riverboat gambler band

Riverboat Gamblers

• X @thegamblers
• Gamblersforeverforevergamblers

thanks for playing!

The Riverboat Gamblers' Something to Crow About Turns 20

The album that made austin's apex punks earns anniversary vinyl remaster, by tim stegall , fri., aug. 11, 2023.

"That's the one that put the band on the map," says Riverboat Gamblers guitarist Ian MacDougall of Something to Crow About , the second full-length release from Austin's apex punk outfit. Long out of print, Crow relaunches in a special 20th anniversary edition , pressed in three different colors of vinyl, on August 18 via the band's own GFFG Records. Local genius engineer Jack Control of Enormous Door Mastering breathes new life into the Tim Kerr-produced album.

Crow was released June 3, 2003, by Gearhead Records . The A-list garage/punk indie label run by former Maximum Rocknroll contributors Mike Lavella and Michelle Haunold previously broke the Hives' motorik garage hit "Hate to Say I Told You So." Big Boys/Poison 13 legend Kerr successfully transferred the Gamblers' incendiary live sound – 1969 Detroit protopunk invested with the ballistic energy of Japan's Teengenerate – to 1-inch tape at the late Sweatbox Studio in 2002.

Meanwhile, the still-Denton-based band's buzz grew steadily . Frequent visitors to town since a late-Nineties Blue Flamingo appearance, they made Beerland their de facto Austin HQ. Then- Rolling Stone writer David Fricke became an early champion, reviewing a typically explosive Emo's South by Southwest showcase in 2003, before declaring them one of the "Top 5 bands to break out at this year's SXSW" in 2006.

"That was way outside of what we thought was possible, or what we were capable of," says guitarist Fadi El-Assad, who started the Riverboat Gamblers in Denton when he was 18 with bassist Patrick Lillard and singer/spectacle Mike Wiebe . "That's when we started getting a little bit of juice, and it started building and it felt really exciting at that time.

"None of us had stars in our eyes. There was nothing like, 'Oh yeah, we're going to make it now.' It was more of a confused flattery. Like, 'Are they really into this? All right, cool.' It was more of that kind of attitude than anything else. But we were young and ready to do it, so we were like, 'Let's give it a shot.'"

A few years earlier, Lillard, El-Assad, and Wiebe were enthralled with what the singer calls "the Gilman Gold Rush, when all the Lookout and Epitaph stuff was blowing the fuck up." Denton was alive with young bands playing an active house show circuit, everyone playing in everyone else's bands several times over. Lillard approached El-Assad about doing something "more big rock/rock & roll/garage rock." El-Assad played with Wiebe in two other bands, both desiring to rock harder. Wiebe says they bonded over discovering the source of Nineties group Teengenerate's name was a song by NYC punk pioneers the Dictators – which led them to the latter act's 1978 Bloodbrothers album and the path ultimately chosen.

Kerr produced the Gamblers' first two albums. "I have always thought that band was great," he writes via text message. "[ Crow ] was recorded how I/we did all the recordings [at Sweatbox]: Basic tracks live, no headphones."

El-Assad recalls one song during the Crow sessions not going well. Kerr told them to take a break, drink some beer, then come back and try again. They finally got it, but the guitarist remained skeptical.

"I said, 'That's not how it's supposed to go.' His reply always stuck in my head, and I think about this – about life events, about music, anything: 'What do you mean that's not the way it's supposed to go? That's the way it went.'"

Crow was the first widely distributed evidence of the band's flamethrower superiority. They still play nearly half of its 13 songs live: "What's What," "Rattle Me Bones," "Ice Water," "Save You," "Lottie Mae," "Last to Know." According to El-Assad, "Sparks & Shots" returned during recent gigs. The album also transformed them, per Wiebe, into "road dogs extraordinaire.

"I think we'd done one tour beforehand," says the lead vocalist, speaking on a break from writing new material for the Gamblers and his other project, Drakulas. "But that was the record that opened us up to really kind of living on the road for a while there."

