The Dirty Turkeys
Acid. Cow. Punk
I moved to Boulder, CO in the summer of 2022. It took me a bit of time to find my bearings in the music scene -- but was fortunate enough to come across The Fox Theater.
The Fox has been a staple in Boulder since 1992 -- perched on The Hill, just outside of The University of Colorado Boulder’s campus. A hot spot for touring bands, a hotter spot for local legends getting their start in the dorms of CU -- Enter The Dirty Turkeys
My first Turkeys’ show I remember thinking, “there’s no way these guys can keep up that energy for an hour-long set”. It’s full throttle from the moment they play their first song. The music is LOUD, the drummer hits the kit like he’s angry with it, and a Mick Jagger-esque frontman spends half the set in the crowd. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
Amid the elite showmanship lies something even more impressive. Nearly every song was an original.
The songwriting is a level above. It’s punchy, sophisticated, and unapologetically unique. It’s a sound so many bands find years after their inception -- when they’ve already sold albums, gone on tours, and decided they wanted to push boundaries. They call it “Acid Cow Punk” -- funny enough, it’s the most fitting way to describe it.
These guys have been pushing boundaries from the rip. And people are noticing.
After nearly 3 years and close to a dozen shows, it’s a privilege to call them friends. And while their music is a gift, the most important thing they’ve given me is the courage to trust myself artistically. The Dirty Turkeys write and perform for no one but themselves. They pander to no one, and yet, people want to listen. MTV wants a feature. Alaska wants a tour stop.
In an era of music where artists can cultivate an entire identity from one TikTok feature, I promise you, this is an incredibly difficult mindset to maintain -- and it’s remarkably inspiring.
These photos are from my most recent Dirty Turkeys’ show. While these guys have always been so easy to photograph, I think these are the best batch yet. My hope is that they portray the energy, passion, originality and unwavering commitment to themselves that you can feel at every one of their shows. Because damn do they deserve it.
FEAST YOUR EARS.
- Gobble Gobble
