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I was already pleased with the evening when Sleeper Horse came and destroyed everything that came before it. Just like the sun puts even the brightest bulb to shame, this four-piece made me forget everything I’d heard thus far. Propulsive rhythms, sharply geometric guitar lines and a dynamic, volatile lead man made a near-instant convert of me. These boys have captured lightning in a bottle with a sound that reminds me just a bit of the best moments of Q and Not U while retaining a devastatingly unique character of its own. I think I’ve got a little band crush on these guys, and I’m not ashamed to say it.
-- Cory Casciato - Back Beat Online
I was already pleased with the evening when Sleeper Horse came and destroyed everything that came before it. Just like the sun puts even the brightest bulb to shame, this four-piece made me forget everything I’d heard thus far. Propulsive rhythms, sharply geometric guitar lines and a dynamic, volatile lead man made a near-instant convert of me. These boys have captured lightning in a bottle with a sound that reminds me just a bit of the best moments of Q and Not U while retaining a devastatingly unique character of its own. I think I’ve got a little band crush on these guys, and I’m not ashamed to say it.
-- Cory Casciato - Back Beat Online
For a few years there, it seemed that there would be no end to the stream of angsty, but not angry, suburban white-boy punks. How many times did you roll your eyes at all the pre-fab rebellion packaged neatly inside screaming harmonies? Out of that milieu, there were a few standouts; one of these was the Blackout Pact. The act had an honest energy, and the music, though occupied by familiar themes, branched out beyond formula. But the group broke up last year, and Mike Herrera has since formed Sleeper Horse (due at the Marquis Theater on Friday, June 1, with former bandmate Justin Hackl's new outfit, Only Thunder). While not exactly tilling new ground, Sleeper Horse has all the exuberance of the Pact, with a tighter, more dynamic sound. And Herrera's vocals, which have always had character, are even stronger here.
-Tom Murphy - Westword
For a few years there, it seemed that there would be no end to the stream of angsty, but not angry, suburban white-boy punks. How many times did you roll your eyes at all the pre-fab rebellion packaged neatly inside screaming harmonies? Out of that milieu, there were a few standouts; one of these was the Blackout Pact. The act had an honest energy, and the music, though occupied by familiar themes, branched out beyond formula. But the group broke up last year, and Mike Herrera has since formed Sleeper Horse (due at the Marquis Theater on Friday, June 1, with former bandmate Justin Hackl's new outfit, Only Thunder). While not exactly tilling new ground, Sleeper Horse has all the exuberance of the Pact, with a tighter, more dynamic sound. And Herrera's vocals, which have always had character, are even stronger here.
-Tom Murphy - Westword
Discography
Split 7' on Ownlife Records
Photos
Bio
When the Blackout Pact imploded, singer Mike Herrerra returned to Denver on a mission. A mission to accomplish what his previous band could not; rock and roll domination. It took Herrerra almost six months to find the perfect combination of members to make up his new project, scouring the entire nation. What he came up with was immediately branded Sleeper Horse.
The four members of the Horse- Herrerra, Josh Friedman, Matt Clark and Ryan Kelly- all come from diverse music backgrounds, ranging from math rock to straight-up punk to sludgey metal to electronic dance. And the band uses aspects of these backgrounds to form their music, somehow avoiding the potential muddled mess this could lead to. With the double-pronged vocal attack of Herrerra and Friedman followed by the crushing, kinetic beatings of Kelly and Clark, Sleeper Horse sounds like the Murder City Devils or Hot Water Music if they were Faint cover bands.
The band's first show was at a warehouse in South Denver, cramped on a small stage surrounded by all their friends. Their second show was main support at a sold-out Fox Theatre in Boulder opening for Front Range legends 3oh!3. Third show? Sold-out opening for Seattle whiz kids Minus the Bear. The week after that Sleeper Horse headlined their own show at the Marquis Theatre in Downtown Denver, and was picked as Critic's Choice in local music/art/happenings rag Westword...the whole thing has snowballed from there. Both insanely exciting and daunting, the Horse is ready to ride this thing until the wheels fall off.
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