After exploding onto the scene June of last year, Ripple Music continues its path as one of the fastest growing Independent Record Labels in America!
Following a year that saw the signing and releasing of new and vintage material from Stone Axe, Poobah, JPT Scare Band, Fen, Modern Day Moonshine, Mighty High, Grand Atlantic, Sky Parade, and Kevin Beadles, Ripple Music followed up by adding such bands as Mos Generator, Iron Claw, Grifter, and Tripdavon to their roster, and inked several major international distribution deals. And there's much more to come!
Now, as Ripple Music moves into its second year, founders John Rancik and Todd Severin want to celebrate the enthusiasm of their music lovers (known as waveriders) with some Anniversary Specials. As a thank you to their fans and supporters who’ve allowed Ripple to strike out and bring independent music to the world, Ripple will be applying special 15% discounts on everything ordered from the Ripple Store from anniversary day, June 22nd through Independence day July 4th.
And when Ripple Music says “discount on everything” they mean everything, including special collectors packages of Stone Axe I deluxe CD/DVD, vinyl and 7” single, the new Heavy Ripples double 7” package, and the best-selling Poobah “Let Me In” double 12” LP. In the store, you can also find classic non-Ripple albums from Ripple artists Stone Axe, Mos Generator, and JPT Scare Band. All of which will get the additional anniversary discount.
But wait, there's more. Every waverider who places an order during the anniversary special will get their name placed into a drawing for a very special, last-one-of-its-kind surprise Test Pressing. Yes, John and Todd are going to go back into the vault and pull out the last test pressing available and give it away as a special surprise to one lucky fan.
It’s all just Ripple’s way of saying thank you for allowing them to keep doing what they love, bringing the best music your way and putting the guts back into rock and roll!
After more than 3 solid months of Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden, holding down a top 5 spot in CD Baby.com’s Extended Jam Category, legendary acid rockers, JPT Scare Band come roaring back with a blitzing assault on their newest single, “Long Day.” Featuring the sizzling guitar work of Terry Swope, “Long Day,” tears through more than 7 minutes of searing guitar leads, massive bass riffs, and mammoth drum jamming, all in the definitive JPT Scare Band style.
To make things even more appropriate, JPT Scare Band and Ripple Music will release the single and world-premiere of the psychedelic video on April 20, 2011, National Weed Day. The term 420 originated from a group of teenagers at San Rafael High School in California in 1971. The teens met after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke out at the Louis Pasteur statue. Since then, the date has become legendary in the Stoner Rock community. An ethos JPT Scare Band embraces whole heartedly.
After years of plying their frenzied, hard-rocking, acid blues trade in near obscurity, the love and accolades keep pouring in for JPT Scare Band. Classic Rock Magazine honored JPT by including their last single “Not My Fault” on their November cover-mounted CD. After previously naming JPT Scare Band one of the “lost pioneers of heavy metal,” Classic Rock continued the love fest proclaiming that “JPT Scare Band plied a terrifying form of ear-bludgeoning hard rock that was so far ahead of its time, people are still trying to catch up.”
The world premiere of the hard-rocking, definitively heavy psych video for “Long Day,” will make its debut April 20th exclusively at The Obelisk, one of stoner rock’s premiere websites and the home of The Obelisk Forum, a watering hole for thousands of fans of hard, heavy, stoner and doom rock. You can find the video here: The Obeliskhttp://theobelisk.net/obelisk/2011/04/19/jptvid/
“Long Day” will be available as a digital single from CD Baby and all fine digital music emporiums. Meanwhile, Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden is still available in limited quantities from Ripple Music in two-toned, gatefold, double-LP with two bonus tracks, Deluxe digipack CD, or digital at www.ripple-music.com
After exploding onto the scene June of last year, Ripple Music continues its path as one of the fastest growing Independent Record Labels in America.
Following a year that saw the signing and releasing of new and vintage material from Stone Axe, Poobah, JPT Scare Band, Fen, Modern Day Moonshine, Mighty High, Grand Atlantic, Sky Parade, and Kevin Beadles, Ripple Music followed up by adding such bands as Mos Generator, Iron Claw, Grifter, and Tripdavon to their roster, and joining with Small Stone Records to release new material from Sun Gods in Exile. And special projects are in the works for more Poobah, Stone Axe, JPT Scare Band, and special releases from this year's Fuzzapalooza.
