Tag: Rickshaw Billie

Review: Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol – Big Dumb Riffs

Aaron Metzdorf, the bassist for Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, described the writing process of their new album, Big Dumb Riffs, as “What if we just played two notes the whole song? What if we tuned down to almost unusable string tension? What if we write a record that will make everyone say ‘Wow, that is dumb.’?”

That record would be a fun ride, that’s what would happen.

RBBP are never short on heavy riffs, goofy lyrics, and projecting a raw, fun energy, and this time they’ve gone all-in with that idea. Right away, “Clowntown” unleashes chugging, charging mania and you can’t help but laugh as you’re moshing. “1-800-EAT-SHIT” is just as fun, and I’m sure causes phone number chants whenever it’s played. “Papa Pop It” has early Primus-like bass licks all over it.

Leo Lydon‘s guitar on “Peanut Butter Snack Sticks” sounds like he’s pulled it out of a deep fryer and is playing it with a belt sander. Sean St. Germain‘s drum groove on “Whip It Around” immediately grab you and make you pay attention. The song transitions perfectly into “Body Bag” – which hits harder than a good number of doom metal tracks.

“Brat” stomps along like an angry elephant as Lydon calls out haters who can’t and won’t back up their words. “El Sapo” is a quick roughie, leading into the almost-panicked “Bastard Initiated.” I’m sure the pits during this song are bonkers (and, really, I’m sure their entire shows are just plain nuts). “Blue Collar Man” throbs, growls, and snarls as Lydon sings about a woman in love with a blue collar worker, but the lovely dream seems to turn into a nightmare.

They save the longest track on the record, “In a Jar” (at three minutes and thirty-eight seconds), for last. “I’m going to fucking kill you,” Lydon almost croons as he and his pals slow down the pace, but don’t relent on the fuzz.

Again, Big Dumb Riffs is a crazy ride that’s over in a flash – a bit like a roller coaster that only slows down at the end but your brain is still foggy from the adrenaline rush and your body is a bit sore from banging around in the car.

Keep your mind open.

[Get big dumb music news and reviews by subscribing today!]

[Thanks to Dave at US / THEM Group.]

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol stuffs rock in a “Body Bag” with their new single.

Austin trio Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol share the first single today from their forthcoming new album Big Bumb Riffs. The single “Body Bag” premieres via Invisible Oranges HERE. Pre-orders for Big Dumb Riffs are available via Bandcamp HERE and all DSPs HERE.

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol also launch their Big Dumb Tour 2024 in late March. Western US dates announce today, with tickets on sale this Friday, January 12th. Eastern US dates will announce soon. Please see current dates below. Ticket links HERE.

“Our catalog has never been short on big dumb riffs, but the idea on this record was to really turn the screw,” says RBBP bassist Aaron Metzdorf. On Big Dumb Riffs, that screw is cranked incredibly tight. 

“We just wanted ‘the part’: The opening of Pantera’s ‘Primal Concrete Sledge’, the breakdown in Primus‘ ‘Pudding Time’ — the shit that makes you move and lose your mind. Just that part the whole time.”

Across 11 concise, taut songs — most clocking in around 2 minutes or less — Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol demonstrates their skillful ability to blend the merciless low end of Leo Lydon’s 8-string guitar, Aaron Metzdorf’s masterful chordwork on the bass, and Sean St.Germain’s driving drumming. 

Hot on the heels of their breakout 5th studio release Doom Wop (2023), Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol returns with Big Dumb Riffs: A whole new variant of the fuzzed out, overdriven, melodic, groovy music they have been making since 2016. While Big Dumb Riffs is decidedly more aggressive and rhythmic, it still retains the overtly melodic feel of Doom Wop. But Leo Lydon’s vocals are considerably more angry and negative (song titles like “1-800-EAT-SHIT” and “Body Bag” should be a clue.) 

“The whole writing process was, ‘what if we just played two notes the whole song’,” Metzdorf says. “‘What if we tuned down to almost unusable string tension?’, ‘what if we write a record that will make everyone say ‘wow that is dumb’? Leo and I really move around on stage a lot. Being a dingus is crucial to the groove. All these riffs were designed to allow us to act bigger and dumber on stage.”

