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Riff Raiders - Walk Of Shame (2021)
Rating - 8.5 / 10
by Byron More (Beautiful Car Crash The Podcast AUST) 26 Feb 2021
Riff Raiders are a no fuss band.
There’s no gimmicks…..no false pretence…...no unnecessary bells and whistles.
This is a group that’s in the business of rocking out, and business is GOOD!
But, being the cheeky monkeys that they are, the band always manage to sneak in either a social taboo or a double standard that needs addressing into their songs, and on their latest single, ‘Walk Of Shame’, that trend continues.
The term ‘Walk Of Shame’ does skew unfavourably towards women within a one night stand scenario, so of course Riff Raiders have taken it upon themselves to not only ask the question why, but to also dissect, disassemble, and deconstruct the concept within the boundaries of a 3 minute and 49 second pop/rock song.
‘Walk Of Shame’ may address the clear double standard that women endure as a consequence of a one night stand, but when that message is wrapped up in a 70’s era Cheap Trick styled song that’s as bright and breezy as a mid summers day, then that’s the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down.
Not only is ‘Walk Of Shame’ clever and thought provoking on one level, it’s also a fun and tongue in cheek nostalgia trip, when rock ‘n roll was carefree and full of joy!
Lead vocalist Jenni Powell is the perfect conduit to channel female angst through, as she brings the hammer down on social norms that need to be consigned to the dark ages through a sassy, high spirited vocal performance that also has the perfect amount of piss and vinegar to drive the message home like a well struck nail.
What continues to surprise is how well Marty Powell (Guitar) manages to capture life from the female perspective, as he is the sole lyricist on ‘Walk Of Shame’, a role that he’s held on every previous Riff Raiders song to date.
If you aren’t singing into the nearest microphone shaped object and dancing around the room to this song, then you’re either dead, a robot, or someone that collects toenails as a hobby!
Australian Method Series: Riff Raiders – Rock N Roll Daydream
DESTROYER OF HARMONY (Blog - Sydney AUST) JUNE 5, 2021
A Hard Rock band from Melbourne. What a cool name.
“Rock N Roll Daydream” is album number 2. It came out in 2020 on 30th March. By that time Australia had started its COVID-19 lockdown. Their tour from February to April was halted. Riff Raiders are powerhouse vocalist Jenni Powell, Marty Powell on guitar and production, Ross Hetherington on drums, Josh King on guitars and Ron E. Smith on bass.
Loaded Gun
As soon as the riff kicks in I was hooked. If you like the ZZ Top blues rock and you like how Jake E Lee composed the riffs on Badlands debut, you will like this song.
Stop Looking At Me
A great modern rock tune, more like Stone Temple Pilots (think “Vaseline”), Shinedown and Nu-Metal with an Aerosmith swagger. Yes, it’s possible as Riff Raiders made it possible.
Samantha Jones
It tells the true story of a fan who left a vinyl copy of their first album on a train, and the efforts Sammy J went to to get it back to him. Musically it’s hard rock.
Best Day Ever
It’s a Foo Fighters like tune and I like it.
Light
A cool rock ballad.
When I’m Dreaming
This song reminds of the power and energy of Jet merged with Queens Of The Stone Age. It’s a perfect blend.
Stepping On A Cloud
If you enjoyed that Oasis hard rock period in the 90s then you will like this one. A perfect psychedelic groove for a song about sky diving.
Standing On My Own
It’s got that AC/DC vibe and a familiar vocal melody. A perfect song for the live arena.
Sunset To Sunrise
It’s got that Led Zep III acoustic vibe. Or Whitesnake on their last few studio albums.
Shade
What a slow sleazy groove to kick it off, merging songs like “Still Got The Blues” and “She’s So Heavy“. Check out the guitar lead. It’s got Gary Moore and Richie Blackmore influences.
A perfect closer for a worthy album that showcases there is a lot more to Australian rock than AC/DC like acts. And you hear a lot of classic rock influences like Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, The Beatles and Led Zep, and modern rock influences like Oasis, Foo Fighters, Shinedown and Stone Temple Pilots.
ALBUM REVIEW : RIFF RAIDERS ‘ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DAYDREAM’
RATING - 10/10
By B A Martin - Powerplay Rock & Metal Magazine (UK) 18 June 2020
This is the second full length album from Melbourne, Australia band Riff Raiders, and although the genre is given as classic rock , perhaps we should have a new one: makes me happy rock. There is such a variety within the eleven tracks contained here.
The opening cut, ‘Loaded Gun’ sends down a curve ball with its southern rock stylings and had me anticipating more of the same. Not to be, as ‘Stop Looking At Me’ is grungy hard rock with heavy riffage, hard edged vocals from Jenni Powell and some excellent guitar work. So, it’s a hard rock album then? Nope, ‘Samantha Jones’ is a slice of pop rock which gets you jigging about in your seat.
This is great! What next? Well, after a little teaser instrumental, appropriately called ‘No Words’, we get a happy bouncy rocker, ‘Best Day Ever’ which highlights just how good at song writing this band are, it’s a three minute gem. Next a superb ballad, ‘Light’ in which the guitar is sublime, followed by ‘When I’m Dreaming’, and here I detected a nod towards the rock and roll of bygone days, (or the 1950s as it’s better known). Just when you think you’re getting a handle on this band, ‘Stepping On A Cloud’ turns up and turns your ideas on their head. This is much heavier, with riffs that give the band’s moniker credence, raided this time, it seems, form Everclear.
‘Standing On My Own’ wouldn’t sound out of place in a No Sinner or JoanOvArc set, the chorus is an earworm! With only a couple of tracks remaining, the band let you get your breath back with another quite beautiful ballad, ‘Sunset To Sunrise’. Believe me, this girl can really sing and the track builds to a satisfying conclusion.
So, after all that, how would the conclude this truly exceptional album? ‘Shade’ is a blues rocker straight out of the top drawer with an underlying riff that made me think of the heavier tracks on Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’. The extended solo during the mid section is a joy to behold. For me, they saved the best until the last.
This release will, without doubt, figure in this year’s top ten for me. It is excellent and a great way to cheer yourself up during these trying times when you are dreaming about getting back to gigs.
Melbourne’s Riff Raiders deliver an epic journey of rock with their sophomore album
FORTE MAGAZINE (Australia) 2 November 2020
Melbourne four piece have been rocking for a while now, but I must confess I knew the name, but not the music before pressing play on their second album Rock’n’roll Daydream, out via Silver Sky.
With no desire to ease into it, opening track ‘Loaded Gun’ is a full steam ahead heavy blues/rock song that pricked my ears up and got my foot tapping. It was clear: Riff Raiders indeed like a riff, but they love a solid rhythm also.
Follow up track Stop Looking at Me keeps things on the heavier side of things before the pop-rock stylings of Samantha Jones, whilst to me is not not a highlight, is a catchy song which I am sure has it’s fans.
A moody little interlude-styles track No Words leads into Best Day Ever, which once again leans on the pop-rock side of things, and would not be amiss on a Pink album (think U + Ur Hand, but a happier vibe!), and unsurprisingly was one of the two tracks on the 7” released earlier this year.
Don’t be fooled by the mentioning of Pink, because from there, more blues, heavy rock and the like ensure this album does not start well then fall off a cliff.
Steppin On A Cloud had me fooled that they were going to go on an Oasis trip before kicking it up with a heavy, yet cruisey chorus, with some very solid, crisp bass playing really driving a large part of this song. This one has a strong light/shade vibe throughout, and is one of the top notch songs on the album.
There is certainly a really strong “Aussie Pub Rock” feeling throughout the whole album, which sways a little to the poppier side, a little to the bluesier side, with straight up fucking rock in the middle!
Like a good album should finish, Shade is quite possibly the best song on the album. This really shows the blues roots this band have, which initially has a bit of a Beatles (I Want You) cross Gary Moore (Still Got the Blues) vibe happening, with a very cool run of notes creating a real mood. Jens vocals shine particularly bright on this track, and shows the band have a few tricks up their sleeve, and also highlights the talents of each member.
A very cool album that I suggest the easily distracted check out Best Day Ever and Shade, and if either of them float your boat, you will just have to buy the album!
Riff Raiders - Rock 'N Roll Daydream
by Dani Bandolier 22 June 2020 - Metal Temple (International)
RATING - 9/10
“Rock’n’Roll Daydream” is the new release from RIFF RAIDERS (2015), a rock band with classic and modern stylistic elements from Melbourne, Australia. Marty Powell is the principal songwriter and he has done his homework, blending chunks of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, CHEAP TRICK and GREEN DAY into his writing style while Jenni Powell puts the words into song. The group was on Australia tour in February 2020 when the plug was pulled due to the current global pandemic.
‘Loaded Gun’ bump starts into a GUNS N ROSES groovin’ slide guitar greasing the chute for the neanderthal drum beat while Jenni sings … got my finger on the trigger, I’m a Rock’n’Roll loaded gun … Josh lays down a spiky Slash guitar lead and yes Houston, we have lift-off. On ‘Stop Looking At Me’ the band is into a very STONE TEMPLE PILOTS place and Jenni delivers her vocals shelved through a megaphone equalizer filter sounding very much like Scott Weiland used to do it. The lady’s voice is not overwhelmed by the rock music and crikey, the guitar tones on this song are right on the money.
I know this friend of mine, left a special record on the Frankston line… on ‘Samantha Jones’ Jenni spins a tale about Samantha Jones returning a record she found on a train to its rightful owner. If RIFF RAIDERS has a song about a dog walking through 500 miles of outback to bring some bloke a canteen of water I might have to squirt a few tears, just lovely mates. ‘No Words’ is an instrumental piece that invokes a bit of NIRVANA and has no words. None.
‘Best Day Ever’ is a bit of a lightweight that slobbers CHEAP TRICK and GREEN DAY pop with soaring abandon, but the repetition on the chorus is a bit overdone … I’m sure some mistakes will be made … the sentimental love song ‘Light’ could be a wedding staple; nothing wrong with that. ‘When I’m Dreaming’ is a danceable high kicker hindered by throw away trifling lyrics. ‘Stepping On A Cloud’ features the vocals of Marty Powell in a very BEATLES verse progression easing into a STP chorus – cool, the song works … it’s the only time that I feel alive … ‘Sunset To Sunrise’ Jenni shows of her lovely vocal character in front of a 12 string acoustic that drops in a banjo and gathers steam in the final third of the song. ‘Shade’ leans into an AEROSMITH lite song, musically. There is a boss rotary speaker effect (think ERIC CLAPTON on ‘Badge’) on the song taking the place of the usual keyboard synth tracks.
