Outlaw country rockers Hard Rooster are composed of seasoned musicians, well known on the L.A. Americana scene. They came together as this particular band six years ago and, a couple of EPs and a whole lot of shows later, they haven’t looked back. They perform at the Cinema Bar on Friday, and the band collectively told the News what they have in store for Culver City…
When did you start playing and performing?
We are approaching our sixth anniversary. All the band members – Nick Oreskovich, Bryan Stone, Adam Medina, and Bryan Coulter – are seasoned musicians and have been playing in bands in the L.A. area for decades. Bryan Stone and Bryan Coulter were members of Los Angeles Americana staples, 50 Cent Haircut and Patrolled By Radar. Both the Bryans left the band to form the Buttonholes, a power rock trio. Nick Oreskovich’s cowpunk band Part of the Problem and the Buttonholes would share the stage at bars in the Southbay such as the Hermosa Saloon and Starboard Attitude. Adam Medina played on and off with Nick’s Part of the Problem and traveled in similar musical circles. Oreskovich and Stone, while loving each other’s bands, wanted to get back to playing some outlaw country tunes and decided to write some songs together. It went well. So, Stone brought in his favorite drummer B. Coulter and Nick brought in Adam, an all-round guitar pro.
Describe your sound/style?
We are outlaw. We are country. We are rock & roll. We are all from Southern California. We are all native Angelenos rooted in the beach cities. We did not grow up cowboys, but we listened to classic country music from a very young age. Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and Johnny Cash all graced the road trip soundtrack when going from L.A. to Havasu, through Bakersfield to Kernville, and on weekend trips to Joshua Tree. Blending classic country with the punk rock ethos that the South Bay is famous for lays the foundations for Hard Rooster’s DIY ethos and the energy they put into their hands and voices when performing. Like Gram Parsons, Hard Rooster aims to blend the sounds of the ocean, mountains, and desert that makeup Southern California.
What are your career highlights so far?
Opening for Albert Lee and the Jann Browne Band at the Browne Barn in Yucca Valley. Opening for John Mayall at Venice West. Opening for Tejon Street Corner Thieves at Venice West. Playing Beachlife Ranch in 2022, and again on the Speakeasy Stage in 2023. We self-released our self-titled five-song EP on Bungalow Records/UMG on June 3, 2022. We just finished up our yet-to-be-named new record at Karma Studios and the storied Sunset Sound, engineered and produced by Grammy-nominated Steve Genewick and mastered by multi-grammy-winning Gavin Lurssen.
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
We currently have our self-titled five-song EP that was released on June 3, 2022, on Bungalow Records/UMG. It’s available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms globally. Additionally, there is a music video for the song “Walk Away” on Vevo/Youtube.
Have you performed at the Cinema Bar before?
Yes, absolutely. One of our first shows was at the Cinema Bar. We’ve now played there three or four times as a band. As individuals, we have played the Cinema Bar stage a countless number of times. The memories run deep from 1998 to the present. One thing we love is that it is almost a given, whether playing or spectating, that you’ll run into old friends from bands you know and love and fans of L.A.’s Americana scene. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, and you can count on the music always being great. Walk in, order a cold beer, look across the bar and there’s a buddy who you haven’t seen in a half-decade ready to have a beer and a shot of whiskey with you. The staff, the owner, and the patrons all know how to appreciate music and the people that make it.
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
You’re going to hear two hours of hard-hitting outlaw country and rock & roll. You’re going to hear all the songs from the yet-to-be-released record and all the songs from the EP that you know and love. You’re going to see wire and wood, sticks smacking skins, blue jeans, sundresses and boots, the smell of whiskey, tropical fish swimming on the patio, big beards, and rustic voices of souls of gold singing their hearts out. You’re going to hear an imposing upright bass with a monstrous tone accompanying booming drums, a warm Martin, and precision riffs on a twangy Telecaster.
What else do you have coming up?
The day after the Cinema Bar show, we’re playing the Old West Fest out in Banning on the Twin Pines Ranch. Then we play the Red Dog Saloon in Pioneertown on November 18. We are excited to perform at one of our favorite South Bay stomping grounds, Starboard Attitude on December 9. We hope to have the new record coming out in the next few months. If you go onto our website, there are always posters of our upcoming events and merchandise for sale including posters, hats, and t-shirts if you can’t make it to a show and get one from the merch stand.
Hard Rooster performs at 9 p.m. on Friday, October 13 at the Cinema Bar. Go to thecinemabar.com for more information about the show or wearehardrooster.com for more information about the artist.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
Boulevard Music hosts Tony Furtado and Stephanie Schneiderman at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 14. Visit boulevardmusic.com for more info.