Draft:Ryder
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Comment: In preparing this draft, I disclose that AI assistance was used as follows: Only used AI for formatting assistance and citation research if needed. CopperArchive (talk) 01:58, 4 October 2026 (UTC)
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Ryder | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Queens, New York |
| Genre | Hard rock |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Label | Bad Monkey Records |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
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Ryder is an American hard rock band from Queens, New York, formed in 2016.[1] The band's music has been described as combining classic rock and heavy metal influences with a modern hard rock sound.[1][2] They have released three studio albums: Killer Karma (2020), Menagerie (2025), and Burn the Sky (2026).[3][4][5]
History
[edit]Frontman, vocalist, and rhythm guitarist James Ryder formed Ryder in Queens, New York, in 2016 with founding members Andrew Bloch (guitar), Tim Freyr (bass), and Billy Smith (drums).[6] They were actively playing shows in the New York, New Jersey rock and metal circuit.
In February of 2018, Ryder released their first live EP, For What It's Worth, which was recorded at Blackthorn 51 in Queens, New York, in October 2017.[7] By May of that year, the band appeared on the Axis Campground Stage in association with the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor Creek, Oklahoma.[8]
In July of 2019, Ryder opened for Ace Frehley, former guitarist of Kiss at the Paramount in Huntington, New York.[6] The show was covered by Cryptic Rock, who described the band's music as a combination of classic and modern hard rock elements.[6]
Anthony Esposito served as producer and engineer for the band's first studio album, Killer Karma.[8] On August 5, 2020, they released the ten-track album, which included "Hard Time" and "Crash and Burn". [2][9] They recorded the album at Obscenic Arts in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.[2]
In 2021, Ryder signed with Bad Monkey Records amid a lineup change that included Erik Unkrich replacing Tim Freyr on bass guitar.[10] In July 2022, they released an EP, Don't Think Twice,[11] followed by an acoustic version of "Lilan's Lullaby" in 2023.[10][12] A review published by ESMU Media noted the acoustic and folk-rock elements of this recording.[12]
In 2023, the band released a twelve-track live album, Ryder (Live), on May 12.[13]
By 2025, the band's lineup had changed again to include founding member James Ryder (vocals and rhythm guitar), Max Knight (lead guitar), Rod Viquez (bass), and Nick Bavaro (drums). [14] They released Menagerie, their second studio album, on January 31. The ten-track album featured "Southbound" and "Queen Viper's Kiss". NYS Music noted the album's mix of heavy riffs, acoustic guitar, guitar solos, and lead vocals.
The band served as special guests of Chris Holmes, former W.A.S.P. guitarist, during a 2025 Canadian tour, which featured stops in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Delhi, Ontario. The band then compiled recordings from their 2025 performances for their Live From the Dark album, which was released February 13, 2026. Sleaze Roxx reviewed the nine-track album in full, which featured performances from Ryder, Knight, Viquez, and Peluso.[15]
On August 28, 2026, Ryder released their third studio album Burn the Sky.[5] The following day on August 29, an album-release show was held at Amityville Music Hall in Amityville, New York.[5]
Ryder has experienced several lineup changes since its formation in 2016. The current lineup has been in place since 2025.[16]
Band members
[edit]Current
[edit]- James Ryder - lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2016-present)
- Max Knight - lead guitar (2023-present)
- Rod Viquez - bass guitar (2023-present)
- Bill Peluso - drums (2025-present)
Former
[edit]- Andrew Bloch - guitar (2016-2023)
- Tim Freyr - bass guitar (2017-2022)
- Erik Unkrich - bass guitar (2022-2023)
- Billy Smith - drums (2017-2023)
- Nick Bavaro - drums (2023-2025)
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- Killer Karma (2020)
- Menagerie (2025)
- Burn the Sky (2026)
EPs
[edit]- For What It's Worth (Live) (2018)
- Don't Think Twice (2022)
Live albums
[edit]- Ryder (Live) (2023)
- Live From the Dark (2026)
Singles
[edit]- "Hard Time" (2020)
- "Slave to Love" (2020)
- "Lilan's Lullaby" (2022)
- "Lilan's Lullaby (Acoustic)" (2023)
- "Southbound" (2024)
- "Queen Viper's Kiss" (2024)
- "One Eye Open" (2025)
- "One Eye Open (Acoustic)" (2025)
- "Queen Viper's Kiss (Acoustic)" (2025)
- "If It Were (Acoustic)" (2025)
- "Burn the Sky" (2026)
Music videos
[edit]| Title | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|
| "Hard Time" | 2020 | Greg Capra[17] |
| "Lilan's Lullaby" | 2022 | Joe Gorelick[18] |
| "One Eye Open" | 2025 | Bruce Faulkner[19] |
| "Neon Flames" | 2026 | Bruce Faulkner[20] |
References
[edit]- 1 2 Madhok, Raahil (2017-01-02). "SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RYDER - RYDER IV EP". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- 1 2 3 "Ryder's Amped-Up 'Hard Time' b/w Unplugged B-Side: 'Killer Karma' Lies In Wait". Music Interview Magazine®. 2020-04-10. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- ↑ "Client Challenge". ryderband.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- ↑ Menagerie by Ryder on Apple Music, 2025-01-31, retrieved 2026-10-04
- 1 2 3 Burn the Sky by Ryder on Apple Music, 2026-08-28, retrieved 2026-10-04
- 1 2 3 Tanzi, Vito (July 8, 2019). "Ace Frehley Brings Rock-n-Roll Glory To The Paramount Huntington, NY 7-2-19". Cryptic Rock.
- ↑ "Client Challenge". ryderband.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- 1 2 Childers, Chad ChildersChad (2018-05-16). "2018 Rocklahoma Set Times Revealed". Loudwire. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- ↑ "Client Challenge". ryderband.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- 1 2 "Ryder Releases Emotional Track "Lilan's Lullaby (Acoustic)"". The Metalverse. 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- ↑ Don't Think Twice - EP by Ryder on Apple Music, 2022-07-08, retrieved 2026-10-04
- 1 2 Cameron, Taylor (2023-05-01). "SINGLE REVIEW: Ryder - "Lilan's Lullaby (Acoustic)"". EMSU Media. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- ↑ Ryder (Live) by Ryder on Apple Music, 2023-05-12, retrieved 2026-10-04
- ↑ "Hearing Aide: Ryder Release new LP "Menagerie"". NYS Music. 2025-02-03. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- ↑ Olivier (2025-09-29). "Chris Holmes with opener Ryder live at The Rockpile in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Concert Review - Sleaze Roxx". Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- ↑ Colin, Rockney (2026-01-10). "Ryder: 'Live From The Dark' - Sleaze Roxx". Retrieved 2026-10-04.
- ↑ Ryder (2020-09-19). RYDER - Hard Time (Official Music Video). Retrieved 2026-10-04 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Ryder (2022-05-20). RYDER - Lilan's Lullaby (Official Music Video). Retrieved 2026-10-04 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Ryder (2025-01-09). RYDER - One Eye Open (Official Music Video). Retrieved 2026-10-04 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Ryder (2026-06-04). RYDER - "Neon Flames" (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO). Retrieved 2026-10-04 – via YouTube.
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