Rip Chord

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This page has information about the band Rip Chord. They have since broken up, but you can read about them: Enjoy!

The Return. December, 1997

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Rip Chord came back with their first show in at least three months. The band was having difficulty finding a new drummer after the last one was abducted by aliens. They even considered using a drum machine but as Alex told me, "This guys kicks ass."

Despite it being Alex's and Rex's birthdays, the show was pretty tame. Their new drummer, as advertised, kicked ass. He was still pretty green though and they hadn't worked out any of their old material. A Rip Chord show without "Get Drunk" and "Friggin' in the Riggin'" is like Robert Plant not playing any Led Zeppelin songs. Overall, the sound is great and they have added a new cover, the Beatles song, "Hard Day's Night."

Drummer Explodes! March, 1998

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Rip Chord's kick ass drummer is history. They are now planning on going cyberpunk, to use programmed drum machines. I haven't caught their show since the change but I am hoping it still kicks ass. Read all about it on their website. They will soon be getting regular gigs at The Spiral. Watch this space for the posting of their shows.

April Show Postponed. April, 1998

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Rip Chord continues to be a band in turmoil. The April show was rescheduled for early June. They have been working with one of their many ex-drummers. They have had more drummers than Spinal Tap. But they say they may try out some of the drum machine stuff. As far as the regular gigs at The Spiral go, that is still uncertain.

Worth the Wait. June, 1998

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Rip Chord is making a comeback. I saw them on the sixth and I am psyched for the future. Rip Chord sporting a new look, a kick ass drummer, and some new songs, flat out rocked. The new material is pretty good. They weren't as tight as you normally expect, but I chalk that up to not having played live for three months. The playing got better just as the show progressed. They also added a cover of the "Toyota theme song", "Everyday People." This Motown song got a much needed updating. The new material is similar in that it is a little bit of a departure from the older material, but it is a move in a more mature direction. I expect big things from Rip Chord in the near future. As far as the regular gigs at The Spiral go, that may be coming soon.

The June 6th show was taped for OnlineTV and was broadcast live. Also on OnlineTV, you can see their December 20, 1997 show from the Spiral. I don't know if the upcoming shows will be seen on OnlineTV but I will keep you posted.

Coney Island High, August, 1998

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Went to see Rip Chord on the 1st and the 7th. (I missed the show on the 29th.) Things are looking up for the band. The show on the 7th was their first ever at Coney Island High. It was an audition-type gig. The NYC clubs are rather empty in the summer and they are willing to try new bands. All of the bands there that night were in the same position. Rip Chord needed to bring in a certain number of people to earn a chance to play there again. They used the previous show as a rehearsal to work out two new songs, including the extremely catchy, "Guiliani Sucks."

The Coney Island High show started off slowly, as the band looked a bit nervous, playing there for the first time. But quickly they settled down and got into a groove. The highlights of the night included "$imon $mell$ Funny" and "Torpedo." They also played "Dirty Bastard" but it was not as strong as usual. I don't know how much practice they had with it but the drummer seemed to be tripping all over the song. For the encore song, they asked me to come up on stage and sing "New York, NY" with them. I sneered my way through that and only flubbed a few lines. Everyone seemed to enjoy that.

After the show, the band talked to the German media and there was rumored to be a record label guy waiting for them. Things should be looking up for them.

Rip Chord now has a mailing list for all their shows. Sign up at their site.

Arlene's Grocery, October, 1998

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It looks like Coney Island High may become a semi-regular gig. And they are now playing at a new place, Arlene's Grocery. I have never been there but here is some essential info:

Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton Street
South of Houston Street,
between Ludlow and Orchard
(212) 358-1633

To avoid any confusion, this show is on late Friday night at 1 AM (technically Saturday morning). Also, there will be no cover. You know you will be wandering around NYC at this time, so why not stop in and hear some great live music? It's free.

I hope to make it to this show and have a full report in the future.

Adios Amigos! September, 1999

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Rip Chord was a promising new punk band from New York City. Their sound was similar to the Ramones or Green Day. They had a few CD's out, including the eponymous Rip Chord and the 4 song sampler New York, New York. They used to play at the Spiral in New York City and always rocked the house.

Unfortunately, they have disbanded. They had more drummers than Spinal Tap and it became a chore to continually find a new guy, teach him the songs and then watch him quit. Not a lot of people want to put out so much effort for a band that was not successful financially. And so the dreaded musical differences crept in. And everything began to disintegrate. And everyone went their separate ways.

As a friend of the band, I asked for, begged for, and pleaded for, one final concert. I wanted them to have one final send off. They could play and have a great time one more time and end the band on an ultimate triumphant note. But it never came to pass.

So now, several months later, the guys have scattered and Rex has pulled the website off the internet. There was talk of new projects for each of the members, separately with new bands. I have heard nothing. There are very few traces of the band left. And all we have left is the great music they left behind. Thanks for that.

Rip Chord's website used to be at http://www.RipChord.com.