The Long Ryder's

2 hours ago
3 min read

The four entered the stage to The Clash’s Know Your Rights pumping from the sound system. A fitting public service announcement. Here The Long Ryder’s started the tour with a bang. The opening number: Final Wild Son, is a rousing early hit with a two-four beat with killer guitar craft. Then quickly followed with the fully charged You Don’t Know What’s Right, also from their Natives Son 1984 debut album.

Sid Griffin (lead vocals/guitar) greeted the audience with a welcome and announced their new High Noon Hymns release that just came out last month. Segue into the new songs: How How How (Do You Want To be Loved), an upbeat rocker with a catchy chorus. It was an instant hit with the crowd.

Noticeably was their warmth and ease of rapport with the audiences. Bantering comments, the band was having fun. Founding members Greg Sowder (drums/vocals) and Stephen McCarthy (guitar/baritone guitar/vocals) with touring bassist Murry Hammond from (The Old 97’s) shared a bonded musical and personal chemistry.

Originally part of Los Angeles’ mid-80s Paisley Underground sound along with The Bangles, Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade and Green and Red and The Three O’Clock, The Long Ryders steered towards cowpunk and alternative country. But that jangle guitar and psychedelic bass keeps them beyond category.

Ramona was a slower groove that lamented the suffering as an onlooker observes with empathy. “They said the revolution would not be televised. Ramona, what have they done?” Continuing “I can’t stand to see Ramona this way…” A melancholy individualizing a personal impact from current U.S. events.

This was the first time ever playing Stand a Little Further in Fire live. The intro boogie riff is hyper-charged. Then into a verse that kicks it hard with angular chord changes. Well received. Season Change from their 2023 September/November release is such a great arrangement. An example of a spanning catalogue of solid compositions freshly penned up through current years.

Adding a greater fullness, Griffin switched to his (Roger McGuinn limited prototype) 12 string Rickenbacker guitar for Belief in Birds. Another song played for the first-time live.

McCarthy sang lead vocals for Ivory Tower and Hammond sang Stitch. The latter paying honour to the band’s previous bassist Tom Stevens who passed away a few years ago. Want You Bad, an early single followed. A Hymn for The City of Angels, an homage to the band’s original hometown and those who suffered the recent wild fires.

Upping the energy Down To the Well is a driving songs with sharp lyrics:

“Well the fuse is lit and the hypocrites are taken for a ride.

I heard you′re in the tower, sellin' snake oil on the side.

We've got to fix this world and heal this great divide.

And why I′m gettin′ dry. I'm goin′ down to the well.

I'm goin′ down, can't you tell?”

The show rocked on with I Had Dreams, Gunslinger Man, Greenville, State of My Union and Lights of Downtown. Notably was the high note the show ended upon. The two song encore. The former was another new song. A rendition of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young played like a gentle farewell toast with Griffin on mandolin. Then back to a full volume early rocking single Looking for Lewis and Clark. The crowd pumped up. What an inspired night! Check the tour schedule for cities and dates to catch them live.