Formed from the dormant remains of various Utah based ska bands in the summer of 2010, The Anchorage immediately stood out with their unique take on ska and alternative rock. After releasing their debut full length "Bridges" in November of 2011, the band continued to perform across the Salt Lake Valley, frequently packing local venues. Through their followup album "Regrow" released in April of 2015 the band further defined their sound and expertise, and in the years since The Anchorage has cemented their place in Utah's music scene.
The band has re-emerged in 2019 with their newest EP "What We Go Through" featuring a new twist on their sound and a renewed passion to play the music they love while still embodying the same DIY spirit shown in all of their previous work.
The band has re-emerged in 2019 with their newest EP "What We Go Through" featuring a new twist on their sound and a renewed passion to play the music they love while still embodying the same DIY spirit shown in all of their previous work.
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The Anchorage has a unique sound that incorporates several genres in their music. For example, on “Weird Night Sleepy Day,” listeners are greeted with crunchy, high-energy guitar that sounds like it’s from an emo or punk album before an exciting horn section enters. The two are blended together seamlessly and create an alluring and lively sound you can headbang to . . . Without hearing The Anchorage’s music, it can be hard to describe; it’s something you have to experience for yourself."
-Emilee Atkinson - SLUG Magazine
Utah ska music didn't die after the '90s, it just took a little nap. Bands like The Anchorage from Salt Lake are not only keeping ska alive but continually pushing the genre's boundaries. Their new single, "What We Go Through," is a mini masterpiece and hearkens to the best work of RX Bandits. Utah ska is in good hands.
-Spencer Sutherland - KSL News
The Anchorage can stand toe to toe with any band out there and if anyone could put ska on the map it would be them. Regrow is a fantastic album that is unlike the majority of the stuff that is out right now.
-Ska-Boom
According to their Facebook page, The Anchorage was formed “from the dormant remains of various SLC-based ska bands.” The Anchorage have a surprisingly intricate sound for a ska band, making them almost an alt-rock band with a horn section. Vocalist/guitarist Derek Harman has a voice you wouldn’t automatically associate with a band with so many ska/reggae influences—he is capable of getting very soft and melodic while still giving a snarl in the song “Stereotype.” There is an excessive amount of nameless, transitory tracks that could have been made into full songs, but the album is rare and unique. Anyone who is a fan of the local ska/punk/indie scene should definitely pick up a copy
-Ali Shimkus - SLUG Magazine
These guys are always a fun show to watch, kinda like watching The Strike, but more compact and higher in energy. Over the past four years, the band have had a couple full albums and an EP, but this full-length album Regrow is their first release in over three years. The spirit is still there in this album, but you can hear sharper techniques and, in some strange way, a sense of confidence that previous ventures seemed to be lacking.
-Gavin Sheehan - Salt Lake City Weekly
The Anchorage is a six-piece ska band from Salt Lake City that knows how to make the show as enjoyable for themselves as it is for the audience. Their energy onstage is astounding, especially considering the instruments they’re playing. One wouldn’t necessarily think a trombone player could rock, but the entire band has a vibe that can’t be beat.
-Amanda Taylor - KSL News
Welcome to emo-ska! This is a fun/hate romp through two genres, which actually works for locals The Anchorage. Lyrics about pointing fingers at the lazy, the runaways, the suicide-attempters and those who aren’t facing reality in general, meet a wall of happy horns. It sounds very strange, I know, but Derek Harman’s Chris Carrabba-like vocals harmonize with the bouncy quintet. Ben Lambert’s trombone, and Erik Vorkink’s trumpet have a sound that’s just as strong as a five-piece horn section without being overwhelming. Reggae beats come through on Harman’s and Scott Inkley’s guitars. It is a tight and professional-sounding CD, and you get a whopping 12 unique tracks to boot. It’s a depressingly fun ride, and that’s a compliment.
-Portia Early - SLUG Magazine
