The all-Newport band Lo-Ryder play the Riverside Tavern on Tuesday, December 18, with Fathead in support.

The band is big on guitar-led anthems but confess a love for hip hop, which distracts them enough from rock to avoid sounding too much like the Stereophonics.

'Everything' has some nice chord changes. Weary sounding, it is almost narcotic in substance, with an emphasis on melody in the guitars, backing a plaintive voice.

Lo-Ryder formed one year ago in the winter of 2000 out of boredom with the local scene, and the lack of any electrifying bands to inspire them.

The line-up was, and is, Charlie Watkins (guitar and lead vocals), Chris Lovell (guitar), Kristian Bishton (bass and backing vocals) and Nathan Woolls (drums).

Charlie, Nathan and Chris had already played together and Kris was an obvious addition, being a long-term friend of Charlie.

For the four months that followed, Lo-Ryder locked themselves away in a rehearsal 'warehouse' where they honed their life affirming anthems, over and over again! Then they were evicted for practising too loud!

* Lo-Ryder play the Riverside Tavern on Tuesday, December 18, with support from Fathead. Entry is free. Fathead kick off at 8pm.