Arden Park Roots (APR) are a Sacramento reggae/rock band, repeatedly described in Submerge as a "local" and "hometown" act, known for relentless DIY touring and a party-oriented live show that mixes originals with a Sublime tribute set.[1][2]
At a glance
- Sacramento-based reggae/rock group; a "local foursome."[1]
- Core lineup (2010): Tyler Campbell (vocals/guitar), Nick Ledoux aka "El Guapo" (lead guitar), Spencer Murphy (bass), Jonny Snickerpippitz (drums).[1]
- Heavy national touring act; cites Rapid City, S.D. and Durango, Colo. as favorite road markets.[1]
- Also performs as a Sublime tribute alter-ego, The Livin's Easy.[1]
- Recorded primarily at Sacramento's Pus Cavern with engineer Joe Johnston.[1][2]
Origin and local status
APR are described as Sacramento's own — a "local foursome" and a "Sacramento band," and by 2014 as "hometown reggae/rock favorites."[1][2] Submerge also calls them "easily one of the tightest bands to come out of the region."[2] Under the SacSetlist origin standard, this makes them a local band despite their extensive out-of-state touring.
The 2010 lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Tyler Campbell, lead guitarist Nick Ledoux (nicknamed "El Guapo"), bassist Spencer Murphy and drummer Jonny Snickerpippitz.[1] An early-2011 source independently confirms the nicknames "El Guapo" for Ledoux and "Murf" for Spencer Murphy.[3]
Sound and live identity
APR play a reggae/rock style, often categorized as reggae/rock in Submerge listings.[1][4] Their music incorporates dub and electronic textures; the track "What You Got to Lose" was described as having a "hybrid electronic/dub/reggae-rock vibe."[1] The band is characterized as a party act, playing roughly three-hour sets split between originals and a Sublime tribute.[1] They maintain a parallel Sublime tribute identity under the name The Livin's Easy.[1] APR also long performed a cover of Cake's "Jolene" live, reportedly for around seven years before recording it.[2]
Touring
Touring is central to APR's identity; Submerge repeatedly frames them as "road warriors" who log thousands of miles, with a 2014 schedule that crossed the country multiple times a year and left them "one weekend off…for the rest of the year."[1][2] They reported strong draws in the Midwest and Mountain West, naming Rapid City, S.D. (where they said they sell out and often play two nights in a row) and Durango, Colo. as favorite markets.[1] On one tour, drummer Jonny Snickerpippitz shattered his ankle hiking a roadside mountain near the Grand Canyon, underwent reconstructive surgery, and played a gig in Flagstaff, Ariz. days later; the band reported the Flagstaff venue housed them for three nights.[1]
Discography and recordings
Per Submerge coverage and independently verified sources, APR's recorded output includes:
- The Hard Way (2008) — self-released full-length album.[1]
- No Regrets in the Garden of Weeden (2010) — second full-length, 14 tracks, recorded over the winter at Pus Cavern (engineer Joe Johnston) before the band's tour; released July 9, 2010 with a release show at Harlow's. Available digitally, at all Dimple locations, and at shows.[1]
- Untitled five-track EP (in production, 2011) — recorded in downtown Sacramento at Papa Roach's Studio; planned as a digital-only release and precursor to a full-length.[4]
- Pipe Dreams (late 2011) — third full-length album. According to the Tahoe Daily Tribune, it debuted at No. 2 on iTunes and remained in the top 100 for over a year and a half.[5] This chart performance is independently corroborated by Bandcamp, which notes "Pipe Dreams rose to #2 in the iTunes Reggae category in 2011."[6]
- Burning the Midnight Oil (2014) — described as their fourth full-length, 12 tracks, recorded and engineered by Joe Johnston at Pus Cavern Studios over three months. Guests included Andre Fylling (keys) and Josh Rosato (percussion), a collaboration with Spice 1 ("The Music"), and a cover of Cake's "Jolene." Album art by Jimbo Phillips (known for Santa Cruz Skateboards, Slightly Stoopid, The Expendables). Released digitally April 20, 2014, with a Sacramento album release show April 26 at Assembly (openers Indubious, Riotmaker, Kayasun).[2]
Note: The addition of Pipe Dreams (2011) resolves the previously noted gap — Submerge's 2010 piece referenced a "third album" roughly half done, and the 2014 piece calls Burning the Midnight Oil their "fourth full-length."[1][2][5]
Awards and recognition
APR have accumulated significant regional recognition. By early 2011, they had won the Sacshows Local Music Award for Best Reggae/Rock/Funk band two consecutive years.[3] They went on to earn six awards in total, including three Sacramento News and Review "Sammies" for Best Reggae/Rock/Funk band.[5] The band was inducted into the Sacramento Music Hall of Fame in 2012.[5]
Management
By 2011, APR was co-managed by Justin Nordan and Eric Rushing under Artery Foundation Management.[4]
Scene relationships and notable shows
- Headlined / co-headlined Ace of Spades' first annual Second Saturday Rock N' Style on June 11, 2011, co-headlining with Lonely Kings; openers included Not Your Style (their farewell show), Dogfood, Element of Soul, Early States and DJ Whores.[4]
- Played Sacramento's Friday Night Concerts in the Park (Cesar Chavez Park), opening the season on May 4, 2012 — the year the series was booked by the Play Big Sacramento committee rather than longtime promoter Jerry Perry.[7]
- Played the July 24, 2015 season finale of Concerts in the Park at Cesar Chavez Plaza.[8]
- Headlined the first concert of the 2024 season at Concerts in the Park on May 3, 2024, confirming the band remains active well beyond their Submerge coverage window.[9]
- Frontman Tyler Campbell publicly mourned longtime Harlow's soundman John Carlson in 2017, calling Carlson "my friend even more so than he was my sound guy."[10]