THE LONG RYDERS

AGMP comes to Birkenhead to present alt-country pioneers The Long Ryders in our live room on Friday 11th October, celebrating the 40th anniversary of their breakthrough album Native Sons, playing it live in full.

Often credited as the actual founders of the alt-country movement, a musical genre which did not exist before they burned so brightly in the eighties, The Long Ryders a key link in the Americana chain, uniting Gram Parsons’ Flying Burrito Bros with Wilco and the Jayhawks.

Tickets on sale now.

When synth-pop dominated the charts from San Diego to Singapore the Long Ryders were in various Los Angeles bands, waiting for their chance to smash plastic keyboard pop with electric guitar goodness, and heartfelt harmonies. Featuring Sid Griffin from Kentucky, Stephen McCarthy from Virginia (later a Jayhawks’ member), Tom Stevens from Indiana, and L.A. native Greg Sowders they came together determined to put the punk energy of X and the Clash alongside the harmonies and musical chops of the Byrds and the Buffalo Springfield.

And in this they were successful. Their indie LP Native Sons was the Number One alternative/College radio album in the USA, and the held the Number Two spot on the UK’s indie charts (Meat Is Murder by The Smiths being in the way). Their next album was State Of Our Union, featuring the classic single, Looking For Lewis & Clark. By now MTV was in love with them but the end was in sight. Exhausted after four years of solid road work 1987 saw the Long Ryders release their swan song, Two Fisted Tales, to great acclaim but the band was history by Christmas.

In the meantime their story was told and retold till it became legendary. Their sound became a radio format and their look of fringes, cowboy boots, braces and waistcoats defined Americana for a musical generation. The aforementioned Jayhawks, Uncle Tupelo, Lucinda Williams, and Squirrel Bait were just a few of the acts who heard the Ryders and rode out themselves.

In 2016 the Long Ryders had finished their first lengthy tour in over a decade when Sid Griffin took a phone call from ex-Long Ryders roadie Larry Chatman, now working for Dr. Dre. Larry made a generous offer of studio time in Dr. Dre’s Los Angeles’ studio and in eight days of madcap recording a new album, Psychedelic Country Soul, was recorded. Produced by their old producer Ed Stasium (the Ramones, Belinda Carlisle, the Smithereens) it is, in Sid Griffin’s own words, “our best album by miles…I mean without question”.

In 2019 the Long Ryders hit the road in support of Psychedelic Country Soul and the world once again saw the power of an electric 12-string guitar when matched by a punk energy.

As the whole music business, the band took “ a break” in the last two years from live show and focused on new material. Their efforts turned into a brand new album titled “September November” and will be released in early 2023 by Cherry Red Records. Recorded on a ranch in rural San Diego County, California, the album is The Long Ryders’ first after the sad passing of longtime bass guitarist Tom Stevens.

There is nothing like the Long Ryders live, not back then, and not now. Go see them for the ride of your life.
Saddle up and hang on tight.

Future Yard presents
The Long Ryders
+ supports tbc
Friday 11th October 2024
7.00pm doors
75 Argyle Street
Tickets £27.50

Future Yard is a cashless venue, all payments are taken by contactless or chip and pin. Live curfew 11pm. Kitchen open til 9pm.
If you have any specific access requests, please read all of the details about accessibility at Future Yard here – https://futureyard.org/accessibility/
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. We cannot issue refunds to under 16s who are not accompanied by an adult. This is a standing show. Stools are available if requested prior.