Oh, Ranger!

Shoegazer, Punk, Spy-Core influenced quartet that creates music you won't get out of your head.

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Debut release, bitter yearnings on a lonely farm . . . (2000)

Sophomore release, polyester blues (2002)

Latest release, matching up (2003)

Oh, Ranger!  Biography

Though some of the details about the band have become mixed up, hazy or even forgotten over the years, one thing remains constant: Oh, Ranger! is based both on a love of music and camaraderie between its four members.

Guitarist and lead vocalist Boyd Reno and keyboardist/vocalist Lucas Spider met at the age of 8 and began chipping around with sounds and songs, singing for anyone who would listen. Later, Boyd Reno and drummer/vocalist Noelan Ramirez had their introductory experience playing together at church functions and in a Teen Worship band.  After deciding to start their own band, they called on Lucas Spider to play keyboards.  Bassist/vocalist Gil Sanchez, who the others met when he was working as a sound tech at a local music venue, joined the band in 1998.  The group chose the name The Skunks and performed their first show at Sprockets Pub in Albuquerque in mid-1999.  The set blew the crowd away with resonant guitar licks, quirky bass lines, unpretentious keyboards, dynamic drumming and tight harmonies. 

The popularity of the quartet grew quickly, and The Skunks began to fill slots for the biggest and best shows Albuquerque had to offer, playing venues such as The Launchpad, Anodyne, Burt's Tiki Lounge and Sprockets Pub.  One of the group's first recorded songs, "Skate Ramp," was included on the 1999 Socyermom Records compilation CD Ouch!, and gave a taste of what was to follow.  While "Skate Ramp" has all the catchiness and pop power The Skunks were best known for, it had yet to reach the climactic level of maturity and perception of lyric to which their songs now adhere.

In 2000, The Skunks realized a name change was eminent.  After considering names such as Luke Is Spider and The Black Cathy's, not any of them sticking, the group agreed on Oh, Ranger!.  2000 also brought the release of Oh, Ranger!'s first full-length CD, Bitter Yearnings on a Lonely Farm...(Socyermom Records).  The CD made both fans and press take notice to the innovative up-and-comers.  The eight songs on Bitter have since become some of the group's most popular songs.  Often compared to Weezer, Modest Mouse and The Pixies, Oh, Ranger! combine strong elements of Indie-pop sounds with brooding lyrics, which range from everything from relationships to social commentary.  Songs such as the pop-inspired "Chewbacca," sensitive love song "Red Headband" and the sex-filled "Judy Brown," have been requested at almost every show since the album's release. 

2001 was an even better year for Oh, Ranger! as the band opened for national acts like Man...Or Astroman?, No Motiv, Reel Big Fish and The Gamits.  They were also one of the headlining acts at 104.7 FM The Edge's annual bash, EdgeFest.  They have received airplay on many radio stations such as The Edge, The Planet, KUNM and Radio Free Santa Fe.  Due to this fact, merchandise sales (CDs, t-shirts, buttons and stickers) have been astounding.

Oh, Ranger! again took to the studio and released a limited run of their six-song demo, which sold out within weeks of its release.  The eagerly anticipated "Polyester Blues" was released on Valentine's Day 2002 on Albuquerque Indie/Alt rock label Socyermom Records who have been with the band since their inception, and obviously realize what a gem the band truly is.  "Polyester Blues"  is already receiving rave reviews from press and fans alike.  Oh, Ranger!'s uncanny ability to say what they mean has struck a chord with their listeners. The metaphors and social overtones stir up the most wild of emotions and create music with purpose and direction without letting go of aspects of eccentricity and light-heartedness. 

Constantly on the road, Oh, Ranger! is currently making waves in many big southwest cities. Arizona, Texas, Nevada and Colorado audiences have caught the spark and have packed venues-anxiously waiting to hear and see what's new with the band- and stage antics keep the crowd more than entertained.  Everything from Noelan lighting his cymbals on fire to Boyd Reno playing and screaming while sprawled across the stage in his underwear, show their undeniable and charismatic presence.  

With so much going on within the group and it's music, there's no telling what will pop up in Oh, Ranger!'s future.  But, it seems the best part of the Oh, Ranger! experience is waiting to see what will come next, and it's always worth the wait. 

"They were one of my favorite bands at the Spring Crawl (which included over 90 bands) so needless to say, I recommend them."

-Kenn Rodriguez; The Venue/Albuquerque Journal

I've waited what feels like an eternity to hear Bitter Yearnings on a Lonely Farm, the first CD by local band Oh, Ranger! Formerly the Skunks, Oh, Ranger! has been together for about a year, but it seems like longer considering how tight their music is and how much charisma the four band members display on stage. Bitter does a good job harnessing the live high-energy feel and has a nice combination of hard and soft songs.

Recorded at bassist Gil Sanchez's Knee Deep Studios and released on the local Socyermom record label, "Bitter's" eight songs took about seven months to record; it was well worth the time that went into it.

"Noelan's Angels" is lightly experimental and unlike the Ranger's better-known songs. "Judy Brown" and "Chewbaca" are silly pop masterpieces that bop all over the place and make me want to get up and dance even though I'm the world's worst dancer.

One quality I look for in a performer is a crazy, unabashed scream. Jim Morrison had a good one, and so does Boyd Reno, Oh, Ranger!'s guitarist and lead vocalist. The song "Pretty" is basically one big Reno screaming fit, and I love it more than can be expressed on paper . . .

Rachel Heisler
Show Up
The Weekly Alibi
August 3 - 9, 2000