The Athens music scene has a lot of quality music to offer, according to the Redtails, a local band distinguished by their hard rock sound and classic rock influences.
The Redtails are fans of local and regional bands, such as Dirty Johnny and the Makebelieves, Appalachian Death Ride and We March. The Rolling Stones and the Screaming Trees are two nationally-known acts that have influenced their sound.
You can go to see a lot of really good acts just by going to the Union
Andrew Weiland, bass and vocals, said.
Seth Riddlebarger, vocals and guitar, said he does not think people realize Athens has such a great music scene. He said right now some of their biggest influences are the local and regional bands they perform with.
As far as my own personal experiences go I think Athens is a really great place to be for being a rock n' roll band right now he said.
College towns are some of the best venues to play music at, drummer Bram Riddlebarger said.
It's always good to have the constant flow of 22-year olds
Bram said.
They got their start while attending Logan High School in the early '90s. High school friends Weiland, bass and vocals, and Seth Riddlebarger, guitar and vocals, started the band, with Bram, Seth's brother, joining later. Bram switched from guitar to drums when the original drummer left the band.
The band has played in Athens for the past three years and rates the Union, 18 W. Union St., as their favorite local venue. They said the expansion of Casa Cantina should help benefit the local scene.
Weiland describes the band's current sound as hard rock with a country and blues basis that has somewhat of a punk rock edge.
The Redtails' sound has evolved over their 10-year duration, which included a bluesy period. The sound of the band is indicative of the large amount of influences, Seth said.
The turnover for the Redtails' songs is high, Bram said. They went through a few changes and reformed their sound about four years ago.
Where we're at now really started in 1999
he said.
Their immediate goal is to play out more, Seth said.
I'd be happy to just make records and have people that wanted to buy them along whatever scale that might be. I'm not concerned with being a national act - regional would be fine with me
Seth said.
The band will self-release their second CD this year, which was recorded a year ago. Members also plan to release a third CD this year. They are looking for a record label to distribute this album.
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