hard rock alternative band Reach NYC has a new single and video out in ‘Ride Or Die‘, ahead of their sophomore studio album following their worldwide signing to German record label AFM Records.
The album will feature special appearances by Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, Kiiara, Roach, Sonny and Marcos from P.O.D; Joey Santiago from The Pixies and Sendog from Cypress Hill.
“‘Ride or Die’ is for the people in your life that have your back and you have there’s unconditionally. ‘No questions ask I got you no matter what,'” said Reach NYC frontman Rene Mata. “Musically we drew from our favourite period of music the 90s. We have so much love for the music in that era. “
Some of the bands that inspired us are Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Jane’s Addiction. We wrote the song with a big musical influence on us and great friend Walter schreifels. His band Quicksand were huge for us.
“When I was writing the lyrics I had a reading from Theresa Caputo the Long Island medium. She told the person who I was writing the song about knows your writing it. I didn’t tell one person I was writing ‘Ride Or Die’ . If you listen to the podcast you’ll here it in real time. Writing the song was amazing group effort with Nick and Dante coming up with the music on the choruses . New guitarist AJ came up with opening riff with Dante Walter and our producer Cass Dillon. New bassist Tim Robbins came up a beautiful baseline in bridge. The melodies I wanted something simple on verse and explosive on pre chorus & Choruses . The lyrics well they couldn’t be more personal.”
P.O.D.‘s Marcos Curiel plays additional guitars on ‘Ride Or Die’ – you can check out the video for it here at RAMzine.
Reach NYC was formed on Long Island in 1996. The band was active on the New York scene, frequently rocking infamous haunts like CBGB’s alongside the heavy hitting Papa Roach and System Of A Down, and festivals like Vans Warped Tour. Originally named Reach 454, they caught a break when Lava/Atlantic president Jason Flom signed them after a strong performance at a label showcase. The band entered the studio in 2002 with producer Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Evanescence), and emerged in the summer of 2003 with their self-titled debut. The album showcased their dynamic melodic shifts and riff-heavy guitar work. The band fell on hard times in 2004 and took an indefinite hiatus.
Throughout the years, Chester Bennington, one of the closest friends of Reach NYC vocalist Rene Mata, expressed to Rene how important it was for him to keep playing music. The last time they were together in NYC, they hosted a dinner hang with Jacoby, Tobin, and Tony from Papa Roach, Matt Sorum, Marcos of P.O.D., and Rob from Volbeat. While enjoying their dinner, Bennington presented the idea of wanting to put together a tour for the following year with Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Deftones, System Of A Down, Papa Roach and wanted Reach to open. Disastrously, Bennington passed away that same July of 2017, and Mata fell into a dark depression for a while.
In 2019, Reach NYC drummer Dante and Marcos Curiel encouraged Mata to put the band back together and open for P.O.D. in NYC. It was the band’s first show since 2004, and it quickly rekindled their friendship and their love of music. Their love for creating music, as well as the importance of friends and family, renewed their dedication to keep the project going.
On October 9th 2020, Reach NYC returned to the airwaves with a new EP titled, Back From The Dead, their first release in 17 years, also featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach. The EP was mixed by Jay Baumgardner and mastered by Howie Weinberg in Los Angeles.
Then, in April 2023, they returned with ‘Killing Time’, about which Joey Santiago of The Pixies said: “Riffs galore powerful song what more do you want?” with John Temptesta of The Cult agreed, “My NY bros Reach NYC knock it out of the park with their new single, ‘Killing Time’! Song is very catchy with great hooks and melodies. Excellent production!“
“The song is about my internal fight with myself after losing a close friend. I had relapsed after 25 years of sobriety and had fallen into a massive depression after Chester passed away,” said the lead singer. “The video is the chaos in my subconscious in relapse & depression. A full-on war in my heart, head and soul. Without recovery, family, friends I wouldn’t have made it out alive. I know the band conveyed it in there playing and recording of the song.”
Joey Santiago of The Pixies commented: “Riffs galore powerful song what more do you want?” with John Temptesta of The Cult agreed, “My NY bros Reach NYC knock it out of the park with their new single, ‘Killing Time’! Song is very catchy with great hooks and melodies. Excellent production!“
The newly titled Reach NYC features Rene Mata on vocals, Dante Renzi on drums, Nick Cavagnaro (guitars, vocals) and more recently adding young guns AJ Chiarella on guitars and vocals as well as bassist Tim Robbins. The band quickly got back to the stage, and returned to the New York scene performing with longtime friends Quicksand at the Bowery, and made an appearance at Danny Wimmer’s historic Welcome To Rockville festival in Daytona, FL in 2021. Most recently, Reach NYC signed a new international deal with AFM Records and is currently recording their sophomore album that is set to release in 2023.