Big Dumb Riffs will be available for streaming and download on March 22, 2024. LP to follow in late Spring. 

RICKSHAW BILLIE’S BURGER PATROL LIVE 2024:

02/03 Austin, TX – Sagebrush 

03/09 Houston, TX – Moontower Sudworks

03/22 Austin, TX – St Elmo Brew – album release show

03/23 Dallas, TX – Double Wide

03/27 Phoenix, AZ – Linger Longer

03/28 Los Angeles, CA – Resident

03/29 San Francisco, CA – Kilowatt

03/30 Sacramento, CA – Cafe Colonial

04/02 Seattle, WA – The Funhouse

04/03 Portland, OR – Mano Oculta

04/05 Salt Lake City, UT – Quarters DLC

04/06 Denver, CO – Hi-Dive

Keep your mind open.

[Bag some music reviews and news by subscribing,.]

[Thanks to Dave at US / THEM Group.]

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol announce U.S. tour.

Austin trio Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol announce Spring/Summer U.S. tour dates, including Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta and Thin Line Festival in Denton. Please see all dates below. Ticket links HERE.

RBBP released their new album Doom Wop in September 2022. Hear Doom Wop on your favorite streaming service HERE. Revolver Magazine recently premiered the official video for “Heel” HERE. (Direct YouTube.)

With their 5th studio release, Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol is putting a name to the style of fuzzed out, overdriven, melodic, groovy music they have been making since 2016. In 9 concise, no bullshit songs, RBBP demonstrates their ability to blend the merciless low end of Leo Lydon’s 8-String guitar, Aaron Metzdorf’s masterful chordwork on the bass, and Sean St.Germain’s driving drumwork. Lydon and Metzdorf’s vocal melodies cut through the high frequencies to deliver fresh layers to the hooks that RBBP fans have come to love.

As the name implies, Doom Wop is a heavy, melody-driven, party metal album. With riffs as big and dumb as ever, and lyrics that stab at the worst members of society and ourselves (while keeping tongue firmly in cheek), listeners will find all the elements that make up the soul of RBBP on this record. 

Doom Wop is available on CD and download, released on September 23rd, 2022. Vinyl LP coming in May. Pre-orders are available HERE.

RBBP LIVE 2023:

04/21 Houston, TX – Black Magic Social Club

04/22 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger

04/29 Denton, TX – Thin Line Fest 

05/06 Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Festival 

05/07 Nashville, TN – The 5 Spot 

05/09 Charlotte, NC – Snug Harbor 

05/10 Washington, DC – Quarry House Tavern

05/11 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs

05/12 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus 

05/13 Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie

05/14 Pittsburgh, PA – The Funhouse at Mr. Small’s

05/15 Chicago, IL – The Empty Bottle 

05/17 Oklahoma City, OK – The Blue Note 

06/09 Los Angeles, CA – Permanent Records Roadhouse

06/10 San Francisco, CA – The Kilowatt 

06/13 Seattle, WA – Substation 

06/14 Portland, OR – High Water Mark

06/16 Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon

06/17 Denver, CO – Hi-Dive

Keep your mind open.

[Don’t forget to subscribe before you go.]

[Thanks to Dave at US / THEM Group.]

Rewind Review: Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol – Burger Time Classics (2017)

The debut EP from Austin, Texas’ Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, Burger Time Classics, is a protein-packed wallop in just six songs.

I mean, the opening chords and vocals of “Born to Lose” alone will smack you upside the head – and that’s before the heavy snare pounding and cymbal sizzling enters the fray. “Dickhead” starts sounds like an old Weezer track they never released and then drops chugging guitars that Weezer still dreams of playing.

“Maggot” is almost sludge metal. “Kill for the Thrill” is so hot and that it’s practically charbroiled. It’s hard to tell which instrument is putting out the most volume in it. The title of “All Beef, Patty” is not only funny, but it also lets you know what’s in store for you over the next three minutes and thirty-seven seconds: pure beefy rock with a little extra grease. “Maniac” has touches of thrash metal sprinkled in for good measure.

It’s short, but satisfying – not unlike a slider.