The 2003-2005 Crow tours also brought an 18-year-old MacDougall to the band, shoving him into the tour van shortly after his high school graduation, upon guitarist Colin "Ambulance" O'Donnell's exit. Previously in '77-style punk band the Kicks, then-tour manager Bryan McClellan advised him: "No creepers, no skinny ties, no neon shirts, any of that shit." MacDougall has remained in the band's core since, alongside Wiebe, El-Assad, and bassist Rob Marchant, who replaced Lillard in 2007. Drummer Sam Keir came aboard in 2010, leaving after three years to become a firefighter, but returning in 2021. He's remained drumming since.

All that touring made a machine out of the Gamblers by the summer of 2006, the year Alternative Press magazine declared them one of the "100 Bands You Need to Know." Their van rode behind tour buses holding X and Rollins Band, as they traversed America with the L.A. punk legends in support of To the Confusion of Our Enemies , the Gamblers' first LP under their new contract with skateboard manufacturer Volcom's short-lived record label. That July, they were the first live act I got to see upon returning to town after several years away.

I honestly had no idea how either X or Henry Rollins would be able to follow them at Stubb's that night. The Gamblers clearly absorbed everything MC5 and the Clash taught them, but with more demonic energy than either in their prime. And Wiebe put life and limb on the line every night.

"I was on a real mission, back then," he acknowledges. "It had to be a more intense show than everybody else. Sometimes that was more like, 'How can I physically hurt myself rather than sing alright.' I had a lot of injuries. I was constantly in and out of the ER with some kind of new break or laceration or something."

"It was like that onstage, and honestly it was like that offstage," chuckles El-Assad. "Recklessness was sort of the engine that was powering the band at that time."

After Stubb's, it wasn't their new LP I purchased as my first Riverboat Gamblers LP. It was Crow . Such is that record's power: It defined them, even then. It led to their Austin relocation, MacDougall's membership, their road seasoning – virtually everything.

After a long absence, it's back. Control's remaster, only available on the new vinyl issue, sounds like it's had a shower, a shave, and two cups of coffee. The Riverboat Gamblers support their ultimate creation's rebirth with a to-be-announced series of shows presenting Crow live, in full, in sequence, plus other select tunes. Their first studio album since 2012's The Wolf You Feed is forthcoming, as well as a live album. But for now, the Riverboat Gamblers celebrate the album that made them.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

Richard Whittaker, Aug. 17, 2012

Dec. 8, 2023

June 20, 2023

The Riverboat Gamblers , Ian MacDougall , Jack Control , Tim Kerr , Gearhead Records , David Fricke , Fadi El-Assad , Patrick Lillard , Mike Wiebe

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle  

Riverboat Gamblers

Boozy, bare-knuckled punk band that offers a nice everyman counterpoint to their emo contemporaries.

Read Full Biography

STREAM OR BUY:

Group Members

Related artists, discography, moods and themes, related articles.

Riverboat Gamblers Have ‘Something To Crow About’, Again.

Riverboat Gamblers' Iconic Album Reissued: Something To Crow About Turns 20

Texas-based power punk five-piece The Riverboat Gamblers today announce the vinyl reissue of their breakout 2003 album Something To Crow About . This pressing (a Cobraside Exclusive Release) is available in three limited edition variants and celebrates the much-beloved album’s 20-year anniversary with a remaster and its first pressing since its initial release.

In the two decades that have passed since that release, Something To Crow About remains a keystone part of the Gamblers live set, but the album got snared in one of those inscrutable music industry contract snafus and has been a glaring omission from the band’s merch table up until now. While Something To Crow About was just the group’s second album, it was their last to be released with no sense of external expectations. The primal punk and raw rock n roll energy encased within would come to define the Gambler’s sound for their career to this point. 

Reflecting on the album, songwriter and guitarist Fadi El-Assad notes, “ I was undeniably invested in this record and had the high hopes of perfection that only youth can offer. It isn’t perfect. It isn’t even close. It is riddled with flubs, pockmarks, and last minute changes. The only perfection found in it is the mirror reflection of a young, pockmarked, and unprofessional band. It was frantic, frustrating, joyful, and chaotic. I felt alive hearing the messy grit of the final mix. And I love every beat of it.” Alongside this announcement the band are also sharing a new video for “Rattle Me Bones” that captures behind-the-scenes photos and videos of the song being performed over the years.

