The Watches: A Perspective on the Salt Lake Counter Culture

BY: TAYLOR BURTON – Enterprise Story

SALT LAKE CITY – Famous for its predominate Mormon/Pioneer heritage, it’s easy to overlook aspects of the counter culture present in the Salt Lake area.  The Watches, a local Salt Lake City band formed in early 2010, knows better than most what the burgeoning music scene is like for a rock/indie band.

As is common among bands, the genesis story begins with three friends who met while working.  Max Karren (Vocals, Keys, Guitar) and Joe Maddock (Vocals, Lead Guitar) connected on the sales floor in the Apple Store at the Gateway mall, finding a common passion for music.  Wayne Burdick (Drums, Soundscaping), who hired on as a technician at the same store, became the third member of the band’s original triad.

Initially content with jamming in Burdick’s garage and making guest appearances at Apple Store meetings, the band crafted an experimental indie feel over classic rock roots. When Justin Carrell (Bass, Logistics) came onboard, he brought the band to its current four-man configuration.  The name Fox-Con Boss-Tron was floated initially, but the name they would later settle on was The Watches.

While it might be easy to attribute the rise of the Salt Lake counter culture to non-native Utahns, a closer look reveals that a good portion had defected from the dominant Mormon/Pioneer demographic.  Maddock, who served an LDS mission in Latin America, makes good use of the Spanish he learned in helping some of the Apple Store’s international customers.  Burdick, musically minded at an early age, was part of musical productions put on by his congregation.  Neither affiliate with the church today.

“Many grow up Mormon in Salt Lake, some grow out of it,” said Maddock.

Ally Benson, who recently moved to Salt Lake from her native Detroit, offers an outsider’s take on the local counter culture.  She sees that each local band has its own set of stereotypes that it must overcome or embrace.  This, in turn, provides ample opportunity for a band to establish and prove itself.

“After a wild Saturday night of playing music, they’re probably nursing their hangovers on Sunday,” said Benson.  “Most of these types are probably not participating in church activities.”

Jason Lockwood, a long-time resident of Salt Lake and coworker of band members at Apple, enjoys the intimacy of discovering and following local bands.

“In my opinion, that is what the SLC counter culture prefers,” said Lockwood.  “There is a lot of local talent, and it seems that SLC wants to support those bands by providing them opportunities.”

Benson looks to the recommendations of friends for local concerts and shows.  Also an Apple employee, she was introduced to The Watches by her coworkers.

“Word of mouth has always steered me well in discovering new bands,” said Benson.  “Having friends with good taste keeps me in the know.”

Having lived in Salt Lake longer, Lockwood looks to local periodicals and social media to keep informed on upcoming shows.  “SLUG (an acronym for Salt Lake Underground) Magazine” and “City Weekly” are two of the sources he checks regularly.  These independent magazines keep tabs on local venues like Urban Lounge, The Royal and The Velour, places where The Watches have played or have plans to do so.

Lockwood sees the appeal of Urban Lounge in terms of great sound and inexpensive cover fees.  He sees this as helpful in getting more people out to see the local bands that frequent such venues, much like his friends of The Watches did that night.  Benson, who was also in attendance that night, said that Urban Lounge being a cool venue is what makes Urban Lounge an environment that she would go to visit.

“Urban is one of those places I have enjoyed supporting, and now our band is grateful for its support,” said Karren.  “You really feel the connection, whether you are attending or performing.”

While The Watches has enjoyed finding its sea legs among family and friends in Salt Lake, the band has cast its eye on a future outside the state.  Burdick said that the band members were all but decided on relocating their families to the northeastern coast, particularly Portland, OR.  The plan to move, while not shelved altogether, has been put of hold for the foreseeable future.

“We feel that a move to the northeast would better suit the future of the band, but we have to take into account our families and livelihood,” said Burdick.  “That means we’ll be here awhile longer.”