By: Jarrett
3.6.08

Thank goodness I don't have to worry about silly, frustrating things like unbiased journalism. I can just come right out and say it: The Riot Before rocks. Their debut record (which happens to be a textbook case of a successful DIY project), Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, is filled to the brim with examples of thoughtfully written, folk-infused, punk rock songs. However, before you make the fairly obvious comparison to Against Me!, I have to mention that this album has several encouraging hints of singer, Brett Adams' songwriting style that just might be ready to wake up and take a fresh look at the genre, without sacrificing the energy and the idealism that make it good.

I recently got the chance to exchange a few words with guitar player, Garrett, about the band, their plans, and the past year's touring experiences...

Open G: You guys are working with the label Quote Unquote records, which is entirely donation based. How has that experience been? Do you see a bigger future in this sort of structure, either by labels or by bands that are managing themselves?

Garrett: For us, being associated with Quote Unquote, Bomb the Music Industry, and Jeff Rosenstock has been very exciting. When Jeff first asked us to do something with him, and we started to research his label we were stoked about the idea of records for donations. We aren't the only people who were stoked on the idea. Amidst the turmoil the record industry is facing, novel ideas like this attract lots of attention. When it comes down to it, that is a record labels job, to get attention for it's bands, and Quote Unquote has done that very well for us. Besides that though, Jeff is a great guy and Quote Unquote has also meant getting to know him, and hanging out with lots of great people. Of course it is also great for music fans because it directly involves them in the success of their favorite bands. I don't know if the idea will continue to be as effective as more donations based labels pop up. Will people just lose interest as the idea becomes pervasive? On top of that though, I kinda have this idea that bands have to give music away for free when they are starting, to attract attention, and they can give it away for free when they are hugely successful (like the recent Radiohead stunt) but mid level bands need to be able to sell music. It takes money to make, promote, and distribute records, and records are crucial to the growth of a band. Maybe I am wrong about this. I wouldn't be the only person who is having trouble envisioning a new future for the music industry right now.

Open G: What have been your favorite/craziest/most stand-out in the sort of way that you'd like to plug them venues on tour? Why do(es) this place(s) rock so hard? Hometowns don't count.

Garrett: Richmond is fun, but there are other places that have been amazing, and all for different reasons. We played The Fest this year, which was totally amazing. To be part of something that is so fun, and so huge, and involves so many good bands was terribly exciting. I got to see a lot of label mates and friends; BTMI, Matt Kurz, Pegasuses, O Pioneers!, The Measure, Young Livers, Worn in Red, Landmines, Less then Jake, and The Draft. Brett, Freddy and Cory also went and saw tons of bands that I just didn't have the time or energy to catch. Our showcase in particular was amazing. We played with Fake Problems, Gaslight Anthem, Look Mexico, Pink Razors, Lemuria, and Bridge and Tunnel. How much better could a show get? Oh yeah, there was free beer too. We also love Wonder Lake, IL. There is a little house there, that is honestly kinda uncomfortable. I think it rained both times we have been there, the house is full of cats (I am allergic) and they smoke inside (hard on Brett's throat) but they make food for everyone, and cram a small dank basement full of people who are truly excited about music. They also like to take their shirts off. Fifty sweaty, shirtless people and crammed together, all a little drunk, some a little high, barely enough room to set up and play, it's exactly what you imagine punk rock should be like. In Redding, CA we were just welcomed into the arms of all the locals. They took us cliff diving, and they threw an all night kegger for us. The show was awesome too, with a huge circle pit going for almost the entire show. It seems to be a community where people are open and inviting, and just generally ready to have a good time. I guess we like playing anywhere that people like music and are ready to have a good time.

Open G: What grandiose plans does The Riot Before have in store for the new year? New albums? EPs? Tours?

Garrett: Right now it feels like we have been sitting at home for a long time, and we feel a little bit lazy, but in just two weeks we go back into high gear. February 6th we leave on a tour of the South, hitting Texas and Florida. We are going to meet up with plenty of friends, old and new, and have multiple dates planned with Worn in Red, O Pioneers!, Jaguar Shark, imadethismistake, Dirty Money, Rowdy Towdy, and Revolution Radio. Then, in March and April, we are going to work on writing and pre-production for a new full length. We are planning on a few shows during that time, including a weekend with Dirty Tactics. We will road test the new material when we go out again in May, with Dirty Money. The tentative routing for that trip has us heading up to New England and out to Chicago. As soon as we get home from our trip north, we are going to record the new album and prepare for its release. Finally, in August, we are going to leave on a full US tour that should last through October, with the album coming out sometime during that tour. When we get home from seeing the country it will be the holiday season again. For us the Holidays means being lazy, spending time with friends and family, and making lots of plans for the next year.

Open G: We'd like to have this website be a sort of networked forum for the discovery, promotion, and discussion of great independent/local/up-and-coming music everywhere. So, with that in mind, what's another deserving band that you guys would like our readers and listeners to check out and why?

Garrett: Well, I already mentioned some bands, and they are all worth checking out, simply because they are so awesome. Here are a few others:
Endless Mike and the Beagle Club - These guys understand punk rock at a level most people are incapable of. We should all take lessons from them.
Broadway Calls - These are great friends, and we have a seven inch out together.
Death is not Glamorous - Our best friends in Europe. Hopefully we are gonna go visit them soon.
The Sidekicks - They put out a great record all on their own this year. It was so good that it was re-released shortly thereafter by Red Scare.
Frank Turner - An English bloke we did a show with after The Fest. He is clever and moving, both traits of a great singer song writer.
Cory Branan - This man restored my faith in music. I wouldn't be doing this today if I hadn't seen him play here in Richmond.
Is this too many bands to plug? I could go on all day...

The Riot Before's album, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is available at Fall of the West Records.

Their newest EP, So Long, The Lighthouse, can be purchased and downloaded at Quote Unquote Records.