The Ride Theory

A lot of the fun listening to bands sometimes, is trying to guess their influences. Sometimes you listen to a band and you can hear who influenced them right off the bat. With The Ride Theory it wasn't immediately obvious, but the more I listened, the more I could hear the influences of the Kinks, the Small Faces and most of all, the one you couldn't mistake at all was the early R&B sound of the Rolling Stones, especially on the first track. The Ride Theory remind me a lot of a UK band from the late 90's called Ocean Colour Scene. They had a real 60s rock sound, but had managed to give it a real 90's edge. The Ride Theory has done the same, but now with a 00s edge (or as I prefer to call it, the naughties).

I'm on Board has that classic 60's sound with a pounding drum beat and to complete the bluesy sound, there's also a harmonica, but don't let that fool you, this is most definitely a modern take on the 60's blues sound. This is one of the standout tracks for me along with Truce with it's driving guitar sound. However Devil in my Heart and Hey Sugar are my favorite tracks, showing a softer more melodic side of the band. In fact this album is a bit of a Jackle and Hyde, but that's not a bad thing, the two different styles contrast nicely and go to make a nicely balanced album.

The more I listen to this album, the more Kinks influence I hear. There's also a ton of originality in the band, so it's not all some good sounding pastiche of a band, just some underlying influences that surface in the songs every once in a while.

Conclusion : This is a very tight band with a sound that belies their youthful age. I love to whack up the volume on this one. I'm looking forward to what 2006 may bring from the band.
Posted by Colin Meeks
Jan 11th 2006 - Indie Launchpad

Hamilton, ON's the Ride Theory have an impressive collage of retro rock on their hands with In This City, effectively accentuated with enough classic blues and early punk to flirt with any rock revivalist's heart. This is a crammed listen, bursting at the seams with a bevy of unapologetic retro panache, like early Stooges influence ("Motel Woman" and "I'm on Board"), Strokes and Morning After Girls rowdiness ("Parking Ticket" and "Got Me On The Run") and more melodic, Beach Boys-quelled emotion ("My Girl June" and "Devil In My Heart"). As they should, shrieking guitar solos and quick, pervasive melodies dominate the listen, crafted alongside slurry vocals and trenchant, pounding drum rhythms that roll through enough rock, punk and retro to challenge any Australian output as of late. This is one mature and impressive listen and if given the opportunity, In This City can rival the best in the scene like the Strokes and Jet. Hopefully everyone, not only in this city, but also every other one across the country takes note.

By Shain Shapiro
December 22, 2005
- Exclaim!

The Ride Theory are so excited about 2006 that they've decided to get things underway quickly so they're primed and ready for all of the good things that they hope the next 12 months will bring.
February will see the Hamilton quartet re-release their sophomore effort, In This City, on Sunny Lane Records. The label was recently started by Ted Heagle and The Ride Theory are the first act to be signed to it. Chock full of infectious rock 'n' roll, In This City originally surfaced last summer when the band put it out on their own. Guitarist Kyle Kuchmey was initially worried about the creative control issues that can arise when dealing with a label, but he's happy with the freedom that Sunny Lane has given the band thus far.
"One of our favourite aspects of releasing an album independently was the complete control we had over every aspect of our message from creation to promotion," he explains. "We want to deal with Ted because he truly understands what we are after.
"He has great ideas and ambitions, but if we have an idea that we believe in he supports it whole-heartedly so we still have our say when it comes to how we want to present ourselves. I think that degree of creative input often gets compromised when signing to a label, and Ted has helped us avoid that compromise."
The Ride Theory and Sunny Lane will also unveil a seven-inch featuring two previously unreleased tracks in February. Both songs were recorded in the summer of 2004 during sessions for In This City, but were left off the album as everyone felt they stood better on their own. Both the single and album will be distributed throughout Canada by MapleMusic/Universal.
All of the group members are in their early twenties and are currently wrapping up their university studies. According to bassist John Smith, The Ride Theory will concentrate on turning the band into a full-time job once they graduate from their respective programs in May. The plan is to tour as much as possible in the spring and summer and perhaps start recording their next full-length in the latter part of the year. "We have all been waiting eagerly to attack music as a 24/7 lifestyle," says Smith.
"We will all be escaping the time-trap of school this spring, so we'll have lots of time to focus on writing, touring and recording in 2006. Right now we are fleshing out the details and organizing as much as we can so that once spring is upon us, we will be ready to roll."
As if 2006 isn't going to be busy enough, Smith says that the band are making a few New Year's resolutions to help them achieve some of their personal goals.
"We are hoping to collectively lose 10 pounds, grow moustaches, take karate lessons and learn more about dinosaurs — in that order."

