RIFF RAIDERS // The Lucky Country Rockers

Nov 24, 2017 / WORDS Anna Rose, Staff Writer / The mantle of rock lives!

When Riff Raiders’ single Live Like You Mean It dropped, ears pricked up. When the album of the same name dropped, hands went up – Riff Raiders have, in their debut release, solidified classic Aussie rock, the pride of Australian music, and rock ‘n’ roll fans couldn’t be more stoked.

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“It’s always good to get the album out,” says guitarist and lead songwriter Marty Powell. “The [Live Like You Mean It] single got a really good buzz from the video, then we did a second single called D-GAF and the video was taken really well.” “I think the second video has taken it up a notch,” adds vocalist Jenni James.

Thanks to the combination of zany video artwork, crushing riffs and bold lyrics, Riff Raiders have had some crazy good reviews from their peers and the media, with many likening their debut to being a resurgence of classic Aussie rock. Some have even made comparison between Riff Raiders and the great gods of Aussie rock, AC/DC. “One review said it’s something Bon Scott would be proud of,” gushes James, “To even be mentioned in the same sentence as him is pretty fucking cool! Calling it Aussie rock and classic rock is great, it’s what we do and if people are liking it for that reason, that’s pretty cool.”

“We’re all fans of each other and it comes from a good time rock ‘n’ roll angle and that comes out. We do have that influence from overseas but there’s definitely an Aussie flavour.”
[JENNI]

Though still relatively unknown and having been put on the same pedestal as many hard rock outfits of old, it’s important to Riff Raiders that people have a clear understanding of what they’re all about. “Really the band was put together to celebrate the 70s to 90s era of rock music, not just Aussie stuff,” explains Powell. “There’s other influences there as well—American grunge, post-grunge, whatever you wanna call it. We’re not trying to copy anything, it’s just rock ‘n’ roll with a modern edge. We’re not trying to fall into that traditional mould, that’s just what comes out.”

“That’s one of the keys in our live shows as well,” James adds, “It shows what the songs are made of–as a live guitarist, Marty is just incredible–there’s a couple of songs that every show, I’m watching him going ‘That’s awesome!’ she laughs.

“We’re all fans of each other and it comes from a good time rock ‘n’ roll angle and that comes out. We do have that influence from overseas but there’s definitely an Aussie flavour.”

That’s the perfect way to sum up Riff Raiders–a good time rock ‘n’ roll angle–and that was certainly the vibe at their recent album launch show in Melbourne, and bound to be the same at their upcoming Sydney debut show, too. “It was almost like an underground gathering,” Powell says of the Melbourne show. “It was very loud,” James agrees, “People reaching for earplugs, it was a proper happening good time rock ‘n’ roll show. It’s about having a good time, letting your hair down and yeah, rocking out!”