1. Riot spra… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists that perform under the name:
1. Riot sprang from the basement of Mark Reale's home in Brooklyn, NY in the summer of 1976. In 1977 they had recorded and released their first album "Rock City" for New York's Firesign Records. Able to to obtain various licensing deals throughout the world, "Rock City" quickly found an audience. Capitol Records quickly signed Riot, who soon entered the studio to record their second album "Narita" which would be released in 1979. It was in 1981, however, that Riot released what is considered by most fans to be the band's most definitive album "Fire Down Under".
Early History
Riot began when Kon-Tiki members Mark Reale (guitar) and Peter Bitelli (drums) recruited Phil Fiet (bass) and Guy Speranza (vocals) and recorded a four-track demo which they hoped would be included in a proposed compilation of new rock bands. While waiting for the project to get off the ground they added Steve Costello on keyboards.
Reale took the various demos to New York based producer Steve Loeb, who also owned Greene Street Recording Studio and the independent label Fire-Sign Records. Loeb turned down the compilation proposal but signed Riot. The band added second guitarist Louie Kouvais, replaced Fiet with Jimmy Iommi and recorded its debut album, Rock City. After a promising start and support slots with AC/DC and Molly Hatchet, the band were unable to maintain momentum, and were on the verge of breaking up for good by 1979.
In that year however, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal took off, and the band came to the attention of Neal Kay who spread the word about them in Britain. British fans bought imported copies of Rock City which was recorded and produced by Steve Loeb and released on Loeb's Fire Sign Records. Encouraged, Loeb recorded the band's new album Narita. In the course of recording, Kouvaris was replaced by band roadie Rick Ventura.
Subsequent to a successful support of Sammy Hagar on his US Texas tour Capitol Records offered Riot a worldwide deal for Narita, mostly to support Hagar. Capitol and Hagar needed a harder, younger edge to associate with him, so Riot was chosen if they agreed to support Hagar on his UK tour. Hagar and Riot had a successful tour, but Riot was dropped by Capitol as soon as they were finished promoting Hagar.
Riot's management, Billy Arnell, Ezra Cook and producer Steve Loeb spent their last dollars remaining from the Capitol advance retaining important indie FM radio promotions to promote the Riot album. They put it on as many radio stations around the country as possible, thus raising the radio profile enough to where Capitol picked up their option for another record. And thus began Riot's biggest selling album titled Fire Down Under.
When the record was completed some months later, Capitol turned the record down calling it "commercially unacceptable" which put the band in contractual limbo. Capitol also refused to let the band out of the contract and insisted if the band wanted off Capitol, they would have to sue. A campaign was organized and financed by producer Steve Loeb and managers Ezra Cook and Billy Arnell with fans around the world, but especially in the UK where the fans picketed the offices of EMI Records. Finally Elektra Records worked things out with Capitol's Rupert Perry and signed Riot and immediately released Fire Down Under which then soared into the Billboard Top 100 chart.
Breakup and Resurrection
Singer Guy Speranza had difficulty melding his religious convictions with his role in the band and was replaced by Rhett Forrester (b. 22 September 1956 – d. 22 January 1994) for the next album, Restless Breed (1983). Though a striking frontman, any hope of a major breakthrough was sunk by a combination of Forrester's erratic behaviour on the road and a changing of the guard at Elektra. The next album, Born in America, (1984) was self- financed by Steve Loeb and was released on Quality Records, an independent Canadian label. Support melted away, leading to the band's disintegration.
After stints with his own band (Narita) and abortive reformations of Riot, Reale mended fences with producer Steve Loeb in New York. He kept Don Van Stavern from Narita on bass, recruited Bobby Jarzombek (1988 - 1999) on drums and Greene Street Studio Manager Dave Harrington brought in Tony Moore for vocals. A resurrected Riot was born. Loeb cut a four track demo at his Greene Street Studio in Soho NY and along with real estate maven turned rock manager Vince Perazzo brought the band to CBS Associated, who offered the band a worldwide deal. Resultant albums Thundersteel (1988) and Privilege of Power (1990) renewed fan interest around the world, particularly in Japan, where they maintained their strongest subsequent following.
The revived band was from then on dogged by continual personnel and record company changes. But, by virtue of Loeb's willingness to self finance every record that followed until his departure from the production chair in 1995, Riot was able to continue making records. All told, Loeb produced or co-produced 13 Riot albums in his 19 year association with Mark Reale and the different configurations of Riot. Reale continued to steer the band into the turn of the century, releasing albums roughly every couple of years.
