American rock band formed in 1981 in West Los Angeles, CA. The group was founded by Kentucky born guitarist [a306064] (previously of [a870578]) with drummer [a747527] (formerly of [a1021898]) at a jam session in the notorious ON Klub in Silverlake. The other guitar player was [a179560], who soon left to form [a306995], whereupon Virginia’s [a306083] joined after answering a want ad in a local newspaper. The original bass player was [a778415] but he quit to return to graduate school and was replaced by ex-pat Englishman [a778414]. This lineup recorded and released an EP [m=90565], produced by ex-[a6271] guitarist/former [a70829] engineer [a266053]. A US tour followed. Des Brewer dropped out at this point to continue his career as a longshoreman in San Pedro and was replaced by Indiana’s [a747526]. The group signed to indie label [l33807] and recorded their debut LP [m=212020] which was produced by [a259822]. The album was called “a modern American classic” by Melody Maker and the band made the cover of the New Musical Express as well as playing live on the BBC’s Whistle Test TV show. The band toured the US in 1984, and Europe in March/April 1985. Next the band signed to [l8377] and released the album [m=90563] in September 1985, which hit number one in the College Radio/Alternative charts for four weeks. After a spring tour the band released [m=90564] in early summer 1987. Produced by [a241495], the album produced the hit single “[m=389736]”. Bassist Tom Stevens left the road to be with his family in August and by Christmas Stephen McCarthy left to write musicials. Island asked Griffin and Sowders for another album but they declined. Since then the band has released several reissues, [r=3262757] on [l212596], released June 2004, and [r=3262716], a reprise of the Ryders reunion tour released in October 2008. In 2014 the band played their first L.A. show in 27 years, the Earle Mankey Appreciation Concert. A short run of dates in Spain followed in December of that year. On January 22, 2016, [l5174] released a four CD box set [r=8080345].
