The Alternate Routes at State Theatre

The Alternate Routes’ name suits them well. They’re a band that‘s never really fit in — in a good way. Without a definitive genre to reference or an established scene to rally behind them, they’ve been something of a rogue wave in an ocean of bands. They built a fan base the old fashioned way, by driving around the country in a big, white Ford Econoline van, winning crowds over one person-at-a-time with solid, catchy songs and an explosive live show. Since their genesis in 2004, cofounders Tim Warren (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Eric Donnelly (lead guitar) have taken their group through the dizzying heights and frustrating lows of the modern music industry, and have learned some valuable lessons along the way.