JD & the RetroRyders
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JD & the RetroRyders

Huntington Beach, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2018

Huntington Beach, California, United States
Established on Jan, 2018
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"JD & the RetroRyders drop new EP - 100% COOL"

You don’t have to be the world’s biggest rock fan to know that solid riffs are the catalyst for incredible success in the genre. Keeping that in mind, JD & the RetroRyders come in guns blazing in their new record 100% Cool, dishing out supercharged guitar thunder in “If It’s Out There It’s Mine,” “Destiny,” “Rock n Roll Now” and the exciting “So Far So Good.” It’s pretty obvious from the start of this tracklist that JD & the RetroRyders could care less about scene politics and the parameters of a modern alternative rock format – in this EP, they just want to rock hard. Even the ballad “When She Cries” is a war-machine of a riffage when it counts the most, making this an all-around winner for anyone who digs heavy rock intensity.

100% Cool isn’t without depth; the lyricism in “Destiny” and “When She Cries” is definitely spot-on poetry, while other songs like “Real to Me” and “So Far So Good” demonstrate a classical pop sensibility that could really benefit the band on the FM dial. There’s a lot of collective interest in streamlined songwriting in the rock genre right now, particularly among vinyl-obsessed millennials discovering vintage rock machismo for the first time, and from this perspective, JD & the RetroRyders are hitting the spotlight at the right time. They can flex muscle in a verse just as easily as they can with their guitar prowess, which in itself gives them a slight edge over many of their peers this summer.

The tandem attack from the guitar and bass in “Rock n Roll Now” and “If It’s Out There It’s Mine” has an awesome punch to it that reminds me more of Bay Area thrashing than it does anything in the alternative rock world, which is ironic given the other pop-friendly components in both of these songs. This makes it possible to emphasize the physicality of the music without giving the entirety of a composition over the excess in the vein of a straight metal song, and for a band that’s more rock-oriented in nature, that’s a pretty compelling use of tonality. JD & the RetroRyders have some serious skills, and that’s evident even in a casual listening session with this extended play.

I didn’t know about these guys before getting a copy of 100% Cool just recently, but I’m going to be looking out for more of their material in the future. This is some excellent frills-free rock n’ roll, and if it’s providing us with any sort of a preview as to what we can expect out of its creators in the years to come, I think they’re going to find an audience all their own sooner than later. Rock could use more efficient acts like this one, and though there are a lot of intriguing bands putting together hybrid sounds and experimental concepts in 2020, I myself can’t help but fall in love with a group as committed to keeping the spirit of old school rock alive as JD & the RetroRyders are.

Michael Rand - Mobangeles


"JD & the RetroRyders drop new single-"twoferu""

The “twoferu” release by JD & the RetroRyders comes with two brilliant new singles in one, to keep the tradition of Power Pop and music in general alive in 2020, with both turning in terrific tunes to live by. They do this by going against each other with vastly different songs and get the best of both worlds in the process. The songwriting of JD (Joe DeMeo) is accompanied by lead guitarist Al Lepson and they’re teamed up in Huntington Beach, CA, with Mike Willson on drums and Adrian Sanchez on bass. Also singing with JD are Nicole Kubis and Nicole Perreira, along his love Wendy.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jdretroryders/

These guys don’t just record and release music, they’re a live force to reckon with as well. Their music reflects more of a live feel in the studio to easily convey back to audiences at their shows which after hearing JD & the RetroRyders, I’d like to get out to see someday in the future. You may recall I reviewed them a while back?

The production on both these songs is clean and perfectly mixed and engineered, as are their songs, as I’ve come to notice. And the lyrics keep you interested without taking over the musical beauty and letting the great vocal harmonies do the rest.

“Fire In My Fingertips” is everything you’d want in a rock ‘n roll number, with the simplicity of the past and the fury of today, and some hope for the future thrown in for good measure. It’s all about making it out on the open road and the challenges that comes with doing the job of a traveling musician. The song kicks off with a blazing riff from Lepson, which almost threatens to take the song over from the-get go, but like yin and yang, DeMeo comes in and takes the song where it means to go. And then they both spar in an almost punkish way, but that just could be an early Tom petty influence when he had that angst about him. At the end of the day, this song gets no complaints as it rocks away and ends with a burning guitar feedback.

YOU TUBE MUSIC: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCW1x1GJJKdjrB19D3PHBufw

“No Secret” is another animal altogether, with a whole different approach but with the same impact as the former but slowed to a more comprehensive pace. The way it compliments the first song is what matters the most, as they go together without sounding like they were made for one another. While “Fire In My Fingertips” is more rocking, “No Secret” is more paid back and easy to consume, but they both evenly play with equal enjoyment. The music matters the most, but this is also a band on the rise to watch for, so following their concert schedule is recommended as much as “towferu” and their first EP. If I were to choose which of the tracks featured on this single have the edge, it would be a hard choice but “No Secret” is getting the most spins from me so far, so it’s an indication of which one I favor the most at this point. But I still couldn’t have one without the other.

