"We have given chase to regretless days,
disregarding what we lack.
If it takes a million miles we'll find the time, we'll get that gas.
There are moments I doubt it we'll ever make it back.
There are times when I don't question that."

-The Riot Before ("We Are Wild Stallions")

It's only the second show of the tour, and already the harsh reality of life on the road is sinking in.  "I can already smell myself," states Brett Adams - singer, guitarist, and songwriter for Richmond-based punk band the Riot Before.  But these boys are no strangers to the road.  Since the band's inception around 2003, touring has been their primary means of promotion, having played well over 300 shows in their lifespan.  "I'm not good at internet promotion," says Brett.  "It downplays earnestness to sell oneself online."  And that largely sums up the band's ethos - to play with the utmost sincerity and, as a result, be taken seriously by whoever happens to stumble across their music.  And on this first leg of the tour opening for unsung heroes of the 90s punk scene Leatherface, they will have ample opportunity to prove themselves to a new audience.

The Riot Before technically came into existence with the 2005 EP Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, but it was not until Brett relocated to Richmond from California that same year that the band was fully formed.  Brett recruited Cory Manning (bass), Freddy Clark (drums), and Garrett Berneche (lead guitar), and started booking shows, playing about 150 over the course of the following year.  One EP (So Long the Lighthouse), one broken tour van, and several tours later found the band down one guitar player with a recording session fast approaching.  Jon Greeley was enlisted on lead guitar, and the Riot Before was solidified as we know it today.

This lineup modification turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Jon's guitar work on 2008's Fists Buried in Pockets stands out as a potent weapon in the band's repertoire. It's refreshing to hear a punk band treat the lead guitar as a distinct instrument and not simply a complement to a trio of power chords, and his tastefully subtle lines on "We Are Wild Stallions" and "Capillaries" gives the group a solid leg up on their one-dimensional peers. Imagine a tamer, slightly more sober version of Bob Stinson (minus about 100 pounds - you could probably fit two or three Jons in one pair of Stinson's pants).

While the band has no pretense regarding their originality (or lack thereof, stating that their influences "will be worn on our sleeves"), it is their potential versatility that will set them apart.  "Words Written Over Coffee" provides an example of what the future may hold, as Brett has crafted one of the better genre-bending punk songs in recent memory, featuring a simple yet effective harmonica line that drifts over an alt-country shuffle.  While the average punk band would fail miserably at this sort of leap, the Riot Before succeeds, because no matter what shape their style happens to take, their lack of posturing keeps it grounded in the earnestness they are dedicated to delivering.

The Riot Before recently recorded their follow-up to Fists in Baltimore at Magpie Studios under the wisdom and production of J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines).  The finished product, Rebellion, is due out on April 27.  In considering the nature of this session in relation to previous recording experiences, Jon states simply, "It was awesome."  Brett continues, "It was great to have the luxury of a trusted opinion with J.  It was also our first time recording out of town."  Cory elaborates, "We were out of town, we had no day jobs to go to, so it was kind of do or die.  This is what we are here to do so let's do it."

On this particular evening at the Canal Club, they do not have to concern themselves much with winning over their hometown crowd, as many audience members can be seen singing right along with Brett.  That's not to say that they didn't convert anyone new; both my drunk, country music-loving friend and my esteemed photographer were rightfully impressed.  New songs from Rebellion such as "A Good Sense of Style" and "The Oregon Trail" display tremendous growth, and the confidence with which they were performed can only be the result of relentless touring that gives them a sound weathered beyond their years.  They close the set with a rousing version of "Capillaries," a favorite among band and audience members alike.

One cannot help but root for a band with this type of work ethic. They create a fan base the old-fashioned way - not through Facebook networking, but through persistent touring and simply getting out there to match a face to the sound.  "The advantage of our touring schedule is that you simply become a better band.  The disadvantage is that you run the risk of burning out," says Brett.  "We know when we need a break," adds Cory.  One can only hope that no break is required any time soon, as their momentum builds with each subsequent show, and with the release of Rebellion, their persistence could pay off quite handsomely.

You can find them online at myspace.com/theriotbefore.

Read Brett's tour blog at theriotbefore.com

By Editing Department, Editor-In-Chief and Author: Andrew Lutwin

Andrew is originally from Boston, but has spent equal time in Richmond and considers both home.  He recently graduated VCU with a B.A. in English and looks forward to seeing if his degree will be worth a damn.  While attending Northeastern University, Andrew began covering music for the Zig-Zag Live website and tour campaign, which won him the undying affection of Bostonians because of his access to free rolling papers.  He is fortunate enough to have parents with great taste in music and owes much of his musical sensibilities to them.  Some of his favorites include the Beatles, the Clash, My Morning Jacket, Mastodon, Mission of Burma, all 70's R&B, and anything that can be considered "outlaw."  Other hobbies include food, guitar, whiskey, hiking, Boston sports, and maintaining his beginner-level fish tank.     

 

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