Zach Ryan and the Renegades

Zach Ryan and the Renegades, an indie rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, emerged in 2012 as part of the city’s second wave of indie acts, fueled by the revitalization of the Fremont East Entertainment District. Initially formed as Zach Ryan and the Rouge, the band was fronted by singer-songwriter Zach Ryan, a small-town Oregon native who moved to Las Vegas after earning a degree in biblical theology in California. Ryan’s early musical journey began with discovering The Beatles and oldies radio in high school, sparking his passion for guitar and songwriting. The Rouge released an independent EP that gained traction locally, earning favorable reviews from Las Vegas publications for its raw, heartfelt sound. However, when the rhythm section left to pursue other ventures, Ryan rebranded the group as Zach Ryan and the Renegades, adopting a new sound blending rock, Americana, and country influences inspired by The Band, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty.

The Renegades came together organically in Las Vegas, playing gigs at venues like Beauty Bar, The Griffin, and Artifice, which were central to the city’s burgeoning indie scene. Their 2012 EP, Terrible Town, self-recorded and released via Bandcamp, captured themes of loneliness and heartache with a lo-fi, desert-cave aesthetic. Tracks like “It’s Not Me,” “A Better Side,” “Runaway Blues,” and “Sad Song” showcased Ryan’s emotive vocals and the band’s raw, honest rock ’n’ roll, featuring musicians like Hot Carl Seals on pedal steel and Ricky Dover Jr. on lead guitar. The EP’s gritty production reflected the band’s DIY ethos, resonating with local audiences and critics who praised their authenticity in a city dominated by commercial entertainment.

In 2014, Zach Ryan and the Renegades relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, seeking a larger music scene with a built-in audience for their Americana-tinged rock. The move followed a period of local success in Las Vegas, where they played high-profile gigs, including a 2014 five-show stint during a six-week national tour, with performances at Artifice, The Griffin, Beauty Bar, and Container Park. Ryan noted in a Las Vegas Weekly interview that Vegas’ live music market was limited at the time, with only a small pool of fans frequenting indie venues. Nashville’s vibrant scene offered a bigger stage, where the band’s sound evolved with deeper material and added twang, culminating in their 2013 Renegade EP, recorded in Ryan’s Nashville living room.

The band’s music, described as “grunge-gaze” and country rock, combines Ryan’s introspective songwriting with a high-energy live presence. Their performances, whether in Vegas dive bars or Nashville honky-tonks, are marked by meticulous rehearsal and a sense of camaraderie, with Ryan likening the band to a “new relationship” after years of cycling through players. Impose Magazine highlighted their infectious energy upon arriving in Nashville, noting experiences like playing the Scream on the Green Halloween Party and soaking in the city’s musical culture. The Renegades’ lineup has included musicians like Ali Una on bass, Dan Conway on drums, and Steve Ardri on keys, though Ryan’s solo artistry often drives the project.

Despite their promise, Zach Ryan and the Renegades faced challenges breaking out beyond local and regional scenes. Las Vegas’ indie landscape, while growing, struggled with small audiences—often 30-40 fans per show, as noted in 2022 Reddit discussions—and limited venues. In Nashville, they found a more receptive audience but remained a developing act compared to Vegas giants like The Killers. Ryan’s commitment to “following the muse” and prioritizing musicality, learned from Nashville’s disciplined scene, kept the band grounded. Their planned full-length EP in 2013 aimed to expand their sound, though its release details are less documented.

Today, Zach Ryan and the Renegades, now sometimes billed as Zach Ryan & The Boys, continue to perform, with a 2025 show scheduled at Ole Red Las Vegas on July 16. Their setlist blends classic country covers from Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings with rock influences like Tom Petty, transforming venues into Nashville-style honky-tonks. Their contribution to Las Vegas’ 2012 indie wave helped lay the groundwork for later acts, reinforcing the city’s potential as a hub for original music. While they never achieved mainstream fame, their journey from The Rouge to The Renegades reflects the grit and heart of Vegas’ underground, a testament to the city’s evolving cultural identity.