Viral ‘Buttercorn’ band to perform in Basalt

Heading from Boulder to Basalt, Sun Jr. will hit the stage at 8 p.m. May 9 at The Arts Campus at Willits. 

The part-time band broke out when their 2024 single release “Buttercorn” went viral. 

“We had a weird situation happen that we weren’t really ready for,” bandmember Jon Schimek said. “We had a song go viral on TikTok, ‘Buttercorn,’ with 2.5 million views.” 

Schimek admits he was surprised at how many more people said “hi” after the buzz — whether it was one of their kid’s teachers or a guy at a pizza shop. 

“There’s always someone who is really into it, which is fun,” he said. 

The song’s success helped the band build up the funds for their latest 2025 album.

“‘Buttercorn’ is far and away the one people get excited about. It’s sort of a clappy song,” Schimek said. 

Lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Heekin, along with vocalist and guitarist Matt Kubis, predominantly wrote the band’s songs.

“Heekin is proficient at writing many, many songs,” Schimek said. “We put out an album, ‘The Many Moon Hex,’ on Halloween. Charlie Rose from Elephant Revival is my neighbor and he helped produce it.” 

“Vixen” is one of the band’s favorites on the new album, according to Schimek. The band also performs one cover song, “Rock, Salt and Nails.” 

“No one knows the original, but everyone knows the cover,” Schimek said. “That’s one of our hits that people really like. It’s a slower, sadder song.” 

Formed in 2013, the Colorado-based band describes itself as “psych mountain rock,” a term coined by Heekin, or dark surf with original music according to pedal steel guitarist Jon Schimek.

The band’s name pays homage to Sun Records, founded by Sam Phillips in 1952 and sold to Shelby Singleton in 1969, adding “Jr.” since their sound is a modern, folky offshoot rather than a replica.

The five-member band includes Heekin (vocals, guitar), Kubis (vocals, banjo, drums), Nod Norkus (drums), Jeremiah Streets (keys, bass) and Schimek (pedal steel guitar).

“Everyone in the band is obsessed with music,” Schimek said. “I really like playing in front of the mountain towns because the crowds are amazing. They are excited to be there. There’s a sense of community. The show’s super open — it’s never the same music and never the same set. It’s a good hang.”

The standing-room show is for ages 21 and up. A valid photo ID is required. For more information and tickets, visit tacaw.org/calenda.