ALBUM REVIEW: The Ripps - Heartaches + Hangovers

If being in a band is a journey, then The Ripps have travelled around the world several times. The Coventry band first debuted in 2007 with 'Long Live The Ripps' and went on to perform at Glastonbury the same year, storming the indie charts with their 70's punk influenced songs 'Vandals', 'Loco' and 'Holiday'. Brothers Patch and Raul Lagunas experienced the highs of being in a band that was starting to make it big, they were touring the UK and living the dream. But every musician will tell you that the dream can be shattered just as quickly as it was created and The Ripps have endured being capsized a fair few times during their long journey. Thankfully  the brothers never gave up and  their passion for music can be clearly seen in the long awaited follow up album 'Heartaches + Hangovers', released digitally on 21st May and in stores from 4th June 2012.

The Ripps have doubled in band numbers since their debut album, with Alan Ferguson on bass and Phil Cox on drums, Terry Muttitt on keys and Lolly McIntosh completing the line up on vocals. The album title 'Heartaches + Hangovers' might have you thinking it could be a rather somber 45 minutes, but you would be mistaken. This is an uplifting collection of songs that will leave you humming the tunes long before you know all the words!

The album begins with the up tempo 'She's Not All There' - the perfect song to play when you are getting ready for a Friday night out on the town. Lolly McIntosh provides gentle backing vocals with Patch delivering the main lyrics, "She's always in a rush on a Friday night, posing in the mirror she's looking alright, pictures herself in a perfect life with a happy ending." The lyrics continue to grab your attention during 'Anarchy Bridge' a song about heartbreak, with the opening line, "I met you in a crowded room and we danced all night to shitty tunes and you smiled and took me by the hand."  Forget feeling morose in a Morrissey kind of way, the foot tapping beat will leave you feeling happy that you opened your heart up to let love in and experience the pains and pleasures it can bring.



For those who loved 'Long Live The Ripps', the new album has enough for you to join in and sing along, 'Lovesick' is the kind of song you put on repeat and find yourself singing the chorus over and over. Watching The Ripps perform this song live is always a treat and the on stage antics between Patch and Lolly remind me how entertaining the band are. The tempo really reaches fever pitch during 'Lose Yourself', it's the kind of song you can clap along too or have a bit of a wild western jig while on the dancefloor . Once again the lyrics impressed me, "She looks at me with those devil eyes, do you wanna be lonely?, do you wanna get high? I'm asking for trouble and I don't know why...." This is a song about love and how you lose yourself when that love consumes your heart and mind. We've all been there and 'Lose Yourself' relates to each and every one of us.........

The Ripps (*pic by Redwood photography)

Cue the tambourine and maracas for 'Remember Me' as The Ripps get to demonstrate their talents during this musical feast about falling in love and the highs love brings. They follow this up a break up song called 'You and I' , just to keep listeners in the reality loop of the strains and heartaches that relationships can bring upon us. The Ripps then lift us from the doldrums of a broken heart and apply a plaster to our wounds with 'True Colours'  - the sort of song you need to play when you are just getting over a relationship. You know that feeling when you should let someone go, but you really don't want to - even though they've hurt you. This song encapsulates those emotions in just over three minutes and concludes with the lyrics, 'I don't want to let you go.' 


'The Honeymoon Is Over' continues the journey of realisation that a relationship is coming to an end. In typical Ripps fashion - the tune is upbeat and shows how the band have grown up and learnt from the many experiences they have gone through. While the honeymoon may be over, The Ripps prove they have developed and matured their sound with some topical songs about love and life. The album lifts you up with songs like, 'The First Picture Of You' - which starts off quite dark and heavy (a bit like the 'Cov Song' on 'Long Live The Ripps') but bursts into life with the chorus.

The final track on the album 'The Way We Were' is a reflective track that reminds us how people change, just like the four seasons. Even after all the hangovers and heartaches - we still fall in love again. Slowly we open our hearts up and fall in love, removing the plasters from previous relationships by giving someone else a chance to shape our heart.

Previously The Ripps were said to be the new Supergrass, but I would say they are better than Supergrass. The lyrics in 'Young And Lost' say, "we deserve a chance, we deserve it"  This Coventry band truly deserve a chance, they have produced an album to be proud of - all without the funding or backing of a major record company. Their passion and determination not only make them proud of where they come from but also steadfast in the desire to make music. They have journeyed to the heights of Glastonbury and the lows of a 9-5 dead end job yet never given up on their dreams. The Ripps are an inspiration not only for other musicians struggling to make it, but for all lovers of real music. Buy this album and keep that dream alive.......

Upcoming Dates:


25th May – Taylor John’s House, Coventry 
8th June – The Wheelbarrow, Camden, London

Website/Social networking: 
www.theripps.co.uk
www.facebook.com/theripps
www.youtube.com/therippsmusic

For more info contact: Jamie Conlon – jrconlon@blitzsounds.co.uk or 07811 400 366

Released by: Ghoulish Records 
Release/catalogue number: GHOUL006CD 

Available from: Amazon / Play 

*PIC: Top - David Gover Photography

The Ripps: Coventry Phoenix Gig Videos

The Ripps are back and here are a selection of videos from the showcase gig at the Phoenix (Cambells), Coventry:







Read more: HERE


*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

The Ripps Are Back!

Patch and Raul Ripp

The Ripps are back with a whole new sound and a brand new line up after being out of the spotlight for many months. Legends in Coventry and the originators of the "I Love Cov" t-shirts long before Rebecca Shiner went into the Big Brother house.

Brother's Patch and Raul Lagunas form part of the original band with Phil Cox (drums) and Alan Ferguson (bass) joining them to deliver the SKA influenced beats during their performance at Cox's Yard in Stratford-Upon-Avon. While many bands would compromise their lyrics for the sake of the record label, The Ripps have kept their integrity and maintained their ability to write about real life.

The Ripps @ Cox's Yard, Stratford

The Ripps pull no punches with their hard hitting lyrics and song titles to match, 'Blood On The Streets' and 'Guilty Conscience' lead the way before 'Rudeboy' took us back to their main influence - SKA. Several more tunes into the set and the lads are joined on stage by the brass section as they performed 'Daddy Was A Hero'. Mr Lagunas senior was in the audience and a fitting dedication to a father who can be proud of his kids and in response he is a hero in their eyes. The set ended with 'The People Have Spoken' and judging by the cheers and claps the people approved!

Patch and Raul Ripp

This weekend (April 25/26) will see The Ripps fulfilling one of their dreams - they share the stage with Coventry SKA legends The Specials. With two dates at Birmingham Academy and one date at Coventry's Ricoh Arena (May 15), fans are in for a musical treat. The Ripps are indeed back and this time around the sound is a lot more grown up and mature.

*see more photos HERE

Godiva Festival Coventry: The Ripps

The Ripps @ Godiva Festival, Coventry

The Ripps were on the Main Stage again this weekend at Coventry's Godiva Festival and played a combination of new and old songs that injected enthusiasm into the crowds that had gathered in anticipation. No-one was left disappointed because Patch, Raul and Rachel gave another fantastic performance. Even when the rains came down, it didn't dampen the young people that were jumping around to the sound of SKA with The Ripps.

Raul and Rachel

Patch Ripp

Even from the stage you can feel the humility and genuine appreciation that The Ripps have, they are a band that have loyally promoted Coventry and love playing in front of their growing fan base. The Ripps deserve to be signed up to a major record label because the wider audience are missing out on the new sounds of SKA music. The videos below give a taste, but the quality does not do The Ripps justice. Check out their MySpace page and grab a listen to their tunes and get to know The Ripps better.................

The Ripps - "1000 Miles From Home" (Godiva Festival, Coventry)

The Ripps - "Vampires" (Godiva Festival, Coventry)

...with a little help from their friends

Coventry's Got Talent: The Ripps Interview

Here is the full interview with The Ripps, taken from "Feel Alive" Magazine (produced by CV One).



UP AND COMING COVENTRY TALENT THE RIPPS ARE A THREE PIECE BAND WHO DESCRIBE THEIR MUSIC AS ALCOPOPALTPIC, CHIPTASTIC AND TOSTADORA! THIS FUN AND ENERGETIC BAND ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH AND ARE EMERGING AS ONE OF COVENTRY'S HOTTEST NEW BANDS TO WATCH. WE CAUGHT UP WITH PATCH FROM THE BAND :

• You've been touted by NME's Radar Special as one of the bands to watch this year. Tell us about your amazing year?

Where do we start? We've been touring the UK for most of the year (it feels like forever!) and it's been so much fun. The highlights been our Glastonbury show and our hometown shows. Obviously Godiva will top them! Our debut album "Long Live The Ripps" came out earlier in the year and it was a truly overwhelming experience seeing it in the shops. The past year has been very surreal. It feels like we've lived so much in a very short space of time.

• How does it feel to be playing at the Godiva Festival in front of your home crowd?

We've lived here all our lives and growing up in Coventry it was THE event of the summer. We've been to the festival loads of times and seen many inspiring acts there so feel extremely privileged to be playing. Our hometown crowd always make our gigs special so we can't wait. We've got a few days off around the festival so we'll be hanging out maybe watching the skate comp and enjoying a few drinks.

• Who are you looking forward to seeing at the Godiva Festival?

We've been lifelong Super Furry Animals fans so we're looking forward to them. We've played with The Noisettes a few times and they're really cool. Be good catching up. The bill is really strong so it should be great. We are intrigued that The Silent League are playing. That will be hilarious.

• Have you ever been to the Godiva Festival before?

Loads and loads of times.

• How has living and growing up in Coventry inspired your songs?

Our album has been shaped by our experience here. We've even got a song called the "Cov Song" with references to the Lower Precinct and The Burges. We're 100% Coventarian so we write about what we know; Far Gosford Street, The Colly, that sort of thing. Cov might not be pretty but the people here are and it's getting better.

• So the Ripps - where did the name come from?

We were brainstorming names and it was the one that sounded most like punk bands from the late 70's like The Clash, Buzzcocks, Rezillos which we're all into. The two p's is purely an aesthetic thing R.I.P is kinda negative and we're a mostly happy bunch.

• How did it all start for you guys?

We were in other bands from Cov and we wanted a change. When we started we rehearsed for a year before playing a gig. We've always been committed. We got a manager after our first gig then slogged it playing up and down the country and playing many a time at The Colly. Eventually we got a deal. The usual story really.

• Describe your style of music?

Spanglish, kick-ass, ska tinged, mostly tongue in cheek, punk, power pop.

• Who would you compare yourself to?

Our first album is kinda like The Buzzcocks, Ramones, Rezillos, Cardiacs, These Animal Men, Supergrass, Blur or that's what we've been told. Hard question. Some of these songs have been around for a couple of years so they don't feel like they represent us where we are now, although we do like them. Our new stuff is much more Sandinista era Clash and Specials sounding. We're really excited about the new stuff.

• What would you be doing if you weren't in The Ripps?

Probably struggling in other bands or maybe at university.

• If you could form a Super Group who would be in it?

Great question!

John Lydon from The Sex Pistols or Jello Biafra from The Dead Kennedys fronting it. On guitar Kirk Hammet from Metallica or Johnny Greenwood from Radiohead. Drums - Matt Cameron originally from Sound Garden, Keith Moon or Mithc Mitchell. Bass - Paul Simonon from The Clash or maybe even Sting. Ha!

• If you could sum up Coventry in three words what would they be?

City Of Dreams.

• Who or what are your inspirations?

Loads of stuff. Lyrically Billy Bragg, Joe Strummer, Victor Jara. We've got so many influences. Salvador Allende is a massive inspiration. From Cov Steve Ogrizovic, Clive Owen. Any of the 1987 squad are inspiring.

• Have you heard any mistruths about yourselves in the media? If so what has been the best lie you've heard?

A funny one is that me and my brother Raul were born in Chile. Our parents are from Chile but we're from here. Another good one is that I'm a smack addict. In an interview Rachel told them that and so it was printed. She was getting her own back for all the lies I tell about her.

• Do you have partners? And if so how are they coping with your rise to stardom?

We're all in relationships. It's difficult when we're away but it makes the time you have together more special.

• Who in the group gets the most attention?

Easily Rachel. People love her smiling and she laps up the attention particularly from the males.

• Any weird fans or have you been sent any strange fan letters/objects?

Ha Ha! We love all our fans and don't consider any weird :)

The best things we've received are playing cards and someone even bought us samosas. He's a legend.

• Have you ever been star struck and if so by whom?

We recently met Terry Hall and nearly died. He was very humble and down to earth. We nearly wet our pants though!

• Any celebrity crushes?

Rachel - Jeremy Paxman.

The Ripps are currently working hard in the studio and their current album "Long Live The Ripps" and other merchandise can be purchased from Coventry's Urban Village (above Kong), in The Burgess.

*Interview taken from "Feel Alive" Magazine, produced by CV One and typed up by robmacca.

The Ripps "Celebrate Coventry"

The Ripps (Patch and Raul) performed an acoustic set as part of the "Celebrate Coventry" weekend and the fans turned out in style for what was one of the best behaved events of 2007. It may have been something to do with the time of day (14:25 on a Sunday afternoon), but everyone was on their best behaviour. Patch even managed to keep his mobile phone and avoid a stage invasion!

It was good to see so many young Ripps fans make the effort and come into Coventry precinct and support Patch and Raul. Likewise, Coventry can be so proud of The Ripps because they have done so much for Coventry. Although often overshadowed by a certain other band from Coventry, Raul, Rachel and Patch have travelled many thousands of miles this year to bring their brand of music to the masses and have worked their socks off.

