Sometimes you just need a band you can rock out to and sing along with a band that has good lyrics and knows how to have fun while having a bit of substance every so often. The Riverdales are just that band- something you can put on in your car and sing a long with, then suddenly stop singing as you realize that the person in the car next to you is starring at you and not in a ‘hey you’re cute’ kind of way but a ‘hey you’re crazy’ kind of way.

The Riverdales have a sound that is reminiscent of The Ramones, but with more breakdowns added into their songs, and a dash of doo-wop tossed in for good measure. The Riverdales are based off of local label LOOK OUT! Records, which has many good bands, but I must say that The Riverdales would have to be one of my personal favorites from the LOOK OUT! line up.

The Riverdales are made up of members of another LOOK OUT! band The Screeching Weasels, which just adds fuel to the fire that LOOK OUT! records is made up of- band hoes- which I don’t have a problem with as long as the good tunes keep rolling out. The Riverdales have not released an album since 96 but are still one band you should check out because they are very entertaining.

One of my favorite songs by the Riverdales would have to be Plan 13 a song about a trip through the scary world of urban myths, with angry vocals and forceful sounding guitar licks. This is one song that will surely get you to take your hair down and trash around your living room or car. Another classic by them is Judy Go Home, a song about a girl no one wants around because she is different, but she doesn’t really care what they think. This song has a much softer feel to as apposed to the hard hitting Plan 13. I really like this song because to me it is talking about not changing your self to meet other peoples needs and that is pretty rad if you ask me.

So if you’re looking for a good jam band and something you can just have fun with you should most definitely check out the Riverdales.