Vocalist Mike Wiebe explains how Something To Crow About set in motion some of the events that this video captures.  “It’s a weird experience revisiting these moments 20 years ago.  It feels like a lifetime and another person who worked on this scrappy little record.  Putting this remaster together has given me a chance to reflect on how much this collection of songs changed my life. Whatever I had hoped the record to be, it was ultimately much more. It changed the trajectory of having a local band to becoming a working band. It took us out of Texas and to the rest of the world. It introduced us to people who would help us learn the business of life inside music and the art that surrounds music.”

Something To Crow About  is available to order in white, black, and slate gray variants now. Black + White Variant Slate Grey (Garageland Exclusive) Variant

Riverboat Gamblers – Something To Crow About Originally Released June 3, 2003 Reissued August 18, 2023 [G.F.F.G Records]

Follow Riverboat Gamblers on Their Socials

Need more punk in your life.

EP review – ‘A Desolate Warning’ from Noah and the Loners

Live review: Guitar Gangsters / Friends of Luca Brasi / The Green Fog

The Empty Page return with second album ‘Imploding’

Rail against Tinder predators and scary furious ‘nice’ guys on its first single ‘Cock of the Fifth Year’.

Stiff Little Fingers enlist The Damned, The Skids and more for hometown festival

The Line-up for the sixth annual Putting the Fast in Belfast also features Problem Patterns, and DJ Terri Hooley.

Anti-rockumentary ‘King Rocker’ gets full release

Comedian Stewart Lee investigates a missing piece of punk history

Live Review: The Schizophonics bowl over The Brook, Southampton!

Punktuation Magazine For All Your Daily Punk News, Features, Interviews, Lifestyle and more!

F**k Yeah! Send Me Punk Mail!

• F**k Yeah! Send Me Some Punk Mail!

ADVERTISE WITH PUNKTUATION!

Don’t miss out on reaching your ideal audience! Click here to elevate your brand today!

SUPPORT PUNKTUATION!

If you enjoy reading Punktuation please consider supporting us with a regular donation each month. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our DIY journalism and sustains our future. Thank You For Supporting Independent Music Journalism!

Punktuationmag.com is a leading online punk rock news portal and source for all things punk. You can reach us via email.

[email protected]

Post Gallery

Follow Us On Our Socials

If you enjoy reading Punktuation! please consider supporting us with a regular donation each month.

Every contribution, however big or small, powers our DIY punk mag and sustains our future.

Donating as little as the cost of a coffee every month will help support independent music journalism.

Love ya, but I’m not interested, sorry!

• listening party
• existing artist
• See all results

No matching results

Try a different filter or a new search keyword.

Search all Bandcamp artists, tracks, and albums

• artists PRO view site
• edit profile
• subscription subscription
• view collection
• showLinkedBands(!showLinkedBands())" data-test="linked-accounts-header">

All Creation

By the riverboat gamblers.

Digital Track Streaming + Download

Buy digital track   name your price, send as gift  .

The Riverboat Gamblers Catskill, New York

discography

contact / help

Contact The Riverboat Gamblers

Streaming and Download help

Report this track or account

If you like The Riverboat Gamblers, you may also like:

Downey to Lubbock by Dave Alvin

Soulful guitar interplay form the heart of this lovely Americana collaboration from Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 2, 2018

Mud/Paced by Mother Upduff

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 6, 2015

Out on the line by The Blue Highways

The slashing roots rock on “Out On the Line” always makes its way to the kind of triumphant chorus that quickens the pulse. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 2, 2023

Where's The One? by Congotronics International

Members of Konono N°1, Deerhoof, Kasai All-Stars & more combine to make killer party music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 3, 2022

More Sugar by Sugar Tradition

Driving and fuzzed out rock and roll from the Motor City on the great Feel It Records. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 12, 2023

Moongazer by TENEBRA

Italian stoner powerhouse Tenebra has the heft of Sabbath and the hooks of Saint Vitus in their powerfully imposing tunes. Bandcamp New & Notable May 8, 2022

Strange, Strange Times by The Ugly Kings

Combining crooned murder ballads with raw, angsty hard rock hooks, Melbourne's The Ugly Kings are a wrecking crew well worth watching. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 15, 2021

Bandcamp Daily    your guide to the world of Bandcamp

Benjamin Booker Serves As His Own “Witness”

The Stories Behind Big Crown Records’ Soulful Singles

Composer Meara O’Reilly Brings Hockets Into the Future

On Bandcamp Radio

Melbourne-based Mildlife take over the Bandcamp Weekly playing album tracks and favorite tunes.