Keep your mind open.

[Don’t forget to subscribe.]

Review: Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol – Doom Wop

As soon as you hear the opening riffs of Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol‘s Doom-Wop on the first track, “Shoo In,” you know you’re in for a wild ride. The heavy thump of the fuzzed bass, Sean St. Germain‘s crashing cymbals, the crunchy guitars, and the slightly post-punk vocals all combine for a crazy party mix.

The vocals on “Fly Super Glide” are almost frantic cries for love. “Chew” chews up the room with bass that growls like a hungry lion and angry vocals of telling a lover to pound sound – and that’s mildly putting it. Leo Lydon‘s eight-string guitar work on the title track chugs along like a steam engine one moment, and then tears down the road like a Hemi ‘Cuda the next. “Just ’cause you feel, doesn’t mean that you’re not the heel,” they sing / wail on “Heel” – a song about realizing you’re not the one screwing up a relationship, the other person is.

“The Room” has this heavy grind to it that reminds me of a thunderstorm rolling in from over a mountain. “I’m the Fuckin’ Man” slaps party-bros across their smug faces with Aaron Metzdorf‘s sledgehammer bass. “Jesus Was an Alien” is a funny, fuzzy cut about, I think conspiracy theorists and / or religious fanatics. “The Bog” brings their love of 1970s garage rock to the forefront, and then slaps a thick layer of doom upon it.

The album has just nine tracks, but it packs enough wallop for eighteen. Give it a spin and get rockin’!

Keep your mind open.

[Are you a shoo-in to subscribe today?]

[Thanks to Dave at US / THEM Group.]

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol serve up a tasty treat with their new single – “Heel.”

Austin trio Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol share the official video for the single “Heel” from their forthcoming album Doom Wop today via Revolver Magazine. Watch and share the fun-loving chaos HERE. (Direct YouTube.)

Invisible Oranges recently launched lead single “Shoo In” HERE. (Direct Bandcamp.)

RBBP kick off tour dates supporting King Buffalo in late September, followed by headlining shows across the US in October. Please see current dates below. 

With their 5th studio release, Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol is putting a name to the style of fuzzed out, overdriven, melodic, groovy music they have been making since 2016. In 9 concise, no bullshit songs, RBBP demonstrates their ability to blend the merciless low end of Leo Lydon’s 8-String guitar, Aaron Metzdorf’s masterful chordwork on the bass, and Sean St.Germain’s driving drumwork. Lydon and Metzdorf’s vocal melodies cut through the high frequencies to deliver fresh layers to the hooks that RBBP fans have come to love.

As the name implies, “Doom Wop” is a heavy, melody-driven, party metal album. With riffs as big and dumb as ever, and lyrics that stab at the worst members of society and ourselves (while keeping tongue firmly in cheek), listeners will find all the elements that make up the soul of RBBP on this record. “Doom Wop” will be available everywhere September 23rd.  

Doom Wop will be available on CD and download on September 23rd, 2022. Vinyl LP release date TBD. Pre-orders are available HERE.

RBBP LIVE 2022:

09/22 Dallas, TX – Club Dada*

09/23 Austin, TX – Antone’s*

09/24 Houston, TX – White Oak*

09/25 New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa*

09/26 Mobile, AL – Alabama Music Hall

09/27 Atlanta, GA – Masquerafe*

09/28 Athens, GA – The Lab @ Cine

09/29 Charlotte, NC – Tommy’s

09/30 Raleigh, NC – TBA

10/01 Washington, DC – Slash Run

10/02 Philadelphia, PA – Ortlieb’s

10/03 Saratoga Springs, NY – Desperate Annie’s

10/04 New York, NY – Our Wicked Lady

10/06 Providence, RI – AS22

10/07 Boston, MA – Zuzu

10/09 Pittsburgh, PA – Squirrel Hill

10/12 Nashville, TN – The 5 Spot

10/13 Little Rock, AR – Vino’s

10/14 Dallas, TX – 3 Links

10/15 Austin, TX – Valhalla

* w/ King Buffalo

Keep your mind open.

[Don’t be a heel. Subscribe today.]

[Thanks to Dave at US / THEM Group.]