Although a performer for some years before, Riot began his solo career in 2001, to be joined later by Big Papa Mike and Rick on drums (Rick is no longer with the band). Riot and his Rhythm Devils were born.
Writing original songs becomes a priority and their gigs quickly multiply with their blend of Heavy Blues, Rockabilly and no-nonsense Rock nRoll. With the arrival of bass player Big Papa Mike at the end of 2002, the band really gets their act
together. Everything clicks.
By late 2004, Riot and his Rhythm Devils has an albums worth of original material written. Their last concert scheduled before the recording session is at the Sutton Blues Festival where they get a great response when playing their original songs.
In December 2004, they go into Monocube Studio with producer Jeff Grenier. All the basic tracks are recorded in 3 days! A few overdubs, mixing and mastering are done in January 2005. Their
first CD is launched at Montreals Hard Rock Café on March 15th 2005. They have since played numerous club gigs and were billed on major events such as The Montreal International Jazz
Festival and Festiblues de Montreal, and were also booked as the opening act for The Jeff Healey Band.
The bands goal is not to revolutionize the blues, but rather to share their passion for music, and they do it well. Riot and his Rhythm Devils are at their best when playing live where you cant
help but be pulled in and feel the magic in their music.
Riot began playing music in 1989, forming his first and Psychotic Pain, he was able to quench his thirst on the scene with a little help from influences such as Guns N Roses. The band wrote and played original material from 1991 to 1996, and released an album.
As 1996 came to a close, Riot began to explore his urges to experiment with Blues, and formed The 283 Blues Band. The Soul Brothers were formed two years later and from a reunion with his former frontman from Psychotic Pain (J.C.), The J.C. Band was born, writing and playing original material. Riot
quickly gained the intimidating reputation of being a formidable guitarist.
While continuing to travel through his journey of love for the Blues, Riot was recruited by the already legendary Quebec rock group Vilain Pingouin, as their lead guitarist. In the fall of
2003, Vilain Pingouin released a Live album, expanding Riots horizons, and bringing the face of experience to a new level. This new level of recognition opened several doors, including a
notable invitation by producer David Hampp to play on John Ronigers debut album Addicted.
In the summer of 2001, Riot gathered up his Rhythm Devils, and plugged once again into the unknown abyss of Rock N Roll and Blues.
A merciless talent, Riot continues to grow musically, and his opportunities continue to broaden his name around Montreal. There seems to be no cure in sight for this fevered guitarist, and no better medicine than his ability to speak a language so few of us have a gift for, and so many of us adore.
Enter Big Papa Mike. This unique and unapologetic bassist from Montreal began playing the bar scene in 1989, as the bassist for the hard rock band Moonshine.
Co-writing the bands original material, Big Papa Mike acquainted himself with Montreals bar scene.
After reaching a plateau, Big Papa Mikes desires to go beyond his backyard, took over, and eventually led to the decision to form the secondary phase of the band, by moving to New York City.
Big Papa Mike spent the majority of his years in the City that never sleeps, soaking up the environment and the club scene famous for birthing such legends as The Ramones, a night owl by nature, the City began to seep into his bones.
In 1994, Big Papa Mike returned to Montreal, with a revamped New York street sense and sharpened ideals, it was these ideals that led him to form the The Disco Dogs, a classic Rock and Blues band. His love of music and wide variety of styles kept him active and in demand in and around the city where he grew up. He joined several Blues bands including the Jay Blues band, and released an album in 2000.
After playing nationwide with various tribute bands, Big Papa Mike was united with Riot in 2002, and shortly thereafter became the undisputable missing link for Riot and his Rhythm Devils.
Big Papa Mike is a steadfast bassist with concentrated styles, playing live is the favorite atmosphere for this wickedly talented musician, a true Salty dog, and a force to be reckoned with on stage, the sky seems to be limitless for this true, no nonsense, Rock N Roll demon, a perfect addition for Riot and his Rhythm Devils.
