Riverboat Gamblers

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Riverboat Gamblers

Background information
Origin Denton, Texas, USA
Genre(s) Punk rock
Years active 1997 – Present
Label(s) Beatville Records (1997-????)
Gearhead Records (????-2005)
Volcom Entertainment (2005-current)
Associated
acts
Chop-Sakis
High Tension Wires
The Marked Men
Website www.theriverboatgamblers.com
Members
Mike Wiebe
Patrick Lillard
Fadi el-Assad
Ian MacDougall
Former members
Chris Adams
Jeremy Diaz
Jesse Hamilton
Colin James
Mark Baker
Mark Ryan
Sean Carpetbagger

The Riverboat Gamblers are a punk rock band originally from Denton, Texas but now residing in Austin, Texas. They are currently signed to Volcom Entertainment.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1997, former Blanks member Pat Lillard ("Spider") (Bass), formed The Riverboat Gamblers with Fadi el-Assad ("Freddy Castro") (Lead Guitar), and Mike Wiebe ("Teko Buller" or "Rookie Sensation") (Vocals). Lillard's original intention was to emulate Virginia punk-rockers The Candy Snatchers. In direct contrast to the popular emo music at the time, The Riverboat Gamblers' premiere show featured over-the-top songs relating to drinking and of course, gambling. Tongue planted firmly in cheek, The Riverboat Gamblers continued to play house parties and shows throughout Denton and the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The Gamblers burst out of the Denton college scene in September of 2001 on the back of their self-released 7" single "Jenna Is A No Show." Both 2001's self-titled release and 2003's Something to Crow About were produced by Texas punk rocker Tim Kerr (Big Boys, Lord High Fixers).

The Riverboat Gamblers in concert, December 1, 2006
The Riverboat Gamblers in concert, December 1, 2006

After the warm reception of Something to Crow About, the band soon relocated from Denton, Texas to Austin, Texas. The band first received attention from major record labels after their energetic and rowdy showcase at the 2003 South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas, but the band ultimately signed with indie label Gearhead Records. In 2005 they were signed to Volcom Entertainment and performed a stint on the 2005 Warped Tour, where the band was often noticed for its deranged live shows. The silliness of some of the earlier material has given way to a more complex breadth of material about America's maligned.

They have also appeared on the soundtracks to the videogames Tony Hawk's American Wasteland and Madden NFL 07.

[edit] Band Members

  • Mike Wiebe ("Teko Buller" or "Rookie Sensation") - Vocals
  • Pat Lillard ("Spider") - Bass
  • Fadi el-Assad ("Freddy Castro") - Lead Guitar
  • Ian MacDougall - Guitar


Previous members have included guitarist Jeremy Diaz ("Smokey"), guitarist Colin James ("Colin Ambulance"), drummer Chris Adams ("Tuffy McKeller"), and drummer Jesse Hamilton ("Jesse 3X"). Jeremy Diaz was the first to leave due to legal troubles in his home of Fort Worth. Clay Mills, who also recorded their first demo, filled in for Jeremy for a short time as rhythm guitar. At a number of shows Mills also came on stage to form a 6-piece, 3-guitar band.

[edit] Discography

  • Jenna is a No-Show 7" (self-released)
  • The Riverboat Gamblers (Beatville/Vilebeat Records)
  • That's Entertainment! Split 7" w/ Electric Eel Shock (Gearhead Records)
  • Something to Crow About (Gearhead Records)
  • Backsides (Beatville/Vilebeat Records)
  • To the Confusion of Our Enemies (VolcomENT/No Idea)
  • No Fair/Keep Me From Drinkin' B-sides 7" (VolcomENT)

[edit] External links