Sometimes, the greatest surprises in life come from a place you would never expect... Who could have imagined that young dandy Lex Riders - who looks like an updated version of Beau Brummel - was born in France in 1981? This boy is deep into refinement and classical literature, and has more in common with the rock aristocracy of the Swinging London era than with Eric Cantona... That is, he inherited his innate sense of elegance from his Celtic ancestors. At six months, Lex would listen religiously to Bach and Tchaikovsky; at seven, he narrowly escaped enrolling in the Academy of Music. It was only a few years later that he learned to play the folk guitar, then the electric guitar. From then on, he has loved nothing more than the highly thrilling energy of rock 'n roll.
Upon entering the new millennium, Lex Riders first experienced his own rock band from within the comet Space Needle... leaving behind it a trail of gigs in France, Belgium and Switzerland, and a few European airplays which allowed its front man to adapt his first compositions to a large audience. At that time, Lex started to craft his own distinct personality, one of a dark and lonely poet who owes a great deal to the romanticism of the 19th century. He has chosen to sing in English, being of the opinion that no other language can do justice to good rock music. His slightly French accent delivers an added bonus for some!
In 2004, Lex Riders self-released his first record "Neon Bright", a title that goes well with his style, blending all at once a modern brightness and retro charm, with poppy hooks and raw overdrive. The whole sounds like a perfect crossover between 70's glam, gothic, new wave, cold wave and new romantic (from the Velvet Underground to Iggy & the Stooges, David Bowie, Billy Idol, Joy Division or The Lords of the New Church)... with an underlying pop sensibility... Not to mention Lex Rider's deep voice, not unlike that of an American crooner. This first work earned positive reviews in many indie papers and webzines.
In May, 2005, Lex Riders started rehearsing with a new band called Lex Riders & The Machine Gun. A name borrowed from a Damned song, and quite evocative of the 30's and Al Capone and his classy gangsters! The band takes the "Neon Bright" sound to the next level, adding to it some retro-sixties garage rock reminiscent of the Rolling Stones or the Yardbirds. The boys are currently working on new material and live gigs. They are also in the process of recording what shall be Lex Rider's second LP, and dandy rock's crown jewel. Such a release could be bad news for some! All in all, Lex Riders may be the most British of all the French, if not the only one able to tell you what Hamlet is about! And he surely is one of the few who can appeal to an English audience.
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More Lex Riders
Check out Ritual Records to buy or listen to his music and read more reviews.