This is a hot modern rock mix that gets it right – pacing, instrumental sonic space, vocal arrangements, guitar tones…everything. Compression used in all the right places. I would like to know what studio recorded the tracks and where it was mixed and mastered, excellent work. RIFF RAIDERS seems to comfortably occupy the pop rock grrrlll power side of the street while also putting down some harder rock bits and it is the harder tracks that work best with the excellent studio vocal arrangements. The lyrics tend towards the generic; shame this - the songs are good. Jenni does a convincing job emoting the words, I would like to hear her tear into some with gravitas in this crafted musical production.
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship and the Dani Bandolier Spotify playlist the greatest music of Metal Temple reviewed bands…
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/272H3UBARsuksY3BqU0CzP?si=C2ZG-LK3TguiKSa44jwdlQ
Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 10
RIFF RAIDERS New Single ‘Walk Of Shame’, Out 21 Feb 21!
February 15, 2021 Rock Lives Here (Aust) Scott Smith
Available on your favourite digital service from 21 Feb 2021, Walk of Shame is a new track from Riff Raiders from the ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue Volume II’ compilation (Rue Morgue Records) which will be out on vinyl, CD and digital in April 2021.
You can pre-save on Spotify now and also Pre-Order via ITunes / Apple Music by clicking right here…
Walk of Shame was inspired by British TV show Fleabag and questions why it’s considered uncool for a woman to have a one night stand and tries to turn that on its head.
In 2020 Riff Raiders released ‘Rock’n’Roll Daydream’, their critically acclaimed second album,
released right when the world shut down last year. The album will finally get a hometown launch a year to the original date –Friday 2nd April – at Melbourne’s home of rock’n’roll, Cherry Bar.
Love for Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream from around the world…
10/10 – Powerplay Rock & Metal Magazine (UK)
9/10 – Metal Temple (Eur/US)
96% – 100%Rock Magazine (AUS/US)
9/10 – Maximum Volume Music (UK)
9/10 – The RockPit (Aus)
4/5 – STORMBRINGER The Austrian Heavyzine
Melbourne rockers Riff Raiders drop new single and announce launch show
Melbourne rock n rollers, Riff Raiders have signed to the 4W1 Agency.
Represented by Ronnie Stewart (Them) with Gerry Casey (Radio Home of Rock) for the UK & Europe with Joe Mazzari and Dixie Deadwood in the US, “Ronnie, Gerry and the team know everything about their territories and have made us feel like part of a brilliant rock family. We’re stoked to be part of 4W1 and will be touring as soon as we can” says Jenni.
The band have been asked to join the Sinner Rock Festival lineup in Germany in September…stay tuned for information!
Available on your favourite digital service now, Walk Of Shame is the new track from Riff Raiders, to feature on the ‘Murder in the Rue Morgue Volume II’ compilation (Rue Morgue Records) out April 13.
The song was inspired by British TV show Fleabag and questions why it’s considered uncool for a woman to have a one night stand and tries to turn that on its head. Vocalist Jenni Powell said “There are still a lot of people that think it’s a bad look seeing a dishevelled woman at 9am carrying her shoes, but we reckon a good night should be celebrated!”
Rock’n’Roll Daydream’ is the critically acclaimed second album from Riff Raiders and was released right when the world shut down in 2020. The album will finally get a hometown launch a year to the original date. Rock N Roll Daydream is out now from smarturl.it/rocknrolldaydream
VIDEO PREMIERE: Riff Raiders drop new clip for ‘Stepping On A Cloud’
The Rockpit (Australia) 23 September 2020
Riff Raiders have dropped a brand new video for the track ‘Stepping On A Cloud’ which makes its premiere right here at The Rockpit!
The track is taken from the band’s critically acclaimed album ‘Rock’n’Roll Daydream’ that’s been winning hearts across the globe since its release earlier this year. The album scored a perfect 10 review in the UK’s Powerplay Rock and Metal Magazine and Maximum Volume Music UK wrote “This is brilliant. And it is brilliant entirely on its own terms. Classic rock champions, their press release called them. Surely then, they are Raiders of a lost art, if you’ll forgive the pun.”
Stepping on a Cloud features the vocal debut of Raiders’ lead guitarist and songwriter Marty Powell – the video includes footage of Powell jumping out of a perfectly good plane at SKYSOUNDS – RAMBLERS EQUINOX BOOGIE in Toogoolawah, Queensland. The Melbourne band headlined the festival in 2018 with festival organisers hooking up the band and crew to all pop their skydiving cherry before hitting the stage and the seeds of this song were planted in Marty’s soul. “If we didn’t jump, we would’ve been the only people there that had never done so it, so we did it – and loved it!”
Pulse Alternative Magazine (UK) describe the track “Like the heaven’s opening ‘Stepping on a Cloud’ is akin to The Beatles jamming with the aforementioned Cheap Trick for a swirling psych fest.” Yep.
‘Stepping On A Cloud’ follows videos for the double-A side single ‘Best Day Ever / Loaded Gun’ (Rue Morgue Records), second single ‘Samantha Jones’ and new gig anthem ‘Standing on my Own’, a worthy cousin to their signature live tunes ‘Live Like You Mean It’ and ‘A Million Miles Away’ from their debut album – well worth checking out.
The Rockpit also has word that a bonus track from the Rock’n’Roll Daydream sessions is set for release on Rue Morgue Records “Murders in the Rue Morgue Vol II” compilation in early 2021. Pre orders for this exclusive vinyl release are available here, the album is also set to feature previously unreleased tracks from Warbirds, Cicadastone, Karly Jewell, Roadkill, Fight The Sun, 29 Bones, Sonic Circus, 74 Kings and more.
“Riff Raiders spread some much-needed joy with this album during these testing times and it will surely be one of the front runners of Australian rock releases for 2020.” – The Rockpit. Full review can be read HERE.
RIFF RAIDERS - ROCK N ROLL DAYDREAM
By Guntram Pintgen OXFANZINE (Germany) 6 August 2020
“Rock’n’Roll Daydream” is the second album by RIFF RAIDERS from Melbourne, Australia, after the debut “Live Like You Meant It” was released in 2017. In eleven songs, the quintet around the married couple (?) Jenni Powell (voc) and Marty Powell (gt, voc) presents itself as a hit machine that turns rock, southern rock, blues, grunge and a pinch of pop into relaxed listening pleasure. The opener “Loaded gun” is a cool rocker with a slide guitar, “Stop looking at me” sounds a bit more modern with partly distorted vocals. “Samantha Jones”, the album's secret hit, is textbook pop rock with fantastic vocals. After a short instrumental intermezzo (“No words”), “Best day ever” is followed by the next hit with sing-along character, followed by the loose, fluffy “Light”. "When I'm dreaming" is again a crisp, rocking song and the remaining songs are also presented by a grown-up band who knows what they want. With “Rock'n'Roll Daydream”, the RIFF RAIDERS have recorded a good-mood rock album in which the fantastic voice of singer Jenni Powell, which appears in the numerous videos that can be found on the net, somehow looks like one blonde Angelika Schnell ("quickly determined") works, which is the icing on the cake. If you like easily digestible rock, you should check out the band.
Album Review : Riff Raiders – Rock ‘N’ Roll Daydream
By Howard Whitelaw for Metal Planet Music (UK) 31 May 2020
There seems to be a wealth of new rock coming out of Australia and New Zealand recently and some of the best is from Melbourne based Riff Raiders. Following the release of their first album ‘Live Like You Mean It’ in 2017, with the single of the same name receiving acclaim and worldwide airplay, they toured Australia extensively playing more than 50 shows across the country with key support slots and festival appearances.
By late 2018 they were back in the studio recording the follow up album and the result is Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream’.
The album opens with the dirty driving rock of ‘Loaded Gun’ which was released as one half of a double A sided single in February 2020 and sets us up nicely for what is to come.
It’s full of guitar riffs as you would imagine and you get an early example of Marty Powell’s lead guitar expertise with a couple of searing solos. It’s a belter to open up with, that is perfect for a summer’s day in the car, windows or roof down and shades on.
We get a little heavier for ‘Stop Looking At Me’ with the twin guitars grinding away from the off alongside the bass and drums, complimented by Jenni Powells measured vocals. There are elements of punk in here too making this a really well crafted track before taking us into the 80’s vibe of ‘Samantha Jones’, which was the lead single taken from the album.
It’s a catchy tune based on a true story about a fan who left a vinyl copy of the bands first album on a train and the woman who found it and got it back to him. There are some classic rock influences here too and a quarter of the way through the album, it’s obvious that those influences are coming in from far and wide – AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and The Darkness to name a few.
No Words’ does exactly what it says on the tin – a short instrumental track of just over 1 minute with a slow burning guitar leading us into a thumping drum accompaniment, back to the slow burn and then gone, before we are treated to the frenetic intro for ‘Best Day Ever’, which featured alongside ‘Loaded Gun’ on the double A sided single earlier this year and with it’s punk overtones, feels like 3 minutes of pure summer rock as it bounces along.
Everything slows down for ‘Light’ which gives Jenni Powell a chance to shine and as usual she doesn’t disappoint, leading from the front. In fact, her vocal performance throughout the album is carried off without any strain or drama and fits the musical style perfectly.
The band crank it back up again for ‘When I’m Dreaming’, giving us more twin guitar harmonies and a searing solo, changing tempo half way through the track with a feel for both pop and punk influences.
Marty Powell steps out front to take over the vocal responsibilities for ‘Stepping On A Cloud’ which gives us some nice riffs and has a really infectious power pop vibe about it, reminiscent of Roxette in their heyday before Jenni gives us her most powerful performance on ‘Standing On Her Own’ as she shows us she can belt it out with the best of them, when she needs to. The track moves into heavier territory than previous tracks and shows how versatile and talented each member of the band is as this shifts along at a fair pace.
The gentle intro for penultimate track ‘Sunset To Sunrise’ leads you in as Jenni Powell once again drops down to a soft voice alongside an acoustic guitar, before Ross Hetherington on drums slowly picks up the pace. It’s another example of how adaptable the band are.
The final track on the album is the dramatic ‘Shade’ which finds the band in power ballad mode with Jenni Powell giving her most emotional performance of the album, accompanied by some lovely guitar work which eventually reaches a really cool solo that screams along. It’s a corker to finish the album on.
This is a great album with some well crafted and written songs from Marty Powell, that are superbly executed throughout and there’s not a weak link here. Jenni Powell’s vocals fit perfectly and with the addition of Ron E Smith, Ross Hetherington and Josh King in time for this album, this is a band that is proving there is more to Aussie rock than just AC/DC.
Riff Raiders are proving to the world that honest to goodness Aussie rock is far from dead
By Matt Wilkinson - Forte Magazine (Australia) 29 May 2020
Melbourne’s own classic rock champions, Riff Raiders, are still on a high after releasing their riff-laden, melody driven second album, Rock’n’roll Daydream, back in March. Featuring eleven tracks that successfully show off Marty Powell’s song-crafting, guitar and production talents and of course and the unrestrained energy of frontwoman Jenni Powell, it’s no wonder they have been dubbed Melbourne’s purveyors of big riffs.
Locked and loaded with big guitars and even bigger vocals, the band have just dropped their latest video for ‘Standing On My Own’ so we thought we’d sit down with lead guitarist Marty Powell to talk all things Riff Raiders. READ MORE…
RIFF RAIDERS- ‘Rock n’ Roll Daydream’
Pulse - Alternative Magazine (UK) 2 May 2020
While musical fads come and go there’s good reason why raunchy rock n’ roll remains ever present. Monolithic, immovable and impervious to the trends that batter it like waves it is, quite simply, brilliant. The latest band to pick up the rock baton and run with it are the aptly titled Riff Raiders. Following their debut album (2017’s ‘Live Like You Mean It’) they’re back with their riff-tastic sophomore album ‘Rock n’ Roll Daydream’ and now featuring a twin guitar attack it finds them arriving with all guns blazing.
‘Loaded Gun’ is the opening shot, a firing pistol that finds Riff Raiders grooving over the starting line with a Southern swing that ZZ Top would be proud of. Plenty of slide guitar recalls ‘Physical Graffiti’-era Led Zeppelin while the vocal tag team (Jenni and Martin Powell) fire off each other with a nice tension of opposites. Barely pausing for breath ‘Stop Looking At Me’ has a vaguely nu-metal feel with its rapid fire staccato riff. Latest single (and the third to be pulled from the album) ‘Samantha Jones’ is a fine rocker that’s tempered with a pure pop sensibility. The band cite Cheap Trick as an influence and that’s the vibe on ‘Samantha Jones’: a kooky rock track/slightly sinister pop song admixture that flourishes with a real joy.
The brief instrumental ‘No Words’ is a swirl of neo-psychedelia and proceeds the pure pop punk pertinacity of ‘Best Day Ever’. A song so arresting it should be illegal, it’s an earworm of the highest order that’ll put a spring in your step and haunt you for days. In an album full of left turns and shifting gears the ethereal ‘Light’ follows before we’re back to the rock action with the punchy, riff heavy ‘When I’m Dreaming’. Like the heaven’s opening ‘Stepping on a Cloud’ is akin to The Beatles jamming with the aforementioned Cheap Trick for a swirling psych fest. In between albums saw some line up changes with John King’s six string supplementing that of Martin Powell in addition to new rhythm section, bassist Ron E. Smith and drummer Ross Hetherington, always a risk mixing up the chemistry but I’m pleased to report they’re bubbling over just right.
‘Standing on My Own’ fires like prime time AC/DC and swings like a huge wrecking ball that’ll crush all opposed. ‘Sunset to Sunrise’ is a semi-acoustic number that’s not too dissimilar to the Black Crowes and brings us to moody closer ‘Shade’. Featuring a humongous sound it finds Riff Raiders patiently building a monolithic structure that towers over the listener. Dark and disconcerting it dances upon a downward spiral, like an anchor tied to a drowning man, with soulful vocals and bluesy guitar inflections that ensure you won’t forget the Riff Raiders for a while.
An album of many shades and hues that hangs together as a cohesive whole tune in for the perfect ‘Rock n’ Roll Daydream’.
VIDEO PREMIERE: Riff Raiders drop new video “Standing On My Own”
7 May 2020 - The RockPit (Australia)
Melbourne rockers Riff Raiders have dropped their brand new video for the track “Standing On My Own” which makes it’s premiere right here at The Rockpit!
Rock’n’Roll Daydream is the second album from Riff Raiders, following the February release of double-A side single Best Day Ever / Loaded Gun (Rue Morgue Records) with accompanying twin videos.
The album features eleven champion classic rock tracks that successfully showcase and match the vocal range of powerhouse frontwoman Jenni Powell with Marty Powell’s song-crafting, guitar and production talents.
Lead track from the album Samantha Jones (track 3) and accompanying video tells the true story of a fan who left a vinyl copy of Riff Raiders first album on a train, and the awesome efforts Sammy J went to to get it back to him. Yeah, she’s doin’ it right!
The latest video from the album is ‘Standing on my Own’, for the straight up rock’n’roll track about going to gigs and not caring if your friends show up.
With the introduction of Ross Hetherington (Bodyjar, Dirt River Radio) on drums and the addition of Josh King on extra guitars and backing vocals and Ron E. Smith on bass in 2019, Riff Raiders have well and truly delivered on the promises made on debut album (Live Like You Mean It).
“Riff Raiders spread some much-needed joy with this album during these testing times and it will surely be one of the front runners of Australian rock releases for 2020.” – The Rockpit. Full review can be ready HERE.
RIFF RAIDERS - Rock 'n' Roll Daydream (2020, Hard Rock)
By #recensionelibro MOSCOW MELTDOWN (Rock & Metal) (Russia) 25 April 2020
There is something extremely beautiful about infantile rock - you can talk as much as you want about the fact that music should be meaningful and highly intelligent, and then suddenly something in the spirit of AC/DC starts playing in the speakers, and it is impossible to resist. These classics of the genre, by the way, I have not accidentally mentioned here, because the world of guitar music has long realized that in Australia they can play a fervent and energetic rock and roll, which captures the listener with his head and makes him move in a real electric dance. So it is not surprising that the recently discovered band Riff Raiders, which hails from this distant country, has already become famous for its innate dynamics, energy and melody.
Their songs are simple and predictable, but incredibly fun, bright and incendiary - as if you suddenly fall into the early eighties, when the world was much simpler and clearer, and listeners did not make so many pointless demands on guitar music - and then look how picky everyone became. Fortunately, there are still bands like Riff Raiders in the world - they do not let us forget that music, like all art, is primarily entertainment , and everything else is just additional meanings that we invent ourselves. So when I see that the new album of this band is called nothing but "Rock' n 'Roll Daydream", for some reason I want to be happy and jump with happiness. Without bands like Riff Raiders, the world of rock would be too boring and boring. The first single from the album, "Samantha Jones", is so good and perky that I still walk around like an obsessive and sing this tune. It's been a long time since I've seen so much live and clean energy and a kind of unbiased lightness in the band's music.
There is a feeling that the musicians just once picked up the instruments and played the songs that suddenly came to their mind in one breath. Easy and humorous lyrics (tells the story of a fan of the band who lost a copy of their first album on a train), sumptuous and dynamic vocals (responsible for it is Jenny Powell, whose style of performance often makes me think of the early albums of Heart or the hard rock period of grace slick), simple but effective guitar riffs, a certain rock and roll and glam layer-listening to such music is easy and gratifying. "Loaded Gun" shows us the Blues component of the band and seems to deliberately refer us to the sound of heavy rock of the early seventies. "Light" sounds relaxed and melodic, while revealing to us the talents of Jenny from a completely different side - on this track, she sounds absolutely hypnotic and charming. “Standing On My Own” again presses on the gas and it sounds truly active, - this is music you need to go in the car on the open highway somewhere to the sea: eyes shining bright warming sun, the air permeated with the spirit of freedom, sitting next to your beloved people, and ahead of you are true adventure and nonstop fun. Have you noticed how many times I mention this word in the context of this review? "there's a reason for that, you know.
Of course, it's probably worth mentioning that Riff Raiders are absolutely nothing original. If you want to be annoying bores and can't just have fun, then Yes-they are absolutely secondary and seem to intentionally take elements from old-school rock bands. So from the point of view of innovation and development, they have absolutely nothing to boast of... but again... Is that all you need? Let's put it this way: "Rock 'n' Roll Daydream" is a really energetic and incendiary record that not only gives a new lease of life to aged heavy rock, but can also please even the most convinced cynics, such as me, for example.
Of course, not every song on the album sounds equally high-quality and attractive - if we say so, then there is a certain empty-but, for the most part, Riff Raiders please both with their riffs (pun intended) and their expressive melody. The vocals are good, the guitars are high-quality, the drums and bass are energetic, the fervor is flying with all its might. If this isn't real rock ' n ' roll, then I probably don't understand something in this life.
MUSIC REVIEW: RIFF RAIDERS – Rock N Roll Daydream
By Todd ‘ToddStar’ Jolicoeur 100%ROCK Magazine (USA) 15 APRIL 2020
Rating: 96%
This seems to be the year of new bands on my radar, including Aussie independent rockers Riff Raiders, who have unleashed a cool slab of rockers on the world just in time for quarantine enjoyment. Disc opener “Loaded Gun” is one of the most fun rock tracks I have heard in a long time, from the heavy handed rhythm section to the slide guitar and the killer vocals. This track is solid rock from opening note on through the verse and chorus and specially at the bridge, where one of the best solos on the disc from Marty Powell makes an appearance.
“Stop Looking At Me” is another cool track that benefits from a solid foundation form the bass and drums. The vocals are cool and give us another facet of Jenni Powell’s voice to enjoy. This is a great blend of punk attitude and rock and roll vibe. The self-described instrumental “No Words” opens with an ominous sound from and is an interesting piece that sonically contradicts the pop rock sound of the songs that bookend the track. “Light” features some great guitar work, from the tempered opening that slowly unfolds from and blossoms as the rest of the band joins the musical fray. Marty Powell’s guitar leads are less bombastic, but don’t mistake volume for talent – this is a fun listen.
“Stepping On A Cloud” features a big guitar sound woven together with some solid bottom end from the drums and bass and vocals that depart slightly from the sound of the other tracks, showing the bands diversity and ability to shift musical direction. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a rocker, just not in the same vein as the other tunes on this disc. Disc closer “Shade” builds on the mellower vibe of “Sunset To Sunrise” but swirls in a heavier groove and thumping bottom end. The vocals on this track are the star underneath the near perfect accompaniment, as we get to hear Powell’s emotionally driven delivery. The changes in her tone really drive home the lyric and the guitar solo on the bridge seems to be as much from the heart as it is the groin.
“Samantha Jones” is a great listen from the opening riff through the verse and into one of the most contagious choruses on the disc. This song alone made me seek out the bands website and order a copy of the disc for my collection. The song is a perfect swirls of pop, rock, and punk, without deviating from the discs sound. “Best Day Ever” is one second half of one of the best one-two punches on a disc I have heard in a long time when coupled with “Samantha Jones.” The thumping bass lines from Ron E Smith drive the track while Ross Hetherington’s drumming helps anchor the track. Jenni’s vocals are spot on through the verse and seem to gain momentum at the chorus.
“When I’m Dreaming” is a killer track that blends the rock quotient the band has perfected on this disc with a cool garage rock feel that permeates the track, especially on the verses thanks to the Jenni’s vocals and the chugging guitar riffs from Powell and Josh King. The track begs to be played at max volume racing down the expressway with the car windows down. “Standing On My Own” gives both Powell’s room to run with some great vocal and guitar contributions, as well as a stellar performance from the rhythm section. The drumming gets your foot tapping while the fret work stirs the air guitarist in each of us. The stripped back production allows the music and vocals to shine through on the entire disc, and this song highlights that.
“Sunset To Sunrise” gives us a different glimpse and listen to the band, with an acoustic track that marries a beautiful vocal with guitar work that makes you pay attention and listen, even without pings, squeals, and everything turned up… even after the song builds into the chorus and we get a rocking acoustic track that stands out listen after listen. These guys embrace who they are and make no apologies… and they shouldn’t. This is one of my favorite new bands and I can only hope at some point they travel across the big water and tour the US.
REVIEW: RIFF RAIDERS – ROCK N ROLL DAYDREAM (2020)
By ANDY THORLEY - MAXIMUM VOLUME MUSIC (UK) 11 APRIL 2020
Rating 9/10
The best day you’ve ever had.
Think about it.
Right now, to be honest, you’d probably settle for a normal day where you could go out of your house, but generally speaking. What was it?
The Stoke City FA Cup Semi final win over Bolton in 2011, that’s there, or the day I passed my driving test, went to the record shop to celebrate (I bought “Definitely Maybe” and the debut record by the Presidents Of The United States Of America as it goes) and found a tenner in the bus stop on my way home. That was a good’un too.
Now, see, my idea of a perfect day might not give Lou Reed a run for his money the big old nuisance that he is, but Jenni Powell might understand. Halfway through “Rock N Roll Daydream” there’s a glorious sugar coated power pop song, called “Best Day Ever” amongst the glorious things that happened to her, well she found $50 in her car and went to the beach.
That’s so much in keeping with the record too. Because as the name says, this is about escapism, and if each song has a truly distinct feel, they are built around two things. 1) Well, as the name of the band indicates, riffs and 2) simplicity. Wonderful simplicity.
“When I am Dreaming” adds a touch of psychedelia (think a bit of Enuff Z Nuff if you’re old enough) but the dreams include sleeping with all you like (fair do’s we’ve all had those type of dreams and I am waiting for lockdown to end so me and Kylie can get it on) but eating all the cakes too – and you simply have to love that.
It’s odd actually, because when “Loaded Gun” kicks this off, it does so with some real ZZ Top style boogie, and I thought I’d got this sussed. They’d come out of Melbourne with some southern swagger and a neat line (“you’ve got a newsfeed nosebleed” sneers Powell here) or two, but nope. They’ve out thought you here.
RR are the masters, as far as I can tell of three minute rock songs. “Stop Looking At Me” is modern hard rock and the godawful dullards in Shinedown need to take a refresher course off it, and you have to love a band, that writes a song about one of their fans losing an album on the train and someone giving it them back – well you do if it’s a slice of pop rock worthy of Redd Kross, which sums up “Samantha Jones” just about perfectly.
Even the ballads crackle with a sense of fun. “Light” is floating on some cloud I can never reach, and a word too for Marty Powell’s brilliant guitar work that propels this. “Stepping On A Cloud” has the sort of vibe that The Electric Boys always did when I was growing up, and the more strident, soulful rocker “Standing On My Own” drips with sass – and if like me, you’ve always loved Suzi Quatro, then step right in.
Jenni’s voice matches the versatility of the guitars too, “Sunset To Sunrise” has just a touch of latter day Whitesnake about its sparse acoustics, and when it builds, man, you can feel the talent.
The longest song here is the last one, “Shade” and although it is less than five minutes, it has a real epic sound, which both sounds totally different to anything that’s gone on before it, yet somehow sounds totally in keeping.
This is the bands second record – hands up here I haven’t heard the debut – and it comes with a line-up change. It is the sound of a band that understands the history of rock n roll, probably daydreamed about emulating their heroes and has now realised that ambition.
This is brilliant. And it is brilliant entirely on its own terms. Classic rock champions, their press release called them. Surely then, they are Raiders of a lost art, if you’ll forgive the pun.
RIFF RAIDERS - ROCK 'N' ROLL DAYDREAM
By Marcel Rapp - Powermetal.de (Germany) 18.05.2020
Sonnenbrille auf und los!
Artwork check, Bandname check, Titel check. Hier regiert das Riff, soviel steht schon einmal fest. Und wenn man dann auch noch über eine Stimme wie Jenni Powell verfügt, dann steht einer locker-flockigen Rock-Scheibe nichts im Wege. Vor drei Jahren veröffentlichte ihre Truppe RIFF RAIDERS schon ein amtliches Debüt voller Rock'n'Roll-Sonnenschein, und hiervon kann auch "Rock'n'Roll Daydream" ein Liedchen trällern.
Viel verändert hat sich bei den Australiern seit "Live Like You Mean It" also nicht: Die Refrains gehen gut ins Ohr, die Produktion ist druckvoll und Frau Powell ist wie immer sehr gut bei Stimme. Bemerkenswert ist jedoch, dass ihre Gesangskunst nicht nur hervorragend auf lebensbejahende Rocker wie 'Samantha Jones', 'Stop Looking At Me' oder 'Best Day Ever' passt, sondern auch mit vermehrten Stoner-Anteilen ('Loaded Gun') oder auch mit unterschwellig melancholischeren ('Shade') oder gar poppigeren Tönen ('Stepping On A Cloud', 'Light') bestens zurechtkommt.
Daneben fliegen einem die catchy Riff reihenweise um die Ohren, es reiht sich ein Ohrwurm an den nächsten. Zwar ist die Herangehensweise RIFF RAIDERS' nicht die innovativste, und oftmals hat man hier als Liebhaber dieser Töne ein gewisses Déjá-vu-Erlebnis, Gehörtes an anderen Stellen schon einmal in einer ähnlichen Form vernommen zu haben. Doch muss das negativ ins Gewicht fallen? Nein, nicht wirklich.
Denn passend zu den warmen Tagen im Mai ist "Rock'n'Roll Daydream" ein Rundum-sorglos-Paket, wie es im Gute-Laune-Buche steht. Für einen kurzen Moment kann man den Alltagsstress hinter sich lassen und sich für ein Weilchen auf den Balkon verziehen: mit Bierchen, etwas Leckerem zu essen, einer Sonnenbrille und eben diesem Scheibchen. Also Beine hoch und den lieben Gott einen guten Mann sein lassen.
Redakteur: Marcel Rapp
RIFF RAIDERS - Rock N Roll Daydream
By Betti Stewart STORMBRINGER The Austrian Heavyzine (Austria) 14 April 2020
Rating 4/5
Jenni Powell ist ´ne coole Frau. Präsent, mit Ausstrahlung und großartiger Stimme – ein Rock Chick, wie es im Buche steht. Jenni Powell ist auch die Lead Sängerin von RIFF RAIDERS, einer australischen Combo, die vor kurzen ihren zweiten Langspieler ‚Rock ’n Roll Daydream‘ veröffentlicht hat. Das Quintett gibt es schon seit 2015 und ihr 2017 veröffentlichtes Debut ‚Live Like You Mean It‘ wurde in ihrer Heimat und auch in Großbritannien wohlwollend aufgenommen. Nachdem sie in den letzten Jahren ausgiebig als Support für diverse Local Heroes in Australien getourt sind, wollen sie nun anscheinend noch einen raufsetzen. READ MORE
ALBUM REVIEW: Riff Raiders – Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream
By Sean Bennett The RockPit (Australia) 16 April 2020
Rating: 9/10
Melbourne rockers Riff Raiders are back with their second full-length release and it’s an absolute cracker of an album. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream” which was released on 30 March 2020 through Rue Morgue Records, oozes quality throughout all of its eleven tracks, twisting and turning through a variety of styles but which still keeps this very much an out & out rocker of an album.
Led by the wonderfully versatile Jenni Powell with her powerhouse vocals, Riff Raiders spread some much needed joy with this album during these testing times and it will surely be one of the front runners of Australian rock releases for 2020. Opening track “Loaded Gun”, which was released as a Double A-side back in February, sets the pace & tone of this collection of quality tracks with its almost bluesy-rock slide guitar work from the talented Marty Powell & six-string sidekick Josh King. “Stop Looking at Me” is a thumping, pounding straight-out rocker which will have you singing along after just one listen. READ MORE
BAND OF THE MONTH - RIFF RAIDERS!
By Sonia Donnabella NOISE POLLUTION (Australia), 4 April 2020
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream is a rock ‘n’ roll juggernaut of 11 addictive tracks making old school rock sound new and fresh’
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream is one of the finest and authentic rock albums to come out in a long while. It’s pub rock but a little more refined. It sticks in your head from first listen and makes you want to keep playing it over and over as it gives you lots of them happy feels and vibes. If any band can bring rock back from the underground, it’s RIFF RAIDERS’. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE…….
LIVING THE ROCK N ROLL DAYDREAM WITH RIFF RAIDERS
By Dave Griffiths HEAVY Magazine (Australia) 25 March 2020
It has been a strange couple of months for Melbourne hard rock outfit RIFF RAIDERS. First there was the success of the release of their double A-side through Rue Morgue Records and then just as they were hitting the stage to promote the release of their brand new album Rock n Roll Daydream the tour came to a grinding halt due to the Covid - 19 pandemic.
But fans can still rejoice. Yes, they are stuck at home but they are still able to enjoy what is one of the finest rock albums to be released this year in the form of Rock n Roll Daydream READ MORE
RIFF RAIDERS INTERVIEW WITH MARTY POWELL - (AUDIO)
SUBCULTURE ENTERTAINMENT 26 Feb 2020
We chat to Marty Powell about the brand new Riff Raiders album (click/tap here)
RIFF RAIDERS LOAD THEIR GUN
By Dave Griffiths HEAVY Magazine (Australia) March 2020
Melbourne’s very own Riff Raiders are hitting 2020 with a bang. Aside from heading out on a tour that will see them headline the Kilmore Rock Festival the band also have their vinyl Double A-Side single landing on February 18th through Rue Morgue Records and then release their brand new album Rock ‘N’ Roll Daydream in March.
The band’s debut album Live Like You Mean It was released to critical acclaim and won the band a legion of fans. When we recently sat down to interview Riff Raider’s very own Marty Powell he admitted that it was something that was weighing on their mind as they worked on the new album. “I didn’t feel pressure when I was writing the songs because that felt like a bit of a break-through,” he says. “We were doing a lot of shows and we felt like a band on a run so the songs were coming from excitement and adrenalin so that worked really well.” READ MORE
RIFF RAIDERS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DAYDREAM
By Jenny Syratt - Araminta’s Attic 18 Feb 2020
!t’s a beautiful day to be a Melbournian! As I open my eyes and roll over toward my significant other and dreamily waft…. Wait no –Not today!!! Today you need to get your rockin’ socks on, it’s a day you’ve been waiting weeks for. “Get Up Girl” – Riff Raiders release day is here!!!
February 18th, 2020 is the day Melbourne’s female led classic rock group Riff Raiders releases a double A-Side single with Best Day Ever/Loaded Gun along with the official videos. They are the first releases from the new album “Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream” due out in March 2020.
Riff Raiders debut album “Live Like You Mean It” garnered the band a stack of new fans and some nice reviews to boot: –
“The Gods of Aussie Rock would be proud…” – Beat online
“a slinky, catchy, classy serve of gotta-have-it rock AND roll…” – 100% rock magazine
Straight off the get go though and just on listening to these two tracks I’m predicting bigger and better accolades and many, many more converts to the Riff Raiders camp.
Let’s have a look and listen to today’s releases…. READ MORE
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RIFF RAIDERS
By David Griffiths - Rue Morgue Records Blog 9 Feb 2020
Melbourne’s very own Riff Raiders are hitting 2020 with a bang. Aside from heading out on a tour that will see them headline the Kilmore Rock Festival the band also have their vinyl Double A-Side single landing on February 18th through Rue Morgue Records and then release their brand new album Rock ‘N’ Roll Daydream in March.
The band’s debut album Live Like You Mean It was released to critical acclaim and won the band a legion of fans. When we recently sat down to interview Riff Raider’s very own Marty Powell he admitted that it was something that was weighing on their mind as they worked on the new album. “I didn’t feel pressure when I was writing the songs because that felt like a bit of a break-through,” he says. “We were doing a lot of shows and we felt like a band on a run so the songs were coming from excitement and adrenaline so that worked really well.”
“But when it came to recording them we really wanted to approach them differently,” he admits. “I started the album about a year ago and like what happens with other artists – I just wasn’t happy with it and that is why the line-up of the band changed. That was so we could make it as good as we could.” READ MORE
MELBOURNE ROCKERS RIFF RAIDERS ANNOUNCE ROCK N ROLL DAYDREAM TOUR AHEAD OF SINGLE AND ALBUM RELEASE
The Rockpit 29 Jan 2020
Melbourne’s own classic rock champions, Riff Raiders hit the road in support of their double A-side single LOADED GUN/BEST DAY EVER out Feb 18.
Riff Raiders live shows are an epic journey of rock with frisson-inducing guitar solos, fist-in-the-air anthem vibes, twin guitar harmonies and the unrestrained energy of frontwoman, Jenni Powell.
Following the release of double-A side single LOADED GUN/BEST DAY EVER, the Rock’n’Roll Daydream album is eleven champion tracks that successfully show off Marty Powell’s song-crafting, guitar and production talents. He’s not even a wanker about it! READ MORE
RIFF RAIDERS TEAM UP WITH RUE MORGUE RECORDS
Rue Morgue Records News 29 Jan 2020
We get so many submissions from bands here at Rue Morgue Records. I’d say on average it boils down to about 5 a month. Sometimes more. Of course, we don’t just take anyone on board. We listen carefully to the music submitted. We look closely at the band’s look and image which we deem just as important as the band’s sound. We pay attention to the professionalism on offer and we study their social media activities and numbers. If a band is too lazy to utilise today’s free promotional tools at their disposal, they really can’t be serious about all this hey?
When Riff Raiders contacted me the very first impression I got from them was their sheer determination and ultra professional display on offer. For one, they emailed me. I cannot stand being contacted for business matters via Facebook Messenger. Most of those go ignored. I don’t have the time to wade through messages to find out info. If you contact me via email, your message remains in my inbox until I have dealt with it.
The band was organised superbly. Promo graphics, promo photos, bio, music and other social media assets and collateral all done and dusted. All ready. All beautifully created. All good to go with minimal input from myself.
Oooh, I am going to enjoy working with these guys!
But first… what do they sound like? I was pleasantly surprised and blown away. They’ve got the vibe! They’ve got the look! They’ve got the tunes! READ MORE
The Music Producer
Live Reviews Sydney Tour 23 & 24 Aug 2019
Summary: Melbourne’s Riff Raiders have been playing sold out shows and picking up a legion of fans along the way for their explosive live performances since they reformed and have new members. Everyone loves them, and so should you……………….
Gig Date: 23th August 2019
Venue: The Hideaway Bar, Enmore, Sydney, Australia The Hideaway Bar
Rating: 9.5/10 guitars
My review:
•Absolutely amazing performance. Captivating.
•For a mental & aural image think: AC/DC Rhythm section, fronted by a (Annie Lennox looking) Joan Jet vocal, with the performance energy and live show of Jet. Got it???!
•‘#LiveLikeYouMeanIt’ is such a great song (DOWNLOAD IT NOW!)
•I’m so glad you stuck with it as a band and continued your creative force
•Definitely a new fan
RIFF RAIDERS – Mother-funken’ red hot Rock
Gig Date: 24th August 2019
Venue: Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice, Sydney, Australia Frankie's Pizza
Genre: Rock/Hard Rock
Rating: 9/10 guitars
My review:
•Pure talent
•Modern edged rock and roll.
•Nonstop energetic and catchy riffs mixed with down to earth in your face mother-funken’ lyrics.
•If you haven’t heard of them, please fix your future and look them up… RIGHT NOW!!
RIFF RAIDERS: LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT
100% ROCK MAGAZINE - 7 June 2018
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8½ /10
Yeah baby, the debut album from Melbourne’s Riff Raiders finally landed on our desk and it’s a slinky, catchy, classy serve of gotta-have-it rock AND roll.
Proudly fronted by the awesome vocals of Jenni James, the band tell it like it is: positive, life-affirming rock n’ roll made for singing, sweating and – if that’s your bag – drinking to.
Sisters In Arms features a loosey goosey guitar riff so immediate that you’ll think you wrote it yourself; while the middle-finger-raised anthem D-GAF may be the best rock song released last year. Tailor made for singing at the top of your voice with a super-simple punky riff, it does everything rock n’ roll is supposed to.
A Million Miles Away could be a new wave hit of days gone by if it had a suitable synth part, so mesmerising are its glacial guitars and vocals, and there’s a sprinkling of AC/DC magic over the title track. James lets rip in style, and close your eyes and you can imagine that perhaps Bon Scott is the only person who could have sung it better.
You’ll note by now that every song draws from different influences. Rather than wall to wall pub rock, the diversity makes Live Like You Mean It a joy to listen to – a journey, in a sense.
The bouncy rock of Spinning Off The Rails leads perfectly into If You Want My Love and album closer Born To Raise Hell, both excellent covers of a couple of Cheap Trick’s best, showing their key influence right there.
RIFF RAIDERS - Rock N Roll Daydream
By Betti Stewart STORMBRINGER The Austrian Heavyzine 14 April 2020
Rating 4/5
Jenni Powell ist ´ne coole Frau. Präsent, mit Ausstrahlung und großartiger Stimme – ein Rock Chick, wie es im Buche steht. Jenni Powell ist auch die Lead Sängerin von RIFF RAIDERS, einer australischen Combo, die vor kurzen ihren zweiten Langspieler ‚Rock ’n Roll Daydream‘ veröffentlicht hat. Das Quintett gibt es schon seit 2015 und ihr 2017 veröffentlichtes Debut ‚Live Like You Mean It‘ wurde in ihrer Heimat und auch in Großbritannien wohlwollend aufgenommen. Nachdem sie in den letzten Jahren ausgiebig als Support für diverse Local Heroes in Australien getourt sind, wollen sie nun anscheinend noch einen raufsetzen. READ MORE
ALBUM REVIEW: Riff Raiders – Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream
By Sean Bennett The RockPit 16 April 2020
Rating: 9/10
Melbourne rockers Riff Raiders are back with their second full-length release and it’s an absolute cracker of an album. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream” which was released on 30 March 2020 through Rue Morgue Records, oozes quality throughout all of its eleven tracks, twisting and turning through a variety of styles but which still keeps this very much an out & out rocker of an album.
Led by the wonderfully versatile Jenni Powell with her powerhouse vocals, Riff Raiders spread some much needed joy with this album during these testing times and it will surely be one of the front runners of Australian rock releases for 2020. Opening track “Loaded Gun”, which was released as a Double A-side back in February, sets the pace & tone of this collection of quality tracks with its almost bluesy-rock slide guitar work from the talented Marty Powell & six-string sidekick Josh King. “Stop Looking at Me” is a thumping, pounding straight-out rocker which will have you singing along after just one listen. READ MORE
BAND OF THE MONTH - RIFF RAIDERS!
By Sonia Donnabella NOISE POLLUTION, 4 April 2020
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream is a rock ‘n’ roll juggernaut of 11 addictive tracks making old school rock sound new and fresh’
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream is one of the finest and authentic rock albums to come out in a long while. It’s pub rock but a little more refined. It sticks in your head from first listen and makes you want to keep playing it over and over as it gives you lots of them happy feels and vibes. If any band can bring rock back from the underground, it’s RIFF RAIDERS’. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE…….
LIVING THE ROCK N ROLL DAYDREAM WITH RIFF RAIDERS
By Dave Griffiths HEAVY Magazine 25 March 2020
It has been a strange couple of months for Melbourne hard rock outfit RIFF RAIDERS. First there was the success of the release of their double A-side through Rue Morgue Records and then just as they were hitting the stage to promote the release of their brand new album Rock n Roll Daydream the tour came to a grinding halt due to the Covid - 19 pandemic.
But fans can still rejoice. Yes, they are stuck at home but they are still able to enjoy what is one of the finest rock albums to be released this year in the form of Rock n Roll Daydream READ MORE
RIFF RAIDERS INTERVIEW WITH MARTY POWELL - (AUDIO)
SUBCULTURE ENTERTAINMENT 26 Feb 2020
We chat to Marty Powell about the brand new Riff Raiders album (click/tap here)
RIFF RAIDERS LOAD THEIR GUN
By Dave Griffiths HEAVY Magazine March 2020
Melbourne’s very own Riff Raiders are hitting 2020 with a bang. Aside from heading out on a tour that will see them headline the Kilmore Rock Festival the band also have their vinyl Double A-Side single landing on February 18th through Rue Morgue Records and then release their brand new album Rock ‘N’ Roll Daydream in March.
