is a pop band — a “bent pop” band to be exact.
Comprised of five dudes who rock beards, sunglasses and tattoos, they’re not the type of pop band that would open for Miley Cyrus.
“We’re playing music that is outside the mainstream but itap still pop,” said Jack Schuler, guitarist and the only clean-shaven member.
Thatap where they “bend.”
“When I hear our music itap totally pop, but now pop is a totally different f*cking animal now — we’re not Katy Perry,” Schuler added.
Instead The Royal has rhythmic guitar riffs, piano and some electronic twinges in their debut album, “Forever Endeavor.” Songs like “Look At Us Now” and “The Long Goodbye” fluctuate between delicate piano and soaring vocals, while “Going Up” maintains its composure as a melancholy ballad.
They cite Queen, Muse, The National, The Smiths and “The Boss” (Springsteen, not Ross) as some of their influences. They wouldn’t be opposed to collaborating with Rick Ross, however.
The frontman and creator of The Royal is Tyler Hayden, who is also the lead singer and lyricist. He had been in an electronic-infused indie rock band with drummer Eric Marshall, and they both wanted to try something different.
Little by little he assembled the team — “like he was assembling a gang of crooks,” said bassist Matty Clark — and once it was finished he knew he created something good.
“Everyone was there at the right time and place,” Hayden said. “You get that gut feeling and itap the best possible feeling ever.”
They immediately hit the studios and worked on the “skeletons of songs” that Hayden had on his back burners. They each contributed, customizing those skeletons. Soon they would be ready to begin some recording, then practice, then record again.
Hayden said it wasn’t a case of overproducing, but a chance for the members to contribute and produce a final product that was authentic. There weren’t any rules for the process.
“He wasn’t writing a part for you,” Schuler said. “He came in and was like ‘what can you bring to this track. At that point writing becomes super organic.’”
The Royal will be playing at the Underground Music Showcase (UMS) at 3:30 p.m. on the Main Stage at SSFCU. They’ve played at festivals as big as Austin, Texas’ South by Southwest (SXSW), but the UMS will always hold a special place in their hearts.
They stressed the importance of the UMS for the local music community. It brings the Denver music scene together, said Hayden.
“I think itap one of the most authentic festivals in the country,” added Hayden. “SXSW used to be, but I think UMS is just as important for us to play as for us to play SWSW.”
While many summer music festivals emphasize the main stages, the UMS doesn’t work that way, said Colby Rogers, keyboardist.
“There’s not a hierarchy of sets of places to play at UMS,” Rogers said. “If you are decent you’re going to have a decent crowd no matter what.”
“Itap truly about the music, which is beautiful, because itap not about so-and-so is going to be at this show or the crowd is going to this show,” he added.
Competition still exists, said Hayden, but it doesn’t ruin the fun atmosphere and community aspect. Bands will help each other out if they pop a string or lose a cable. Itap not about hurting each other but focusing on the music.
The future of The Royal will be a step-by-step process. Smaller goals that are attainable work better than dreaming too big, said Hayden. Their current focus is releasing another album, and growing as much as they able to. After playing at SXSW earlier in the year, they’re looking to expand their out-of-town performances and maybe tour in the fall.
Either way, they’re focused on whatever task is at hand.
“We’ve been doing this for a while so we’re not so naive as to think that the album is going to break the top 40 charts,” Rogers said. “The general perspective is most people want to do this as long as we’re having fun.”
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Jordan Gonzalez is a Denver Post features intern and a new contributor to Reverb.