Jan. 4th 2006
- Chartattack

“We’ve always tried to get the intensity of our live show on record, and this recording is the closest attempt yet.” Noah Fralick, drummer of Hamilton’s The Ride Theory, is talking about his
groups latest foray into the studio. “We recorded the ep at a small studio in Ancaster called Valleyview Studios. We’re really happy with the sound we got compared to our first album. The ep does a better job at capturing the raw, rock ’n’ roll sound that we’re going for.” If nothing else, The Ride Theory certainly are raw rock ’n’ roll. Imagine the Hamburg Beatles, full of speed and Kinks influences. That’s close to where they fall. Fralick, guitarist/ vocalist Aron Dalesio, guitarist Kyle Kuchmey, and bassist John Smith attack the rock proper: snazzy suits, vintage gear, open–mouths, and stomping feet. Not to mention a reckless energy that positively explodes from their amplifiers. When Dalesio tears into a solo, it’s brash, manic, and pure old–school rock. “We’ve been described as an early Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Beatles kind of sound. We’ve been writing some new stuff that has more of a foggy Stooges type sound, so we might start moving into that territory as well.” When they released their self–titled full–length debut in 2002, the record made waves in indie circles all over Canada. Enough waves, in fact, that they were afforded opportunities to play with such notables as Division of Laura Lee, Burning Brides, and Billy Talent, to name a few. With an eastern tour, and a successful album already in the can, The Ride Theory are looking to make many more converts in the coming months. “We’re hoping to generate some interest from indie labels from the ep, so we’re really just working on networking and talking with some people at this point.” The Ride Theory are bringing their frenetic, scissor–kicking rock ’n’ roll to Jimmy Jazz in Guelph on November 5th. To find out why your favourite band sucks, be there. No cover, just rock.
By: Patrick Finch - scissor–kicking rock ’n’ roll

Hamilton’s The Ride Theory have followed up their excellent 2003 debut record with an album that is not only a better record, it’s probably the best independent album released this year. Seriously. The Ride Theory own a frenetic, break-neck live show, ripping with guitars, cymbals, and much shaking of the ass, and somehow, engineer James Heidebrecht managed to capture it all flawlessly. Singer/guitarist Aron D’Alesio, (a speed-addled John Lennon with the voice of Jack White and the guitar-slinging chops of Chuck Berry), is held up magnificently by his perfectly complimentary bandmates. The rhythms are tight, the grooves are deep, and the harmonies are sharp as razors. With these weapons in-hand, The Ride Theory bounce and hiccup through twelve classic pop-rock gems that the Beatles or the Stones should have had in their catalogues. “All That I Know” could have been on *Rubber Soul *, (except with amps to eleven), and the acoustic and lap-steel “Devil In My Heart” owns all the hazy, lazy charm of a Rick Danko heartbreaker. All told, D’Alesio, Kyle Kuchmey, Noah Fralick, and John Smith should be thrilled. They’ve just released an album brimming with joy, frantic energy, and mountains of melody. That, and they’ve just proven themselves the best unsigned band in Canada. No shit.
Sept. 1, 2005
©2005 Echo Weekly
- Echo Weekly, Kitchener-Waterloo

