Originally formed in 1979 The Rifffsmanaged to capture the imagination of the Maltese youth culture of that time by actively performing around the Island with a new approach towards Live concerts and by securing a record deal with a UK independent record company, 'Alternative Music’. This culminated in the release of one of the most influential Maltese records of the early 80s, ‘Dance Music for the 80’s Depression’. Fast forward 35 years , the band are still treating their fans to exiting news breaking new grounds.
Following a string of releases from their latest album ‘Can’t Stop The People’ , namely ‘ Whole Lot of money ‘ and ‘Start the revolution’ The band now bring us a new song entitled ‘ Bad Seeds’ . The track features the legendary Neville Staple from The Specials , who is well known as the original Rude Boy as his autobiography confirms. The new music video shot in UK and Malta includes both the band and Neville Staple .
‘It’s truly an honour, to have one of our idols , an international music icon, who inspired so many artists around the globe to join us on this track .’ said Ray Mercieca lead singer from the Rifffs as well as ‘The Characters’ fame.
Another great news coincides with the fact that Neville Staple and his band will also be in Malta as one of the headliners at Earth garden festival, marking it’s 10 year anniversary this coming 3rd- 5th June . The Rifffs are also one of the headliners this year and the fans will be in for quite a treat
If that wasn’t enough The Rifffs have been also invited to perform at therespected and very well attended Boomtown fair in UK this coming August - www.boomtownfair.co.uk For the last 5 years the band have had shows in Eastern Europe , Germany and UK.
‘This is quite an achievement for any band let alone a local act . These are exciting times for the band and since their first album ‘ Moonstomp ‘ which got international acclaim I’m glad to see the band get more recognition and living to their reputation established as one of the pioneers of local music ‘ said their manager Howard Keith from Jagged House Management.
More info about the band can be found on their website : as well as their facebook page :
www.therifffs.comas well as their facebook page :
www.facebook.com/therifffsmtMusic News Malta Editor -- Mr Joseph Portelli
