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When Haymaker Riot front-man Jesse G writes a song, you can be fairly certain it will be an upbeat, melodic, crowd-pleaser that will get stuck in your head.
The influences and comparisons made of the band are varied. While influences consist primarily of modern alternative rock and post-punk revival bands such as Radiohead, Interpol, and The Killers, fans say parts of certain songs remind them of groups ranging from Coldplay to Live, Snow Patrol, Spoon, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Live, Gin Blossoms and even a little bit of Southern Rock.
In 2006, Jesse Gronback started performing many of his songs as a solo, acoustic musician in coffee shops around in his native Chapel Hill, North Carolina. As the audience grew and song ideas become more complex, one thing was clear: he needed a full band. In 2007, Haymaker Riot was born.
The first incarnation of the band consisted of a few musician friends (Paul Lanier, drums; Ben Ablin, guitar; Joe Polich, bass guitar) who helped bring the songs in Jesse G's head to life. Even though two of these friends knew their time in North Carolina was limited, they took to playing some small venues around Chapel Hill and Durham in the effort of tightening up their songs so they could eventually make their way into the recording studio. Joe Polich was soon replaced by Marc Alan Sperber on the bass guitar. While working out their songs, the band began to generate some fans. Additionally, clubs liked the band because they consistently drew a decent and very good-looking crowd. Publications started noticing the music as well: the area's weekly alternative, Independent Weekly, began to select their gigs as an "Indy Pick" for the week.
The "Quiet Desperation" EP was recorded at Track and Field Studios, in Carrboro, NC, and was produced by Ultra Fin Riz Productions, Chapel Hill. The album was released in mid-2008 and following a successful CD release party at George's Garage in Durham, the inevitable departure of Lanier and Ablin occurred.
Determined to continue playing, Jesse G and Marc Alan Sperber started auditioning musicians and wound up with a package deal: Steven Worringham (drums) and Todd Bowes (guitar) who had both just quit the Bob Funck Band due to creative differences. Friend of the band Joe Jones also played guitar with the band during some of this changeover and he continues to occasionally stop in as a guest musician, and third guitarist, on "Torch (Quiet Desperation)" and "June" during live performances. With their current lineup in place, Haymaker Riot is once again poised for success. Worringham and Bowes both have years of experience on their instruments and bring their own songs and creative vision to the open arms of Jesse G and Sperber.
Cut to today, mid-2009, the new lineup has about one hour of songs together and is ready to perform. Among the set is the "Quiet Desperation" EP, a Worringham original, a few new Jesse G songs, and a couple of other Haymaker Riot originals. The band is stronger than ever and ready to pick up where they left off.
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