The Ride Theory rolls into town with its own brand of garage rock and R&B.
According to Fact-Index.com, the ride theory is “the sociological study of transportation systems, with a particular emphasis on amusement parks and carnival rides.” According to rock ’n’ roll fans in Hamilton, Ontario, The Ride Theory is a raving garage and R&B based barn-stormer of a band.
According to Ride Theory guitarist and singer Kyle Kuchmey though, it is just a clean slate – a band name whose various connotations are more important than any individual meaning, from driving rhythms to that good old rock ’n’ roll euphemism, sex.
“My mom thought it was in reference to the Ride Program – like cops testing for drunk driving – and [singer, guitarist] Aaron [D’Alesio]’s sister thinks it’s like ‘life’s like a ride’,” says Kuchmey. “I guess it’s basically words that sound nice together, meaning anything to anyone if you think for couple of seconds.”
Local audiences will have the chance to hitch a ride with their own definition when the group plays Callahan’s in Saint John on Saturday, July 24 and The Paramount Lounge in Moncton on Wednesday, July 28.
Something they are a little bit more discerning about however, is the band’s sound.
On their web site, they provide a mock recipe for their vintage sound: 1/2 cup Kinks, 1/2 cup Yardbirds, 2 tbsp Deep Purple (with a caution for its potentially overwhelming flavour) 1 tsp Ventures and more. But they are quick to dismiss any threat of retro trappings.
“I don’t like thinking of rock ’n’ roll as retro. I just like saying we are a rock ’n’ roll band,” said Kuchmey. “Rock ’n’ roll is timeless music and there is so much room to expand. It’s easy to be authentic in sound without being deemed retro – for me retro means rehash.”
Some critics might think of them as part of the nu-garage jet-set – like The Vines or The Hives – but Kuchmey says their band has more to offer than re-jigged modern rock or vintage throw-backs. A tried and true devotee to rock ’n’ roll à la the fuzzed out and highly seminal Nuggets collections (a series of vintage garage rock archives curatorially dusted off by The Patti Smith Group’s Lenny Kaye), Kuchmey is equally eager to ensure their recipe doesn’t outlast its due date.
“I’ve been getting into new wave stuff like Elvis Costello and Joy Division,” he said. “We like to keep things fresh, but it’s inevitable either way. What you listen to and enjoy, you will gravitate towards in your playing.”
Having grown up in households steeped in the sounds of classic pop and rock music, Kuchmey and cousin D’Alesio both learned to play guitar at early ages, with the latter assuming the role of teacher. It was not long before D’Alesio had begun concocting this family affair, with Kuchmey on board, along with bassist John Smith and drummer Noah Fralick.
These days find the band in serious juggling mode however, with all members being full-time students as well as fledgling local rock stars. On school nights, Kuchmey dons the role of English and multimedia arts student at McMaster University.
“It’s not impossible. It’s just a matter of keeping an open mind about a lot of things. Everybody is busy so nobody gets ticked off at one another. We just need to get lots of warning before shows. It’s all about the time management.”
Besides, the quartet has its own musical studies to attend to. Self-confessed “connoisseurs” of their own sound, the group is meticulous in tweaking things like their own approaches to songwriting and even the gear they use to create just the right vehicle for their fuzzed-out fetishes.
They are also quite conscious of the rock ’n’ roll business. Even in arranging and executing this interview, Kuchmey is more professional than many road weary warriors this writer has crossed paths with.
“We just ask a lot of questions,” said Kuchmey. “We think about those things and talk about them a lot. We have no in-born connection, like parents in the industry. We’re all just students of the music scene. We’re never ashamed to ask questions or try and pretend we know more than we do. Whenever someone’s got something to say we’re all ears, and luckily, we’ve come across some people really willing to help us out.”
July 22 - 29, 2004
©2004 Here Publishing Inc.
www.herenb.com
- Here Magazine

Tired of seeing their music compared with other "The" bands such as The Strokes, The Hives and The Vines, The Ride Theory have decided to present an exact recipe for how they create songs on their website.
According to the Hamilton group, mixing 1/2 cup of The Kinks, 1/2 cup of Rolling Stones (pre '67), 1/2 cup of Beatles, 1/2 cup of Yardbirds, 200 grams of Hendrix, 2 tbsp of The Who, 2 tbsp of Deep Purple, 1 tbsp of The Ventures, and 1 tsp of The Doors will allow you to produce some extremely infectious rock 'n' roll. Guitarist Kyle Kuchmey feels that although the above recipe contains more than enough delicious rock goodies to fill a healthy appetite there's always room for extra ingredients to sweeten the taste.
"It's an all-you-can-eat recipe, but much like the smorgasbord tradition, there's always room for variation and improvisation," he says. "As children of musicians and music lovers, this was the music we grew up to. Perhaps these influences are most predominant, but there are so many others that make an impact in our songwriting and playing styles. We by no means confine our listening tastes to old garage and mersey beat rock 'n' roll. I like new wave and post-punk a lot. I also have a certain appreciation for old country-Western and folk."
Formed in 2002, the quartet was brought together by their mutual appreciation of early rock 'n' roll. Drummer Noah Fralick says the group have set out to pay homage and build upon the ideas behind the contagious classic sounds.
"We have a lot of respect for old garage-surf-blues records and we think that it's important to know where music came from, so that we can have an idea of where we want our music to go," says Fralick. "We very much admire the sound that many early garage rock bands like The Ugly Ducklings and The Sonics were trying to accomplish. It was all about having a raw sound without excess that could be accomplished live. Although each of us may have varied taste in music, this is the very spirit of what we're trying to do. Collectively, we're all very confident in what we're doing as a band."
This summer will see The Ride Theory performing their high-energy live show for music fans along the East Coast. The band are excited about playing to new crowds and getting to explore the deep musical roots of the area. Currently in pre-production on their sophomore album, those attending the concerts can expect to hear some new tracks along with a handful of selections from last year's self-titled effort.
"This is our first time heading out East," says Kuchmey. "We're really looking forward to just getting the music out there. We've encountered a lot of East Coast bands in Hamilton and we've had the chance to play with a few of them. Now we'll get to go out and play in their area. The East Coast has played such an important role in Canadian music history that it'll be nice to get out there and see what it's all about."
Wednesday July 07, 2004 @ 04:30 PM - Chartattack

