Ryan Painter has sung, played rhythm guitar and sometimes electric lead guitar with his band Ryan and the Resistors since 2016. He wasn’t always pure country, though. Painter got his chops out playing rock and metal music – he’s been playing guitar since he was 14 or so – and played a ton of marching band snare drums and jazz drums in high school. His band transitioned from other genres as well. Bassist Stephen Siegrist has played in the band since 2019 and is a veteran of the punk rock era in San Francisco. Painter says Siegrist is a phenomenal songwriter in his own right, as is The Resistors’ pedal steel guitar player Bud Melvin – who’s been in the band with Painter the longest. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Melvin has played dobro, accordion, piano and banjo just in this band alone since 2018. Another huge part of the band’s sound is drummer Brian Burton, who has played on most of The Resistors’ live sets and has been with the band since 2020. With all that experience and style under their belt buckles, it’s no surprise that Ryan and The Resistors perform and tour so frequently – because instrumentally, they stand out amongst most country bands in the scene today. Over the years they have played in Nashville, Arizona, Colorado and, of course, a ton of shows in New Mexico. They’ve opened for performers such as William Clark Green, Tracy Byrd, Jon Wolfe and many others.
Painter says the band might be so successful because a lot of new country tunes lack the honesty and soul of something like an old Merle Haggard song. And the Resistors strive to always make honest country AND western with deep old-school roots. Having a voice like Painter’s doesn’t hurt much, and his personality draws one hell of a crowd.
Will you describe your sound for us?
We play country and western music. I love the line, “What music do play?” We play two kinds: country AND western. And that means to me rootsy music, real country and bluegrass, but more than anything, honest music. To me country music is honesty and truth and storytelling. I don’t care for what we hear from mainstream country [musicians] today, because it feels like a commercial made for sales. It’s music made simply for the sake of selling it, and unfortunately people buy it. And I don’t blame them – there are some really catchy tunes out there – but to me it feels fabricated. And that to me is dishonest. I want to hear a song about truth, and that is how I write my music. It is real.
What are your favorite venues to play and why?
There are so many venues that have been great to us over the years, and it’s so hard to narrow it down. The Lazy Lizard out in Cedar Crest is my home away from home. They have an amazing staff and bring in so many great acts from out of town, and I’m always honored when I can play there. So I’d love to give this venue a big shout out.
What are your lyrics about?
I write all of the music in this band. My lyrics are about my life, mostly. What I’ve seen, experienced, felt or been thinking about. However, I’ve also had some writing outside of my own perspective. For instance, our latest single coming out soon is a look back on the life of Bill Martinez. Bill is a veteran drummer. He has inspired me in countless ways. He played for Marty Robbins, Barbara Mandrell, Roy Clark and so many others. Going on the road with them back when country music really was country. But as a good friend now and hearing his stories, I’ve really been inspired by the life that he lived. This song will be called “Wondering Where the Days Have Gone.” He sings the last verse, and that to me means the world. I think people will enjoy it. Aside from our new single, I really use music as a tool to just express myself – from heartbreak to triumph – to just saying what I want to say. Just songs about life and my thoughts.
Another song I wrote called “Here’s to the Cowgirl” is doing very well on Spotify. This one means a lot to me. We recorded it with Richard Blair at Secret Sound 505. Our latest single “Brand New Rodeo” was recorded at Rio Grande Studios with Ken Riley.
What bands or genres inspire your music?
I love real and honest lyrics. It’s probably what drew me to country music. Songs like “If We’re Not Back in Love by Monday” by Merle Haggard show an account of someone that’s really going through it. And I can relate. What I’ve found is that if you write openly and honestly, someone will relate. My favorite band is the Turnpike Troubadours. Amazing band, great sound, but I’m drawn to the lyrics. That is what’s relatable to me.
What is the best show you have ever played and why?
Simple. My next one. Without the people that listen to my shows and come and see us, I couldn’t do this. Without an audience, it doesn’t work. I look forward to who I’m going to see or meet or who I can connect with on each and every show. And you’d be surprised about who you meet! They mean the world to me, and I can’t wait for the next show!
We will be playing at the State Fair on Sep. 14, at Winrock on Sep. 19, at Route 66 Casino on Sep. 20, Lazy Lizard on Sep. 21 and Gruene Hall Texas on Oct. 20.
Check out Ryan Painter and the Resistors on Facebook and Instagram to keep tabs on the band and track where they might be playing next. The band has two full albums, one EP and two singles on Spotify and Apple Music (iTunes).
See the band perform live at the Crawdaddy Blues Festival in Santa Fe on May 15, 2021 here.
Check out a 2021 Ryan and the Resistors live stream from Red Gorilla Studios here.
Listen to the studio version of “Here’s to the Cowgirl” from the More Than the World record here.
Watch them perform “A Lot Like You” live at the old Blue Grasshopper venue in Albuquerque back in 2019 here.