Rialto (band)

Rialto

Company type	Rock band
Industry	Music
Founded	1997 in London, United Kingdom
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Products	Music albums, singles, EPs

Rialto is a rock group from the United Kingdom, established in London in 1997. Their first album, titled Rialto, was released in 1998, followed by their second album, Night on Earth, in 2001. The band’s single "Untouchable" achieved a position within the UK top 20 charts. Notably, in 1998, Rialto became pioneers as the first UK charting band to issue a single solely through online distribution.

Although the band received favorable reviews from critics—including acclaim from Melody Maker and Neil McCormick’s designation of them as one of the most promising acts of the late 1990s—they were dropped by East West Records, a label under Warner Music Group, shortly before their debut album was released. This decision hindered their commercial success. Nevertheless, Rialto cultivated a substantial fanbase across East and Southeast Asia, particularly securing the number one spot on South Korea’s album charts.

The group has announced plans for a forthcoming album, Neon & Ghost Signs, scheduled for release in 2025.

Biography

Rialto originated from members of Kinky Machine, with frontman Louis Eliot, guitarist Jonny Bull, and drummer Anthony Christmas forming the core. Kinky Machine had previously released two albums: Kinky Machine (1993, Oxygen/MCA Records) and Bent (1994). In 1995, they signed with East West Records and issued their final single as Kinky Machine, "London Crawling," featuring Anthony Christmas on drums replacing Julian Fenton.

Continuing their association with East West Records, Eliot, Bull, and Christmas began creating new songs in 1996. They expanded the lineup by adding bassist Julian Taylor, a second drummer Pete Cuthbert, and keyboardist Toby Hounsham. Rialto debuted with singles "When We're Together" and "Untouchable" in 1997; after re-releasing "Untouchable" in 1998, it reached the UK Top 20. Despite this achievement, East West Records dropped the band, leading to their debut album being released by China Records on 13 July 1998.

In 2000, Rialto put out the six-track EP Girl On A Train, which received praise from publications such as NME and Q. By the time their second album Night on Earth (2001) was released, Hounsham and Christmas had left the band, resulting in a four-member lineup. While Rialto faced challenges gaining traction within the UK market, they experienced considerable success throughout East and Southeast Asia, especially in South Korea, where their debut album earned double Platinum certification and even outsold Celine Dion's hit "My Love Will Go On." This strong following supported Eliot’s solo concerts held in Hong Kong and Singapore in 2004.

On 19 April 2023, Rialto announced their reunion alongside plans to perform at the Shiiine On Weekender festival scheduled for November that year. In January 2025, they revealed details of a new album titled Neon & Ghost Signs, due for release on 25 April through Fierce Panda Records. The lead single "No One Leaves This Discotheque Alive" premiered on Steve Lamacq’s show on BBC Radio 6music on 13 January 2025.

Post-band activities

Following Rialto’s disbandment, Louis Eliot launched his solo career with the EP Everybody Loves You When You're Dead (2002), followed by his full-length album Long Way Round released via Iodine Records in 2004. In 2010, he issued Kittows Moor under the name Louis Eliot and The Embers. Since 2011, Eliot has been actively touring as a permanent member of Grace Jones’ backing band.

In 2014, Eliot collaborated with Lily Allen to record a cover of Tarka Cordell’s "Shelter You" for a tribute compilation. Eliot had originally co-written this track with Cordell; its chord progression bears resemblance to Rialto’s song "Summer's Over."

Jonny Bull co-wrote Lily Allen’s song "Friday Night" at his studio located in southwest Portugal; this track appeared on her debut album Alright, Still.

Currently, Toby Hounsham performs keyboards for both The Stranglers and Mungo Jerry.

Band members

• Louis Eliot – lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter
• Jonny Bull – guitarist, programmer, backing vocalist, producer
• Julian Taylor – bassist, backing vocalist, trumpet player
• Pete Cuthbert – drummer
• Toby Hounsham – keyboardist (1997–2000)
• Anthony Christmas – drummer (1997–2000)

Albums

• Rialto (1998) – reached No. 21 in the UK charts
• Night on Earth (2001)
• Neon & Ghost Signs (2025)

EP

• Girl on a Train (2000)

Singles

• "When We're Together" (1997)
• "Monday Morning 5.19" (1997) – peaked at UK No. 37
• "Untouchable" (1998) – UK chart position No. 20
• "Dream Another Dream" (1998) – reached UK No. 39
• "Summer's Over" (1998) – attained UK No. 60
• "Anything Could Happen" (2001) – UK No. 85
• "London Crawling" (2001)
• "No One Leaves This Discotheque Alive" (2025)
• "Car That Never Comes" (2025)
• "Remembering Me Forget" (2025)
• "Neon & Ghost Signs" (2025)