Finn Riggins' Cameron Bouiss, Lisa Simpson and Eric Gilbert met at the University of Idaho as music students and formed a trio that refuses to give up the dream of playing live music. The band planted itself in the Wood River Valley over three years ago to work on creating its unique sound of experimental fusion rock. Since then, Finn Riggins has toured across the nation several times and has opened for big-name rock 'n' rollers such as Built To Spill.
Finn Riggins with opening act Piers Lamb will play on Friday, Jan. 8, at 10 p.m. at Whiskey Jacques' in Ketchum.
Simpson's vocals and guitar playing are unique and cutting edge. The band infuses Bouiss' drums, including his steel drum, with Gilbert's electrifying synthsizers, organ and samplers to create a one-of-a kind sound.
"We are excited to play at Whiskey's," Gilbert said. "It will be nice to play at a venue in the valley with its own sound system."
According to the Record Exchange in Boise, Finn Riggins had the top-selling CD, "Vs. Wilderness," at the Record Exchange in 2009. "Vs. Wilderness," was recorded in Boise at the Visual Arts Collective and was co-produced by Jared Mees, founder of Tender Loving Empire, Finn Riggins' label.
"It's nice to be home," Gilbert said. "We are essentially back on tour and will be playing the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, in March."
The Hillbilly Hellcats will play at Whiskey Jacques' on Saturday, Jan. 9. Hillbilly Hellcats is a three-piece rockabilly band from Lafayette, Colo., that sounds similar to the Stray Cats but with a swing and surfer sound.
All shows at Whiskey Jacques' begin at 10 p.m., with tickets available at the door. For a complete listing of music events in the valley, see the Music, Dance and Theater section of the Calendar on Page C9.
Courtesy photo by Bobby McHugh
Finn Riggins will play Whiskey Jacques’ on Friday, Jan. 8.
