Pawn Ticket Trio
Denver, Colorado, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Walking into a sea of green in spirit of the holiday, pool, music and an excellent atmosphere brought people out to 3 Kings Tavern in Denver, Colorado. After paying three dollars admission, buying a beer to celebrate and maybe playing a game of free pool, the crowd turned to the stage. Not so much a trio, the opening band Pawn Ticket Trio brought their jazz blues music to 3 Kings Tavern on St. Patrick’s Day.
The five-piece band, including a drummer, trumpet player, saxophone player, stand up bass player, and a guitarist/singer, carried the crowd into a calmer side of the night. It was an interesting, but welcome, change to the usual Irish music you hear on St. Patrick’s Day.
During their set, or maybe by bringing fire to 3 Kings, the fire alarm went off and added more of a light show to the colored disco ball above the dance floor. Despite the noise, the band kept playing and even created a song to the beat of the alarm.
After the firemen came to turn the alarm off, the band continued their last few songs of their set. Even with the fire alarm, Pawn Ticket Trio delivered a solid set to 3 Kings Tavern.
- Written by Katie Brennan, 3/19/2009 - Examiner.com - Denver
Sometimes it's the simple things that get guys through the day, and they usually start with the letter B: bars, booze, and, uh, boobs. Every Monday there's all of that and more when the lovely ladies of the Ooh La La Burlesque serve up affordable drinks while dressed provocatively in panties and fishnets. And there's also some sweet drink specials for anyone willing to hang out in their panties. Then top it off with a few sets of burlesque and jazz from the Pawn Ticket Trio and you've got the perfect cure for a case of the Mondays. - Westword Backbeat
Discography
"Pawntification" - Released on Ridiculous Records LLC, 2009
Photos
Bio
Pawn Ticket Trio started as the brainchild of famed singer/songwriter/ Johnny “Monotone” Lambert. With bassist “Subourbon” Bret Ahroon and drummer Stephen “Tic-Tock” Brooks on board, both of whom come from various celebrated projects including Houses and Suburban Hostage, the group descended into the feel-good madness of late-night Denver bars to hone their craft and get some free drinks in the process. Eventually, having no regular practice spot to use, The Trio found a weekly gig at the Lion’s Lair, perhaps the dimmest and darkest of the many bars they frequented. However, it wasn’t long before The Trio had a solid sound and started receiving offers from venues all around Colorado. During this time the group found its sound—“hack jazz”. The style is a reworking of old Monotone favorites with bass and drums to give the sparse-yet-memorable songs a full-band feel. The band incorporates various jazz styles mixed with pop and rock song structures to create a blend altogether different from what you’ll see in both jazz and rock clubs and, with the help of a killer horn section comprised of members of Denver’s ska powerhouse, The Dendrites, turn already well-crafted tunes into full-bodied works of art. Pawn Ticket went on to play countless shows throughout Denver before landing one of the most sought-after gigs in the city; a featured spot alongside the girls of Oh-LaLa Burlesque, who perform every Monday night at 3 Kings Tavern. Aside from their full catalogue of original tunes, the band has also become known for their versions of standards and not-so-standards; especially sultry burlesque tunes to accompany Ms. Kitty Crimson, Fanny Fitztightlee, and other beautiful members of the troupe. The band has played several mountain engagements in Steamboat Springs and Vail, to rave reviews, and was proud to release their debut full-length record, "Pawntification", in August 2009 on Ridiculous Records. 2010 brought further adventures in the form of a West Coast tour, slots at the 10th Annual Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, and even a coveted performance at The Governor's Mansion.
To get a feel for what the band sounds like, give their tunes a listen, then go see them live on what has become the best Monday night in Denver or at any of their other many gigs. What lies next for the trio? Fame on more nights than just Monday!
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