User:Neod4000/Rice!

Rice! is a popular British Teen Ska/ Funk/ Comedy Music Band consisiting of Alex Evans (Drummer and Main Vocalist), Peter Galvin (Electric Guitarist), Sam Tulley (Keyboard) and Dan Ghazal (Bass guitar). They were founded in May 2007 by Alex, Peter and Dan, as they were in the same music class at school. Sam joined Early December 2007.

Once named 'Bald And Furious', (now) Rice! set out to bring back the Blink 182-esque pop punk, mixed with their Punk, Funk, Ska And Jazz influences.

THE EARLY DAYS: May 2007 - July 2007 As three Musicians/Punk rockers, Alex, Peter and Dan set out to form a song for their Ensemble performance in a high school Music class (supported by fellow raps, Xylophone solos and Raps about jam)- This song now known as '567' (Originally called 'Wank To Kill'). '567' twas entitled this, for 567 is the date were the song was (in majority) written.

Soon after, as a heavy-metal orientated friend of the group, Justin Alfonso had heard the band and desperately wanted to join. Through the month, they began work on a second song, 'Justin-Time', which is a typical Pop Punk-esque style song, due to, (and to quote Alex Evans) the fact that "the lyrics are about partying and doing your friends mum". This song was also recorded in late June for another ensemble performance for music class.

Later on in June, and according to Alex Evans, about after an hour or so of repeatedly playing 567 and Justin Time, a ska riff on guitar was formed. A riff now known to be in their true first hit, 'Frumpy'. A song whose lyrics were written around the definition of the word "Frumpy", i.e., a list of people who were, as they said, were "frumpy." When the song was shown to Justin, he claimed that he wanted 'Bald And Furious' to become heavier, more like a metal band. The 3 founding members refused and Justin decided to leave the band.

Early July, the band decided to change its name, in order to further excommunicate themselves from the idea that might have spread that they were "just another teenage heavy metal rock band". After much persuasion on Peter Galvin's part, BAF were then dubbed Rice!. Work also began on another new song with a funk orientation, 'Mango Magic'.

Soon after, Rice! asked to play in an end of year concert, featuring music and other minor entertainment. Approval was given, and the band came into knowlegdge that Rice! would be playing across from fellow Year 9 band 'Cohort' (a heavier band involving synth, screms and also Rice!'s very own Dan playing drums this time though). Playing The synthesizer was Rice!'s future keyboardist, Sam Tulley. Hours before Rice!'s performance, Alex insisted that there needed to be vocals. Lyrics were written but a singer had not been determined. Alex then took the job and succeeded. Rice! played 'Frumpy' followed by '567'. From the second hand opinion of a viewer, it seemed that Rice! recieved more recognition than Cohort did.

Before the summer holidays, Rice! continued working on previous songs, and began on two new ones '2nd Hand Spaghetti' which harnessed a more tradiotional rock song, and 'Can't Stop Me Smiling', another ska song with a faster pace. These songs were dropped later that year.

The summer had began..

Summer Lovin', Summer Punkin': August 2007

The summer of 2007. Frequent practices took place at Dan Ghazal's house. Dan had half a drum kit and Alex brought half over. Over the summer, Rice! Practiced all their previous songs, and were inspired by the heavier punk scene (Rise Against mainly) to create a heavier, more punky song, which was named 'Fuck Humanity, save the Manities'. It began with a slow minor opening, leading into fast drums accompanied with very fast guitar chords and chants of 'Fuck Humanity Save The Manities'.

Due to the proximity of Ghazal's house to the sea, the band members would often retreat to the shoreline in order to write more lyrics for their songs. Unused lyrics for (then 'wank to kill') '567' were written - lyrics describe how a man must masturbate to kill to feed his family.

One practice, fatigue was hitting them hard, but Ghazal came out with a bit of musical genius, spawning one of Rice!'s greater songs - Barry and The Crank. Most of the summer was spent Rehearsing 'Barry..' and 'FHSTM' (as well as another, Russian song, which was never performed). Also, a cover of 'Dammit' was played, featuring Dan's older brother Greg as guest guitaris (Gregg formerly in Brighton Pop punk legends 'Mute 66').

Since then, Rice! have been in a number of high school music concerts and have recieved praise for their music. A link to a video of their performance of "Frumpy!" in this concert can be found here: (Poor quality)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=q0l9vSP6LII