Before joining forces, the duo behind Sgt. Splendor were already formidable solo artists, Kate Vargas chalking up acclaim at outlets like NPR, HuffPost, SPIN, No Depression Rolling Stone and Vice (including praise from the “Dean of American Rock Critics” Robert Christgau); and Eric McFadden amassing an impressive resume including stints on guitar with George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars, Anders Osbourne, Fishbone’s Angelo Moore, and Eric Burdon & The Animals, plus a slew of solo albums, and session work and gigs with everyone from Jackson Browne to The Clash’s Joe Strummer.

Sgt Splendor’s 3rd release, “Isotopia” dropped November 14th, 2025 on Mother West Records.

“Tom Waits’ music has always been a point of connection for me & Kate. While our musical approaches differ, they’re also kindred and share a lot of common elements. Our Southwestern upbringing comes through—that sort of mysteriouso desert thing—but also a carnivalesque Waits-ian vibe. The new record is a bit more cohesive but still eclectic. Kind of an Alt-Funk, Desert Roots, Dirty Blues, Rock thing. Our styles have always been complementary.” Vargas concurs: “Sgt. Splendor really feels like a combination of both of us—equally.”

“One of the most unique bands to come out of the new millennium is the contrasting duo of Sgt. Splendor.  The group consists of singer/songwriter/guitarist/flautist Kate Vargas, and her partner in crime, guitarist/vocalist Eric McFadden (George Clinton & P-Funk, Eric Burdon, Les Claypool, etc)...is this an album for the masses?... yes.  Yet it is even more so an album for the music aficionados who understand and appreciate in-depth, heavy songwriting, wrapped in a blanket of heavy Blues and Rock music that holds its own against anything you can throw at it. “
- Tone Scott / GOLDMINE Magazine 2024

GO AND FIND OUT for yourself

March 19 - The Tune Up

March 20 - The Attic

March 21 - Filling Station 

March 22 - Bozeman Hot Springs