JACKSON, Wyo. — College rock of the ‘90s brings to mind R.E.M., The Pixies, Sonic Youth. Jambands of that era bring to mind Phish, Widespread Panic, and moe. Guster has often been described as falling somewhere in between. They represented the pop side of college rock early in their career around the 1997 album, Goldfly, though the jamband correlation dates them to an era more than accurately describing any musical resemblance. From early 2000’s to their most recent and eighth release, 2009’s Look Alive, the progression towards synth-ladened, ‘80s-inspired, polished brit-pop has placed them in popular TV shows and department store speakers. The quartet will take stage Friday at the Center Theatre after opener Ratboys.
“Never skip the opener,” proclaimed the last opener at the Center Theater, Tré Burt, who supported Shovels & Rope. He got a solid laugh but he’s completely right. And he was good. In the case of Ratboys, even more contrast exists in comparison to the Headliner.
Chicago-based Ratboys have miles of contrast just within the sum of their parts. For the last decade, songwriting partners Julia Steiner (vocals/guitar) and Dave Sagan (guitar) have developed a sound somewhere between folk pop, grunge rock, and double vocal-tracked indie rock. They tour as a quartet with bass and drums. Steiner’s sincere and tender vocal delivery owns the high frequency zone alongside fluid, melodic guitar work and a raw, honest sound. Had they come to fruition in the ’90s, it may have been called college rock.
Via the recommendation of Jackson Hole Community Radio’s Music Director Jack Catlin, I caught Ratboys in September of 2021 at Treefort Music Fest in Boise. The small club was rocking with the youthful energy they brought to stage, and the melodic indie-rock I was expecting mashed well with a heavier, punk-y live sound.
Center for the Arts presents Guster with Ratboys, 7 p.m. Friday at the Center Theater. Tickets are $45-$65. jhcenterforthearts.org.
