Never mind the Star Trek reference, Santa Cruz’s psychedelic outfit, Mountain Tamer is the real deal, playing classic rock with an interstellar twist during high energy live performances that keep the audience entranced from beginning to end.
Consisting of lifelong jam partners, Andru Hall (guitar/vocals) and Dave Teget (bass), with Casey Garcia on drums, Mountain Tamer formed in the group’s hometown of Concord, Calif., after both Hall and Teget decided to do the same senior project in high school – throw a rock show.
After high school graduation, the group released their first EP, “The Glad,” garnering the fledgling band experience playing smaller venues and house shows in the Bay Area. In 2012, after putting a couple years into the crowded San Francisco music scene, the band decided it was time to relocate.
“We wanted to move somewhere with a great music scene,” says Garcia, as the group prepares for a series of upcoming shows. “Growing up, Santa Cruz was the beach for us, and it felt like a better fit for our style than SF or Oakland.”
Relocation was not smooth, but probably not atypical either for people heading to Santa Cruz to live. Beset by a period of brief homelessness and power tool wielding landlords, Mountain Tamer remained unfazed and got their start playing house shows before landing their first local gig at the Crepe Place, renowned supporter of new acts.
Around this time the band released their first full-length album, “Liquid Metal.”
Since that first Crepe Place show, Mountain Tamer have gained an impressive following in a town saturated with talent and are beginning to enjoy their hard-won success.
“It’s the small victories that keep us going,” says Garcia, as he sorts through band T-shirts he designed and printed himself. “Getting to play sold out shows with bands we look up to like Dead Meadow or The Badlight.”
The hard-working band is about to leave on an upcoming tour, which they booked themselves. As the guys check on an Oregon show date, I ask Hall what his biggest moment as a muscian has been so far.
“Woah, that’s a tough question,” he says. “I hadn’t really thought about that, I guess they are all big moments for me. Every time I’m in front of people with a chance to get my message and music to them is a big moment.”
Mountain Tamer plays The Blue Lagoon on Feb. 24, with Lords of Beacon House (Los Angeles) and Heavy Apparatus (San Diego).
