Rippo History, an Abridged Version...
Formed in Amherst MA in 1990 emerged from the 5
College music scene that also generated alternative rock heroes
such as Dinosaur Jr, The Pixies and Buffalo Tom, the band blended
rap, rock, funk and jazz elements which quickly drew a local following
and produced the bands first record " 'N Din Som".
Quickly becoming local headliners the band returned
to the studio and released 1991's "R House", which topped local
charts, sold well and created a buzz about the band around the region.
The band also got a reputation for it's extremely high energy live
show, which caused it to pack local venues.
In 1992 the band became the first local band to
be included at UMASS' Spring Concert and shared the stage with many
alternative rock luminaries including Mighty, Mighty Bosstones,
Fishbone and The Beastie Boys. The band also began appearing at
colleges and clubs in VT,CT and RI.
In 1993, realizing that a central location was
crucial to capitalize on their success, Rippopotamus moved to Boston
MA and expanded on their reputation as a great live band. The band
appeared at festivals, clubs and colleges around the region, including
trips to NYC, ME and NH. When 1994 rolled around the band released
it's follow up to "R House" called "Butter", which sold well and
was distributed by Off Beat Records. The band also received their
first nomination for a Boston Music Award and began receiving press
accolades and college radio airplay.
1995 was another period of expansion for the band,
selling out many of the larger venues around New England and appearing
in PA and NY state. The band was also nominated for 5 Boston Phoenix/WFNX
Readers Poll Awards. In 1996, Rippopotamus arrived as a true player
on the Northeast Region Scene, winning a Boston Music Award, appearing
at LaBatt's Funk Fest in Montreal Canada and having it's music selected
to be theme music for a season of MTV's 'Singled Out' Television
program.
The band also recorded it's follow up to 1994's
"Butter" during the fall. In 1997 Rippopotamus released it's fourth
record "Swim". The record was distributed nationally and received
great reviews in the press including The Boston Globe, Bass Player
Magazine, Boston Herald and more. The record received considerable
radio airplay on 155 college and alternative rock radio stations
across the country resulting in small tours around the region and
a return to Canada. Capitalizing on the success of "Swim" Rippopotamus
appeared at the 1998 Montreal Jazz Festival and on CBS TV's "Wild,
Wild Web" TV Program (the band's first national TV appearance).
In 1999 the band opened the year at Boston's world
famous 'First Night Festival' and closed it with a weeklong stint
at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville club in Key West FL. In between
the band managed a couple of tours of the Midwest. The band also
returned to the studio to work on the follow up to "Swim".
2000 started with the band releasing it's fifth
record a 3 song EP featuring the catchy single "Superstar" and continuing
to tour and perform around the region. In 2001 Rippopotamus won
an Boston Phoenix/WFNX Readers Poll Award and after 11 years of
remarkable work announced the band would release a final record
called "R.I.P" in June play it's final shows.
In August the band said farewell to it's fans at
a series of final shows in and around the Boston area.
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