• terms of use
• switch to mobile view

• listening party
• existing artist
• See all results

No matching results

Try a different filter or a new search keyword.

Search all Bandcamp artists, tracks, and albums

• artists PRO view site
• edit profile
• subscription subscription
• view collection
• showLinkedBands(!showLinkedBands())" data-test="linked-accounts-header">

To The Confusion Of Our Enemies

By riverboat gamblers.

Volcom Entertainment Costa Mesa, California

• Volcom Entertainment

discography

contact / help

Contact Volcom Entertainment

Streaming and Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like To The Confusion Of Our Enemies, you may also like:

Fist In The Air by CHERUBS

Fuzzy Austin trio follow up their first album in 20 years, released in Spring 2015, with a stomping new EP of noisy rock & roll. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 26, 2016

Genuine Pleasure EP by Genuine Leather

Effervescent pop without a drop of irony, perfectly geared for fans of the more dance-oriented side of indie music and Tears for Fears. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 2, 2023

Strawberry Dream by Dorio

Psychedelic, soft-focus dance grooves abound on the new one from Austin artist Dorio, full of limber riffs and gentle vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable May 6, 2023

Autofiction by Daily Worker

Sharp, smart lyrics set to ’60s rock melodies, the latest from Daily Worker is the sound of yesterday with a contemporary edge. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 6, 2023

Flesh of My Flesh by The Mothermold

Killer grunge from this mother-daughter combo with in-your-face riffing and gutsy vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 5, 2022

Boleros Psicodélicos by Adrian Quesada

This solo album by Black Pumas co-founder Adrian Quesada was inspired by the funky sounds of vintage Latin soul. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 1, 2022

A Year at Home by Oliver Future

Woozy psych-pop from Austin’s Oliver Future with richly textured arrangements and blissful vocal harmonies. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 19, 2022

Bandcamp Daily    your guide to the world of Bandcamp

Ty Segall Picks His Bandcamp Favorites

Sheer Mag Place Their Faith in Love and Dissent

Sub Pop Imprint Hardly Art Celebrates 10 Years as a Tastemaker All Its Own

On Bandcamp Radio

Melbourne-based Mildlife take over the Bandcamp Weekly playing album tracks and favorite tunes.

• terms of use
• switch to mobile view

• A new 7-inch from Riverboat Gamblers

News / Records A new 7-inch from Riverboat Gamblers

Posted by loren on november 1, 2022.

Riverboat Gamblers have a new 21-song 7" out this Friday, Nov. 4, on Anxious & Angry Records.

The lead single, "Two Little Hearts" can be streamed now.

The Texas-based band will host a release show in Austin, TX at The 13th Floor on December 9.

Related news stories

Riverboat Gamblers curate AC Hell Fest

Posted in shows on september 12, 2023.

Riverboat Gamblers' Something To Crow About

Posted in records on august 18, 2023.

Off With Their Heads: 10 years from Home

Posted in tours on february 2, 2023, related album reviews, the riverboat gamblers, the wolf you feed volcom (2012).

The Riverboat Gamblers are an established band. So much so that it surprised me to see that The Wolf You Feed is just their fifth full-length, following last year’s Smash/Grab EP. With that history, they’ve jumped styles and labels, going unfettered rock to slick anthems, and successfully straddling the lines between punk, hard rock, and garage. The Wolf You Feed … Read more

Smash/Grab EP Paper + Plastick (2011)

When The Riverboat Gamblers released their last full length, Underneath the Owl, many fans were put off by the cleaner production and poppier approach. Their newest EP, Smash/Grab, was a return to the raw sound and more aggressive song writing, but offers something different by blending in a bit of Garage-Rock.The first of the 4-song EP is arguably the weakest … Read more

Related features

Riverboat Gamblers

One question interviews • january 14, 2014.

Mike Wiebe (Riverboat Gamblers, High Tension Wires) SPB: In addition to your multiple bands, you've taken to stand-up comedy recently too. What drew you to the medium, and what has struck you the most about it? Wiebe: I was drawn to it initially just from being such a huge fan … Read more

Looking for the SPB logo? You can download it in a range of styles and colours here:

• Logo, white text on blue (preferred): PNG | PDF | AI
• Logo, white text on transparent : PNG | PDF | AI
• Logo, black text on transparent : PNG | PDF | AI
• Logo + URL, white text on transparent : PNG | PDF | AI
• Logo + URL, black text on transparent : PNG | PDF | AI
• Site icon (piano keys) : PNG | PDF | AI

Click anywhere outside this dialog to close it, or press escape.

Riverboat Gamblers Verified

Similar artists on tour, bandsintown merch.

Live Photos of Riverboat Gamblers

Concerts and tour dates, fan reviews.

About Riverboat Gamblers

Hardcore News Punk

Hardcore Punk

DS Interview: Ian MacDougall (Riverboat Gamblers, Band of Horses) on Broken Gold’s new music.

Ian MacDougall is best known as a member of Riverboat Gamblers and Band of Horses. However, another of his bands, Broken Gold will be releasing new music in 2024. Per the band’s press release: “The record is a real ATX affair, with Ian being backed by members of Alejandro Escovedo’s band, Black Books, and Del-Vipers, […]

Ian MacDougall is best known as a member of Riverboat Gamblers and Band of Horses . However, another of his bands, Broken Gold will be releasing new music in 2024.

Per the band’s press release:

“The record is a real ATX affair, with Ian being backed by members of Alejandro Escovedo’s band, Black Books, and Del-Vipers, while Stuart Sikes (A Giant Dog, Black Pumas) recorded and mixed it.

“Spiraling” highlights a more confessional approach to MacDougall’s songwriting; tackling the mental toll of a life stitched together between regular touring and the various hometown jobs taken on to make ends meet in between. 

In his words: “I’d always felt…changed or sort of crazier in a way, after being away so many times over the years. When you keep layering that on over and over. What is normalcy, what part of my life is the ‘real’ life?”

I interviewed MacDougall via text and email about Broken Gold’s origin, its present work and the future.

MerGold (Dying Scene): How did Broken Gold get started?  

Ian MacDougall: Broken Gold started shortly after I started working at a wonderful punk rock pizza place/bar called The Parlor here in Austin TX around 2010 or so.

Gamblers was in between tours and I needed a job that was cool with me taking off at a moment’s notice. I met my soon-to-be best friend Rich Cali while working there. He played drums and was from Asbury Park New Jersey, and was at the time married to one of the daughters in the family that owned the business. We bonded over our mutual love of Springsteen and the Clash as well as Fugazi and bands like Rites of Spring. We got along so much that they stopped scheduling us to work behind the bar at the same time because we would goof off so damn much. During this time original bass player of Riverboat Gamblers, Pat Lillard, had recently left Gamblers but still wanted to play in a band, but something…different.

Prior to playing guitar in RBG, I had a band I sang and was the principal songwriter in and Pat pushed me into starting something with me singing again. We wanted to do something melodic, simple, kind of like a punk rock American shoe gaze thing with elements of The Clash, Fugazi, Alejandro Escovedo, and Springsteen. Over time Rich moved, Pat got busy with starting a family and we had some members come and go. We’ve shared drummers and bass players with the Gamblers several times but now the lineup is: Myself singing and guitaring, Ben Lance on guitar, Bobby Daniel on bass, and Sam Rich on drums. I’ve been lucky to play with some huge talents over the years and this lineup of Broken Gold is no different. It sounds incredible lately.

How did you decide on the band name? 

At the time Austin was crawling with pawnshops, especially on the East Side where we spent most of our time. Every pawnshop and billboard said “WE BUY BROKEN GOLD” or “BROKEN GOLD? YES!” We thought that was a great name that related with some of the subject matter in the lyrics as well as being a bunch of free advertising around town. Something that was once valuable and then destroyed but still desired by people. 

How does Broken Gold differ from your other band or your other bands, past and present?  

It’s a whole different muscle, playing-wise and tonally. I have to play with my guitar strap higher than Gamblers. Haha. I have to say playing in BG and all the experimenting with different things for us as players like alternate tunings and the use of capos really set me up and had me prepared for a band like Band of Horses which I joined as lead guitarist eventually. A lot of the guitar techniques and tones were very similar.

