As many in the Group know, the Oxford 🇬🇧 band RIDE are among my all- time favourites.

I did several postings in February when RIDE and THE CHARLATANS rolled through DETROIT and a double headline tour.

There was a follow- up post a month later when RIDE sound guy STU sent me a signed setlist from the band at the end of the tour. It was an incredible gesture mailed from San Francisco.

One of those signatures was from MARK GARDENER. He is a guitarist and vocalist for the band. No disrespect to LOZ (drummer) and STEVE (bass) but the band has generally been seen as the of MARK and the other vocalist/ guitarist ANDY BELL show.

Late last year the band reissued their first two incredible LPs and another record containing their first 4 EPs- all on limited coloured vinyl.

I just learned that their 3rd and 4th LPs are going to be released soon. “Carnival Of Light” and “ Tarantula” were more derivative and, in the end, crashed the band. Most thought it was permanent, but it was not. The reformed RIDE has returned we with 2 9/10 gems and a 3rd is being recorded.

During the years in the wilderness, the band members were engaged in different projects.

Yesterday, I visited the newest ROUGH TRADE store. It is located inside upscale clothing retailer Rag And Bone in SOHO.

So now we get to the 1st picture. My pal William who took care of my sonic needs at ROUGH TRADE EAST now runs their new, small satellite store in the lower level of the clothing store. (See pic above and at the start of this post.

I told William about the upcoming RIDE reissues and he responded matter of fact that “Mark from RIDE is my uncle.” Boom!

[Ed. Note- William clarified that Mark is his father’s cousin and therefore his 2nd cousin, but he refers to him as his uncle

So, time for a Sunday track. Here is the 1st single, ‘Magdelan Sky’ from MARK’S first solo LP – “These Beautiful Ghosts.” This song was selected by William for your Sunday listening pleasure.

(SONG 560)

Play Loud Or Perish

7/16/2023