Born: May 9th 1974.
I'll be totally honest with you, what I originally knew about Johnny when I first started making this little webpage didn't make for a very big biography at all...however since then I have been gathering facts and interesting bits of info...thinking of lame questions, etc...plus I've actually been lucky enough (super-lucky in fact...I thank my lucky stars) to meet and make friends with Mr Rioux and The Kickovers...I've seen The Kickovers live five times...so far! Johnny has also been a great help in making this particular biography grow more and more...this page was lovingly put together by the pair of us and Johnny has since admitted that through doing this he has learnt much more about himself...seriously! Well what can I say? Glad to have helped! I just came up with a bunch of lame questions and fortunately he was more than happy to help out and fill in the blanks, elaborate more on certain areas, etc...so I send out a big BIG thank you to Johnny for his continuous support and his enormous contribution to this specific biography, and indeed to this humble little webpage of mine in general...you're a good friend too John...thanks so much, you know it's all appreciated! John is also responsible for me meeting some really awesome people, he's the one who first introduced me to Joe Gittleman...which I'm forever grateful for as Joe is one of the musicians I've grown up respecting so much. I also met Amy Griffin (Avoid One Thing, The Raging Teens) through Johnny, I was so happy to find that she is really cool, extremely friendly and totally down to earth, she definitely makes me feel proud to be a little punk girl too!
Anyways, here is a little something from the past that features a few words that the esteemed Mr Barrett had to say about the equally esteemed Mr Rioux, from one of the Bosstones tour diaries - and I guess Dicky knows what he's talking about, ha-ha! What can I say? Everything I learned back in the day about Johnny I learnt from Dicky, now how weird is that?
"...The Houston Throwdown was a smashing success. I'm not just saying that. Fitzgerald's (the old texas train-station/slaughter-house/polish-dance-hall, that Laura (aka L-Train) who works there, swears is haunted) was a perfect place to Throwdown. Rioux, the guy I've written about in the past, although I'm not sure if I mentioned his "rock and roll credentials" You see besides being the ace guitar technician for the Mighty Mighty BossToneS, he was also once a member of Boston's toughest band, the notorious Bruisers. On top of that, he once toured, playing upright bass, with Mike Ness of Social D fame. This Rioux guy is no slouch. There are quite a few things he's famous for, but the point I was originally trying to make is, some of his in-laws were at the Houston shows. This cough syrup shit is no joke...!"
John Rioux is a very genuine and down to earth kind of guy, what you see is what you get, he's incredibley friendly and considerate. In today's music industry it is very refreshing and inspiring because he has so much enthusiasm and excitement for music and for The Kickovers...in fact his enthusiasm for music on the whole is completely awe-inspiring. He rocks live and is a really cool guy, seriously one of the coolest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. His tattoos kick ass too...you know how important the tattoos are right? The following was a little introduction that John kindly posted about himself on the illustrious Kickovers message board back in April 2002, The Kickovers were on tour at this point and were having a blast;
"Hey all... It's Johnny. We are having an unbelievable time on tour. Never thought playing music would be so fun! I have been in punk rock bands around Boston for a long time in bands such as The Bruisers with Dropkick Murphys singer Al Barr. I did play with Mike Ness but so briefly that I don't feel right having it on the 'ol resume. Since then I have been playing with my old friend Roger Miret in a band called The Disasters and doing a lot of behind the scenes stuff like being The Bosstones stage manager and guitar tech and managing bands such as Lost City Angels and Hot Rod Circuit and assisting with Dropkick Murphys. Everyone in The Kickovers brings a different element and I'm no exception. Thanks to everyone who has come out to see us on this tour we look forward to seeing you soon!" Funnily enough, later THAT day I did see Johnny and the band...! Mmmmmm...now what a coincidence?
As mentioned above, John Rioux was born on May 9th 1974...making him a taurean; but more importantly in chinese astrology (yes, I am obsessed with chinese astrology...you'll get used to it) he'a tiger!!! Tigers are courageous beyond compare and generally come out ahead in battle, be it in the boardroom or the bedroom. Seduction is one area where the Tiger is definitely king! Noble and warm-hearted, Tigers have a natural, raw appeal that's extremely attractive to other Signs. They're not just about attraction, though; ever on the side of right, Tigers will fight the good fight to the bitter end if the cause is worthy. Opponents are wise to fear this feline. A lesson that Tigers would be well-served to learn is "moderation in all things." Once these cats can find their center and direct their considerable energies toward worthwhile endeavors (as opposed to racing through life), they will accomplish much.
