Biography

James Menefee (Vocals/Bass), Mark Avery (Guitar), Chip Cosby (Guitar), Gregg Brix Brooks (Drums)

River City High has the honor of being considered one of underground rocks hardest-working and most respected bands, by both their peers and growing loyal fan base. Founded in 1999, RCH got off to a quick start and soon found a home at Boston's Big Wheel Recreation, a label whose roster includes such notables as Piebald and early releases by At the Drive In and Jimmy Eat World. In February of 2000, upon the release of their E.P. Richmond Motel, the band feverishly went to work, drawing the attention of Toledos Doghouse Records (home of The All American Rejects, The Get Up Kids and Hot Water Music). After an agreement was made by the two labels to share the band, RCH released River City High Forgets Their Manners in the summer of 2000, followed by River City High Wont Turn Down in the fall of 2001. While supporting these releases, RCH rivaled even the most ambitious bands and established a relentless touring schedule, logging up to 225 shows a year between 2000 and 2003. During this time, the band gained a reputation for their fierce sense of independence, as well as their energetic and entertaining live show. Incorporating covers from the likes of Thin Lizzy and CCR into their set, RCH began to offer a glimpse of what a rock band could offer if it had a sense of reckless abandon and a record collection older than the dawn of the compact disc.

Upon the release of their first full-length on Doghouse Records, RCH had the privilege of touring and sharing the stage with such unlikely bedfellows as The Explosion, The Juliana Theory, Jimmy Eat World, New Found Glory, Taking Back Sunday, Hot Water Music, Flogging Molly, Less Than Jake, Dashboard Confessional, Leatherface, Something Corporate, Coheed and Cambria, Fall Out Boy and Yellowcard, just to name a few. Although the band did not skyrocket to superstardom by association, they made great friends and earned the respect of their now-famous peers by winning the hearts of their fans, one show at a time.

In time, River City High sparked the interest of yet another label, and after a long period of negotiation, the band found its new home at MCA Records. RCH spent the next year writing and demoing for their upcoming major label debut, and when the record was done, they were sited by their label as the next big thing. It was a match made in heaven, right? Band works hard, band gets big record deal. WRONG. For better or worse, MCAs parent company, Universal, decided to dismantle the label, and as fate would have it, MCAs doors closed on the very day the record was delivered to their hands. Fortunately, the good people at Doghouse wanted to help, and in the summer of 2004, an E.P. of new songs entitled Extended Play was released to rave reviews. Although a piece of the bands evolution was hidden from public view, RCH fans loved the new direction.

After touring to support Extended Play, and unfazed by their major label experience, the band took some time away from their natural habitat (the road) to write new material. Meanwhile, their dedication was about to be rewarded. In October of 2004, through their affiliation with AMP Energy Drink, River City High were asked to compete in MTV2s Dew Circuit Breakout, a televised contest for up-and-coming bands that allowed viewers to chose the winner via an online voting poll. Even with stiff competition, including gold-record selling Hawthorne Heights, RCH came out on top with more than a million votes, winning $50,000 and a week-long appearance on MTV2 Rock. MTV2s producers were stunned with RCHs professionalism and their ability to charm the cameras, which verified that RCH were a band that would not stay down, and had not yet even begun to fight.

Putting their prize money to good use, River City High independently funded the recording of their newest material, dubbed Not Enough Saturday Nights, in the summer of 2005. With the album seeing a proper release on Long Beachs Takeover Records this November, RCH are ready to dominate the world of rock. Not Enough Saturday Nights is the bands best work yet; give it a listen and see for yourself. Just belly up to the bar, order a shot of whiskey, and sure enough, you'll be a fan by nights end.