The band’s debut album Live Like You Mean It was released to critical acclaim and won the band a legion of fans. When we recently sat down to interview Riff Raider’s very own Marty Powell he admitted that it was something that was weighing on their mind as they worked on the new album. “I didn’t feel pressure when I was writing the songs because that felt like a bit of a break-through,” he says. “We were doing a lot of shows and we felt like a band on a run so the songs were coming from excitement and adrenalin so that worked really well.” READ MORE
RIFF RAIDERS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DAYDREAM
By Jenny Syratt
Araminta’s Attic 18 Feb 2020
!t’s a beautiful day to be a Melbournian! As I open my eyes and roll over toward my significant other and dreamily waft…. Wait no –Not today!!! Today you need to get your rockin’ socks on, it’s a day you’ve been waiting weeks for. “Get Up Girl” – Riff Raiders release day is here!!!
February 18th, 2020 is the day Melbourne’s female led classic rock group Riff Raiders releases a double A-Side single with Best Day Ever/Loaded Gun along with the official videos. They are the first releases from the new album “Rock ‘n’ Roll Daydream” due out in March 2020.
Riff Raiders debut album “Live Like You Mean It” garnered the band a stack of new fans and some nice reviews to boot: –
“The Gods of Aussie Rock would be proud…” – Beat online
“a slinky, catchy, classy serve of gotta-have-it rock AND roll…” – 100% rock magazine
Straight off the get go though and just on listening to these two tracks I’m predicting bigger and better accolades and many, many more converts to the Riff Raiders camp.
Let’s have a look and listen to today’s releases…. READ MORE
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RIFF RAIDERS
By David Griffiths
Rue Morgue Records Blog 9 Feb 2020
Melbourne’s very own Riff Raiders are hitting 2020 with a bang. Aside from heading out on a tour that will see them headline the Kilmore Rock Festival the band also have their vinyl Double A-Side single landing on February 18th through Rue Morgue Records and then release their brand new album Rock ‘N’ Roll Daydream in March.
The band’s debut album Live Like You Mean It was released to critical acclaim and won the band a legion of fans. When we recently sat down to interview Riff Raider’s very own Marty Powell he admitted that it was something that was weighing on their mind as they worked on the new album. “I didn’t feel pressure when I was writing the songs because that felt like a bit of a break-through,” he says. “We were doing a lot of shows and we felt like a band on a run so the songs were coming from excitement and adrenaline so that worked really well.”
“But when it came to recording them we really wanted to approach them differently,” he admits. “I started the album about a year ago and like what happens with other artists – I just wasn’t happy with it and that is why the line-up of the band changed. That was so we could make it as good as we could.” READ MORE
MELBOURNE ROCKERS RIFF RAIDERS ANNOUNCE ROCK N ROLL DAYDREAM TOUR AHEAD OF SINGLE AND ALBUM RELEASE
The Rockpit 29 Jan 2020
Melbourne’s own classic rock champions, Riff Raiders hit the road in support of their double A-side single LOADED GUN/BEST DAY EVER out Feb 18.
Riff Raiders live shows are an epic journey of rock with frisson-inducing guitar solos, fist-in-the-air anthem vibes, twin guitar harmonies and the unrestrained energy of frontwoman, Jenni Powell.
Following the release of double-A side single LOADED GUN/BEST DAY EVER, the Rock’n’Roll Daydream album is eleven champion tracks that successfully show off Marty Powell’s song-crafting, guitar and production talents. He’s not even a wanker about it! READ MORE
RIFF RAIDERS TEAM UP WITH RUE MORGUE RECORDS
Rue Morgue Records News 29 Jan 2020
We get so many submissions from bands here at Rue Morgue Records. I’d say on average it boils down to about 5 a month. Sometimes more. Of course, we don’t just take anyone on board. We listen carefully to the music submitted. We look closely at the band’s look and image which we deem just as important as the band’s sound. We pay attention to the professionalism on offer and we study their social media activities and numbers. If a band is too lazy to utilise today’s free promotional tools at their disposal, they really can’t be serious about all this hey?
When Riff Raiders contacted me the very first impression I got from them was their sheer determination and ultra professional display on offer. For one, they emailed me. I cannot stand being contacted for business matters via Facebook Messenger. Most of those go ignored. I don’t have the time to wade through messages to find out info. If you contact me via email, your message remains in my inbox until I have dealt with it.
The band was organised superbly. Promo graphics, promo photos, bio, music and other social media assets and collateral all done and dusted. All ready. All beautifully created. All good to go with minimal input from myself.
Oooh, I am going to enjoy working with these guys!
But first… what do they sound like? I was pleasantly surprised and blown away. They’ve got the vibe! They’ve got the look! They’ve got the tunes! READ MORE
The Music Producer
Live Reviews Sydney Tour 23 & 24 Aug 2019
Summary: Melbourne’s Riff Raiders have been playing sold out shows and picking up a legion of fans along the way for their explosive live performances since they reformed and have new members. Everyone loves them, and so should you……………….
Gig Date: 23th August 2019
Venue: The Hideaway Bar, Enmore, Sydney, Australia The Hideaway Bar
Rating: 9.5/10 guitars
My review:
•Absolutely amazing performance. Captivating.
•For a mental & aural image think: AC/DC Rhythm section, fronted by a (Annie Lennox looking) Joan Jet vocal, with the performance energy and live show of Jet. Got it???!
•‘#LiveLikeYouMeanIt’ is such a great song (DOWNLOAD IT NOW!)
•I’m so glad you stuck with it as a band and continued your creative force
•Definitely a new fan
RIFF RAIDERS – Mother-funken’ red hot Rock
Gig Date: 24th August 2019
Venue: Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice, Sydney, Australia Frankie's Pizza
Genre: Rock/Hard Rock
Rating: 9/10 guitars
My review:
•Pure talent
•Modern edged rock and roll.
•Nonstop energetic and catchy riffs mixed with down to earth in your face mother-funken’ lyrics.
•If you haven’t heard of them, please fix your future and look them up… RIGHT NOW!!
RIFF RAIDERS: LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT
100% ROCK MAGAZINE - 7 June 2018
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8½ /10
Yeah baby, the debut album from Melbourne’s Riff Raiders finally landed on our desk and it’s a slinky, catchy, classy serve of gotta-have-it rock AND roll.
Proudly fronted by the awesome vocals of Jenni James, the band tell it like it is: positive, life-affirming rock n’ roll made for singing, sweating and – if that’s your bag – drinking to.
Sisters In Arms features a loosey goosey guitar riff so immediate that you’ll think you wrote it yourself; while the middle-finger-raised anthem D-GAF may be the best rock song released last year. Tailor made for singing at the top of your voice with a super-simple punky riff, it does everything rock n’ roll is supposed to.
A Million Miles Away could be a new wave hit of days gone by if it had a suitable synth part, so mesmerising are its glacial guitars and vocals, and there’s a sprinkling of AC/DC magic over the title track. James lets rip in style, and close your eyes and you can imagine that perhaps Bon Scott is the only person who could have sung it better.
You’ll note by now that every song draws from different influences. Rather than wall to wall pub rock, the diversity makes Live Like You Mean It a joy to listen to – a journey, in a sense.
The bouncy rock of Spinning Off The Rails leads perfectly into If You Want My Love and album closer Born To Raise Hell, both excellent covers of a couple of Cheap Trick’s best, showing their key influence right there.
Video Premiere: Riff Raiders cut loose in 'D-GAF'
The Melbourne hard rock outfit have released a pearler.
BEAT MAGAZINE 2 November 2017
'D-GAF' is two minutes and 47 seconds of unbridled rock 'n' roll from Riff Raiders, taken from their scorching album Live Like You Mean It out Wednesday November 8.
The record is produced by guitarist and Riff Raiders' principal songwriter Marty Powell alongside Gavin Parker (Brown Hornet, Napalm) and offers their most focused, visceral release to date.
The killer video features animation and art from Melbourne-based illustrator Brook Penrose, merging raw live footage with psychedelic animations.
Check out another banging track from Riff Raiders here.
Once again, Riff Raiders are proving to the world that honest to goodness Aussie rock is far from dead. In fact, they're bringing it back to life with a vengeance.
Catch Riff Raiders at Last Chance Rock'n'Roll Bar, Melbourne on Saturday November 11 with Moonshifter and Snark, and at Vic on the Park Hotel, Sydney, on Thursday December 7.
TOP 100 HEAVIEST OZ ALBUMS 2017 (#64) - RIFF RAIDERS 'LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT'
OVERDRIVE MUSIC MAGAZINE - 5 February 2018
Riff Raiders take a punk-infused approach to classic rock ‘n’ roll, with a sound that has a touch of The Cult, and a sprinkling of Hair Metal. Pulling together elements of some of the catchiest heavy genres, it’s no surprise Riff Raiders’ music is filled with hooks to draw the listener in. Jenni James’ vocals are filled with charisma and attitude, while Marty Powell’s guitar work brings the truth to the Riff Raiders’ name with chunky rhythms and fast leads. Riff Raiders are a sure bet for any rocker’s party playlist. Formerly a cover band of rock B-sides and obscura, Riff Raiders have now released their debut album of originals, making their own mark on the rock landscape!
ALBUM REVIEW Riff Raiders live like you mean it
CRY OF THE WOLF MAGAZINE - UK - 8 November 2017
Fans of hard rock will not be disappointed with RIFF RAIDERS. This is pure, modern edged rock and roll. Nonstop energetic and catchy riffs mixed with down to earth in your face lyrics. This is a sonic painting with many colors bleeding into one solid ball of rock. Vocalist Jenni James shines on the lead off track, "Live Like You Mean It." The song is so catchy you will find yourself singing along and playing it loud. The lead guitar break is tasteful and powerful.
Production is top notch. This band has captured a live feel to the recording. I am sure Riff Raiders puts on one hell of a show live. If this album is any indication then we will be hearing a lot more from this band in the future. Over all this entire album rocks from beginning to end.
Stand out tracks include: "Sleeping with the lights on", "Born to raise hell", "Sisters in arms."
8/10 wolf howls
Video Premiere: Riff Raiders unleash 'Live It Like You Mean It'
HARD HITTING AUSSIE ROCK
BEAT MAGAZINE 15 August 2017
Melbourne's purveyors of big riffs, Riff Raiders, have dropped their latest single - the fiery Live It Like You Mean It.
Paying ode to the golden days of Australian rock, their new track comes locked and loaded with big guitars and even bigger vocals.
It's an enticing taste of what's in store for their hotly anticipated debut album of all original material which is due later this year. Featuring 11 tracks of riff-laden, melody driven rock.
