biographical info
Back in the dark ages known as the year 2000, Guitar player Chris Cameron and Bassist Noel Linsey started jamming on the funk. heavily influenced by Funkadelic, James Brown, and Herbie Hancock as well as countless other old school funk and acid jazz beasts, the boys set out to create a new sound that combined the old funk with new vibes. Once the sounds were beginning to take shape, the boys added Drumtard Colin Sykes to the roster and thus the VibeRiders were born.
In the following years, the boys released their debut self titled EP that included guest appearances by several winnipeg funksters. Their live shows were at very least interesting, featuring surprise guests, strange samples, and strange themes (St. Phatties Day Phat Funk Fest, etc.). One successful tour and several high profile gigs later the boys egos got too large and, in 2003 Noel and Chris moved to Toronto to persue the dream of massive success in the big city. Once there, they hired Alex Sonandso(drums) and Mark Burns(Keys). The sound changed dramatically with the advent of a full time keyboard player as well as a subtle change in musical tastes to include electrojazz, house music, and drum and bass. They played several shows and recorded another EP before once again getting antsy for the road and buggering off for another tour. Mark gracefully declined to join the boys on the road, but Alex hung tight until the tour swung west. The boys found themselves drummerless, stuck in Winnipeg and with 14 days before the Western leg of their tour began. Luckily they found drummer Jamie Todd to join them on the road with a mere week to spare. 7 weeks on the road and the boys returned to Winnipeg battered and beaten but wiser from the experience. The VibeRiders officially disbanded.
In the years to come, Noel went on the form a Dirtbike rock band known to some as Trophy Wife (myspace.com/trophywifeowns) and Chris formed a Circus Folk collective known as All Of Your Friends (myspace.com/allofyourfriends). Original drummer Colin Sykes formed a Space Odyssey in his mountain retreat known as Disasterman (myspace.com/disasterman). Years passed like sand through an hour glass...these are the days of our liv......wait, what I meant to say was in the last year Noel joined chris` All Of Your Friends as well as continued to cultivate Trophy Wife, while Colin and his Disasterman ruled the interior of British Columbia. And then suddenly:
Disasterman toured into Winnipeg. Colin was going to be in town for a couple of weeks. Trophy Wife had a last minute show at the Cavern and not enough material to fulfill the 3 hour allotment. One night over several lagers at the local watering hole the three original VibeRiders decided to reunite for one show. 3 days of practice and they found themselves on stage. (incidentally, Noels childhood friend and professional keyboard player Eric Gilson happened to be at the club and joined the boys on stage for two glorious sets of improvised strangeness. Thanks buddy, you Rule!)
So now, Chris and Noel (who have been working on material for a recording project) are hard at work with Drummer Colin recording a couple of drum tracks before he has to go back to his mountain fortress. What does this mean for the VibeRiders? Are they back? No one knows for sure, but do stay tuned gentle reader, as The VibeRiders may have a couple of tricks up their sleeves yet!