Last Men on Earth at Rock & Rails

There's one person who commands the Rock & Rails stage more than once during the course of this season, and it's Mark Trippanese, frontman for Last Men on Earth. While he also leads The Long Run, he calls Last Men on Earth a "variety rock band."

It's really a lot more than that. It's arena rock for everyone, featuring popular favorites that audiences know and can dance to. And the band can switch it up In a heartbeat. This popular group has played all around the Front Range including The Buffalo Rose and Nissi's.

Q: How is Last Men on Earth different from The Long Run?

MT: It's a little bit of everything. Mostly rock from the 70's, 80's 90's stuff. There's even some country. It's a weird setlist that's not like other bands around. We also don't play some of the usual songs you might hear. We'll play the weird stuff from time to time.

Q: What's weird?

MT: Well, it's not uncommon for us to go from Ozzy Osborne to the Commodores, or from Van Halen to Zac Brown to Prince. We've never ever said there was something that doesn't fit this band. For us, what we play just kind of depends.

Q: So there's no setlist?

MT: No, there is. It's just varied. But we need a setlist or we'd be lost.

Q: Can you tell me about some of the others who are in this band? Who's going to be on stage?

MT: Jason Olson, he's a local guitar teacher. Mike Holubek, who lives in Niwot and works at the IBM nearby. Jim Powell, he used to be in the B-52s tribute band, Hey Lady. He switched genders on the titles of the band he was in. (Laughs) There's also Reece Morris and Greg Yatchison, an old friend and a great singer.

Q: What are some of the stages you've experienced with the band?

MT: We've done everything from some of the theaters in Colorado Springs to a lot of the Mall outdoor concert series up and down the Front Range, and county fairs.

Q: Is there anything else that you want people to know?

MT: I don't think there's any year that either of the bands have missed the Rock & Rails series. We know enough now to know to hope for good weather. Colorado can be tricky! But clear skies and good music make for a great time.