The Riverdales

The Riverdales are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois made up of former Screeching Weasel members. Bassist Dan Schafer and guitarist Ben Foster both served as frontmen, splitting time singing lead vocals for the group. The Riverdales' original run lasted from 1994-1997. They reformed in 2003 to record their third album, and they once again reformed in 2008 and released a new record in July of 2009. Ben Weasel has stated that a follow-up album is already written.

History

Named after the small town of Riverdale from the Archie Comics, The Riverdales formed in 1994. The founding members; Ben Foster (guitar), Dan Schafer (bass), and Dan Sullivan (drums), were all former members of Screeching Weasel, who had broken up earlier that year. Unlike Screeching Weasel, the members of The Riverdales would be credited under their real names. They released their self-titled, debut album on July 7, 1995, on Lookout! Records. It was produced by Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Squirtgun's Mass Giorgini. They toured extensively that year as the opening act for the Mr. T Experience, and then for Green Day. Playing off this synergy, the Riverdales supported Green Day's 1995 tour. Also that year, the bands song "Back To You" appeared in the movie Angus.^[1]

Despite the reformation of Screeching Weasel in 1996, the Riverdales did not split until after recording a second album, Storm The Streets, in 1997.

In 2004, Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Riverdales masters from Lookout! Records after being unable to resolve a breach of contract dispute over unpaid royalties with the label. All of these masters have since been licensed to Asian Man Records. Asian Man reissued the first Riverdales album in 2006 with re-mastered sound and a slew of bonus tracks including 3 unreleased tracks, "No Sense" from the Storm the Streets session, and live tracks from their tour with Green Day.^[2]. The Label also re-issued Phase 3 on October 7th, 2008. There are five bonus tracks on the reissue including a re-done version of the song "Mental Retard".

On November 19th, 2008, on his ESPN radio show, Weasel Radio, Ben Weasel announced that he and Danny Vapid had been demoing songs for a new Riverdales album, and recording would begin in February of 2009. He also announced that The Riverdales will be playing live shows again.^[3] and that Adam Cargin (of the Blueheels) would be the band's new drummer.^[4] The album, titled Invasion USA was released on July 14, 2009.

In September 2009, it was announced that Simon Lamb would be joinging the band as second guitarist ^[5]. Prior to that, for live purposes, Dan Schafer was playing second guitar (with a notably louder amp) and singing while Justin Perkins, who had recorded Invasion U.S.A., played bass.

In November 2009, Mike Park of Asian Man Records announced that Ben had decided to severe his relationship with the label and that Recess Records would be carrying the Screeching Weasel, Riverdales, and Ben Weasel solo back catalogues^[6].

Discography

Studio Albums

• Riverdales (1995)
• Storm the Streets (1997)
• Phase 3 (2003)
• Invasion U.S.A. (2009)

EPs

• Back To You/I Can't Pretend (1995)
• Fun Tonight/ I'm a Vegetable (1995)
• Blood On The Ice/No Sense (1997)

Notes

External links

• Allmusic.com entry
• Lookout entry
• Riverdales Myspace entry
• Asian Man Records Entry