RIFF RAIDERS // The Lucky Country Rockers
BY ANNA ROSE HYSTERIAMAG 24 November 2017
When Riff Raiders’ single Live Like You Mean It dropped, ears pricked up. When the album of the same name dropped, hands went up – Riff Raiders have, in their debut release, solidified classic Aussie rock, the pride of Australian music, and rock ‘n’ roll fans couldn’t be more stoked..(read more)......
Riff Raiders - PROFILE
BEAT MAGAZINE - 8 NOVEMBER 2017
Why should we give Live Like You Mean It a listen? We approached this album in the way bands used to. They had time pressures to write and record the music while touring, which gave it an edge. The songs were written in a five-month burst, making no exception that each song had to be jam-packed with exciting riffs, melodies and words. It’s an album with an A-side and B-side; with absolutely no filler. It was recorded in a two-week burst using vintage gear to give it a warm sound.
Tell us about your latest single ‘D-GAF’. Riff Raiders is about creating new music in the classic rock style, riff-based rock of the ‘70s to ‘90s. Big vocals, big drums, very big guitars with catchy melodies. All our songs must have at least one riff. ‘D-GAF’ draws on the early-‘90s grungy rock’n’roll vibe.
You worked with Melbourne-based illustrator Brooke Penrose for your artwork. How did you get together? We wanted consistent artwork on our releases that were hand drawn in the classic comic strip style. Brooke’s style fitted the bill perfectly. The character Riff is our mascot. This helped inspire the comic strip idea for the ‘D-GAF’ video.
For anyone unfamiliar, what can we expect from a Riff Raiders show? We play a solid set packed with a number of hard rock styles. As well as our originals, we mix it up with a few classic album tracks from Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Queen and Led Zeppelin.
Riff Raiders launch their debut album Live Like You Mean It at The Last Chance Rock & Bar on Saturday November 11, with special guests Moonshifter and Snark.
Riff Raiders on their new single, gender equality and the classic rock sound
BY PAUL WAXMAN BEAT MAGAZINE 30 August 2017
Bands that can transport their listeners to an earlier time period by paying homage to classic bands are admirable and deserving of attention. Riff Raiders prove their time travelling tendencies on the visceral and speaker-blowing single Live Like You Mean It.
The track melds the sounds of many classic rock bands together into one fiery tune. With debut album A Million Miles Away coming later in the year, the band is set to deliver this furious-and-then-some sound across 11 tracks.
After the recent release of Live Like You Mean It, we talked to guitarist Marty Powell about the current classic rock scene and how this, among other things, influenced the band’s sound for the new album.
As the band’s predominant songwriter, Powell considered what the Riff Raiders’ simple yet diverse sound on their new single and album truly is. “I don’t mean this in a rude way, but some bands really want to stay in the one sound and what you hear is what you get. We’re called the Riff Raiders, so the idea is, the songs are all riff based, but as you can already hear, they are reasonably dynamic.
“There are other styles that we have done. There are some grunge songs and there’s a lot of high-energy Black Crowes groove, more progressive sort of stuff across the album. They are not all those AC/DC-style, straight-ahead rockers, but there are no ballads on the record either. Just nice big riffs,” Powell says.
Reflecting on this sound and, perhaps, why it’s making such a comeback – with musicians such as Wolfmother, Jack White and the Darkness continuing to fly the flag – Powell believes that a no-bars-held approach is the best way to understand modern rock.
“It’s rock‘n’roll. It’s what I’ve grown up with and liked,” Powell says. “I thought, ‘Well, let’s just do it and don’t over think it’ in regards to the style, and I think that’s why you’re hearing a freshness to that classic sound.”
Led by the powerful Jenni James on demanding vocals, Powell suggests that being a female-led band diversifies the Riff Raiders’ sound and makes it more exciting.
“Having a female singer gives us a different angle, I really like that,” he says. “Doing this classic Aussie rock thing and having a female vocalist; it’s not so misogynistic, or the lyrics don’t fall into some of those traps that those styles have had in the past. We find when we do gigs, we get a really nice cross-section of people as a result of that.”
From this important point of gender equality in performance and social awareness in lyrics, Riff Raiders made a conscious effort to ensure the lyrics of Live Like You Mean It stood out from similar sounding bands. “I was really conscious about that,” Powell says. “I think some older bands can try and lecture at people. I hate hearing from anyone that ‘Things were better in their day’ or ‘You’re not doing this right.’ That’s not the message, it’s just ‘Hey, we’re all here, we’re so lucky with what we’ve got, let’s have a ball with it.’”
With plenty of gigs already up their sleeves as a cover band, Powell reflected on younger bands, like Sisters Doll, joining the scene and whether those years of experience make or break a band. “To me, it’s just the style. To be honest, that’s just what comes out. It’s probably just where your starting point is coming from, and you do try to do things in a more modern way but you’re still ending up sounding like you are, if it’s coming from the heart then you can’t help that.”
Powell has a more sentimental approach to the scene, and music as whole for that matter. “If you like what you’re doing in music, I think people can tell what that is. It shines through.”
This sentiment is clear with fans as well, with their new single even connecting with fans as far away as Brazil. “It feels really good,” Powell says. “There’s certainly a bit of a buzz there. I don’t know if it’ll turn into anything, but they’re loving the video and the song.”
Riff Raiders will perform at Workers Club on Sunday September 17.
RIFF IT UP
THE MUSIC (Melbourne) 6 September 2017 HOWZAT Local Music by Jeff Jenkins (page 32-33)
Riff Raiders is a great name for a band that plunders from the past. And that's not a criticism. Riff Raiders are a glorious celebration of the classics - think Zeppelin, Cheap Trick, Thin Lizzy and AC/DC. After being in a number of original bands, singer Jenni James and guitarist Marty Powell started Riff Raiders as a fun party band, covering their favourite rock tunes, but it's now evolved into a mighty original outfit, with an album coming later this year. First single Live Like You Mean It is a love letter to rock'n'roll and a slap-down to the doomsayers who reckon rock is dead. "If rock'n'roll is dead" Jenni asks, "then why's this song stuck in your head?" Excellent point, Riff Raiders. Rock lives! They're launching the single with a special Sunday afternoon show at The Workers Club on 17 Sep.
HOT LINE "All I need to know is in a rock'n'roll show" - Riff Raiders, Live Like You Mean It.
RIFF RAIDERS
CRAMP ISSUE 2# MUSIC ONLINE MAGAZINE 25 October 2017
Jenni James is well known for her powerful-as-fuck vocals in Melbourne rock outfit Riff Raiders. We had a chat with Jenni about what it’s like to front a band as a female, how the music scene has changed and their brand spanking new album from Riff Raiders.
RIFF RAIDERS
The Melbourne Critique - SOUND - 28 October 2017 by Jessi Lewis
Melbourne is the spiritual and physical home of pure bread rock n roll in Australia and Riff Raiders are testament to that! They play like they mean it, with monstrous riffs, thundering drums and vocals built for good times, they are the embodiment of classic Aussie rock. In homage to our triumphant local scene Melbournes’ Riff Raiders were form back in 2015 belting out B-sides and obscure gems from the hard rock acts that inspired them. Made up of indie stalwarts of the original scene, the band has blown away punters with their authentic approach and edgy finesse to playing rock’n’roll. In this guise, Riff Raiders were one of the very few cover acts to be accepted by the original scene, but this was never the long-term ambition of the band. Soon to launch their debut Album, Live Like You Mean It this November, Marty Powell and Jenni James from the group spoke with The Melbourne Critique about life, love and inspiration...........
RIFF RAIDERS // New South Detroit Rock City
HYSTERIA MAG 16 August 2017 / WORDS Mike Hohnen, Hysteria Radio and The Editor / Heartbreaker, baybay
Hailing from Rock City, Australia, aka Melbourne, Riff Raiders are gearing up to leave their dent on the Rock & Roll community with their debut album A Million Miles Away.
Cutting their teeth with faithful renditions of B-sides from Led Zeppelin, Queen, and other greats of the scene, Riff Raiders have earned a rep as a band who can, well, rock your socks off. The first single from the album, Live Like You Mean It, sees frontwoman, Jenny, lead the charge atop a solid old-school rock groove. The gods of Aussie rock would be proud.
Ahead of the release of Live Like You Mean It, we spoke with guitarist and creative force Marty Powell. click here
“Riff Raiders play like they mean it. Monstrous riffs, thundering drums and a vocal to raise the dead. With Live Like You Mean It, they’ve delivered a stirring love letter to rock ’n’ roll, a fist-in-the-air anthem that’s alive on arrival This line says it all: “If rock ’n’ roll is dead then why’s this song stuck in your head?”” - Jeff Jenkins, The Music / Rock’n’Roll author
60 SECONDS WITH.....JENNI POWELL OF RIFF RAIDERS
BEAT MAGAZINE 8 June 2016 (Q&A)
So, what are the Riff Raiders all about?
Classic Rock and killer riffs. We bust out the gems from classic hard rock artists from the ‘70s that often go unplayed.
What has been your favourite gig to date?
Packed house at rock central Cherry Bar in April. Two sets, no supports and the crowd went absolutely nuts.
What do you love about playing live?
The immediate feedback from the crowd. It’s like a drug, or food. I could live on that shit. The energy and force that the band generates is like riding on the bonnet of a semi trailer. A bit scary, fucking loud and totally exhilarating.
What do you hate about playing live?
Not much really. It’s hard for me to try and save my voice and not yell-talk to every punter before the show, so the late ones suck a bit that way. Keeping the gear safe afterwards is a bit of a drag sometimes too.
Why have you singled out the music of Cheap Trick for this Saturday’s gig?
Celebrating Cheap Trick’s 2016 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame gave us the perfect excuse to play their live album in full. Marty [guitar] and I have been fans of the band since we were teenagers. Their recorded catalogue is incredible and their live shows truly epic.
They have all the pieces of the personality puzzle – the crazy guitarist, the beautiful singer that has one of the best pop/rock voices in history, the geeky drummer and the fuckable bass player with an overdraft of strings.
RIFF RAIDERS present Cheap Trick’s At Budokan on Saturday June 11 at the Flying Saucer Club, plus tunes by Queen, Zoot, Easybeats, Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin.
Riff Raiders Return By Popular Demand With Cheap Trick Tribute
HOT TALK - BEAT MAGAZINE 18 May 2016
After The Riff Raider's first tribute to legendary rockers Cheap Trick received a huge turnout and rave reviews, the band has returned to do it all over again with an encore show.
The Melbourne-based powerhouse rock act will be paying tribute to Cheap Trick by playing all the hits from the album that started it all, At Budokan, as well as some extra Cheap Trick favourites thrown in for good measure.
In a follow-up set, The Riff Raiders will also pay tribute to other Hall-of-Famers including Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath done in their own style, digging into lesser known B-sides from the rock heavyweights.
