Foreday Riders - Ridin' With Ray (Live) (2021)

Often cited as Sydney’s ‘university of the blues’, the Foreday Riders celebrate 50 years as a working band in 2017, and despite countless line-up changes, 2 original members from 1967 remain: the King Brothers, Ron (harmonica, vocals) and Jeff (guitar, Dobro) who continue as happy ‘backroom boys’ in the current outfit. The rhythm section is also highly durable: Rosscoe ‘Stinger’ Clark (drums) has been a Rider since 1982, and as a master shuffle player, has worked with the Cyril B Bunter band, Ray Beadle, Bridie King, Darren Jack and Alison Penney among others – he’s decidedly the go-to guy for blues drumming in Sydney; Stan ‘Sleepy’ Mobbs has been on bass with the Riders since 1990 and underpins the band with the smooth, swinging yet rock-solid feel essential to electric blues. Like Rosscoe, Stan is also much in demand by other Sydney bands, and has worked with master guitarist Mal Eastick and other notables such as Ray Beadle, Bridie King and Christina Crofts. The Riders are currently privileged to have in the crucial role of front man the highly regarded singer/guitarist Shane Pacey, widely known for his work with the Bondi Cigars, and who also leads his own blues trio. Shane’s association with the Riders goes back to the late 1980s, and he has stayed in touch ever since; his intense vocals, attacking guitar style and strong song-writing make him an asset to any band, and his presence has honed the edge on the Riders’ sound.