River City Rebels

It's been said you can't fake authenticity. This statement applies perfectly to the River City Rebels - a group of six friends who just so happen to be musicians with a common goal. Six friends who were reared on late night AM radio and who obtained records by any and all means possible: yard sales, parents' collections, and used bins. Six friends who dreamed of playing in a band, cutting records, and touring. Six friends with dreams of glory, rock 'n' roll stardom, and, well, world domination.

It's been a tough road, sure, as they started out with the usual humble beginnings not unlike most garage bands, endured their fair share of line-up changes, had their much-needed attention to the band diverted by school, and other such distractions. Yet through it all, they've somehow managed to emerge (relatively) unscathed and overcome it all. Chalk it up to heart, passion, perseverance, and, above all else, their irrepressible love for the music AND the fans. Never will a band with more regard and appreciation for their followers be found. See 'em perform their enthralling set just once and you'll be hooked. Hear one of the guys' anthems and you just know there's something special about this band. Perhaps not the most polished musicians, what they lack in skill is compensated by their immense enthusiasm, grit, and unparalleled drive - not to mention a healthy dose of sex appeal (but that's another story entirely).

After five memorable years, three immaculate releases, and playing over 400 shows - a feat not easily accomplished - while breaking many a heart along the way, the guys' hunger for even more success and glory remains insatiable. These six guys have one goal and one goal only - to take back the airwaves and show all those disillusioned with the current state of rock 'n' roll that all hope is NOT lost, despite how it may seem at the present moment.

With the rock 'n' roll swagger all the boys only wish they could call their own and the intriguing mixture of boyish charm and bad-boy attitude that make the girls swoon, these guys are something else, a group of friends both envied and admired. And despite their manic credo of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, definitely have what it takes to succeed at anything they want to achieve. Yes, indeed, the future is wide open for this band. What will their legacy be? It's still too early to tell, but undoubtedly the music world will never be the same once all is said and done.

River City Rebels formed out of the unlikely town of Burlington, VT, in late 1997. With the original members of guitarist Dan "Bopper" O'Day and drummer Erik Schmidt and bassist Chris Jukosky, River City Rebels would endure a number of lineup changes before settling down with Ward Aimi (vocals), Brandon Rainier (trombone), Gabe Rich (guitar), and Dan McCool (trumpet). Resulting in a sound of street punk, ska undertones, and a politically inspired lyrical content, Victory Records eventually released River City's debut full-length, Racism, Religion, and War..., in 2000. Playin' to Live, Livin' to Play appeared the next summer, after which the band's lineup was cut down to six with O'Day picking up vocal duties. Their third full-length, No Good No Time No Pride, followed in October 2002, which then transitioned into the vintage N.Y.C. punk sounds (much more New York Dolls than the Clash this time around) of 2004's Hate to Be Loved. Having parted ways with Victory following the album's release, River City Rebels hooked up with Rolling Thunder Records in early 2006 and began work on a new record; O'Day also released his first album of solo material, the acoustic-based Street Performance, that October via Springman. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide