richard fulco's Profile

We've moved! Please visit our new site at www.riffraf.net . Let us know what you think of our new home. We look forward to hearing from you. Best, Richard Continue reading

Posted Oct 25, 2012 at RiffRaf

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We've moved! Please visit our new site at...

We've moved! Please visit our new site at www.riffraf.net . Let us know what you think of our new home. We look forward to hearing from you. Best, Richard Continue reading

Posted Oct 24, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Please visit our new site at www.riffraf.net . Let...

Please visit our new site at www.riffraf.net . Let us know what you think of our new site. We look forward to hearing from you. Best, Richard Continue reading

Posted Oct 1, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Top 5 Rolling Stones Albums

It has been more than fifty years since The Rolling Stones borrowed money from Mick Jagger's father in order to rent equipment for their first gig at the Marquee Jazz Club in London. Plans for a 50th Anniversary Tour haven't been clearly expressed, but there is a rumor circulating that... Continue reading

Posted Sep 27, 2012 at RiffRaf

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In the Beginning: The Black Keys

Every band has its own distinctive story replete with drugs, alcohol, conflicts, line up changes, dead ends, regrettable gigs, setbacks, struggles, battles with record companies, managers, accountants, and bar owners. Every band pays its dues. There is no such fantasy as an overnight success. The Black Keys are no exception.... Continue reading

Posted Sep 26, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Fugazi and Me

In our Writers and Music series, authors discuss the music that has either been included in their most recent project or the influence music has had on their work overall. Dennis Mahagin is a poet and musician from Washington. His first book of verse, Grand Mal, is available at Rebel... Continue reading

Posted Sep 25, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Lost Gems: "Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n' the Tears

By Jim Pace Song: Driver's Seat Artist: Sniff ‘n’ the Tears Released: 1978 Genre: Power Pop In the car, some songs get you there quicker, but you still arrive late. We've all felt it; you're driving along, oblivious to everything, when a certain song comes on the radio and suddenly,... Continue reading

Posted Sep 24, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Indie Spotlight: Twincities

Riffraf's Indie Spotlight is our attempt to shed some light on indie artists around the world who have been creating music, recording and touring without the support of a label or major financial backing. Chapman, Jay Leibowitz, Jem Warren, The Active Set, Joanne Weaver, Boiled in Lead, Holly & Evan... Continue reading

Posted Sep 23, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Greatest Album Covers: Unknown Pleasures

Most of us aren't even sure what we're looking at. Is it a mountain range? Is it a clump of waves? Somebody give us a clue! Whether you know what the design is or not, you ultimately identify the striking image with the post-punk band Joy Division. And that's precisely... Continue reading

Posted Sep 20, 2012 at RiffRaf

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5 Amazing Autumnal Tracks

Autumn in New York. Ahhhh!!!! My season of choice. Spring may be the season of rebirth, but for me autumn is the season of possibility. Okay, so it's not quite fall - it officially arrives September 22nd - but can't you just feel the crisp autumn air on the back... Continue reading

Posted Sep 19, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Indie Spotlight: Surrender the Fall

In 2005, Memphis musician Jared Cole was looking for something new. Cole had a specific vision in mind and began recruiting musicians who were at a crossroads: one had lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, another was an athlete who suffered a career-ending injury, and the other two were just looking... Continue reading

Posted Sep 18, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Lost Gems: "Plenty is Never Enough" by Tenement Halls

By Jim Pace Song: Plenty is Never Enough Artist: Tenement Halls Released: 2005 Genre: Indie Pop/Rock Tenement Halls slipped by me and that makes me want to send the car stereo bouncing across the highway. Let me explain. I like to think I'm always hip to the latest and greatest... Continue reading

Posted Sep 17, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Indie Spotlight: Holly & Evan

Riffraf's Indie Spotlight is our attempt to shed some light on indie artists around the world who have been creating music, recording and touring without the support of a label or major financial backing. Chapman, Jay Leibowitz, Jem Warren, The Active Set, Joanne Weaver, Boiled in Lead and Birdeatsbaby are... Continue reading

Posted Sep 16, 2012 at RiffRaf

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10 Great Rock Documentaries (Part II)

By Elford Alley The Great Rock And Roll Swindle In 1980, Julien Temple created a mockumentary about the Sex Pistols with the band and management’s full cooperation. What followed was a 103 minute saga detailing the band’s rise and fall through the eyes of their manager Malcolm McLaren who claims... Continue reading

Posted Sep 14, 2012 at RiffRaf

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10 Great Rock Documentaries (Part I)

By Elford Alley The greatest rock documentaries promise drugs, debauchery, clashing egos and raging neuroses of ordinary people becoming extraordinary icons. Some, like The Beatles' documentary Let It Be, even offer a glimpse into a band’s complete collapse. There are tons of amazing rock documentaries that deliver more than promised... Continue reading

Posted Sep 13, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Rob Schwimmer: Theremin Hero

Russian physicist Lev Sergeyevich Termen (Leon Theremin) invented the theremin in 1919. What's a theremin, you ask? A theremin is the only instrument that generates sound without being touched. It is one of the first electronic instruments, inspiring the development of the synthesizer. Originally intended for classical music performance, the... Continue reading

Posted Sep 12, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Ten Things About Neil Finn

Some musicians just play music. They're not interested in awards, gracing magazine covers or any of the media hoopla that can endanger their artistic endeavors. Although Neil Finn has had a wildly successful career - Split Enz, Crowded House and Finn Brothers (not to mention his solo career) - he... Continue reading

Posted Sep 11, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Lost Gems: "Keep on Knocking" by Death

By Jim Pace Song: Keep on Knocking Artist: Death Released: 1976 Genre: Proto Punk In the early 70s, the Hackney brothers were playing R & B in their parents' garage, but after seeing Alice Cooper and The Who, respectively, they decided to become a hard rock band. Bobby handled the... Continue reading

Posted Sep 10, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Songwriting 101: Steve Forbert

Steve Forbert is grateful for having written "Romeo's Tune," which reached #11 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1979. Thirty-three years later, the singer-songwriter maintains a positive attitude, still thankful for the opportunities his highest charting song has given him. Although he hasn't aged very much physically - still baby-faced... Continue reading

Posted Sep 6, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Riffraf's September Music Preview

As we usher in a new school year, it's time to hang up your surfboard, put away your sunblock and head out to Staples and purchase your pencil cases, pink erasers and spiral notebooks. Every autumn is accompanied by a glut of new music. Riffraf has been anxiously waiting for... Continue reading

Posted Sep 5, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Indie Spotlight: Jay Leibowitz

When you're born at the Jersey Shore the same year Born to Run is released, it's more than likely that a little Bruce Springsteen might have slipped into your DNA. When singer-songwriter Jay Leibowitz started making music on the keyboard he bought with his bar mitzvah money, The Boss' musical... Continue reading

Posted Sep 4, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Best of Lost Gems: "Starry Eyes" by The Records

By Jim Pace Song: Starry Eyes Artist: The Records Released: 1979 Genre: Power Pop "The British Big Star." Those four words have already sent some of you racing over to iTunes. The rest of you are asking, "Who's Big Star?" That's unfortunate. Not as unfortunate as some younger folks asking,... Continue reading

Posted Sep 3, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Best of Riffraf: 5 Awesome Music Videos

I'm old enough to remember when MTV took to the airwaves - August 1, 1981. It didn't take long before the music channel assaulted all of us with its slogan, "I want my MTV." I remember the cheesy promotional photos of the Apollo 11 moon landing, with the flag featuring... Continue reading

Posted Aug 31, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Best of Riffraf: Ringo Starr: Great Musician or Just a Guy Who Likes to Party With Them?

Just because Ringo Starr had the good fortune of being a member of the Fab Four, did he really earn the moniker? Should The Beatles' nickname have been The Fab Three and a drummer named Ringo? Ringo’s a fabulously, peaceful man. He’s a fabulous personality. He has a fabulous sense... Continue reading

Posted Aug 30, 2012 at RiffRaf

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Best of Riffraf: Top 5 Bruce Springsteen Albums

On March 6th, Bruce Springsteen released his 17th studio album, Wrecking Ball. It's The Boss' first record since Clarence Clemons passed away last June. "Land of Hope and Dreams" has been dedicated to Clemons who performs on the album. The rest of the E Street Band has also contributed to... Continue reading

Posted Aug 29, 2012 at RiffRaf

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