As far as how it’s different from Gamblers? It’s me singing for one. I’m the primary songwriter as opposed to RBG which is a group of songwriters. Broken Gold is a bit more dynamic with tones/sounds, volumes, and speeds as opposed to the blitzkrieg powerhouse that is the Riverboat Gamblers. I’d say we’re a bit more on the ‘punk’ side of things than Band of Horses but similar in vibe…like it wouldn’t be that jarring hearing one of those songs and one of these bands come on shuffle or something. 

Why was now a good time for a follow-up release? 

I finally had some time to focus on it. I’ve always done Broken Gold when I could get to it. When Gamblers weren’t on tour, and we toured ALOT, I would focus on BG but then we’d go back on tour. Over the years I ventured into working in the production world of higher tier artists like Foo Fighters, tours with Blink 182, and Band of Horses, etc. I was usually the Assistant Tour Manager on these and at that level, you’re touring off and on for years on end for a record cycle. Those jobs suddenly become your whole life and leave little much for anything else. When I eventually moved from Asst TM for Band of Horses to Lead guitarist, I just started passing on the ideas I had for Broken Gold to them as it wasn’t that far out of the wheelhouse of what they were doing. After 5+ years in that band, we made a great record but eventually parted ways.

I had all of these songs I had written and I was home all the time all of a sudden. Not working production, not playing in someone else’s band. I finally had time to focus on my stuff, Broken Gold and Riverboat Gamblers. It became clear that I needed to invest in myself for once and continue writing on these songs and focusing on what meant the most to me, BG and RBG. I had a wellspring of things to write about and it resulted in what I think is a real thought-out, dense, cohesive piece of work. We worked our asses off on this making it as good as we could get it. 

Did you have a specific plan for what this new music would sound or look like? Thematically or otherwise?

I didn’t really have a theme in mind when I started writing this thing but it has become evident now that we’re done with it. It’s about touring and being a working musician. The reality of what this life looks like. It can be brutal on your mental health, on both sides of the stage. Whether you’re working for bands or in the band. I’ve been doing this at all levels for more than half my life and still do. Private jet to stadium show that takes 2 days to prepare to punk squat in a Sprinter laying on top of an Ampeg fridge bass cab wrapped in sleeping bags because the heat in the van doesn’t work. Most of the time it feels like this never-ending adventure, every day is a new set of problems to solve and I love it…but it also led to a pretty severe drinking problem and all the things like not having friends when you come home, watching everyone you knew move on with their lives and start traditional families, your whole town changes, etc. When you decide to do this you basically decide to live in a vacuum of whatever band you’re involved with’s world, it’s like time traveling. You leave for 2 months, come home and never leave your neighborhood for a week, and go back out for another 2 months.

When you finally need to drive around your city everything different, especially in Austin. People always expect that you’re gone so you don’t hear from anyone anymore all that much. That’s not even mentioning what it’s like trying to make a serious relationship work. There definitely are people I’ve met that are totally well-adjusted and can make all of that work so smoothly, but I grew up from being a kid to an adult touring. Everything I learned about people, relationships, and “adulting” I learned while being out traveling constantly. I have had many “father figures” haha. I joined Riverboat Gamblers when I was 17 right out of high school and have basically been on the road in some form or fashion ever since. You never really have time to sit and reflect, possibly to a therapist, about everything that’s happened over the years because you’ve never really stopped and had time to. That’s a little heavy or maybe sounds like I’m complaining but I can assure you, I’m not. I absolutely love and am so lucky to have done all of the things I’ve been a part of. I guess as some sort of therapy I decided to write a bunch of songs about the other side of the life out there in there in the world I’ve experienced.

As far as the sound. I knew I wanted to make like “the ultimate BG record” haha, like a total distillation of everything I love about the music I’m really into. I love bands like The Cure, Psychedelic Furs, and the Smiths just as much as I love bands like The Clash, Blitz, Bruce Springsteen, Guided by Voices, and The Alarm. That and I’m a total freak when it comes to guitars, amps, and pedals. It’s my only true obsession and I knew I wanted to make a record with great fucking guitar sounds. 

How much of a collaborative project is this with the other members of Broken Gold? 

Very much so. I usually come in with a pretty thought-out idea but that morphs once we get everyone involved. Ben Lance is a guitar sorcerer. He is so unconventional in his playing and I LOVE LOVE what he does on top of what I do. I’d have to say I have a fairly traditional approach when it comes to playing for the most part, big chords, ripping solos, etc but Ben’s like a painter – he actually is a painter – but he adds textures and a lot of emotion to the solid foundation me and the rest of the guys lay down. I always run things by everybody in the band and share demos that we shoot back and forth. 