Now, Ripple Music will celebrate Records Store Day with their own Ripple Store Day. As a thank you to their fans and supporters who’ve allowed Ripple to unleash all this musical mayhem onto the world, Ripple will be applying special 15% discounts on everything ordered from the Ripple Store from April 15 to April 17th.
And when Ripple Music says “discount on everything” they mean everthing, including special collectors packages of Stone Axe I deluxe CD/DVD, vinyl and 7” single, the new Heavy Ripples double 7” package, and the best-selling Poobah “Let Me In” double 12” LP. In the store, you can also find classic non-Ripple albums from Ripple artists Stone Axe, Mos Generator, and JPT Scare Band. All of which will get the additional RSD discount.
It’s all just Ripple’s way of saying thank you for allowing them to keep doing what they love, bringing the best music your way and putting the guts back into rock and roll!
"Ripple Music - a rising underground rock label." -- Sleazegrinder
After years of plying their frenzied, hard-rocking, acid blues trade in near obscurity, the love and accolades keep pouring in for JPT Scare Band. Classic Rock Magazine, one of the world’s leading magazines for good ‘ol rock and roll, honored JPT Scare Band by including their single “Not My Fault” – from the Ripple Music released Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden -- on their November edition cover-mounted CD. After previously naming JPT Scare Band one of the “lost pioneers of heavy metal,” Classic Rock continued the love fest proclaiming that “JPT Scare Band plied a terrifying form of ear-bludgeoning hard rock that was so far ahead of its time, people are still trying to catch up.”
And it keeps getting better. A quick peruse over at CD Baby.com, the leading seller of independent CD’s, finds JPT Scare Band’s Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden, holding down the #2 chart position in the Extended Jams Category. And extended jamming is what the band does best, as found on the monstrous acidified blues freakouts “Amy's Blue Day,” “Stone House Blues,” and the title cut “Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden.” And with the boys back in the studio, recording songs for the follow up to "Acid Blues," you can expect more extended jam, stunning guitar work, and frightening heaviness to be unleashed soon.
It seems the world is waking up to the terror that is JPT Scare Band and the masterful, mind-boggling guitar work of Terry Swope. The Rock and Roll Report has proclaimed that Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden, “sizzles with fuzzy guitars, gritty vocals, and extended jam sessions that instantly transports you to what feels like a Hendrix concert. Terry Swope has got to be one of the world's most underrated guitarists! If you miss the glory days of Cream, Deep Purple, and Jimi Hendrix, you have to check out these uncovered gems from JPT Scare Band.” Here Comes the Flood decrees that Acid Blues “holds its own against famous niche sharers, such as Cream, Ten Years After, Rory Gallagher and the mighty Led Zeppelin!” and Sonic Abuse gushes that Acid Blues is simply a “gem to treasure.”
Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden is available in limited quantities from Ripple Music in two-toned, gatefold, double-LP with two bonus tracks, Deluxe digipack CD, or digital at www.ripple-music.com and all fine music sites like iTunes, Digstation, Amazon, CD Baby, and eBay.
Don’t miss out on the revival of classic acid Proto-metal and the album that the infamous Roadburn Festival has hailed as the “Album of the Day!”
In the early 1990’s a small record label broke out of San Antonio, Monster Records, specializing in limited release/collector’s vinyl from underground 1970’s hard rock bands. For several years, Monster churned out an impressive array of steaming protometal, adding such bands as Poobah, JPT Scare Band, Truth and Janey, Hawkwind, and Manilla Road to their roster. But as so often happens in the music business, time passed, tastes changed and Monster Records ceased to exist.
Fast forward 20 years, and the sands of the hourglass churn backwards in time. Suddenly metal legends, Youngstown Ohio’s Poobah, and Kansas City’s JPT Scare Band, find themselves as popular as ever and stunningly, back on the same record label. This time it’s Ripple Music filling the void, providing the world with the tasty underground protometal that they crave.
