Rippo History: An Overview

Rippo History was formed in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1990, emerging from the vibrant 5 College music scene that also gave rise to alternative rock icons such as Dinosaur Jr, The Pixies, and Buffalo Tom. The band distinguished itself by blending elements of rap, rock, funk, and jazz, which quickly earned them a local following and led to the release of their debut record, "'N Din Som."

As they gained popularity, Rippo History became local headliners and returned to the studio to produce their second album, "R House," in 1991. This record topped local charts, achieved strong sales, and generated considerable buzz throughout the region. The band's reputation for high-energy live performances helped them fill local venues with enthusiastic crowds.

In 1992, Rippo History made history as the first local band to perform at the UMASS Spring Concert, sharing the stage with notable alternative rock acts such as the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Fishbone, and the Beastie Boys. They expanded their reach by playing at colleges and clubs in Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Recognizing the importance of a central location to leverage their growing success, the band relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1993. There, they solidified their status as a prominent live act, performing at various festivals, clubs, and colleges across the region, including shows in New York City, Maine, and New Hampshire. In 1994, they released their follow-up album, "Butter," which enjoyed commercial success and was distributed by Off Beat Records. The band also received its first nomination for a Boston Music Award and garnered positive press coverage and college radio airplay.

The year 1995 marked another phase of growth for Rippo History, as they sold out many larger venues throughout New England and performed in Pennsylvania and New York. They were nominated for five Boston Phoenix/WFNX Readers Poll Awards. By 1996, Rippo History had established itself as a significant player in the Northeast music scene, winning a Boston Music Award, performing at LaBatt's Funk Fest in Montreal, Canada, and having their music selected as the theme for a season of MTV's "Singled Out."

In the fall of 1996, the band recorded their next album, and in 1997, they released "Swim." The album received national distribution and received favorable reviews from publications such as The Boston Globe, Bass Player Magazine, and the Boston Herald. It also achieved considerable airplay on 155 college and alternative rock stations nationwide, resulting in regional tours and a return to Canada. Building on the success of "Swim," Rippo History performed at the 1998 Montreal Jazz Festival and made their first national television appearance on CBS's "Wild, Wild Web."

In 1999, the band kicked off the year by performing at Boston's renowned First Night Festival and concluded it with a week-long engagement at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville club in Key West, Florida, while also undertaking tours in the Midwest. They returned to the studio to work on the follow-up to "Swim."

The year 2000 began with the release of their fifth record, a three-song EP featuring the catchy single "Superstar," as they continued to tour extensively in the region. In 2001, Rippo History won a Boston Phoenix/WFNX Readers Poll Award and, after 11 years of notable achievements, announced the release of their final record, "R.I.P," scheduled for June. They concluded their journey with a series of farewell shows in August, bidding farewell to their fans in and around the Boston area.