Despite all the flack it often takes from residents and out-of-towners, The Ride Theory love their hometown.
The Hamilton, Ontario quartet admire the blue-collar aesthetic of their city and openly praise the Hammer and its long list of musical luminaries. Guitarist Kyle Kuchmey cites the modesty and hard-working nature of Hamiltonians as being two of the things that really strike a chord with the group.
"Hamilton is a huge influence on our music," says Kuchmey. "When we first started playing our hometown clubs, we'd get compared to the original punk rockers of the city like Teenage Head and Forgotten Rebels in terms of energy, stage presence and the overall atmosphere we'd evoke. Besides the many accomplishments Hamilton artists have achieved over the years, it's the overall unpretentious attitude of the city that we find most inspiring. It's a working class town, filled with talent."
The Ride Theory are hoping to cement their place in Hamilton's history books with their sophomore effort, In This City. Released last week, the disc is fittingly being distributed by local heavyweights Sonic Unyon. The album sees the band growing as musicians and songwriters. Still big fans of old-school mod, surf and garage rock 'n' roll, guitarist Aron D'Alesio states that the group made a conscious effort to incorporate different styles and writing techniques into their highly infectious sound.
"Our first album was a direct reflection of our influences," explains D'Alesio. "Blues-based rock 'n' roll comes very naturally to us and it will most likely always be with us in some capacity. However, our songwriting is always evolving and this evolution is definitely prevalent in our new album. This album is more diverse than the first one and there is more flow. We love rootsy rock 'n' roll, but we don't want to paint ourselves into a corner and solely limit ourselves to garage rock, or any one writing style."
The band will play a dozen dates in support of In This City before heading back to school in September. Upon completing their scholastic pursuits next spring, The Ride Theory plan to concentrate on music full-time with hopes of eventually making it into a career. Drummer Noah Fralick knows that it isn't going to be easy, but like so many of Hamilton's residents, he's willing to put in plenty of hard work and make whatever sacrifices are necessary to get the job done.
"We're all physically and mentally prepared to live hand-to-mouth for a while and see where this music thing can take us. It's always felt like a lot more than a hobby to us, so it will be nice to finally see what we can do when all our energy is concentrated in the band," he says.
Thursday August 04, 2005 @ 04:30 PM - Chartattack

August 23, 2005--CD Review: The Ride Theory--In This City
Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator
"The Ride Theory's second album, In This City, starts at a fever pitch and never lets up...They're playing pure rock n' roll. And Aron D'Alesio's voice has that great Hamilton sneer."

July 28, 2005--Cover Story: The Ride Theory
Ric Taylor, View Magazine
"In This City is a solid listen from start to finish...Live, the group personifies the grit and gruff that has epitomized what Hamilton rock and roll has become known for, with a distinctly modern flair and youthful zeal that immediately endears them to audiences. "

November 4, 2004: Scissor–Kicking Rock 'n' Roll
Patrick Finch, Echo Weekly
"Imagine the Hamburg Beatles, full of speed and Kinks influences. Drummer, Noah Fralick, guitarist/vocalist Aron D'alesio, guitarist Kyle Kuchmey, and bassist John Smith attack the rock proper: snazzy suits, vintage gear, open–mouths, and stomping feet. Not to mention a reckless energy that positively explodes from their amplifiers. When D'Alesio tears into a solo, it’s brash, manic, and pure old–school rock."
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