Biography
The Hi-Risers originated in 1998 when Gregory Townson, who supplied vocals and guitar, joined forces with Todd Bradley on vocals and bass. Their partnership stretched back to 1984, the year both entered the Essentials and began performing within Rochester, NY’s underground pop circuit. That act issued the album Gas Money through Earring Records before evolving into the Salamanders, a five-piece dance-rock unit whose lineup added Christopher Earl—known separately under the solo alias the Squires of the Subterrain—on drums along with a younger brother of Bradley and Earl. The Salamanders quickly built a strong local audience that supported their lone release, the 1992 album Livestock in the Living Room.
While maintaining their own schedule, the Salamanders also served as backing musicians for touring figures such as Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Hank Ballard, jazz legend Bill Doggett, Bootsy Collins, and Pee Wee Ellis, the architect of James Brown’s celebrated 1960s band. They further joined soul great John Ellison to produce his 1993 album Welcome Back, an effort that credited Townson with co-production and mixing. Several departures led to the Salamanders’ dissolution in 1997, after which Townson accompanied Ellison on a European tour and Bradley teamed with Earl to form the hillbilly duo the Rosey Beats, which delivered the six-song cassette-only EP Life Is Rosey on Earl’s Rocket Racket Records.
Townson’s return the next year prompted a reunion with Bradley and Earl that established the original Hi-Risers roster. Earl later stepped aside for Jim Symonds, a veteran drummer who had spent the prior fifteen years with Bobby Henrie and the Goners and had shared stages with the Crickets and Johnny Paycheck. The resulting trio cut their debut CD, Panic!, for 2-Bit Records in 1998, drawing favorable notice that reached London. After expanding their Rochester following over the ensuing years, they resumed recording in early 2001 to complete the album In the Spotlight.
While maintaining their own schedule, the Salamanders also served as backing musicians for touring figures such as Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Hank Ballard, jazz legend Bill Doggett, Bootsy Collins, and Pee Wee Ellis, the architect of James Brown’s celebrated 1960s band. They further joined soul great John Ellison to produce his 1993 album Welcome Back, an effort that credited Townson with co-production and mixing. Several departures led to the Salamanders’ dissolution in 1997, after which Townson accompanied Ellison on a European tour and Bradley teamed with Earl to form the hillbilly duo the Rosey Beats, which delivered the six-song cassette-only EP Life Is Rosey on Earl’s Rocket Racket Records.
Townson’s return the next year prompted a reunion with Bradley and Earl that established the original Hi-Risers roster. Earl later stepped aside for Jim Symonds, a veteran drummer who had spent the prior fifteen years with Bobby Henrie and the Goners and had shared stages with the Crickets and Johnny Paycheck. The resulting trio cut their debut CD, Panic!, for 2-Bit Records in 1998, drawing favorable notice that reached London. After expanding their Rochester following over the ensuing years, they resumed recording in early 2001 to complete the album In the Spotlight.
Albums
Singles
