I first met my wife back in 1997 when she was trying to help her friends in a skate punk band from State College, Pennsylvania book a short tour. The band was called The Risers and they (like most punk bands) didn’t last very long. Ed now lives in Philly and and has been in a few other bands like Go For The Throat and Kill The Signal but now just deadlifts a lot. Joey played guitar and sang a little. He’s gone on to be in bands like No On 15 and The Deuces but now runs Housewrecker Clothing. He grew up in the same town as my wife so we see him every so often. George was the drummer and has since played in The Smiley Kids and The Scooterz outta Denver. Jared sang and played guitar for The Risers and skates for Worship Skateboards. There you have it.
Unfortunately for all of us, the only recorded document of the band was a tape of some songs they recorded with Arik from Creep Records. Four of those songs ended up a 7” record of which I think there are less than 100 in existence. “My Backyard” is a personal favorite of mine but don’t expect too much. The sounds quality is subpar, but even if you tweak and EQ shitty punk rock, it’s still shitty punk rock. Lovable but a bit on the grainy side.
MP3 | The Risers – My Backyard My Backyard 7”
MP3 | The Risers – Kickflip My Backyard 7”
MP3 | The Risers – Struck Out My Backyard 7”
MP3 | The Risers – Butterfly My Backyard 7”
Spending time with this band were some of the best days I had in my last year in PA. Thank goodness for The Risers because if it wasn’t for them and my good friends, I wouldn’t have met you. xoxo