Tally Originals “The Retrograde” Get Loud In Downtown!

Photos & Article by Preston Hooks

Tallahassee’s Capitol City was soaked this Saturday, but not even the downpour could dampen the spirit of a hometown celebration

August 23rd marked a homecoming of epic proportions as The Retrograde took the stage at the Adderley Amphitheater in downtown Tallahassee. The venue, which has hosted legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beach Boys, and Earth, Wind & Fire, set the perfect backdrop for the band’s return. For me, it was more than just another show. It was a chance to watch old friends light up a hometown crowd and to sit down with Joe Fox (vocals/guitar), Carson Degner (drums), and their new guitarist, Cade Pickering, to reflect on what the past few years on the road have meant.

For years, The Retrograde dominated the Tallahassee club scene. Emerging from the COVID lockdown with a clear sense of direction, they quickly took the city by storm. Their fusion of 60s and 70s influences with a modern edge set them apart from the pack, winning over local crowds almost instantly. Paired with a reputation for professionalism, that sound propelled them to the top of every major gig in town.

As with any great band, there comes a time to leave the nest in search of new audiences. For The Retrograde, that meant packing up and heading north to Atlanta. There, they connected with new management and dove headfirst into fresh material, releasing tracks like “If 6 Was 4.” They also expanded their lineup, bringing in guitarist Cade Pickering (formerly of Naked Gypsy Queens) to broaden and deepen their sound. Since then they’ve been hitting the road with a fury.

Q: So there’s a new family member in the band? Well, how is it, man?
A: (Pickering)
Oh, it’s fun, it’s fun. These guys are great. I couldn’t ask for a better band to be in. I’m super grateful these guys asked for me to be in this band.

The added guitar presence was immediately noticeable, and in the best way for ears familiar with The Retrograde. If one guitar is good, two are even better. The band has always had a knack for creating a sound that fills the room, but their time on the road has sharpened it to a new level. One thing about The Retrograde has never changed: from the first note to the encore, they give 100 percent. Now, their sound reflects that same relentless energy more than ever before.

When asked about the decision to expand beyond their three-piece ensemble and bring in another guitarist, Degner explained, “Our management suggested we look for another player, just for sound reasons and development purposes. We met Cade when he was with the Naked Gypsy Queens. 2022 maybe 2023. He came through, and we invited his band to play a show at Warrior on the River (now Legacy at the Riverfront).” Apparently, the idea was even floated that night, foreshadowing the current lineup or maybe manifesting it.

Speaking of the present, The Retrograde are riding high on a new record, and their live set featured a healthy sampling of fresh tracks. Fox spoke about the album with obvious excitement, saying, “It’s got some songs we’ve been sitting on for a while, songs we’ve been writing, and it was hard to narrow it down to six because we were picking from about twenty-five. But you know, we got the first single out, and then we’ve got this next single coming out on Friday. I’m super excited, man.”

Q: So this thing’s gonna drop like probably tomorrow, or the day after, do you guys want to talk about the thing…. no, not that thing, the live thing the show thing, the thing that you’re not announced on yet.
A: (Degner) I can’t talk about that right now. My lawyer says no, but, but, you know, and just for those listening, this thing is another very big, very big homecoming show for us.

As it happens, we can now talk about the show Degner had been so reserved about. In fact, there are two. First up is the CollegeTown Block Party, an event tied to FSU football and held in one of Tallahassee’s busiest nightlife districts on the eve of home games. The stage has seen everyone from The Velcro Pygmies to Morgan Wallen, and now The Retrograde adds their name to the list on September 5th. Then, on October 25th, they return to the venue where it all began—The Warrior, now Legacy at the Riverfront—to headline JamBQ, a one-day, Halloween-themed festival featuring more than 15 bands.