Riverdales

The Riverdales
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1994
Headquarters	Chicago, United States
Products	Punk rock music, albums, singles

The Riverdales were a punk rock group originating from Chicago, Illinois, composed of former members of Screeching Weasel. Bassist Dan Schafer (known as Dan Vapid) and guitarist Ben Foster (Ben Weasel), both inspired by the Ramones, shared vocal duties. The band was active initially between 1994 and 1997, briefly reunited in 2003 to produce their third album, and reassembled again from 2008 until 2011. During this latter period, they released a fourth album in 2009 and a fifth record, Tarantula, which was first issued digitally on June 8, 2010, followed by physical formats on June 22. The ensemble dissolved in March 2011 after an incident at a Screeching Weasel performance.

History

Taking their name from the fictional town of Riverdale featured in the Archie Comics, the Riverdales were formed in 1994 by Ben Foster (guitar), Dan Schafer (bass), and drummer Dan Sullivan (Dan Panic), all previously part of Screeching Weasel. Unlike their previous band, they chose to use their actual names. Their self-titled debut album arrived in June 1995 through Lookout! Records, with production handled by Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day alongside Mass Giorgini from Squirtgun. That year, they embarked on an extensive tour supporting Mr. T Experience and Green Day, including dates on Green Day’s Insomniac tour. Their song "Back to You" was featured in the movie Angus. Although Screeching Weasel reformed in 1996, the Riverdales continued until after releasing their sophomore effort, Storm the Streets (1997). They briefly regrouped in 2003 to record their third album, Phase 3.

In 2004, Ben Foster removed all Riverdales’ master recordings from Lookout! Records; these masters were subsequently licensed to Asian Man Records. Asian Man reissued the debut in 2006 with remastered audio and additional bonus material, including unreleased tracks and live recordings from their Green Day tour. The Phase 3 album was re-released on October 7, 2008, featuring five extra tracks.

On November 19, 2008, Ben Weasel revealed on his ESPN radio program Weasel Radio that he and Dan Vapid were working on demos for a new Riverdales record, with studio sessions scheduled to begin in February 2009. Adam Cargin of the Blueheels joined as drummer for this project. The resulting album, Invasion U.S.A., was released on July 14, 2009.

By September 2009, Simon Lamb had been added as a second guitarist; during live performances for Invasion U.S.A., Dan Schafer had played second guitar while Justin Perkins handled bass duties. In November of that year, Mike Park of Asian Man Records announced Ben Weasel had severed ties with the label; distribution responsibilities for Screeching Weasel, Riverdales, and Ben Weasel’s solo work were transferred to Recess Records.

On December 13, 2009, via Twitter, Ben Weasel announced that the fifth Riverdales album would be titled Tarantula, with recording commencing immediately afterward. He described this record as a direct follow-up to Invasion U.S.A., which he had originally planned as a double album. Tarantula was made available digitally on June 8, 2010, followed by CD and vinyl releases on June 22.

In December 2010, the band signed with Fat Wreck Chords, which intended to reissue some of their past works.

Following an incident involving Ben Weasel at a Screeching Weasel show during SXSW in Austin, Texas in March 2011, members from both bands resigned. Afterwards, Dan Vapid and Simon Lamb formed a new project named Dan Vapid and the Cheats, incorporating Riverdales songs into their setlist.

Studio albums

Riverdales (1995)
Storm the Streets (1997)
Phase Three (2003)
Invasion USA (2009)
Tarantula (2010)

Singles

"Back to You" (1995)
"Fun Tonight" (1995)
"Blood on the Ice" (1997)
"Dead End House" (2011)
"When in Rome" (2011)

External links