Late January 2010 will see the release of the second album from Oklahoma’s premiere Celtic-American Folk-Punk band, The Righs (pronounced “rigz”). The album, entitled “Roses,” is a sweeping blend of musical influences that spans eighteen songs and seventy minutes.
Since the band’s first show in late 2005, when they were called The Rivers, The Righs have been making a name for themselves amongst punk, rock and folk fans across Oklahoma, as well as in Texas and Kansas, with their unique blend of musical styles that are incorporated into the overall sound. Since late 2005, they’ve shared the stage with internationally touring acts like The Toasters, Street Dogs, The Business and Flatfoot 56, as well as numerous national, regional and local acts. While some might immediately draw comparisons to obvious bands within the genre such as Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphys, The Righs take pride in presenting a wholly unique sound that displays their tastes and talents.
“Roses” was recorded, mixed and mastered during the second half of 2009 at Green House Recording studio in Moore, OK, owned by former drummer David Johnson. The album expands upon the diverse sound of the band while maturing that sound musically and lyrically based on the bands’ life experience.
The album features Nate Williams (acoustic guitar/vocals), Jackson Smith (electric guitar/vocals), John Slawson (bass), Omid Nowrouzi (mandolin/vocals), Jian Azimi (violin), Dave Johnson (drums) and guest vocals by Nate’s sister, Alicia Williams.
January 2008 saw the release of “The Rivers Run Deep,” the band’s first studio album, produced by Chris Harris at Bell Lab Studio and Subatomic Sound (now Hook Echo Sound) in Norman, OK. It was praised by Stephen Carradini of IndependentClauses.com as “an engaging and exciting listen, no matter what you normally listen to.” The album drew comparisons to a diverse blend of artists such as Neutral Milk Hotel, Beirut, The Suicide Machines and The Pogues.
In early 2009, “The Rivers Run Deep” was named one of the best Celtic-Rock albums of 2008 by PaddyRock.com and received an honorable mention in Shite’n’Onions.com’s Best of 2008 list as well.
Press for Roses:
"The Righs’ Roses is an entertaining Irish punk album that draws in a variety of songwriting and lyrical influences from outside the Celtic tradition. While still retaining their core sound, the band pushes its boundaries outward, mostly resulting in success. The crazy, energetic, great songs are proof." - Stephen Carradini - http://www.independentclauses.com
“I am not sure if it was an intentional attempt to carve out an identity, or to start a whole new style, but the The Righs have most definitely created a sound all their own with ‘Roses,’ albeit one that is almost impossible to accurately describe. Highly recommended for repeated listenings.”
- Christopher Toler – http://www.shitenonions.com
Press for The Rivers Run Deep:
"I’m no big fan of Irish punk, but I am a big fan of the Righs. Their songs are catchy, their instrumentation is varied, and the attention level is high. The songwriting prowess and melodic intensity captured in The Rivers Run Deep make for an engaging and exciting listen, no matter what you normally listen to. " - Stephen Carradini - http://www.independentclauses.com
"'The Rivers Run Deep' is an enthusiastic Celtic folk-punk blend seasoned with sea-spray, barn-floor sawdust, Tolkien-esque halfling toe-tapping, and a pinch of brass. If this doesn’t sound like your type of music, just remember, it wasn’t mine. Then, it was. Now, despite the seemingly unrelated influences at work, (or, perhaps, because of them,) I not only enjoy this CD, but I find myself anxiously looking forward for future releases!" - Christopher Toler - http://www.shitenonions.com
"We definitely give The Righs a royal not to be missed." - http://www.reviewstheday.com
"The Righs are a diverse group of musical crack heads. Imagine taking bands like The Skels, Beirut, The Suicide Machines, and The Pogues in a blender…. put it on high… throw in a ton of whiskey… you would have a Righs smoothie that will have you running around singing, screaming, and possibly even head butt your own girlfriend for shits and giggles." - John Bowles - http://www.paddyrock.com
"The Righs bring a unique style to the Folk/Rock scene, and seem to be a taste of what can be expected in the next generation of Irish Punk." - Skytle (customer review on iTunes - 5 Stars)
"I bought The Righs debut album and I got laid the next night.
It could just be a coincidence, I'm just saying..." - Auston Schrougham - a satisfied fan.
As heard on:
INFLUENCES
Traditional Irish & American music, Flogging Molly, The Pogues, Johnny Cash, Social Distortion, Queen, Tom Waits, The Clash, Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, 80's Metal, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Bob Dylan, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones , Stray Cats, Reggae
EXPLAIN THE NAME
We were originally called The Rivers, but later we discovered a British band with the same name had been signed to a Universal sub-label. "Righ" (pronounced "rig") is Scotch-Gaelic for "king." So we Anglicized it a bit and we are now The Righs.
Influences: Dave King, Shane MacGowan, Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer, Bruce Springsteen
Influences: Anything and everything I listen to, see, feel, and everyone I meet.
Influences: ???
Influences: Tom Waits, Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, the Beatles, etc.
Influences: Classical and Ragtime
Influences:
