The alt-country and rock band that released an EP this summer makes its Local Spins Wednesdays debut at SpeakEZ Lounge. Today, frontman Devin Weber opens up about his favorite rock artists and more.
A Rock-Fueled Country Approach: The Local Commuters at their Pyramid Scheme EP-release show. (Photo/Mallory Eldred Photography)
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Let’s just say there are similarities between West Michigan’s The Local Commuters and The Rolling Stones.
Or perhaps more accurately, the Stones have served as “the blueprint of the perfect rock ’n’ roll band” for The Local Commuters and frontman Devin Weber.
“They’ve been providing one of the great live shows of all time for over 50 years,” Weber said of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and company. “Greatest band of modern music? Beatles are definitely in the conversation, but rock band? The Beatles never really played live and never had the opportunity to create a rock spectacle, which I think is somehow a necessary component for a great rock band.”
Enter The Local Commuters, an alt-country-driven band with rock ’n’ roll underpinnings.
Weber has leaned into rock since he was a kid — a sort of rebellion against the country music stereotype of his rural upbringing in Hopkins, Mich.
It led to formation of Devin & The Dead Frets with lifelong friend and drummer Jordan Kerbyson, featuring energetic, blues-propelled rock that even saw them compete in a metal-dominated battle of the bands.
Fun Times: Weber and band play SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday. (Photo/Mallory Eldred Photography)
But as that band faded away and COVID-19 set in, Weber found himself organically creating songs with his bandmates inspired by country music, Southern rock and legendary singer-songwriter John Prine.
“I guess we’d call it alt-country with some rock. Our influences are all over the place,” said Weber, who also described the band’s music on its recently released debut EP as “rock ’n’ roll country. It’s all kind of the same to me, honestly. We’ve got a pedal steel guitar on it, so I couldn’t say that we tried to sound like anyone. I would say maybe it’s like a Drive-By Truckers, Allman Brothers, but also we all kind of bonded over our love of John Prine.”
In addition to Weber and Kerbyson, the core band features lead guitarist and singer Ben Erhart (The Jetbeats, Brie Stoner), bassist Matt Allen (Boss Mustangs) and guitarist-singer Sam Starkie (Brie Stoner). Pedal steel guitarist Justin Wierenga and singer Alistair Beerens also are featured on the band’s debut EP, which was recorded at Tommy Schichtel’s Goon Lagoon studio in Grand Rapids.
“So far, the reception to this batch of songs has been very positive, I think. I believe I remain my own worst critic though I am open to someone else filling the position,” Weber conceded. “It is easier for me to absorb a negative opinion of my work than a positive one, but that being said, there have been many very nice things said about this project.”
NEW SONGS AND ‘HITS’ WEDNESDAY NIGHT AHEAD AT SPEAKEZ LOUNGE
The band makes its Local Spins Wednesdays series debut this week at SpeakEZ Lounge in downtown Grand Rapids. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 22); details online here.
“I think the thing (the audience) can expect above all is fun. We have fun playing and it translates to the room,” Weber said. “We have a few new songs we’ll be trying out as well as all the ‘hits’ that everyone has come to know and love. We will absolutely be playing some covers, too. … If you’re at the show, feel free to shout out your favorite song (but no Morgan Wallen). What makes playing with this band so fun is how open we are to just trying stuff and having a great time while maintaining our relatively high standard of musicianship. These fellas can shred.”
Loving R.E.M.: Weber (Photo/Local Spins)
In recent years, Weber also has been a key part of tribute bands created by Grand Rapids’ Hazy Past and Brian Haik, something that’s helped hone his guitar and vocal skills.
“Certainly, as a player and singer, it’s helped immensely,” he said. “But in my heart of hearts, the thing that’s most important to me is making my own songs and our own songs, and kind of getting ’em out there for the people or maybe just for us.”
Oh, and Weber’s picks for second- and third-best rock artists of all time? R.E.M. and Prince.
“R.E.M. is my favorite band. Not only did they make many of my favorite records of all time they also always stood up for what they believed in and were very outspoken about important social issues and I always very much admired that. They also were never afraid and I think insisted on constantly reinventing themselves sometimes to the chagrin of their fans. I love bands that stay true to their feelings and make music that feels right to them rather than trying to feed the formula of what works,” he said.
“Prince was probably one of the greatest musicians to ever live. He also completely embodied rock. He could and did make any kind of music. He could draw you in with a pop hit and then teach you about funk, soul, and undoubtedly, rock. He bridged a gap between several worlds and did it with more style than anyone ever.”
The Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase – which airs at 11 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays on WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org, and on Interlochen Public Radio at 7 p.m. Saturdays – spotlighted Weber in July, along with the tracks, “Debutante” and “Young Man” from the debut EP. Listen to it below.
PODCAST: Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase (7/28/25)
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