Birch Riley is Shawn Thompson (bass), Rick Sloot (drums), Wes Hlebichuk (guitar/vox)
Next EP, 3 is coming out soon- check out the sick artwork by our drummer Rick:
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BIRCH RILEY is a tight, mesmerizing band to see live. Lead singer and guitarist Wes Hlebichuk, bassist and violin player (among other things) Shawn Thompson, and drummer Rick Sloot are hard to pinpoint. They quickly move from hard and/or extended prog rock themes to modern or indie rock originals that have the makings of hit songs (the kind that ring through your head while you drive down the road).
Recently the trio put together an EP called "3". Three songs and three ever so slightly different musical flavors emanate from this Seattle record. The "3" CD only hints at the fun this "musician's band" has while stretching its legs and testing its limits. But "3" is, at the same time, a satisfying taste of what may be headed our way in the future.
"3" includes a straight ahead, guitar driven, rocker "hit" called CEST LA VIE which promises to have your head...or some body part bobbing. 6 FEET UNDER follows...teasing those starving for a hook laden song with a plate of surprise changes and cool instrumentation, to include Shawn Thompson on violin and cello. The last tune, THROWN TO THE WOLVES, is a pushed, in your face, latin rock effort that speeds you through a set of passages layered with guest backing vocals, a surprise horn section, loud guitar and a radically present vocalist. Not for the faint of heart.
Birch Riley is not for lovers of "same same". They count on those who want to be thrown a few unknowns, run through territories with strange twists and turns, and pushed wide eyed with pedal to the metal, get outa my way, rock n roll music of old. Enjoy the ride!