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Five piece alternative rock band, Rider, is ready to take Coventry by storm.

With influences such as the Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro, Rider write and perform their own music.

The band consists of three brothers, Aaron, Jay and Rich Lang, who were also joined by good friends Simon Lee and Steve Taylor.

Formed quite recently in late 2006, Rider has come a long way in a short space of time.
By April 2007, Rider had recorded their first self-titled four track EP, which was received with a lot of positive enthusiasm and praise, resulting in many gigs around the country.
Just a few months later, in November 2007, they had released a second EP, called Afterthought.

Rider ended the year of 2007 by winning a Midlands Battle of the Bands competition, excelling with maximum points throughout.

I caught up with the light-hearted and funny group to find out a little more about them.

Why Rider?

Like any family or group of friends, the boys say they bicker and argue over trivial things but the goal remains clear and common to all: to push through as a band, try and get their lucky break and keep writing and playing the music that they enjoy and that their steadily growing fan base enjoys.

I spent quite some time scrutinising why the band is named Rider and what it means. For this, I got an array of different answers, the conclusion of which was rather unclear. But drummer Aaron did share, "I’m afraid to say Rider really doesn’t mean anything. You should have heard some of the suggestions! Equally you should have heard some of the meanings attached to the name Rider since!"
Keyboard player, Rich added, "We like it because everyone attempts to try and understand what it means, when in truth, it means absolutely nothing!"

Rocking Away

However, after catching up with the boys it is clear that they are five truly unique individuals and without the uniqueness that each member brings to the band, Rider would simply not be what it is today. So because this individuality is something worth emphasising, meet the band:

Jason Lang

Jay is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and lyricist. "I am primarily a vocalist and have sung everything from opera to chamber music to metal over the last 10 years or so,’ he explained. Jason has also been hailed as the ‘perfect front-man."

With inspirations such as David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Cliff Richard, Jay also writes most of the lyrics to the songs and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of writing lyrics that can be interpreted in lots of different ways.

Describing himself in four words as loud, generous, overweight and optimistic, Jay also enjoys travelling, diving, cooking, running and going to lots of gigs.

Richard Lang

Describing himself as a ‘Man on a Mission,’ Rich is one of a dying breed of keyboard players in that he actually plays the keys rather than just pressing some buttons. Branded the ‘band geek,’ Rich bosses the band about in order to make sure everything is done on time.

A big fan of 80's hair metal era, Rich is trying to enjoy the post-1989 music, and has found that he enjoys bands such as Biffy Clyro and the Foo Fighters.

"I enjoy riding my motorbike, driving my car, and seeing live bands. I’m also quite partial to Coronation Street and The Apprentice," Rich said of his hobbies and interests.

Steve Taylor

This bass player’s experience has ranged from swing, blues and musicals through to punk and rock.
Steve is inspired by classic fellow rock bassists, like Flea from the Red Hot Chilli peppers, Brad Wilkes of Rage Against the Machine and Jose Pasillas of Incubus.

A man typically loving of boy’s toys, who describes himself as "great and getting better," Steve enjoys playing on games consoles or watching TV to unwind.

Aaron Lang

Aaron has been drumming away since the tender age of eight, and has never looked back since. With an impressive distinction in Grade Eight, aged only thirteen, Aaron is considered by many to be the most talented drummer in the area.

Rider working on their tracks.

While he couldn’t decide on four words to describe himself, another little fact about him, is that his favourite film is Toy Story.
Aaron enjoys staying active through running, playing squash and socialising. He also enjoys anything to do with Motor sport.

Simon Lee

With a strong input to the band’s tracks and lyrics, Simon is the guitarist.

His passion for music shines through his performing and interacting with the band, and he has been said to be extremely talented and creative, drawing inspiration from the likes of Hendrix, Vaughan, John Mayer and George Benson.

Simon enjoys socialising, travelling around the world, cooking and recently, going to the gym.

Last Remarks

One thing though, the boys do have in common, is their future plans. All five of the guys said they are extremely keen for the band to make it big and hope that the support they are getting will only expand from here on out.

While their latest EP was released earlier this year, the boys are hard at work preparing for a run of gigs to support that EP, in the lead-up to the Christmas season. And soon they will be back in the studio to record more tracks!

Listen to Rider’s tracks and keep updated with upcoming gigs, tracks and EPs for download on Rider’s website: