Nick Riff

Nick Riff, America's secret, psychedelic son, has always been in or around Rock & Roll in one form or another. Appearing at times as a studio musician, stage crew member, backing musician, or leader of one of Cleveland's more successful local bands of the mis-eighties, The Attitude he has always tried to maintain the original essence of Rock & Roll in a predominantly middle of the road society.Throughout his various incarnations as a musician, he has released or contributed musically to vinyl EPs, 7" singles and cassette LP projects. A five song EP released in 1986 by The Attitude, on an independant Cleveland label, was well received on targeted college radio stations, nationwide and in Europe.Over the course of his performing career, in various bands, he has appeared on concert billings with such diverse acts as D.O.A., The Replacements, R.E.M., Human Switchboard, Brian Adamas, Greg Kihn, The Feelies, Guadalcanal Diary, Chesterfield Kings, The Saints, Faith No More, The Ramones, Daevid Allen and Kevin Ayers.1989 saw the release of his first solo project, for which he played, recorded and produced all sounds human and otherwise, on a six song cassette entitled "From The Heart of Oblivion". While receiving positive reviews in the United States and Europe from specialist publications like Factsheet Five, Unhinged, Freakbeat, Crohinga Well and CMJ Report, two songs from the "Oblivion" tape found their way onto compilation releases."Tripping Over Clouds" was featured on "Another Listen Is In Order", a CD of local Cleveland area bands released at the 1989 CMJ Music Marathon in New York City. "Lost and Wild" appeared on a Delerium Records compilation of bands from around the world called "A Psychedelic Psauna" which was released to critical acclaim worldwide, in 1991.On June 1st 1992, Delerium Records unleashed Nick Riff's debut album on CD and LP in Europe. "Freak Element" a nine song excursion into psychedelic rock & roll, gained a rapid cult following and favourable reviews in Europe and America and was followed with a full article in Freakbeat magazine No.8, and the release of a previously unavailable track "The Limitless Light" on the free 7" that came with the magazine.When it became obvious that to reach beyond a cult audience Nick would have to abandon his home produced music in favour of a wider studio production, expanded with extra musicians, Delerium Records agreed to finance Nick's new project "Cloak of Immortality". Between the Autumn of 1993 and the Spring of 1994 Nick has recorded the new album in a studio in Cleveland, Ohio. The result is amazing - a fusion of acid rock & roll, punk energy, new wave, vocal harmony and psychedelic otherworldliness... "Cloak of Immortality" is an aural gemstone of many sparkling hues. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.