Las Vegas Weekly

The Rooks’ final show comes with no hard feelings

The Rooks

Photo: Corlene Byrd

After a little over a year, The Rooks are calling it quits. Despite having just released their debut EP over the summer, the local indie-blues quintet wraps it up with a final show Saturday at Beauty Bar. It isn't a complete surprise. Bassist Leo Banchik is moving overseas, and drummer Jonathan Realmuto and newish pianist Mike Spadoni have other obligations (The Mad Caps for Realmuto and a solo project for Spadoni). Frontman Zach Ryan assures us there are no hard feelings. As for his own musical future, Ryan plans to continue as he began: as a solo artist, with occasional help from rotating musicians — and Rooks guitarist Angel Ramirez-Ornelas. "I think I'll have more freedom," Ryan says. "And the ability to pursue different styles of music, like country, jazz or Latin." As for The Rooks' farewell performance? "We're going to play our songs and say goodbye to something — just have fun," Ryan says.