Amy Mahon
Glam industri-punk band The Ritualists candidly admit that their sound can only be found coming out of the depths of the underground glam scene: a mix of that ethereal guitar and classic melodramatic lyricism only the Muse and The Cure could pull off (well, except for now). After relishing in the success that was Painted People, they’ve released their single “Baroque and Bleeding,” hinting at their sophomore album’s title and theme. The album was produced by legendary English producer Edmund “Ed” Buller (The Raincoats, Pulp).
Lead vocalist/songwriter Christian Dryden has promised the album will be “an exploration of the importance of being earnest and the pitfalls of being ornate, in an atmosphere that seems to embrace the vapid, safe and mediocre.”
Their new album drops October 22nd, but you can get a taste of it here:
We were lucky enough to ask frontman Christian Dryden our questions for The PROBE.
1) If a roach crashed into your rehearsal space, would you run or would you kill it?
Rehearsing in NYC has sort of numbed us to the fear of these dastardly pests. The truth is, I see them just about weekly, and I leave them alone as long as they don’t get too close. If they do, I have to EXTERMINATE with a swift boot stomp!
2) Does anyone in the band like to play practical jokes? If so, what’s one of the all-time best ones?
Guitarist Dave Andreana & I have a running friendly “dialogue,” shall we say, regarding stage attire. There’s one shirt of his, in particular, that I’ve rather harshly critiqued in the past. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and we were setting up to shoot some live footage for a video release. Dave opens a bag full of potential outfits. He shows us all a few reasonable, legitimate possibilities, which we all ponder, and then, he exclaims, “How about this one?” and pulls out THAT SHIRT, with a serious expression on his face!
3) What’s the last gift you received?
The last gift I received was an awesome, Rolling Stones-esque maroon blazer with white stripes.
4) If you could pick one thing about yourself that you’d like your fans to know, what would it be?
I’d like them to know I truly appreciate their love & adoration. And I absolutely take a mental note of every wonderful comment and/or action they take in support of my art.
5) What music are you listening to lately?
Being that it is “Rocktober,” we are working on including a few offbeat covers into our live repertoire, including an old Pink Floyd gem. Hence, I’ve been on a bit of a Syd Barrett-era Floyd kick!
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