Johnny is the youngest of two boys and was a very shy child...he can still be a little shy at times...I know, it's hard to believe; "I was quiet and shy. I listened to Duran Duran records and was very antisocial at school. I did not get along with my family or the kids at school." Quite the little rebel he speaks fondly of his earliest childhood memory too; "When I was 2 I ran away from home. I ended up at a convenience store and I started eating candy bars off the rack. The cashier yelled at me so I went back home. When I got back home the whole neighborhood was looking for me."
At school Johnny wasn't much happier either, I asked him what kind of student he was; "Not a good student...The teachers and principal tried to have me put in the special ed classes because I had blue hair and didn't like sports" He wasn't a bad student though and did well in certain subjects; "English and Math. I was a good writer. I also did pretty well in chamber choir. I played clarinet in middle school, I played stand up drums in High School for a rock a billy band called the Uglies. I have always loved music but with my A.D.D. I was destined for 3 chord guitar rock!" At least he put his energy and enthusiasm into his music...
Johnny's musical history covers many areas; management, behind the scenes as a roadie and obviously playing...though prior to the addition of the wonderous Mr Welsh to the current equation Johnny had been playing bass on this project and is credited on Osaka for this very feat, something he was more reknowned for in some previous bands too...check the song credits on Osaka's cover to find out which songs he plays bass on.
Knowing how enthusiastic and dedicated to his work he is I asked if he'd always wanted to get into the music business? "Yes, I kind of fell into the business side of things but I always wanted to play." If you weren't in this business what do you think you'd be doing for a living? "I was a floor installer, carpets, linoleum, ceramic tiles before music. I'd probably still be doing that."
Rioux has played in The Bruisers with the brilliant Al Barr who most of us know from the amazing Dropkick Murphys, quite briefly with Social D's Mike Ness and more recently with Roger Miret And The Disasters.
Here's a little more information about The Disasters;
It is a rare individual who can claim to have spearheaded a meaningful shift in the musical landscape. But, in 1982, along with Vinnie Stigma, that's just what Roger Miret did. The two formed the nucleus of New York's legendary Agnostic Front and together they resolved to play the hardest, loudest, rawest music they could. Punctuated by Roger's penetrating, incendiary sociopolitical commentary, Agnostic Front ushered in the era of New York Hardcore, turned the seemingly unshakable punk scene on its ringing ear and raised the bar for all those who would follow. Without the benefit of mainstream radio exposure or MTV, they built a worldwide following of fiercely loyal fans who responded not only to the group's blistering, breakneck rhythms; but, also to the attention Roger paid to themes of social alienation, state-sponsored, systemic oppression and finally, his vision of unity-all culled from his personal experiences and observations, and all offered up with a brutal, unadulterated honesty that has remained his trademark.
Now, Roger is once again challenging himself and his audience, this time as guitarist and singer for the punk-rock foursome, The Disasters.
New Zealand native and guitarist Rhys Kill had only been in the U.S. a short while when he met Roger. Their mutual enthusiasm for The Clash, Blitz, Stiff Little Fingers and Buzzcocks, among others, made the two fast friends. But, when Rhys joined him to cut a demo of songs Roger had written, their guitars clicked, too, and they quickly realized they had something more than promising on their hands.
Ironically, it was the end of one band that allowed Roger to take the next step toward solidifying his. When the members of one of Roger's favorite groups, the Boston-based Oi band The Bruisers, parted company, he invited erstwhile Bruisers' bassist Johnny Rioux to accompany him on a second recording of his original material. Johnny wanted to hear the initial recording first and Roger sent him a copy. Before the first song had ended, Johnny phoned Roger and joined the group.
A few months later and with the eminently talented Rioux on board, the three laid down a second set of recordings, this time with the help of Dropkick Murphys drummer Matt Kelly. The second demo landed in the hands of Rancid guitarist Lars Frederiksen. Lars was impressed and immediately passed the tape to his Rancid cohort and Hellcat Records founder, Tim Armstrong. Instantly Tim recognized the potential of what he heard and welcomed the band into the Hellcat family.
Roger was now poised for a return to his former glory atop New York's punk scene, but Matt Kelly's commitments with the Dropkick Murphys left the band without a backbeat. Roger set his sights on Johnny Kray, lead singer for The Krays, drummer for the NY Rel-x, and another veteran of the New York City punk scene. Once again, Roger let the demos do the talking and there was no surprise when Johnny agreed. Roger Miret And The Disasters were, at long last, a band.
The result: Roger Miret and The Disasters' self-titled debut. A classic NYC street punk sound loaded with lots of anthems that hark back to punk�s bone-jarring, fist-pumping glory days. Though this marks his growth as a songwriter, he proves what so many have known for over two decades: Roger Miret is a punk purist without equal. Consider yourself warned to sing along!
