Jim Ward, Nate Bergman [inside]

In the pantheon of El Paso music, Jim Ward stands as the blue-collar working man that helped build and expand the hardcore sound of the city. From founding member of the essential At the Drive-In in the 1990s to fronting power trio Sparta in the 2000s and alt.country-tuned Sleepercar, Ward’s unassuming presence belied the crashing and creative catharsis of his sound. 2021’s solo effort Daggers recruited a rhythm section of Incubus’ Ben Kenney and Thursday’s Tucker Rule to deliver a pandemic gem riffing deep on Ward’s influences. His solo show will sweep across Ward’s entire storied career. – Doug Freeman