Meet The Comancheros
If you were to write an intro for “If I Could Pick A Way To Go” before it played on the radio, what would you want listeners to know about the song?
Tanner says, “at that point in my life I was thinking a lot about mortality. I’d lost a family member that I was very close to and all the Covid buzz was still in the air. I asked myself how I would choose to die if I got the choice. Well, in a blaze of glory of course. On stage doing what I love most.”
6 Things You Don’t Know About Us:
Touring and performing since 2015, playing rock and heavy metal until falling in love with Willie Nelson. What changed when you heard Nelson’s music?
Metal is awesome. We still all listen to a lot of metal. I’ve been listening to a lot of Phobophillic and 200 Stab Wounds recently. I think we all liked country, but for myself it never really hit until I moved away from home to Missouri. Those songs about missing home hit a lot different when you’re actually missing home.
What is a typical day on the road like for the band?
Wake up in the van at a gas station, go get coffee. Go right back to sleep, and Jon starts driving to the next gig. Wake up somewhere in Ohio (no idea why, the gig is in Alabama), and tell Jon to pull over because someone needs to shit.
Pull up to the gig, unload, find out that the gear is indeed still broken. Play the show anyway. Drink a lot with fun people.
Drive to a gas station, drink a bit more, and all asleep.
In terms of the overall composition, what is your favorite song and why?
Mine would easily be “Precious and Grace” by ZZ Top. All of the tones are so thick and warm, and the rhythm is groovy. And the doubled drums on the intro fill are perfect!
What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
Write 500 songs. Most will suck, but after 495 you might actually know what you’re doing.
What is the story behind your band’s name?
It comes from The Outlaw Josey Wales, a Clint Eastwood western set in Missouri. Tanner’s dad always liked the name for a band so we had to use it.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
You own the night. Don’t let anyone tell you when and where to live your life.
Can you share 12 songs that have influenced your lives and careers?
Tanner
“Hands on the Wheel,” Willie Nelson
My favorite song off of Red Headed Stranger.
“Touch Too Much,” AC/DC
AC/DC is my all-time favorite band. Absolute favorite.
“Through the Fire and Flames,” DragonForce
It was at a DragonForce concert, 15 years old, I decided to play guitar for a living.
“Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Johnny Cash
This song just hurts in all the right ways.
Jon
“Race is On,” George Jones
George Jones was the first country musician I ever took to.
“Blind In Texas,” W.A.S.P.
Musically, I am always trying to make the Comancheros more like W.A.S.P..
“All I Can Do Is Write About It,” Lynyrd Skynyrd
This is all about the lyrics. Always trying to write a song this good.
Anything by Max Rebo
If you know you know.
Michael
“Mirror, Mirror,” Blind Guardian
This song got me excited about playing double bass.
“Slaves Shall Serve,” Behemoth
Changed the way I thought about drums entirely.
“High Enough,” Damn Yankees
The first song by the first band I was ever aware of. Uncle Ted rules.
“Big River,” Johnny Cash
I grew up near the quad cities. This is the first country song I felt a connection with.