The Riffs
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| The Riffs | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Portland, Oregon ,United States |
| Genre(s) | Punk rock, Rock and roll |
| Label(s) | Pelado, Vendetta, TKO |
| Associated acts | Slaughter and the Dogs |
| Former members | |
| Toni Transmission | |
The Riffs are a rock and roll and punk band from Portland, Oregon. They have released three full-length albums, all on indie labels, namely Pelado Records, Vendetta Records, and TKO Records.
Contents |
[edit] Influences
The Riffs are heavily influenced by early punk bands, most notably the Sex Pistols, whose influence can be heard most prominently in the guitars, Sham 69 and the Dead Boys (they paid tribute to the Dead Boys on the cover of "Dead end Dream"). Like other bands that played the first wave of punk music, they were also fans of Protopunk like Eddie and the Hot Rods and The Velvet Underground, as displayed by their cover of "Waiting for the Man" on "Underground Kicks".
[edit] Song Content
Throughout the first two LPs, Underground Kicks and Dead End Dream, the songs and lyrics (written by all members of the band) told a bleak story of growing up in the Portland punk scene, presumably in poverty, afflicted with drug addiction, the repercussions of drug abuse, regret about past violent criminal activity, and a "No Way Out" feeling when it came to creating a fulfilling (if any) future.
The band matured for their latest release, "Death or Glory", as evident by lead singer Mengis' improved vocal abilities--also, he achieved a greater vocal range, such as in "Death or Glory"--smoother production, and implementation of experimental instruments (such as the keyboard in "Poison Boys"). The lyrical content also took a turn for the positive in many ways, not really mirroring the accounts of defeat, self-destruction, and suffering that characterised them up to that point. In addition, "Death or Glory" had considerably more romantic songs than ever before. Although the Riffs never expressed indifference or apathy, but rather showed deep emotional conflict in songs like "Chelsea Says", a story about a relationship between two junkies that had devolved into a single mission: taking turns doing horrible things to get high and avoid drug withdrawal.
[edit] Members
- Tony Mengis - Vocals
- Amphetamine Blue - Guitars, backup vocals
- Saigon Shakes - Guitar, then Bass
- Dogs Body - Guitars and vocals
- Karl - most recent drumner
- Toni Transmission - first drummer
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Underground Kicks (released 1999 by Pelado Records, re-released December 17, 2002 by TKO Records)
- Dead End Dream (March 19, 2002)
- Death or Glory (May 20, 2003)
[edit] EPs
- The Lucky Ones are Dead B/W Johnny Won't Get to Heaven 7" on Pelado Records
- White Line Kids B/W Kick Time Suicide 7" released in 2000 on Tombstone Records
- A Million Scars B/W Outta my Mind and I Won't 7" on Vendetta Records
- Such a Bore B/W Coming Back 7" on TKO Records
- Poison Boys B/W Lesson Number Nine 7" released in 2003 on TKO Records
[edit] Trivia
- The Riffs thanked Slaughter and the Dogs on their first 7", "The Lucky Ones Are Dead", and also toured with the band when they reunited and toured the US. Slaughter and the Dogs had just performed what's widely considered the best set of the March 2003 Holidays in the Sun punk festival, which was released on CD and subsequently DVD, possibly motivating them to tour more, including their US tour with the Riffs.
- Slaughter and the Dogs were also planning on helping produce "Death or Glory", but complications arose and this never came to fruition
- Lead Singer Tony Mengis was previously in the Portland-based underground punk band Defiance, before getting kicked out.
- Dogs Body, real name Colin, is exceptionally tall and has been referred to by his nickname "The Gentle Giant"
- Tony Mengis now plays in the band The Soda Pop Kids.
- Dogs Body, Amphetamine Blue, and Karl are now in the band The Nice Boys with ex Exploding Hearts guitarist Terry Six.
