Iron Horse Preview: Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot recovers, rebounds from tragic year

Daily Collegian | February 7, 2008

In the wake of sudden tragedy and hiatus, Syracuse's Ra Ra Riot has returned to bring their energetic presence and sound to the stage at the Iron Horse Music Hall Friday night.

During their relatively brief history, the sextet, fronted by vocalist and chief lyricist Wesley Miles, have garnered comparisons to such bands as The Arcade Fire and The Olivia Tremor Control for their ability to seamlessly integrate stringed instruments and composition into a more modern indie-rock landscape.

While their association with such company is warranted, what separates Ra Ra Riot from their contemporaries is the abundance of energy that resonates from every song.

Songs such as "A Manner to Act," off their self-titled EP, leap from the stereo with a sense of urgency and demand multiple plays. Where Arcade Fire's latest effort was dominated by drab and darker selections, Ra Ra Riot's debut is full of life and littered with bright and often playful hooks.

2007 proved to be a profoundly transitional year for the young band. The widespread release of their debut album, a six track self-titled EP, in both North America and Europe matched with their supporting roles on national tours with the likes of Indie heavyweights Art Brut and Tokyo Police Club saw the band rise from relative obscurity to earn considerable mainstream attention.

Perhaps the band's biggest break occurred when they performed at SXSW (South by Southwest Festival) in Austin, TX, and delivered a performance so engaging that it earned them festival wide top-10 marks from both NME and VH1.

Other notable publications were not far behind in their praise for the band, as they received favorable coverage from Rolling Stone, SPIN, and Nylon in the months to follow, with SPIN going as far as to claim, "You must know Syracuse's Ra Ra Riot. Like, right now."

Unfortunately, as successful as 2007 was musically for the band, it will always be remembered for the sudden and tragic death of their close friend and drummer John Pike. Disappearing following a house party a day after the band had performed in Providence, the discovery of his body in Buzzard's Bay in Fairhaven, MA shocked the band to their very core. Suddenly without their backbone and stricken with heavy hearts, an air of uncertainty surrounded the future of the band.

Following this period of loss and mourning, the New Year has served, in many ways, as a fresh start for Ra Ra Riot. A sold out benefit concert entitled "Friends of John" was held at the Middle East in Cambridge last month. Ra Ra Riot performed with their new lineup while the benefit also included performances by Tokyo Police Club and Vampire Weekend with all of the show's proceeds going directly to the newly founded John Ryan Pike Memorial Foundation.

Created by Pike's family following his death, the foundation aims to establish a lending library of musical instruments; this will allow and encourage underprivileged children to become active in music by allowing them to try instruments that they may have never tried or been able to access before.

The foundation plans to join forces with local high schools and colleges to bring these children together with students who are willing to volunteer music lessons, all in an effort to keep John's passion of playing and creating music alive and thriving in the hearts of many.

Despite their loss, Ra Ra Riot has returned to the studio and is in the midst of their first tour of the New Year. With their fallen friend and drummer as an undoubted inspiration, the band continues to create and perform in his memory while etching out new paths for themselves in the process. With their first full length album just completed and due for release sometime in the spring, an ongoing headlining tour, and a new sense of purpose and direction, big things lie ahead for the band.

Doors open at 10 p.m. and tickets for the show are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The show is open to all ages. For tickets, directions, or a complete listing of shows please visit www.iheg.com

Have a Listen: Ra Ra Riot @ Myspace.com
Purchase The Album: Ra Ra Riot E-Store