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RISER
RISER is not a band that will be loved by everyone these days, partly due to their pure late 1970s/early 1980s type of Pomprocksound. On the other hand I think there are still plenty people that like their music to sound very 70s and especially the fans of pure Pomprock (STYX, KANSAS, ROADMASTER) will totally love RISER's CD 'Resurrection'. A follow-up is already in progress and should be even better, so fans of this lost rockstyle need to look out for RISER and below you can read all about this rising band that has been around for quite a while now...
When did
you actually form RISER?
Steve Assad : Riser was formed by the founding members of
Strutter, Adrian Medeiros, John Garr and Steve Assad. We still
had a desire to work together with a different musical style and
sound. We then joined forces with John Kalishes and Larry Dalton
who had also been working together. At this point we knew that we
had a great band and a diverse group of song writers but we were
lacking that "signature" voice. Originally we had
interest in a very talented singer/guitarist from another local
group. We went to see them, to offer the lead singer the
opportunity to work with us. During their performance the Bass
player, Tom Fey, sang an incredible version of Tobacco Road and
at the end of that song. He was the new voice of Riser! We talked
him into playing acoustic guitar and doing lead vocals and Riser
was born.
John Garr/Vocals/sax/guitar and Keys Adrian had written a new
song and we got Larry and John to play on it and then we went and
found Tommy.
Did any of you do something
musically before RISER?
Tommy Fey: Lead vocals Riser: 1971 played bass and lead vocals
for 3 piece power trio called Lucy Blue signed to Big Tree
Records. Released the single "Steal My Heart Away,"
-1973-76 Tom Fey Band, Annie Hacket Band (another power
trio).1976 "Touch" located in San Francisco.
-1977 Balloon with Charlie Farren Played bass and vocals.
John Kalishes/Guitar I was in a very successful hard rock band
called Susan, who later went with RCA (without me LOL).
Adrian: Keyboards and vocals, I was one of the founding members
of Mainstream recording artists: The "Tangerine Zoo"
John Garr I was in Strutter with Adrian and Steve but before that
A Pennsylvania band Called "The Kindred Spirit" with
two singles on Mercury
Steve Assad:Bass Guitar and Vocals - Played in the popular Boston
Band "The Works" then played in "Strutter"
with Adrian and John Garr which evolved into Riser
Larry Dalton/ Drums, was also in Tangerine Zoo and Atomic
Rooster, as well as with Arthur Lee and Robin Trower
Your music
is early 80s/late 70s AOR/Pomprock, which bands influenced you? I
guess STYX?
Tommy Fey: Not being a major writer in the band, my influences
were more diverse. Bonnie Raitt, James Brown, Joe Walsh, Tower of
Power, Edgar winter, Eagles, Tony Bennett, James Cotton. Otis
Reading.
Adrian: Definitely The Beatles but I also liked Vinilla Fudge and
Uriah Heep for the vocals
John Kalishes: I have always been influenced by Jeff Beck,
Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Ry Cooder and Andy Pratt.
John Garr: I was mostly influenced by the Beatles but also Led
Zepplin / Chicago and Jethro Tull
Steve Assad - Actually I was most influenced by the Beatles,
especially Paul McCartney. Groups that I really liked that played
a style similar to ours were Yes and Foreigner and Pink Floyd. I
really liked Yes, especially for their musicianship. Styx was a
band that was similar to us but we never really admired them.
Your kind
of music is really not in today's category (which is great I
think). Do you think there are
still many fans of this musicstyle today?
John Garr: I truly think we have something that's timeless on
this CD and yes I think there are many fans of this style out
there.
Steve Assad - I think that there is always an audience for good
music. The style of our songs was very popular in the 70's and
80's but I still think it has a place in today's market.
Regardless of the style, we write "pop" songs with
wonderful arrangements, great melodies, catchy hooks, fabulous
lead vocals and incredible harmonies. Those qualities will always
have a place in any era.
John
Kalishes: I believe that there are far more fans of orchestral
music than the record companies suspect. It is a genre that
challenges the listener and not just a background soundtrack for
a mundane life.
And the
musicstyle in your area, and are you popular in your area?
Adrian: Although the styles are constantly changing Boston has
always been a melting pot for different types of rock and we
still have loyal fans
John Kalishes: I am lucky in that in my area, all types of music
are played on the radio. Although Riser does not perform
frequently, (because the members are spread over the USA), when
we do appear, the reaction and audience size has been remarkable.
Steve Assad - People really like us in our area. We drew over 200
people to our last performance which took place on a Monday night
at "Mont Blue" a club owned by Aerosmith in Norwell
which is south of Boston. Our style is not prevalent in our area
but we are always well received.
How is the debut going so far,
positive reactions?
John Garr: Although Full House is a small label we have been
excited to see the response to this long overdue CD.
John Kalishes: I have been very pleased with the positive reviews
and sales of RESURRECTION. Frankly, I am pleasantly surprised.
What are
the plans for the next coming months? Have you written any new
material and if so, please tell us about it and possible
songtitles... Hopefully no musical changes...
John Kalishes: Since John G. and I both have studios, I am sure
there is a Riser CD in the near future. I am working on a couple
of new titles for Riser, "Beginning to End" and
"Lost Soul." I am sure the new Riser material will not
be lacking the fundamentals of our work together, harmony,
melody, wild arrangements and passion.
John Garr: We certainly do not want to change the concept, we
also have two songs that Adrian wrote we're trying to decide on,
One is Called " Someday" and the other is "If I
Have To I Will"
Steve Assad — The two songs already recorded are similar to
the material on the first CD and the new material is also
similar. I think that we write together in a certain style that
is also effected by our style of playing. That said, we will
always include some new and interesting musical interludes in our
songs to add some color and flavor to the material.
Finally,
do you have anything to add to our readers?
Tommy Fey: Thanks so much for listening to and supporting our
Riser CD.
John Kalishes: I would love to thank them for their support, and
hope if they pick up RESURRECTION, they will not be disappointed.
Steve Assad - Thank you to those who have enjoyed, and bought,
our CD. We love playing the songs and look forward to more people
hearing us live. We are anxious to perform for the audiences that
love our music.
John Garr: It's great to part of your publication thanks to Gabor
and every fan of" Riser "and check out Resurrection.
Larry
Dalton: Thanks
Adrian: " Be On Hold"