Rise Phoenix Rise

Jessica Savrock For Blue Weekly

 

Who says rock stars can’t be down to earth?

According to “Gibson,” the lead singer of Rise Phoenix Rise, the members of his band are not like typical musicians. Playing an average of 20 shows a month all across the eastern half of the country makes for some very tired boys, Gibson says.

“We are very boring,” he said. “There’s not really a lot of partying going on. Most people have a preconceived notion of what bands are like, and I’m sure some are, but we just tend to pack the stuff up and head to the hotel for movies and video games” after the shows.

Seriously, “I don’t think that people realize all of the work and sacrifice that goes into the shows,” he added. “Being on stage is the easy part. That’s the reward.”

Playing a mix of covers and originals, Rise Phoenix Rise hopes to someday have the opportunity to perform all originals.

“The plus side of performing cover songs is that we have the opportunity to expose our original music to many more individuals,” Gibson said. “Our stage presence and resulting stage show is, in my opinion, what sets us apart from most other bands.”

“We try to make the live experience as entertaining as we can,” he added. “The fans are the reason that we are able to do what we do, and we try to give them back as much as possible.”

Rise Phoenix Rise was formed earlier this year after Rob Hampton, former drummer for Poptart Monkeys, met Gibson while on tour in Tennessee. The two then recruited two guitarists — Jarrod Griffith and Chris Bishop — from Gibson’s former band, Good Speed. The group then added bassist Ronnie Williams to round out the lineup.

Since its start earlier this year, RPR has seen many successes. The band performed on the 2007 Vans Warped Tour, and recently released its debut CD, “The Land of Oohs and Ahhs.”

“I would have to say the releasing of our debut disc and then having our first single ‘Walk Away,’ on both the alternative and active rock charts is at the top of my list [of accomplishments],” Gibson said. “I hope that it continues to gain more air play and exposes more people to the band.”

Gibson also said the Warped Tour was one of the band’s biggest moments to date.

“To have a chance to see some of the best/most popular bands at the moment performing to the masses was very inspiring,” Gibson said. “Playing our set was fantastic, but everything else that came along with it was more than we could have imagined.”

Often compared to bands such as Foo Fighters and Jimmy Eat World, Rise Phoenix Rise will bring its sound to Altoona at 10 p.m. Saturday at 4D’s.

“We like to have a good time on stage, and we hope that we can convey that feeling to the audience,” Gibson said. “If they have a good time, we have a better time. The energy and interaction just snowball after that.”

Members:

Gibson – Vocals Rob Hampton – Drums Jarrod Griffith – Guitar Chris Bishop – Guitar Ronnie Williams – Bass

For more information:

www.risephoenixrise.comwww.myspace.com/rprmusic

Next shows:

10 p.m. Saturday 4D’s Lounge Altoona