Sparta Brings Wiretap Scars to Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge, Louisiana (June 15^th, 2023) – Tonight, Sparta fans from Southern Louisiana and beyond gathered at Chelsea’s Live in Baton Rouge, to reconnect with old friends, enjoy some drinks, and celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Sparta’s Wiretap Scars.

Zeta formed in Lecheria, Venezuela, in 2003, by frontman Juan Chi and his friend Daniel Saud. The band began organizing their own tours around Latin America in 2008, at a time when DIY punk tours were uncommon in the Latin American music scene. Zeta first toured the United States in 2015, and by 2016, they were full time working musicians living in Miami. But to simply call Zeta a punk band would be dishonest. Their sound blends elements of punk, post-hardcore, and psychedelic music, fused with traditional Latin beats. Zeta’s live performance is an experience not to be missed.

Having been a longtime fan of Thursday, frontman Geoff Rickly’s set was exactly what I have come to expect: Emotional, nostalgic, and hilarious. Rickly opened with the Thursday song Time’s Arrow, and played a seven-song set of both Thursday songs and originals, including a new song “Disappear”, inspired by his struggles with addiction. In between emotionally charged songs, he told exaggerated stories of his adventures as a touring musician, in a humorous tone reminiscent of stand-up comedy. Rickly took the audience on a journey from heartbreak to humor, and back again.

Sparta formed in El Paso, Texas, in 2002, with former At The Drive-In members vocalist/guitarist Jim Ward, drummer Tony Hajjar and guitarist Paul Hinojos. Shortly after, the trio recruited Matt Miller to play bass, and released their first full length album Wiretap Scars. Now, over twenty years later, Sparta is once again a trio, consisting of Ward, Miller, and touring drummer Neil Hennessy. They opened their set with Cut Your Ribbon, then transitioned smoothly from song to song, as fans sang along with every word. The band barely stopped to speak in between songs, a decision that Ward later said was intentional, as he wanted the audience to experience the album front-to-back without interruptions.

The band chose to forgo the traditional encore, and wrapped up their set with fan favorites Breaking the Broken, While Oceana Sleeps, Empty Houses, Miracle, and Atlas.

The second leg of the Wiretap Scars 20th Anniversary Tour wraps up tomorrow in San Antonio, before picking up again for the third leg, beginning July 26^th in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit https://www.sparta.band/tour.

Zeta:

Geoff Rickly:

Sparta:

 

Chelsea’s Live: