The Riptones

The Riptones fuse rockabilly, retro-country, and blues into an energetic, dance-oriented blend and rank among the more roots-focused acts on Chicago’s freewheeling alt-country circuit. Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Jeb Bonansinga fronts the group, which came together in 1990 with his brother Tod Bonansinga handling vocals and rub board, Earl Carter on bass, Andon T. Davis on guitar, and Tom Harmon on drums. Following several years of regular local performances that cultivated a devoted audience, the band issued its debut self-released effort, Cool Hand, in 1994; that same year a Riptones track surfaced on the Bloodshot Records compilation Insurgent Country, Vol. 1: For a Life of Sin, the label’s inaugural release. The group financed and recorded its second album, World Renowned, in 1996, then joined the Bloodshot roster in 1997 for the release of its third album, Extra Sauce. By 1999 the Riptones had streamlined their sound toward a leaner, harder-rocking direction and reduced the lineup to a trio, with Tod Bonansinga, Andon T. Davis, and Tom Harmon departing while Kurt Wiesend joined on drums; Davis later contributed a guest appearance on the 1999 album Cowboy’s Inn. In 2001 the band introduced its fifth album, Buckshot, along with another personnel shift that saw Perry LaFine replace Wiesend on drums and Michael Krasovech arrive as lead guitarist. By 2003 the group was completing work on the all-instrumental album Slant 6.