Within a span of two months, both JPT Scare Band and Poobah released classic works with Ripple Music, JPT Scare Band’sAcid Blues is the White Man’s Burden, and Poobah’s 1972 seminal debut, Let Me In. Both releases hit the world in eye-opening, two-tone double LP packages with gatefold covers as well as CD formats. Both packed with rare pictures, notes, and bonus tracks.
Jim Gustafson, the mastermind behind Poobah, sums it up. “It’s cool that Poobah ended up with JPT again on the same label, only better this time. I saved these tapes for decades, looking for the right time and place to do this, and now it has happened.”
And 40 years after originally forming, both bands find themselves cranking out their music to a legion of fans new and old. WFMU in New York has both bands on frequent rotation, spreading the protometal, acid rock gospel to hungry, waiting ears.
“It’s a wonderful bit of synchronicity,” says JPT Scare Band drummer, Jeff Littrell, “that when we finally get back on a label again, the moguls at Ripple Music have also signed our old label mates, Poobah. Déjà vu all over again! JPT Scare Band and Poobah ripping faces off on the same label in the 21st Century.”
Ripple Music plans to keep bringing on the ballsy retro-metal with future releases by Scottish protometal icons, Iron Claw, as well as modern purveyors following the raw, sonic blueprint, Stone Axe, Mos Generator, Grifter, Mighty High, and Venomin James.
As Ripple founders Todd Severin and John Rancik say, “Ripple Music exists to bring the guts back to rock and roll!”
We're pleased, and quite a bit flattered, to announce that Ripple Music was recognized as the "Label of the Month" across the Next Big Thing Network! Along with front page exposure, a number of the bands on the Ripple roster have been featured in review and on the networks podcasts. Not too shabby for a label with such humble beginnings!
Within a year of creating a solid business foundation and working long days and nights to streamline the production and supply of product, label founders John Rancik and Todd Severin have begun to see the fruits of their labors taking shape. On June 22nd, the label released their first album, JPT Scare Band'sAcid Blues is the White Man's Burden, and were immediately inundated with orders from across the globe. Shortly after, Kevin Beadles (You Can't Argue With Water) and Fen (Trails Out of Gloom) were released, both receiving glowing reviews and critical-acclaim, and essentially completing the "first wave" of Ripple releases.
While the "first wave" was being managed, a project fell into the laps of label in the form of a split single featuring Stone Axe and Mighty High, which created a flurry of press, positive reviews, and internet banter. This project cemented a working relationship with T. Dallas Reed (Stone Axe/Mos Generator) who has now opened his vault of music to the Ripple Music, including the re-release of the first Stone Axe album on vinyl, as well as deluxe CD. Reed also took part in the labels fifth release, the re-issue of Poobah's 1972 debut LP Let Me In, by re-mastering the original six tracks along with twelve additional tracks that never made the original cut.
This initial success has brought on partnerships with a couple of U.S. and European distributors, namely Netherlands-based Clear Spot International, who is working feverishly to support Ripple Music and the great releases on the labels roster. So far, catalog releases have been sent to Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Austria, and the UK, to name just a few countries.
Now, with Wave 1a nearing completion, Severin and Rancik are concentrating on the second wave of releases, which includes the third full length album from the Americana/Rock trio, Modern Day Moonshine (Refuge), the re-release of Sketches From Silence from the Santa Barbara-based rockers Tripdavon, and the first new release in over forty years from proto-metal overlords, Iron Claw. Tack on other projects such as a new Stone Axe LP, a re-release of the first Mos Generator album with bonus material, a new Poobah album, as well as a number of single and compilation releases, 2011 is going to be a monstrous year for Ripple Music.
Hot on the heels of their blistering new release "Acid Blues is the White Man's Burden," JPT Scare Band have been tearing through vinyl sales with abandon. Perhaps it's that glorious two-tone, psychedelic vinyl? Perhaps it's the gatefold cover and trippy artwork? Nah, it's the intense, legendary guitar-work of Terry Swope and the crushing rhythm section of Paul Grigsby and Jeff Litrell.
