a music lovers?

Dan: The whole thing seems like it has gotten out of control. It makes it really hard on local music shops to stay on their feet. It seems like right now vinyl is the way to go for buying music. You get the record, plus the digital download or the CD comes with the package. You get the best of both worlds.

Gavin: What can we expect from you guys over the rest of this year?

Dan: We are going to continue pushing our self-titled album that just came out. We will be playing quite a bite locally and hopefully traveling a bit. We have some new songs that are yet to be recorded so we hope to hit the studio for some more recordings.

Gavin: Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?

Dan: We'll be playing Pat's BBQ on Friday January 7th, The Woodshed with Small Town Sinners on January 14th, and The Urban Lounge with Spell Talk & Wisebird on January 21st.

- City Weekly Gavins Underground