Fort worth based, Green River Ordinance have created quite a story for themselves. In 2009, Out of our Hands, the band’s debut album shot to NO. 10 on Billboard’s Heatseakers chart and catapulted two singles “Come On” AND “On Your Own,” into the Top 40. GRO shared stages with Bon Jovi, Train, Counting Crows, Gavin DeGRaw and other headliners; With their new album Under Fire out into the world, the band joined us for our 5GB series before their show tonight at Vinyl.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
The First gig I ever attended was at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth and I still remember the line up. The Happiness Factor opened up followed by Chomsky and the Death Ray Davies and The Old 97’s played last. My mom was amazing and took Jamey and I to the show, and didn’t smother us too much. All the bands were amazing and bought a cd from all four bands I was hooked after that concert. We had amazing supportive parents who loved music and had really great taste too. My first blues bar experience was a few years prior after Christmas at the Aardvark in Fort Worth. Jamey and I’s dad is a blues harmonica player and he took us to David Millsap’s After Christmas blues Jam. It was loud and crowded, my ears where ringing and I smelled like cigarette smoke as we got home around one. It was the coolest night ever to spend with my dad, and I was hooked on live music from then on.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
Green River Ordinance was asked to open up for Bon Jovi at Gulf Shores Alabama Benefit concert for over fifty thousand people. The concert was outside on the beach and it was free. The concert had perfect weather, and we had never played in front of that many people before. It was amazing playing for a sea of people, and the sound of that many people cheering was deafening. The response was amazing and it was such a blessing to be a part of such a fun event. Bon Jovi was amazing.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
The best concert I ever attended was seeing the Icelandic Band Sigur Ros performing at the Bass Hall in downtown Fort Worth. They are an amazing band with a five-piece string section playing very powerful music in a beautiful concert hall. The bass hall mostly hosts classical concerts and to see a modern orchestral rock show in such a venue was very rare. The show was the last of their world tour, and they put on the best performance I have ever seen.
What is the gig you would most like to play?
I would love to go on tour in Europe with U2. They are one of our favorite bands, and I would love to play concerts with them, and to meet the band members. They have consistently reinvented their art and have inspired much of modern music. I would love to learn from them and to get advice on how to be a musician and have a family.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
The ultimate “gig” in my opinion would have David Bowie, The Beatles, Led Zeplin, and Phil Collins all performing and in no particular order.
Catch Green River Ordinance, Sept. 28th @ Vinyl