What does each member bring to the project?

The band is myself, Bobby Daniel, Ben Lance , and Sam Rich . These guys are so fucking great. I’m lucky to be playing with like, all my best friends. Bobby is someone I look up to just as a dude in general. He’s sober, an ua-runner, a father, and has been playing in bands of all kinds for decades, has seen it all. We met when I used to go see him play in Alejandro Escovedo’s band every Tuesday at the  Continental Club here in Austin. Watching and hearing Bobby play bass at all those shows was just radical. Calm, collected, looking cool af, solid af, and not overplaying or playing too little. He’s just a great human at what he does and I’m lucky to have such a sought-after bass player in this town in MY band.

Ben Lance, as mentioned above, adds so much texture and dynamics, “color” as people would say, to this music.

Last but not least is our drummer Sam Rich, what a sweetheart. We met playing a show together with his awesome band Stella and The Very Messed when BG was drummer-less, I was just stomping a kick drum and a foot tambourine thing at that gig. We talked at that show and immediately got on so well. Like where has this guy been all my life? Also, he’s a super-consistent powerhouse behind the kit. This dude isn’t someone who just plays drums on the weekends with his buds, he’s like a full-on drum freak. He builds drums for a living. He plays in a bajillion bands and is now our go-to guy in Gamblers when other Sam (Keir) can’t make it. It became clear very quick that we had to be good friends and work together. I also liked that he seemed genuinely interested in Broken Gold and loved the songs. Everybody in this band is a total oddball lifer musician and just kills it at their instrument. This rhythm section of Bobby and Sam is more than anyone could ask for. They nailed basics for this record in like 2 days total. That was insane. 

How do you decide in which order to release the songs as singles?

“ Spiraling” was the first song I wrote for this record, it’s sort of the summation of what a lot of the record is about with its lyrical subject matter. It also kind of set the tone for what was to come in the process of writing the record and the vibe. I see it as a mash-up of my two true loves, the music of Manchester in the 80s and Dinosaur Jr. We’re not gonna name the other singles just yet…but they are catchy rock masterpieces.

What’s next for Broken Gold? Will there be shows this year for the group?  

That’s an exciting question, What is next? Hopefully, this record blows up and we can get on a tour playing 2nd of 4 with the Bouncing Souls or Gaslight Anthem or something. There will hopefully be a ton of shows this year. We’ve been so holed up in writing, recording, mixing, finishing this record mode. Now’s the time when we get to share it with everyone and re-learning what we did in the studio to recreate it live! 

Anything else you want to add or think we should know or might want to learn about you and Broken Gold?

I want to give a huge shout-out and mention other folks who worked on this record. Stuart Sikes is my recording mentor that I actually apprentice under, He has a friggin Grammy! It was so great working with him on this. He really let us stretch out and find what it was we were looking for. Sage Nizhoni played strings on this, she’s a fellow Navajo I met at the music school I work at right now and laid down some beautiful strings. Don Cento added a layer of synths to our first single here “Spiraling,” it wouldn’t be the same without that touch. Alejandro Escovedo came in and sang on a few of the songs, that was literally a dream come true. I never thought all those years ago, watching him play and listening to his records that one day we would be singing together on one of my songs. Couldn’t be more stoked.

The icing on the cake was getting this mastered by Howie Weinberg , that dude mastered Nevermind, Disintegration, The Clash, Replacements, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy…just look at his discography on Wikipedia, it’s insane. Huge Huge shout out to J ohn Kastner . He’s a musical hero of mine from his days fronting Doughboys , one of my absolute favorite records is their album Crush . I’m lucky to be managed by him and he really helped tie the room together on this one.

This thing will be out soon, it’s been on my mind 24 hours a day for some time now and I’m just glad finally someone other than my immediate friends and family are gonna hear it. Hope you enjoy.

Thanks to Ian MacDougall. Check out Broken Gold ASAP! Cheers!

Spaced release video for “Rat Race”

Drive Moya – The Great End CD (Noise Appeal Records)

You may like

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

wicked opossum records presents:

RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS

Riverboat Gamblers is an American punk rock band originally from Denton, Texas.

