Artist Of The Week: The Riff

Swansea band, The Riff are a classic 4-piece ensemble that have racked up an impressive assortment of accolades over their lifetime, including BBC Wales Introducing Artist of the Week and performing with the likes of The Sherlocks and members of The Jam and The La's, with regular sets at shows across the UK.  With a line-up consisting of twins Ben and Sam Curtis (Lead Vox/Guitar and Keys, respectively), Chris Betts (Bass) and Tommy Evans (Drums) their fresh sound is pinned down in a long-line of rock-solid traditional foursomes.

There's something to be said for tradition - these guys build on a formula that works;  dynamic, powerful vocals with simple yet effective lyricism, sparkling, and at times pummelling (in the best of ways), chord-work on the guitar with keyboard melodies working as a perfect compliment - it's in the blood, obviously, Clan Curtis - and a driving, persistent rhythm section under-pinning songs that are rooted in the '60s and '70s and finally given a modern sparkle. 

Their most recent release, Nothing Lasts Forever, rings true in many ways. The Riff are a band who's sound is constantly developing without forsaking their classic, British Indie ways.

It's refreshing to find a band destined for bigger things, and unashamed of their roots. In fact, their back-catalogue of music videos (which I highly recommend YouTube trawling through - it's been a morning well-spent!) reads like a who's-who (or where's-where...?) of the longest-standing independent music venues in Swansea.

Mixing no-frills rock'n'roll with powerful pop hooks that would make a Gallagher proud, The Riff are a band you should check out as soon as possible and catch whenever they're passing!

The Riff Playing at the Swansea Music Hub's first Swansea Musician's Forum in Cinema & Co. 

The Riff Facebook | The Riff Twitter | The Riff YouTube

Written by Joe Bayliss