Photos Courtesy of Trey Friddle Band
From left: Bubba Auxier, Jacob Robbins, Trey Friddle, Johnny Friddle, Steve Robbins
Prescott Now: How long have you guys been playing together?
Trey Friddle band: We started playing together about two years ago, but I’ve been playing music with these boys pretty much my whole life.
My pops Johnny Friddle plays bass in the band. He introduced me into the world of music and taught me the first guitar chords that sent me on my way. Jacob Robbins is our drummer and he was actually my section leader in drumline my freshman year of high school. He’s been with me since the start of this dream.
Steve Robbins is the tactical banjo. When his son Jake and I were in the backroom of his house bashing away at whatever we could play, he bought a banjo and re-learned just to jam. Charlie (Bubba) Auxier and I have been playing music together for about the past five years. We cut our teeth together in a heavy metal band in high school, and now he shreds the mandolin and guitar in the TFB.
Prescott Now: What genre or genres of music do you play?
Trey Friddle band: We have always said the genre of music we play is “gruntry” music, which is a mix between country and grunge. I am heavily influenced by bands like Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots. I am also very influenced by the Texas country rock scene, with bands like Whiskey Myers, Koe Wetzel and Treaty Oak Revival.
Grunge has heavy guitar, pounding drums and loud, gruff, vocal stylings, but at the same time has beautiful melodies and lyrics. Country music tells stories better than any genre. It can be dark at times and also very happy and light.
Prescott Now: What is the key to being a successful musical act in Prescott and Northern Arizona?
Trey Friddle band: Just have fun at your shows with your crowd. The energy you put off as a performer will affect your entire performance.
Prescott Now: What’s the smallest audience you’ve played for?
Trey Friddle band: We’ve actually joked about writing a song called Play for the Benches because we have literally played for just benches before. Our biggest crowd was about 1,200 people at Roadrunner Saloon in New River. Some of our other biggest shows are the past few New Year’s Eve shows at Whiskey River Tavern. The energy has been unmatchable.
Prescott Now: Where do you find the inspiration for your songwriting or performances?
Trey Friddle band: When it comes to song writing, it could be watching a movie, listening to other music artists or even just having casual conversation. When I hear or see anything that inspires me, I try to write it down and see how it flows. When it comes to my performance, instead of just playing the music, I want to feel like the music is coming out of me.
Prescott Now: What brought you to Prescott?
Trey Friddle band: I’ve been coming to Prescott since I was a kid. I knew that people come here to have a good time and listen to good music, and I got into this business to play for those exact kind of people.
It all started at Whiskey River Tavern. We’ve been lucky enough to be embraced by the community here and play everywhere from Creekside in Mayer to Matt’s Saloon to The Big Sting Festival at Watson Lake. We even heard when we were here for New Year’s that my debut EP The In Between was being played in the Founding Father’s Collective as part of their local musician showcase.