Rhett Forrester was shot dead during a robbery in Atlanta Georgia in 1994, and original vocalist Guy Speranza died of pancreatic cancer in 2003.
On January 25, 2012, founding band member Mark Reale died of complications resulting from Crohn's disease at the age of 56. Immediately following his death, the band, featuring the "Thundersteel" lineup, performed several previously-booked east coast shows and the "70,000 Tons of Metal" cruise ship gig without him. A new Riot compilation was released following the shows, and at the request of Mark's father, the name "Riot" was put to rest. However, some former members of the "Thundersteel"-era lineup began work putting together a new band performing music in the same vein as Riot. The band was officially re-launched as "Riot V", the name alluding to the addition of Todd Michael Hall as the fifth official singer, replacing Moore. Van Stavern revealed that Moore had chosen not to continue with the band to spend more time with his family.
In 2014, Nick Lee, a former student at the guitar classes run by Flyntz, joined as the new co-lead guitarist for the band, replacing deceased Reale, and Frank Gilchriest rejoined the band in place of Jarzombek, who had quit the band to focus on his activities with Fates Warning. Their new album Unleash The Fire was released in Japan, under the name Riot, in August 2014. This is the band's first release since the death of Reale.
Todd Michael Hall said about the "V" letter: "The official name for the band is Riot V, but we do have this confusion with the Japanese release versus the European release. I was told that the Japanese record label considered the release to be a continuation of the previous contract with "Riot", so they did not want to use the V"
2. Composing of Tom Davidson & Daniel Magid, is a duo of dubstep producers based in Los Angeles, California. They were originally from Israel.
They have released songs on Monstercat, Dim Mak and Insomniac records.
Killer
Riot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am your only friend, that ain't saying much
I think you know what it's worth
I've got things to do, people to be, I'm a man on the make
You want to stick around, that don't bother me
Long as you got what it takes
I'm still the same
A little stronger, a little faster Half demon, half disaster
He's a killer
When I walk in the door the men drop their drinks
And the woman drop their pants
Ooh man don't get up; what are you thinking ?
We didn't come to dance.
You see the boys and me don't need company
Whatever we want we'll take
We're just looking for thrills, boredom kills
Just want to see you shake
You know my name, you've seen me coming in the mirror
I'm still the same
A little older, a little wiser, a solitary surpriser
He's
I'm the killer
Here's a couple a grand, baby light up
Whatever is mine is ours
I got three or four in a bag in the trunk
That's the privilege of Power
You want love, lust, money, a room with a view
I'll give you everything a love can steal
Come on baby, I'm talking to you
Yeah, it's time to make a deal
You know my name, you've heard me screaming on the radio
I'm still the same
A little sharper, a little cuter, created by computer
He's
I'm the killer
You know my name, you've seen it panted on the
Subway doors
I'm still the same
A little darker, a little thinner, I'm gonna have you for dinner
I'm the killer He's a killer
The lyrics to Riot's song "Killer" depict a dangerous and alluring individual who proclaims himself as "the living end" and "the last man on earth." He sees himself as everyone's only friend, yet, at the same time, emphasizes that "ain't saying much." The singer implies that he is always on the move, always working towards something greater, and invites people to join him as long as they have what it takes to keep up.
The song carries a somewhat dark and seductive tone, as the main character boasts about his abilities to attract people and obtain anything he wants. The lyrics suggest that he is a womanizer, as indicated by the line, "When I walk in the door, the men drop their drinks, and the women drop their pants." Additionally, the song also implies that he has significant wealth and is willing to offer it to someone for the right price.
Interestingly, the chorus repeats the phrase "He's a killer." The use of the third-person pronoun 'he' instead of 'I' creates a sense of detachment from the singer, as if the singer is mocking the character's bravado. Still, the repeated phrase implies that the character is undeniably a dangerous person. The lyrics of the song seem to be cautioning listeners about losing oneself in their pursuit of power and pleasure, as the main character in this song seems to have done.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the living end, I have the touch, the last man on earth
I am an unmatched and supreme being, possessing the power to accomplish anything. I am the sole survivor of humanity.
I am your only friend, that ain't saying much
Although I am the only one you can call a friend, the truth is, it doesn't mean much because I am hardly a friend.