It’s all happening at the Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick, on Saturday June 11
The Age Newspaper 8 April 2016
THE SHORTLIST TOP 5 GIGS: APRIL 8
1. RIFF RAIDERS
Saturday, 8pm, Cherry Bar, AC/DC Lane, Melbourne, $15
Cheap Trick tribute group play At Budokan in full to celebrate the legendary group's induction in to the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame.
RIFF RAIDERS-CHEAP TRICKS
BY ROD WHITFIELD - BEAT MAGAZINE 16 March 2016
When you think about cover bands, terms like ‘unconventional’ and ‘left of centre’ don’t usually spring to mind. Cover bands tend to specialise in a bunch of safe rock songs designed to please a specific audience. But Melbourne’s Riff Raiders are a cover band with a difference, as guitar player Marty Powell explains. “We formed this band about a year ago,” he says. “We’d all come from original band backgrounds, and we wanted to do something a bit different. Instead of just being a usual cover band, we wanted to do some seminal 70's hard rock acts, but not all their obvious songs".
“Case in point, [Thin Lizzy’s] The Boys are Back in Town has been done to death, so do Emerald and Cowboy Song and all that sort of thing. Zeppelin, we do The Rover and Misty Mountain Hop as opposed to the more obvious tracks. And we like to give them a bit more respect. I go to a bit of effort with changing guitars and having the right effects and all that. So that’s the idea.”
So far, this approach has gained Riff Raiders a very positive reaction. The feedback they’ve attracted reflects the atypical nature of the band. “It’s been very interesting,” Powell says. “People aren’t sure at first. The reaction we’ve been getting has been like, ‘Gee, I remember that one,’ or ‘I didn’t know that they had other songs.’ ”
Riff Raiders’ next hometown show will also offer something out of the box. American rock act Cheap Trick are being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, so Riff Raiders are hosting a Cheap Trick themed celebration. To coincide with the induction ceremony, they’ll hit up Cherry Bar to play Cheap Trick’s 1979 live album At Budokan in its entirety, plus extra songs like California Man and Southern Girls.
“They were getting acknowledged in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year, and for a band like Cheap Trick to get that type of recognition I think is fantastic, and they’re not a band that has many tribute nights. For us it was a bit of an extension to play in that style rather than the classic British hard rock I was just describing. So it’s a really good journey for us.
“And we’re playing on the same night as they’re getting inducted in the Hall of Fame. Well, as close as you can between Melbourne and New York anyway.”
Riff Raiders generally jam around with the songs they cover, but for the Cheap Trick show they’ll stick close to the original versions. “With this Trick stuff, we’re going pretty close to what’s on the record. Being that it was a live album, there’s probably too many drum solos and all that, so we’ve got rid of that and put a couple of different arrangements in, just to make it a bit more dynamic.”
They’ll actually perform two sets on the night, and the second set also fits the theme. “The second set will be other Hall of Fame bands that are already there. So your Kiss and Zeppelin and Sabbath et cetera.”
Powell feels comfortable playing the show at a renowned original band venue. In fact, Riff Raiders are one of the very few cover acts to be accepted by the original band scene.
“We’ve played there once before with The Lazy’s late last year and that went down well. The other good thing about us is that we’re more than tolerated and allowed to play with original bands. That’s what I always wanted for us was to either give them a go, or just be the fun part of the night. It’s just about getting people out seeing live music.”
RIFF RAIDERS Cheap Trick tribute goes down at Cherry Bar on Saturday April 9. The Cheap Trick set starts at 9pm sharp, Hall of Fame set is 10.30pm. - See more at: http://www.beat.com.au/category/tags/riff-raiders
RIFF RAIDERS TALK CHEAP TRICK
BEAT MAGAZINE 30 March 2016 (Q & A)
Marty Powell, Riff Raiders Guitarist takes us through some Cheap Trick Riffs we need to hear.
Heaven Tonight
This is the title track from their third album, recorded at the Sound City Studios in LA in 1978 (and one of the reasons Nirvana wanted to record there). An amazing power riff crossing Abbey Road Beatles and the power of Kashmir Led Zeppelin, plus haunting vocals about the stupidity of drugs. This track also features the first ever recording of a 12 string bass.
Stiff Competition
Also from the Heaven Tonight LP. No cheap tricks here, just a balls to the wall rock n roll riff and performance that was out on its own at the time of recording. Angus Young was a big fan of this band, as Rick Neilsen was of AC/DC, and this track clearly demonstrates their bromance.
Go for the Throat
This song is buried on the second side of the All Shook Up album (1980) produced by George Martin, and engineered by Geoff Emerick. The result is a manic display of riffing. Sir George obviously dug Trick’s hard rock and experimental approach, which comes through on this stunning recording.
One on One
Title track for the 1982 album produced by Queen’s Roy Thomas Baker. It’s the album that gave us Aussie No.1 If You Want My Love and this song, which smashes along with the band’s self-depreciating lyric ‘reputation is a fragile thing, and don’t I know it!’
Hot Love
First track on their debut LP recorded in 1976. This was a prototype of the new wave of rock that came later in that decade and basically ever since. But at the time the public simply thought - WTF?
RIFF RAIDERS' Cheap Trick tribute goes down at Cherry Bar on Saturday April 9. They'll be playing the AT BUDOKAN album is full from 9pm sharp
RIFF RAIDERS TO PLAY CHEAP TRICK TRIBUTE SHOW
BEAT MAGAZINE 26 February 2016
After more than four decades of music and over 5,000 gigs, legendary rockers Cheap Trick will be inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To celebrate, Riff Raiders will play their classic album At Budokan in full. After performing the album from start to finish, Riff Raiders will launch into a set filled with other Hall of Fame musicians, including Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Queen and Kiss. Recorded live in Tokyo in April 1978 and originally only for Japanese audiences, At Budokan launched Cheap Trick to the world, going triple platinum in the US alone. It all goes down at Cherry Bar on Saturday April 9.
60 SECONDS WITH....RIFF RAIDERS
WHAT ARE FIVE RIFFS WE NEED TO HEAR AND WHY?
BEAT MAGAZINE 5 August 2015
The Rover (Led Zeppelin)
The Rover is a strong, constant blues (but not blues) riff with a progressive, phaser soaked chorus, anchored by a groove only Zeppelin could achieve – tight but loose. A particular favourite in our set and a song from their Physical Graffiti double LP, never performed live by Zeppelin in its entirety.
New Born (Muse)
Great riff-based songs sit well together in our set, selected from different eras. I think the opening track on the 2001 Muse album Origin of Symmetry defines this band and the potential they went on to achieve. I keep hearing, “I hate Muse but man I love that song.” Tall poppy anyone?
Emerald (Thin Lizzy)
Emerald is the final track of the breakthrough Thin Lizzy LP Jailbreak from 1976. Hard rock riffing with a Celtic rhythmic flavour – it doesn’t get much better for a band when you get to play songs like this one.
Hocus Pocus (Focus)
Impeccably played and recorded song from this Dutch band released in 1971. An amazing riff and soloing buried in one of the strangest non-vocal vocal lines ever recorded. This thing was a top 20 hit in its day. Ridiculous yet brilliant at the same time.
South Side of the Sky (Yes)
From their 1971 album Fragile, with their ultimate lineup crashing through with an enormous bass, guitar and organ riff after an intro consisting of howling wind and footsteps. Groovy man.
Riff Raiders-BRINGING BACK THE RIFF
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY - BEAT MAGAZINE 27 May 2015
This Saturday night, Melbourne four-piece Riff Raiders will transform Yah Yahs into a hall of classic riff worship. The band’s repertoire unearths lesser-known tracks from a range of riff experts, including Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Cheap Trick, plus recent riff proponents The White Stripes and Muse. Riff Raiders’ lead guitarist Marty Powell explains the motives behind this novel-natured tribute act.
"Hard rock can be generalised to not have a lot of dynamics and groove, but there’s actually a lot out there that is [dynamic],” he says. “So they’re the sort of songs we’re trying to capture. There’s a lot of good riff based music that’s been done that doesn’t always get played live, even by the bands themselves. Everyone knows the Thin Lizzy song The Boys Are Back In Town, but they’ve got heaps of other killer songs too that haven’t been overplayed. So we pull a few of those out.”
In a certain respect, good riffs are both a blessing and a curse. When you’ve got a strong, memorable riff, finding an equally effective vocal melody or chorus hook can be particularly difficult. The likes of Wolfmother or Audioslave come to mind as acts who’ve suffered in this regard. But a Riff Raiders gig puts the spotlight on bands who’ve employed riffs in the context of quality songwriting.
“I think [riffs] should come and go,” Powell says. “They can be the hook – exactly that. There’s famous bands that have absolutely got that right. A more recent example would definitely be Muse and probably The White Stripes.”
When it comes to the secrets of a great riff, there are no definitive answers. Riffs don’t have to be tricky to be effective. In fact, some of rock music’s most timeless killer riffs are rooted in simplicity (thinkYou Really Got Me or Roadhouse Blues). But on the other hand, a painfully difficult riff can also be stunning.
“You don’t always have to be a brilliant guitar player,” Powell agrees. “Someone like Jack White, he’s obviously exciting and when I hear him you just want to pick up a guitar and play. But then you have guys like Jimmy Page or Ritchie Blackmore. They have a lot more technique, but they can pull it back and have really catchy simple riffs and then absolutely slam through major hammer-on guitar solos when they’re needed.”
While riffs have always figured prominently in rock music, the 1970s was the apex of riff-centric songwriting. Accordingly, the majority of the Riff Raiders setlist is focused on the ‘70s, but they do take a look at riff evolution through the eras.
“We do the Yardbirds and Pretty Things and an Australian band called Zoot,” Powell says. “They’re ‘60s riffs, which is a bit of a different approach. In the noughties, we’re looking around at bands like White Stripes, Muse and The Darkness. But once again, not the obvious songs.”
When you think of enduring riffs, not many from the last decade spring to mind. A band like The Darkness are a lot of fun, but their whole shtick relies on aping an earlier style. Thus the question looms, is there hope for the birth of brand new dazzling rock riffs?
“I think the more rock music you’ve absorbed, you do see it starting to eat itself,” Powell says. “Some people have said to me ‘Why aren’t you writing your own stuff?’ I thought, well it’s not a bad thing to look back and see this massive catalogue that’s there. People go and watch jazz bands and orchestras that haven’t written what they’re playing and people enjoy that. That’s the idea with this band.
“We’re getting quite good reactions,” he adds. “People saying ‘I didn’t know they had songs like that,’ and they go off and find it for themselves, which is really good. We do 90 minutes sometimes and people still ask for more.”