

RICHIE RAMONE
Richie performed in over 500 shows around the world with the Ramones and wrote several critically-acclaimed and fan-favorite songs for the albums Animal Boy, Too Tough to Die and Halfway to Sanity. Punk rock icon, Joey Ramone, remarked that “[Richie] saved the band as far as I’m concerned. He’s the greatest thing to happen to the Ramones. He put the spirit back in the band.”
Richie is notable as the only Ramones drummer to sing lead vocals on Ramones songs, “(You) Can’t Say Anything Nice” as well as the unreleased “Elevator Operator.” Richie was also the only drummer to be the sole composer of Ramones songs including their hit “Somebody Put Something in My Drink” which remained a staple in the Ramones set list until their last show in 1996 and continues to be covered by new generations of bands worldwide. “Somebody Put Something in My Drink” was included on “Ramones Mania,” the only Ramones album to go gold as well as “Loud, Fast Ramones: Their Toughest Hits,” an album comprised of songs hand picked by Johnny Ramone as the Ramones’ best works. Richie also wrote “I’m Not Jesus,” “Can’t Say Anything Nice,” “I Know Better Now,” “Humankind” and “Smash You” which became the title track for one of the Ramones’ most successful re-releases, Smash You: Live ’85. Richie’s “I’m Not Jesus” took the Ramones in a heavier direction and has become a frequent cover tune for innumerable heavy metal bands. Richie’s songwriting contributions were supported by Joey Ramone: “I encouraged Richie to write songs . . . we never let anybody else write our songs.”
In 2007, Richie Ramone introduced his virtuosic drumming to the symphonic world with his “Suite for Drums and Orchestra” based on Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story. He debuted his arrangement with the Pasadena Pops Orchestra as the featured drum soloist and was an immediate hit with critics and patrons there and in other cities. He is currently working on another innovative “Suite for Drums and Orchestra” comprised of classic James Bond movie songs.
In 2011, the Recording Academy gave the Ramones a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in Los Angeles, where all three of the band’s drummers (Tommy, Marky and Richie Ramone) stood beneath the same roof for the first time ever. In 2012, Richie was the only surviving Ramone featured on the second Joey Ramone solo album, “Ya Know?” On October 8, 2013, Richie released his first solo album, “Entitled,” which features new songs written by Richie as well as new recordings of songs he wrote for the Ramones. Billboard notes, “Richie’s 12 freshest cuts aim to please fans of both rock and metal with its blend of power chord-chugging simplicity and guitar hero virtuosity.”

SQUIRTGUN
Squirtgun was formed in 1993 by renowned punk producer Mass Giorgini (Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Anti-Flag). Bassist Mass Giorgini, a 9-year veteran of Chicago punk legends Screeching Weasel and founding member of Common Rider (alongside Operation Ivy singer Jesse Michaels), enlisted the drummer from the same band, Dan Lumley–who was also a founding member of Rise Against, his brother, guitarist Flav Giorgini, and singer Matt Hart. Squirtgun’s “Social” was chosen as the opening track for the film Kevin Smith film “Mallrats,” starring Ben Affleck and Claire Forlani. The video for the Squirtgun song “Mary Ann” reached MTV’s top 40 alternative videos, and the video for their song “Burn for You” reached the top 40 videos on MTV Europe. Because of the influence of the members of Squirtgun in foundational pop-punk bands, they have consistently benefitted from the support of such pop punk legends as Green Day and Blink-182.

PARASITES
It’s simple – Parasites are one of the longest running and most influential Pop Punk bands ever. They helped define the genre, and never changed their sound to fit the latest trend. They’ve released 8 albums, 20 singles, and have songs on more compilations than you can count. They’ve done 16 tours, and played nearly 1000 shows all over the US, Europe and Japan. Pop Punk bands from all over the US, Europe, and Japan have recorded covers of Parasites songs. Parasites have done a lot, however, here’s two things Parasites haven’t done: sell out, or give up.

THE REAGANOMICS
We really do lower the bar.