But rather than have us toot the band's horn, we thought we'd let others lead the JPT parade.
JPT Scare Band "Acid Blues is the White Man's Burden."
"Each track sizzles with nostalgia, with fuzzy guitars, gritty vocals, and extended jam sessions that instantly transport you to what feels like a Hendrix concert. Everything grooves in its own right. . . will undoubtedly dazzle fans of classic blues rock. Terry Swope has got to be one of the world's most underrated guitarists!
If you miss the glory days of Cream, Deep Purple, and Jimi Hendrix, you have to check out these uncovered gems from JPT Scare Band." -- Bill's Music Forum and the Rock and Roll Report.
"The trio veers between Cream and Grand Funk Railroad." -- Tom Harrison, Quick Spins, The Province Newspaper
"Acid Blues Is the White Man's Burden, seven lengthy psychedelic bluesy rock stompers (nine of the vinyl version) that come howling out of the speakers. This is Classic Rock from the Golden Age! Holds its own against their famous niche sharers, such as Cream, Ten Years After, Rory Gallagher and the mighty Led Zeppelin. Singer Swope has the swagger and the chops, and the rhythm tandem of Jeff Littrel and Grigsby are solid and smooth. It just goes to show that it's never too late to be recognized as an interesting chapter in the Big Book of Rawk." -- Here Comes the Flood
"A Gem to treasure. Let the hypnotic music swirl around you. For anyone who wishes to delve into the heritage of the current crop of stoner bands, this is an unmissible compilation. Terry Swope rivals some of the day's greats including Clapton and Hendrix. JPT Scare band are the unsung heroes of the cult rock scene and now they have decided to remind the world of their phenomenal abilities. "Long Day," is fresh, a great introduction to the band. Centerpiece "Stone House Blues" recalls the excellent Led Zeppelin at the BBC disc with it's loose and thundering bass. "I've Been Waiting" has a riff so heavy it could be encased in lead. Sits comfortably along side Black Sabbath." -- Sonic Abuse
"Album of the Day!" - Roadburn.com
"Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden is without question one of the most natural sounding and charismatic records I’ve heard this year. At once celebrating what they were and what they are in a way few bands can actually pull off convincingly. Littrell, Grigsby and Swope show remarkable chemistry. Swope’s leads are not to be understated. The soul in what he does is so up front it’ll bring a tear to your eye. JPT Scare Band are able to harness what made heavy ‘70s rock so influential without sounding like they’re ripping anyone off, including themselves. If you’re not moved by the way these three players work together in the jammed-out last minutes of “I’ve Been Waiting,” you’re just not getting the point. Acid Blues is the White Man’s Burden might be a sleeper, but for those who discover it, it’s treasure." -- The Obelisk
"Compiled from studio outtakes spanning over 35 years, that this album hangs together so coherently and is wall to wall with the highest quality tuneage is a testament to just how incredible this band really is. An orgasmic display of sonic abuse from guitarist Terry Swope. Fuck me, this guy is a lost gem!!! Blazing with a technique that would make most big haired 80's shredders shit their pants but grooving with a feel that would make Billy Gibbons weep, Swope lays on note after note of pure class. This is certainly no one man band though, bassist Paul Grigsby lays down such a filthy groove that you want to take a shower afterwards and drummer Jeff Litrell swings like an aging virgin's nut sack!!! The charm of JPT Scare Band...it's passion that is both seductive and enthralling and a passion that seems unabated by years in the undergrowth." -- Sleeping Shaman
With his guitar heroics on full display on the latest JPT Scare Band album, Acid Blues is the White Man's Burden, we thought that is would be a good idea to catch up with legendary guitarist/vocalist Terry Swope. Throughout the album, Swope's plays the guitar like normal people use their voices in conversation. One minute, subdued and docile, laced with melancholy, then that voice becomes more impassioned, a little louder, as if Swope is becoming more animated and excited about the topic of discussion. One thing is for certain, Terry Swope is a six string talent that has been lurking in the shadows for far too long. Jamming with JPT Scare Band since the early '70's, Terry has been hailed as one of the most unheralded guitarists in the world, Swope is often compared to Hendrix, Page, and Clapton in terms of his fret fireworks.
