My Denton Music spotlight: Rodney Parker & Fifty Peso Reward

by Josh Hogan of My Denton Music

The time to start paying attention to this band is right now. That is of course, if you want to be part of the cooler crowd. You know what I mean, one of those ultra-cool kids who know all the best bands before they make it big, before they hit the radio, and before the mainstream sweeps them up and extinguishes their spark. (Not to worry though, in exchange for their spark bands usually get reimbursed with fame and fortune and I can only dream of what else.) But luckily for us, none of that has happened to Rodney Parker and his band Fifty Peso Reward. Not yet any way.

I totally understand all of the comparisons to the Old 97's that I constantly come across when I refer to Rodney Parker, and in fact I agree with all of them. There are a few similarities between the two bands, even right down to the music itself. And, you know what? I dig it!

I was too young back in the late nineties to really grasp just how magnificent the Old 97's were. The "bar scene" where they made their mark was not really in focus this awkward little middle schooler quite yet. No, what I got was the overhyped and under-appreciated version of that band in the early to mid 2000's which, of course, never really lived up to my expectations. Even though I think most of those expectations were sort of forced upon me by music magazines and taste makers, I never fell in love with the band and could not understand why so many others had. Only now can I look back on their music and really appreciate it for what it is worth, and do so with an unfiltered ear.

So now, to the band that I feel is most likely to follow that same path into stardom, Rodney Parker & Fifty Peso Reward. They have that same edginess and excitement that the Old 97's had when their own hype was really starting to build. Also like the Old 97's, Rodney Parker & Fifty Peso Reward have released an album which will be looked back upon as a masterpiece. Like Wreck Your Life is for the former band, The Lonesome Dirge will be for Rodney Parker. It is raw, and catchy, and gets better every single time you listen to it.

It begins with a wild and raucous tune, "Firefight" before sliding into a less frenzied body to the album. "10 Lb Test" and "Tell Me What It Is" are perhaps the two songs that stand out the most. Both are unbelievably addictive and mini-masterpieces in themselves. The most fun song on the album is no doubt the bar room drinkin' anthem "I'm Never Getting Married." The album ends with a haunting and sincere track called "11 Hours" where Parker makes the simplest of lyrics sound incredibly deep and piercing when he strains to sing "I've loved you since the day you were born, but I don't any more."

Get into this band now! Because by this time next year everyone else will be.