• Band Website

WRONG LIFE (Fraser Murderburger)

Hello! I’m Fraser. I play music under the name Wrong Life, and a bunch of my friends are kind enough to play with me. I tried fooling people into thinking it was a proper full band with a somewhat steady line-up but it didn’t work, so here we are.​

Someone described Wrong Life as “power-pop-punk-rock genius”, which sounds pretty cool and will hopefully shift a few units. However, someone on a podcast sounded particularly dejected when asked what they thought of the stuff I’ve put out so far and said something like “I don’t know what the guy’s doing”, so probably best checking the songs out yourself. ​

New EP ‘Dreamer’s Gait’ is out now.

THE MIZZERABLES

Formed in 2013 by Joe Mizzi, The Mizzerables are a Chicago-based punk rock trio with gritty, vocal-driven hooks. With Dave Vazzano and Korey Brisendine holding down the rhythm section, the band has been refining their sound over the past few years, culminating in their latest effort “Whatever… This Sucks,” a 30 minute trip through Mizzi’s psyche. Mizzi, a Michigan native and former member of Ten Ninety, Common Rider, and About the Mess, pulls influence from much of the music he cut his teeth listening to layered on top of the seemingly always forward-moving foundation set by Vazzano and Brisendine. Recorded with 88 Fingers Louie guitarist Dan Precision at his Bomb Shelter studio, the album will be released on August 23rd, 2019

THE FIGBEATS

All four members are veterans of rock bands from Chicago or other parts of the country. The sound melds early punk, 90’s indie, and classic garage rock into a unique power-pop experience befitting slam-dancing and sing-a-longs

Riverboat Gamblers

• On tour: no
• Upcoming 2024 concerts: none

13,050 fans get concert alerts for this artist.

Join Songkick to track Riverboat Gamblers and get concert alerts when they play near you.

Find your next concert

Join 13,050 fans getting concert alerts for this artist

Similar artists with upcoming concerts

Tours most with, past concerts.

Alex's Bar

View all past concerts

Live reviews

Recently, I had the chance to see the punk rock band “The Riverboat Gamblers” live in concert, and I must say, it was worth every penny. They have been on the Punk Rock scene for several years now, but are still bringing it hard every night as I found out.

When I saw them, they were playing a larger festival. I had gone with several friends and we all pick the bands we were looking forward to seeing. As I had not seen the Riverboat Gamblers before, I thought, “tonight is the night I scratch this one off the list”. I got to the stage just as the band was performing the sound check. The fans were getting pumped up, jumping up and down before the music had even started.

Then Mike Wiebe, the vocalist, took the stage. He was swinging the microphone around and around and beating it against his chest. As the other band members took the stage, loud distortion rang out before the band started playing “A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology”. The second they did the crowd broke out into a circle pit.

There was so much energy being put off by the band, the audience couldn’t stop moving. It all came together before the final song, which was one of the best moments in the set. As the band started playing “Ice water” Mike Wiebe jumped off the stage and into the crowd, joining the circle pit for the end of the song. It was a great show.

Report as inappropriate

Photos (14)

Posters (73)

Find out more about Riverboat Gamblers tour dates & tickets 2024-2025

Want to see Riverboat Gamblers in concert? Find information on all of Riverboat Gamblers’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2024-2025.

Unfortunately there are no concert dates for Riverboat Gamblers scheduled in 2024.

Songkick is the first to know of new tour announcements and concert information, so if your favorite artists are not currently on tour, join Songkick to track Riverboat Gamblers and get concert alerts when they play near you, like 13050 other Riverboat Gamblers fans.

Last concert:

Concerts played in 2024:

Touring history

Most played:

• Dallas - Fort Worth (43)
• Austin (41)
• Los Angeles (LA) (36)
• SF Bay Area (21)
• Chicago (15)

Appears most with:

• Sum 41 (68)
• Fake Problems (58)
• The Dillinger Escape Plan (52)
• Alesana (52)
• Alkaline Trio (49)

Distance travelled:

Similar artists

• Most popular charts
• API information
• Brand guidelines
• Community guidelines
• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookies settings
• Cookies policy

Get your tour dates seen everywhere.

• But we really hope you love us.