Riverboat Gamblers is an American punk rock band originally from Denton, Texas, formed in 1997, now residing in Austin, Texas. The band's current line-up comprises vocalist Mike Wiebe, guitarist/voc Fadi El-Assad, guitarist/voc Ian MacDougall, bassist Rob Marchant, and drummer Sam Keir.
History
Formation and early years (1997-2000) In 1997, Fadi El-Assad ("Freddy Castro") (lead guitar) and Patrick Lillard ("Spider Stewart") (bass) formed The Riverboat Gamblers with Mike Wiebe ("Rookie Sensation") (vocals). Lillard's original intention was to emulate Virginia rockers The Candy Snatchers in direct contrast to the popular emo music at the time. Riverboat Gamblers got their start playing house shows throughout Denton and the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Breakthrough and first releases (2001-2004) With guitarist Fadi El-Assad writing the bulk of the music and vocalist Mike Wiebe in charge of lyrics, The Gamblers released their debut self-titled album in September 2001 on Vile Beat Records with it being produced by Texas punk rocker Tim Kerr (Big Boys, Lord High Fixers). They burst out of the Denton college scene at the same time on the back of their self-released 7" single "Jenna (Is A No Show)." The band first received attention from major record labels after their energetic and rowdy showcase at the 2003 South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas, but the band ultimately signed with indie label Gearhead Records. Through this label, The Gamblers released 2003's Something to Crow About in June, which was also produced by Tim Kerr. A music video for the track "What's What" was made from the album. After the warm reception of their sophomore record and a well received European tour, they relocated from Denton, Texas to Austin, Texas.
Their third album Backsides was released in September 2004 through Beatville and Vile Beat Records. The reason for their departure from Gearhead Records was due to a heavy touring schedule.
Label change and success (2005-2008) The Riverboat Gamblers toured with Flogging Molly in early 2005. In April 2005, the band were signed to Volcom Entertainment and performed on Warped Tour 2005. The band then went on tour with Rollins Band and X in the summer of 2006. They also toured with Dead To Me and Joan Jett in the fall of the same year.
The band's fourth and most successful album, To the Confusion of Our Enemies, was released in April 2006 on Volcom Entertainment. Luke Abbey of Gorilla Biscuits formally joined the band in February 2007 after helping with the live shows for a few weeks prior.
Underneath the Owl and MacDougall's bike accident (2009-2010) Underneath the Owl, the Riverboat Gamblers' fifth studio album, was released on March 10, 2009. In June 2009, the band covered Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" for SPIN's Purple Rain tribute album titled "Purplish Rain." They supported Rise Against alongside Rancid on the Appeal To Reason Tour the following summer.
On the night of October 17, 2009, MacDougall was hit by a truck while biking home. He sustained severe injuries but recovered in time for the band to make an appearance on the Warped Tour 2010.
In March 2010, the music video for the single "Robots May Break Your Heart" was released. In June, the band hosted a remix contest for the former single, recorded four tracks for a Daytrotter session available as a free download, and released their own iPhone app.
Just before fall, the band supported Pennywise on their Canadian tour throughout September. Later that year, they covered Bad Religion's "Heaven Is Falling" for the album "Germs of Perfection: A Tribute to Bad Religion." The "free mixtape" was released on October 19, 2010 through SPIN's website.
Second label and The Wolf You Feed (2011-2013) The Riverboat Gamblers were featured on MacDougall and Lillard's side-project Broken Gold's track "Ambulance Faces" in March 2011.
The band co-headlined a nationwide U.S. tour with Dead To Me and Off With Their Heads the summer of 2011 and released a three-way split that was only available to those attending. In July, it was announced that the band signed to Paper + Plastick Records and would release their EP "Smash/Grab" along with the free song "The Ol' Smash and Grab." After the tour, they returned to the studio to finish their sixth studio album. In November 2011, "The Ol' Smash and Grab" music video was released.