Chompers | 2019-10-19 | Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, CO [SBD/AUD Matrix]

OK…All right…OK…it’s time for Chompers partying it up at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom!

At first glance, it seems oxymoronic for a taper to sing the praises of a band named Chompers; for some time now, the name has been used as a way to brand excessive talkers at live music shows. However, I am here to tell you, that Chompers is a friend to tapers and listeners alike. With a sound that the band self-describes as “genre-fluid”, Chompers crafted a set showing off their eclectic tastes, including epic prog-rock compositions like the anthemic “OKAROK” (which sandwiched their entire set), the carnival-like swagger of “Mazel”, and even their choice of covers, which included a blazing disco-pop-rock take on Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” that featured Cycles guitarist, Patrick Harvey, sitting-in on what would prove the most formative jam of the evening.

The band also showed that they’re great sports, not only for priming the crowd for the Cycles set, but also by acting as the first “contestants” on Cycles’ new, interactive Game Show experience. Before Chompers’ final song, Game Show MC, Dennis Craig, came out on stage to inform the crowd that Chompers would be partaking in the first Game Show challenge of the evening, the Paqui Hot Chip challenge. The band members each proceeded to eat a Paqui chip, which are advertised as the hottest potato chips in the world, and then immediately performed a cover of The Trammps’ “Disco Inferno”, an appropriate choice considering the band’s predicament. The result was a hilarious take on the song that is for the most part spot-on, with the exception of the hilarious coughing fits and grimaces from each member as they powered through the classic chorus “Burn Baby Burn!”

Chompers is a fantastically assorted amalgam of sounds that set the perfect tone for the follow into Cycles’ headlining sets. Their engaging performance kept the crowd so tuned in, there was no room for chomping, which is pleasantly ironic. When the band settles into their groove, their ability to guide the crowd into a peak is incredibly astute and helped carve out their own unique contribution to a night that most in attendance will never forget.

Chompers | 2019-10-19 | Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, CO

-= One Set =-
01. (Intro)
02. OKAROK >
03. Mazel >
04. Backsack
05. Ken’s Last Wish
06. Meatball Song[1]
07. Dirty Laundry (Don Henley cover)[2]
08. Everything You Know
09. (Paqui Hot Chip Challenege Banter)
10. Disco Inferno (The Trammps cover)[3] >
11. OKAROK

Show Notes: This set was performed in support of Cycles’ Interactive Game Show. Zeta June opened the show followed by Chompers and then Cycles closed out the evening.
[1] “Meatball Song” was performed acapella.
[2] “Dirty Laundry” featured Patrick Harvey (Cycles) on additional guitar.
[3] Prior to performing “Disco Inferno” each band member ate a Paqui Hot Chip which are advertised as the hottest chips in the world.

Taper Notes: Stage-right of the soundboard, mics raised around 8′ PAS. Board patch and mix thanks to FOH Engineer Cory Ballentine.

Thank you to Chompers and Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom for being cool with taping / sharing shows. Go see live music and tip your bartenders! #spacetapes

LINK: https://archive.org/details/chompers2019-10-19.AKG.P170.AUD.SBD.Matrix.flac16