Garth Thomas - Hollywood Digest


"Indie Pulse Music"

The retro rocking sound of JD & the RetroRyders continues with the single release of “twoferu” with two new tracks, “The Fire In My Fingertips” and “No Secret” to add to their collection of Power Pop music. The two new songs add some fresh material to their set which is where they really do their best work out of what they have to offer. The stage is where the songs grow, so it would be cool to see them and how these two killer songs translate to the stages when they get back out there after the lockdown is over.

For the record I am falling in love with this band, as they are an absolute pleasure to review. Perhaps you read my last review, regardless I think this band is simply marvelous, but it wasn’t without going in depth and then also looking for more of their music found on all platforms. Then I was able to wrap my head clearly around these songs and give them an opinion. They bring a breath of fresh air to the much-needed staleness of the pop music community in general, and it is one that should be greeted with open arms. JD (Joe DeMeo) is not without great help in completing his rock ‘n roll mission either, his band is second to none and together they’re a solid unit.

This is kind of like getting blind sided when you review a lot of stuff and it’s rare that a true rock ‘n roll band even comes across the desk anymore. That is how it felt once I’d heard enough of JD & the RetroRyders, as if I were being treated to something special for once, so I had better pay close attention.

URL: https://jdretroryders.wixsite.com/website

“The Fire In My Fingertips” is enough to ignite anyone’s inner flames, once it passes between the ears and does a number on all the other senses in the same effort. This song rocks straight out of the gate, singing about going between shows and stopping in Nashville and reflecting while at it. JD goes on o sing about how he’s on a roll, regardless of the rigors, the successes and the excesses from a road dog’s perspective. As the song rocks away before the hand clapping anthemic part comes in, there’s even elbow room for a blistering guitar solo from Al Lepson, JD’s fellow native NY band mate. Also backing JD are the power packed rhythm section of Mike Willson on drums and Adrian Sanchez on bass, and backing singers Wendy, with Nicole Kubis and Nicole Perreira.

“No Secret” comes with some more to talk about than meets the ears, with a slower groove and a lot of contemplation that keeps it playing even when it’s no longer playing. You don’t get that impression every day with any rock, let alone the Power Pop variety. This is a gem beyond the usual run of the mill you get, especially with younger, more contemporary artists. “No Secret” shows them all a little something with a deeper cut to get through some of the hardest times we’ve ever seen, with a reflection of happier times. I hope these songs stay at the top of my playlist where they currently dominate.

Mindy McCall -


Discography

100% COOL - 5 song EP, release date 1/2020

twoferu - 2 song Single, release date 10/2020

Photos

Bio

Start with Beatles harmonies and melodies add some Tom Petty song sensibilities and kick in the Foo Fighters to rock and you’ve got JD & the RetroRyders – 100% Cool rock & roll.  Based in Huntington Beach CA it starts with JD – Joe DeMeo – born and raised on Long Island NY.  After playing in clubs all over the NY area, he headed west like so many before him and set up shop in sunny Huntington Beach to write, record and perform. With numerous albums, CDs, tours and bands on his resume as well as a backlog of recorded songs, he had the recent epiphany to assemble this top notch band capable of bringing his songs alive. RetroRyders representing his songwriting style which harkens back to the days of the infectious, positive vibe, three minute and thirty second power pop blast.

Joining JD on stage starts with Al Lepson on lead guitar who brings to life the searing and tasty lines of his signature style with an assortment of six stingers.  A fellow New Yorker, Al brings the street sound to the group. Vocals and harmonies are a big part of JD’s permanent marks and singing along are Nicole Kubis and Nicole Perreira. Their soaring harmonies and sizzling melodies fully complement and punctuate JD’s contagious songs. Providing the dynamic back beat to all this is the powerful rhythm section of Mike Willson on drums and Adrian Sanchez on bass. Topped off by JD’s sweetheart – yes a Paul and Linda thing – Wendy providing the ever present jangle on tambourine.  This energetic mixture packs a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window and catapults the songs right off the stage and deep into the audience’s psyche. Real players who know how to capture and uplift the musical moment in a song.

The band released “100% COOl”, a CD/EP of 6 songs earlier this year to blistering reviews and have just completed a new single – twoferu soon to be  available on their web site - https://jdretroryders.wixsite.com/website, Spotify and all streaming services.

JD & the RetroRyders - a potent mix of power rock n roll influenced by the rock greats that came before. 

Band Members