2002 saw the release of that self-titled CD and it's brilliant so please buy it. Unfortunately Johnny hasn't been able to tour with The Disasters recently due to a hectic schedule of his own...but what can you do? Heres a brief insight into the rest of Johnny's musical history; "When I was 14 or 15 I joined a punk band called TSF. When I turned 17 I joined a psychobilly/punk band called The Uglies. I played drums, and I played them standing up like Slim Jim from the Stray Cats. That lasted until I was 19 when our singer went to prison and our guitarist and bass player drove drunk and wrecked their car. I haven't seen them since. I moved to Oregon for a couple of years and played in 2 bands, 1 punk rock band called Elmer and a band called The Suicide Kings that sounded like an energetic Chris Isaak. In both these bands I was the bass player. I came back to Boston and joined a street punk band called The Bruisers playing bass until our singer joined The Dropkick Murphys in '98. We toured the world and put out a couple of records. In 1999 I was listening to WBCN and heard Mike Ness from Social Distortion do an acoustic set live and he mentioned he was looking for a bass player that played stand up and electric. I called his manager, went to LA and rehearsed for a month and did a few shows. I wasn't really clicking with the rest of the rythym section and that was that (I was the young guy). I truly hate that people say "Johnny Rioux of Mike Ness", I played for him so briefly and his music was his music not mine, that I don't want it on my creative resume!"
I never ever make a secret about my deep admiration, love and respect for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones so I asked Johnny how he ended up working with one of my favourite bands and we mentioned what our favourite 'tones songs were too; "I met The Bosstones at a Joe Strummer show and they needed a guitar tech. I was tour managing Dropkick Murphys and I wanted a change of pace so I was pumped to work for them. I totally love those guys and we had so many laughs. My favorite Bosstones songs are Toxic Toast and The Bartender Song. Hmm or maybe They Came To Boston, I love their cover of Tin Soldiers too." Personally I know that Johnny loves talking about his adventures with the Bosstones and he misses them dearly, his respect for them is amazing...he loves to share his stories about singing Pogues songs while drunk with Dicky and how much it was like summer camp! As for his other favourite bands; "The Clash, The Replacements, Ramones, Social Distortion, Husker Du, Descendants, Hotrod Circuit, Lost City Angels." ...and musical influences; "As far as all around songwriting and guitar playing goes I would say Strummer and Paul Westerberg. Mike Ness was a big influence as well."
I can remember just how excited I was to learn about Nate's project and how there were so many amazing musicians working with him, amazing musicians that I have the upmost respect for...so with this outlook of my own I also wondered what Johnny's views were on making Osaka; "I was so pumped for many different reasons...I think Nate is such an unbelievable guitarist and songwriter. He can really write the hooks. Joe Sirois came on the bus when we were on tour with MMB and played me some demo's of Nate's and I really saw where he was going. I have so many different musical influences and Nate's songwriting really captures that, you can't pigeon hole it into one style. Everyone in the band plays for the love of the music." Heres a little something else that Johnny and I agree on... "Nate is a total genius!" ...and I did tell him I'd quote him on that!
I wanted to know which name Johnny prefered; The Brakes or The Kickovers? Like most people Johnny also said he preferred The Brakes. So how about some more Kickovers-related questions? What about his favourite Kickovers song? "My favorite song to play is Grounded and the new song Girlfriend. Listening to the record it's Crash And Burn (his parents like this one too) and Fake In Love." What would you like to see The Kickovers achieve? Where do they see themselves heading? "I would love to continue recording new songs as a band. I love playing these shows and having fun. Not taking ourselves too seriously, keep it fun. Whatever more comes out of it is a bonus!" I think we'd all like that too. Refering back to Crash And Burn being one of Johnny's favourites, I remember the first time they ever played it live...something they'd put off doing for a while; "I'm just warning you Nicola, we're gonna murder Crash And Burn tonight!" laughed Johnny as he wrote out the set list for the Boston College show on the 18th of September 2002. Well, it reached that point in the set and Nate made a comment about the song and how he was going to kick his inner-child's ass...so they played the song and it was amazing, totally brilliant...I didn't doubt their playing for a second (yes, of course I'm biased...naturally) and they didn't murder it at all...the song wasn't even badly bruised, so I guess Nate's inner-child kicked his ass instead? The inner-child won and the audience were non the wiser! Later that night the whole audience would become a major part of the show when everyone was invited up onstage to perform I'm Plastic...though oddly enough it did take three attempts before everyone got the words right...seriously! I'm plastic, I'm plastic, I'm plastic, etc, etc...that song is obviously a chance for Johnny to wrestle with his inner-child, don't you think? It has been refered to as "...a 15-second Zappa-inspired ranting confession of their plasticity!" The shyness totally goes out of the window as he jumps off the stage, joins the audience and yells those lines, always a great end to an awesome Kickovers show...always!