Take a look at what he has to say.
What made you decide to pursue playing guitar?
Feelings of pleasure and belonging. Music in general and the guitar in particular felt good to me. It felt good to hold the instrument, to feel connected to something. It felt good to slowly gain knowledge and get some positive attention for the effort. Socially it was satisfying to literally have a group of peers to share and learn with.
How quickly did you pick up playing the guitar? Did guitar playing come naturally, or was there a struggle involved? I picked up the basic chords and strumming techniques fairly quickly. I loved to play and it was not uncommon to spend five to six hours every day practicing. Some days I'd play seven to nine hours. Playing came naturally to me. I found I could pick out parts to songs and learn them. It was also a struggle. I would become frustrated by my inability to get my hands to reproduce what I heard in my head. That struggle continues to this day.
What was the first guitar you owned?
It was an F-hole acoustic guitar that I bought in the record department of the Katz drugstore for $12. I don't remember the brand. Moments after this photo was taken I smashed the guitar against a telephone pole in the backyard.
Who are your primary influences? Guitarists, musicians?
There's a lot stars in the skies aren't there? Let me just name a few of my faves. Larry Carlton, Ritchie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, Albert King, Joe Pass, Jimi Hendrix, Scotty Anderson, the Beatles, Bela Bartok, Charles Ives and XTC. Locally there's Walt Chambers, Andy DeWitt, Janet Jameson, James Albright, Ken Lovern, Danny Embry and Joe Clyne.
What kind of gear do you use? Guitar? Amp? Effects?
Guitars: Taylor T-5, Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Grosh Custom Carve, Eastman T185MX, J. Blackaster . . . Amps: Fender Deluxe, Vox AC50CPH, Bogner Alchemist, Bogner Metropolis, Carvin XV212, Egnater Rebel 20 . . . Effects: Boss GT8, Xotic AC Plus, TC Electronics Nova Modulator
Do you play in standard tuning or do you use an alternate tuning? If so, why?
I'm in standard tuning 99.9% of the time. I experimented early on with a variety of tunings but never stuck with them.
What piece of gear can't you live without? What''s your "secret" weapon?
If I could only have one effect it would be delay. An Echoplex would be the favored type. You can create spaces, rhythms, layers and even harmonies. Truly the most versatile effect. If I told you what my secret weapon was it wouldn't be a secret anymore. Seriously I don't like to think of weapons when I think of music. But I will say this - a great compressor gives every guitar a chance to get lucky.
When performing solos, are you aware of where you're going or are you playing purely by mood and feel?
That depends on many different factors. If I'm working on somebody's project I'm going to be looking to please them. If I'm out gigging and covering other people's tunes I want to be in the same ballpark stylistically.
Left to my own devices anything is bound to happen. Music, and specifically the guitar, lends itself to all forms of mood and their communication. Or as Dr Karl Paulnack puts it, "Music allows us to move around those big invisible pieces of ourselves and rearrange our insides so that we can express what we feel even when we can't talk about it."
How has working with Paul (bass) and Jeff (drums) helped your playing? What effect has their abilities as musicians helped your development as a guitarist?
Probably the best thing about the Scareband is its lack of expectation. Throughout my career I've been involved in bands that were focused outward, on making money and being something customers wanted to hear. JPT is pretty much the opposite of that. It's all about what we want. Working with Paul & Jeff is really not work. We're just great friends into banging out whatever pops into our heads. The vibe is pretty informal and open-ended when the tape starts rolling. In other words I'm free to play anything I want. Jeff & Paul are very supportive, generous musicians who just happen to love playing in the same cosmic sludge pit as me.
What words of wisdom do you have for young (and old) guitar players who are just getting started?
Number one - enjoy yourself. If you can do that then you're a success. Beyond that learn as much as you can and create as much as you can. As far as the instrument goes get something you can play. It does not matter early on what your guitar might look like or might sound like. All that really matters is that you can put your hands on it and it feels good.
You can hear the magic of Terry's guitar playing on the latest JPT Scare Band album, "Acid Blues is the White Man's Burden."
