The Long Ryders

The Long Ryders
The Long Ryders performing in 2023.
The Long Ryders performing in 2023.
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Years active1982–1987, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2016–present
Labels
MembersSid Griffin
Stephen McCarthy
Greg Sowders
Past membersBarry Shank
Des Brewer
Tom Stevens
Websitewww.thelongryders.com

The Long Ryders are an American alternative country and Paisley Underground band, principally active between 1982 and 1987,[6] who have periodically regrouped for brief reunions (2004, 2009, 2014, 2016). In 2019 they released a new studio album[7] – their first in 32 years[8] – and played a series of tour dates.

The Long Ryders were originally formed by several American musicians who were each multi-instrumentalists and influenced by Gram Parsons, the Byrds, country music and various punk rock groups. They were named after the Walter Hill film, the Long Riders.[6] The band featured Sid Griffin and Stephen McCarthy on vocals and guitar; Des Brewer on bass (later replaced by Tom Stevens); and Greg Sowders on drums.

Although two members were transplants from the American South, they became a popular Los Angeles rock band, forming in the early 1980s and originally associated with a movement called the Paisley Underground.[9] With a sound reminiscent of Rubber Soul-era Beatles, electric Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield and the Flying Burrito Brothers, but with a harder edge, they anticipated the alternative country music of the 1990s by a decade. Their early work contained influences of both punk (largely attributable to devoted record collector Griffin) and old-school country (championed by McCarthy). Former Byrd Gene Clark joined them on their first full-length album, 1984's Native Sons, adding vocals to the song "Ivory Tower".[6][10] Their initial studio release, the 10-5-60 EP, consisted of Griffin, Brewer, McCarthy, and Sowders. Brewer left after the release of 10-5-60. He was replaced by Tom Stevens, and that line-up remained in place as a recording unit until their eventual demise.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference recordcollector was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference theguardian2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Campbell, Al. "Native Sons – AllMusic Review". AllMusic. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Looking For Lewis And Clark: The Long Ryders Anthology (Long Ryders album)". Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  5. ^ Cain, Michael Scott (2017). The Americana Revolution: From Country and Blues Roots to the Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, and Beyond. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 19. ISBN 978-1442269408.
  6. ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 584–585. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  7. ^ "The Long Ryders Return With Help From Dr. Dre: Listen to New Song 'Greenville' (Exclusive)". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  8. ^ Swanson, Dave (November 1, 2018). "The Long Ryders Announce First LP in 30 Years". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  9. ^ Huey, Steve (2009). "The Long Ryders". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  10. ^ Greenwald, Matthew. "Ivory Tower – Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved January 25, 2021.