For me The Ripps are a perfect reason to "Celebrate Coventry" because they sum up what being a Coventarian is all about. Everyone who knows Patch, Raul and Rachel have said on numerous occasions how "nice", "friendly"and "down to earth" they are. I'd like to think people around the world have a better impression of Coventry because of people like The Ripps. On stage and off, these are humble people who love what they do yet never take a performance for granted and that comes across so clearly.

It felt weird not hearing Rachel Ripp on drums or seeing her smiling face, but this was an acoustic set after all. Patch told the crowds; "we miss you Rachel" and I'm sure we all agree with him on that point but can look forward to seeing more of Rachel, Raul and Patch for many more months yet.........



The Ripps - "You Don't Even Care" (acoustic)



The Ripps - "Loco" (acoustic)

*Don't know if anyone else noticed that the security guard (see picture 2 and the videos) had a striking resemblance to Jack Sugden from Emmerdale - might just be my twisted humour or maybe he's trying to get in with Raul and Patch Ripp!

The Ripps @ Kapow! Coventry

The Ripps performing new tracks @Kapow (Phoenix ,Coventry)

The Promenade Stories @ Kapow, Coventry

The Bootleg Poets @ Kapow, Coventry

Hung over but happy is how I'd describe my morning after feeling after another night out @ Kapow! in Coventry. This time around Kapow was open until 2am, which meant you had time to enjoy the bands and the alcohol. The Ripps headlined at the venue and were well supported by two other bands with Coventry connections.

The Promenade Stories are more known around Nottingham because both band members are at University there but the singer comes from Coventry. For me it was unusual to see a two piece band where you just had a drummer and the guitarist on vocals. At first I thought something might be missing but once you heard them you soon realised nothing was missing and this duo worked together well. Lots of hair couldn't help but make me think of "Cousin IT" from "The Addams Family", but I'm only jealous!

Talking of hair, the Bootleg Poets had no shortage of it and were happily playing with it on and off stage during their Libertinesque set. This band had no shortage of musicians as all five crammed on stage and gave the Cov crowd what they wanted - a night of good live music.

The Ripps were back in their beloved Coventry after what seemed an infinity away, even though it had only been a few weeks since they had performed at the Godiva Festival. Getting back to intimate gigs is what I love most and we were in for a right treat tonight as Patch, Raul and Rachel shared a whole cluster of new songs they had been working on for the new album. You can check out the videos below, but live is always best and if you missed Kapow! then get yourself down to Taylor Johns next Sunday night for more new material.

Along with the new tracks we were soon bopping along to classic Ripps numbers such as "Loco", "Holiday" and The Specials hit "Too Much Too Young". One thing that hasn't changed since The Ripps became famous is the down to earth personality of each band member. Raul is just as happy stamping peoples hands as they enter Kapow, Patch will have a fag and drink with anyone and everyone, Rachel is her usual smiling self no matter what!


The Ripps "Loco" with Patch tuning up after having to change guitars because he'd broken some strings.





The Ripps "Holiday" @ Kapow,Coventry


The Ripps - "Too Much Too Young" was the final song from the set and always a classic to close on as this Specials track reminds everyone how great Coventry is musically.


Bootleg Poets - "Follow The Leader" @ Kapow, Coventry

robmacca on his way home after another very enjoyable night out in Coventry!

Godiva Festival - The Ripps, Pictures and Videos

Patch and Raul jamming at the Godiva Festival

Patch and Rachel giving it some welly

The crowds show their love for all things Ripps

The Ripps were on top form at Coventry's "Godiva Festival" on Saturday, here are a few of the videos from their fresh performance from the Electric Tent. The home crowd loved the set and gave it their full support, with an active mosh pit and solid participation from the audience. Below is the "exclusive" first public performance of a new song The Ripps have been working on and although the band may have been over shadowed by Enemymania, let it not be forgotten The Ripps are a force all of their own and bring something very special to the music scene.




The Ripps "You Don't Even Care", this video captures the crowd in full flow as they jump around to this fast paced track.




The Ripps "Nice Guys", a non album track but one which produces enough energy from band and crowd to light up the whole of Britain!




Patch had just been talking about "Godiva Day" for the ladies (say no more!) before going into the "COV Song", a very fitting tribute to life in Coventry. The crowd are totally up for it, which isn't bad for 14:30 on a Saturday afternoon.




A totally new song by The Ripps not seen before and an exclusive for the Godiva Festival. The crowds showed their approval with some impressive clapping and moshing!