Psychedelic Rock Meets Art Deco:
Local Rock Band Perform at Aggie Theater for Album Release, METROPOLIS
People in flapper dresses and pinstripe suits are packing inside the concert venue. The band takes the stage, and the crowd erupts in applause. While this might be any ordinary night, it is a night to remember for the psychedelic rock fans of Fort Collins, CO.
On Thursday night, the band, The Crooked Rugs, played at the Aggie Theater to promote the release of their new album, “METROPOLIS.”
The Crooked Rugs is a Fort Collins psych-rock band performing at local theaters since 2019. It comprises five members: Jayce Haley, Nolan Brumbach, Jay LeCavalier, Rex Stowers, and Finn Stowers.
Jayce Haley, the lead singer and guitarist, said, “This album explores themes of lightness and darkness and captures the ethos of the Metropolis movie.”
“Metropolis” is a German science-fiction movie released in the 1920s that uses highly stylized utopian imagery. Haley explained that this was part of the inspiration behind the “art deco” album design and 1920s theme of the concert.
Aiden Bradey, a fan following them for almost 2 years, says he admires their sound and enjoys being able to see them live frequently.
“Their new album is fantastic. Probably my favorite of the ones they’ve put out so far,” Bradey said. “It’s got some nice variety to it but still has a coherent sound.”
The choice of theme was also very popular among the crowd. Most fans showed up in 1920s-inspired fashion, a unique scene for a psychedelic show.
“I liked the kinda dystopian vibe of the metropolis theme,” Bradey said, “Especially songs like ‘Timelapse.’ It’s a cool concept for a psych-rock album, especially with their metal influences. Kind of a King Gizzard-esque but still very much a Rugs album.”
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard is a 2010 Australian rock band that has shown a lot of influence in The Crooked Rugs’ music.
Another fan at the concert, Tim Dendy, shared a similar perspective of the band. He said, “I just like the sound. They are an adjacent band to King Lizard, which is why I started listening to them in the first place.”
Haley explained that a lot of their influence comes from each other. “We all went to Colorado State University and have known each other since 2019,” he said. “We all have different influences, and what came together out of everything was this.”
As King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard may have inspired The Crooked Rugs, they have also inspired their fans.
“The first time I saw them, they inspired me for one of my art projects,” Dendy said.
The concert proved that it was not only just a psych-rock show but a community for rock fans in Fort Collins.
Both Bradey and Dendy said that they knew many people at the concert and heard of the group through mutual friends or from other bands.
Haley explained that this sense of community was one of his favorite things about playing live shows.
“I love seeing all my friends and being able to work with friends as well,” Haley said. “It’s interesting to see different friend groups come together.”
The Crooked Rugs also have frequent shows at other Fort Collins theaters, such as The Atrium and The Lyric. Though they play primarily in Fort Collins, they have also performed in other places, such as California and Nebraska.
Sharing their music with everyone is a big deal for the band.
“Our goal is to make more music and to play in as many places as possible, In the US and elsewhere,” Haley said.
For those passionate about local music and psychedelic rock, The Crooked Rugs is definitely a band to keep an eye on.