I think you know what it's worth
You are still willing to trust me despite knowing how little I am worth to anyone.
I've got things to do, people to be, I'm a man on the make
I have a lot of things to accomplish, different roles to play, and I am determined to achieve all of it.
You want to stick around, that don't bother me
If you want to stay with me, that's fine by me. It doesn't affect my plans or decisions.
Long as you got what it takes
As long as you have the necessary abilities or traits to keep up with me or be of use to me.
You know my name, you've seen the writing on the barrom wall
You know who I am, you've seen my name or reputation displayed publicly.
I'm still the same
I have not changed, my intentions and personality are still the same.
A little stronger, a little faster Half demon, half disaster
I have grown more powerful, both physically and mentally, but I still possess malevolent tendencies and the potential to cause chaos.
He's a killer
I am someone who causes harm or death to others.
When I walk in the door the men drop their drinks
I am so intimidating that when I enter a room or a place, the men lose their composure or fear me.
And the woman drop their pants
Women are easily swayed by my charisma or reputation for danger, giving in to carnal desires easily.
Ooh man don't get up; what are you thinking ?
Men who try to stand up to me or resist me are foolish and not thinking of the possible consequences.
We didn't come to dance.
I and my group did not come here to party or have a good time. We have other motives and interests.
You see the boys and me don't need company
I and my group are self-sufficient and don't require anyone else's help or input.
Whatever we want we'll take
Anything that we desire, we will claim for ourselves through force or cunning.
We're just looking for thrills, boredom kills
We seek to experience excitement, and monotony or boredom is lethal to our interests or lifestyle.
Just want to see you shake
Our main desire is to make people fear us or tremble in our presence.
You know my name, you've seen me coming in the mirror
You are familiar with me, recognize me due to my reflection in a mirror.
A little older, a little wiser, a solitary surpriser He's
I have aged and become more knowledgeable, but I still prefer solitude and unpredictability in my actions.
Here's a couple a grand, baby light up
I will give you some money, and in exchange, you will provide me with drugs or other services.
Whatever is mine is ours
Everything that I possess is also yours if you are with me or doing something for me.
I got three or four in a bag in the trunk
I have some drugs, most probably illicit substances, in my car trunk.
That's the privilege of Power
Having power, influence, or money makes it easier to obtain what one wants without repercussions or consequences.
You want love, lust, money, a room with a view
You desire different things or experiences like love, lust, wealth, or just a nice place to stay.
I'll give you everything a love can steal
I will provide you with all those things, even if I have to obtain them through dishonest or violent means.
Come on baby, I'm talking to you
I am trying to persuade you to accept my offer or deal.
Yeah, it's time to make a deal
It is the opportune moment to seal an agreement or bargain favorable to my interests.
You've heard me screaming on the radio
You recognize my voice, which is often heard on the radio, most probably expressing extremist or violent opinions.
A little sharper, a little cuter, created by computer He's
I've improved my appearance and image, but only superficially and through the aid of technology.
A little darker, a little thinner, I'm gonna have you for dinner
I have become more ominous and frightening, and you are soon to be at the mercy of my cruel intentions or actions.
I'm the killer
I am someone who causes harm or death to others.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: AMANDA SUDANO RAMIREZ, ABNER PEDRO RAMIREZ, JAMIE MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marvin E Mitcham II
"ATTENTION" , FOR THOSE THAT DIDN'T KNOW, THAT THAT WAS THE INFAMOUS TOWER OF POWER HORN SECTION , MARK REAL KNEW THAT HORNS MIXED WITH METAL , AWESOME~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marvin E Mitcham II
@patricio zazzini AHA!! A REAL ROCK AND ROLL FAN WITH A GREAT MEMORY FOR AMZING ROCK IDOLS GONE BY! I love Joe Lynn Turner. I almost forgot he teamed with Tony Noore ( another badass!!!!) to sing that song , NO WONDER THE HARMONIES WERE SO RICH AND THAT SPLITTING THE VERSES WAS GENIOUS AND THE CHORUS AND BRIDGE SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!!,,,,,,I also saw riot Rainbow, kokus, and Riot, on RIOTS fire down under tour, was also Rainbows long live rock and roll tour and the beginning of krokus's Headhunter tour, ( of course Krokus went off to headline as the lp went gold) BUT, i remember fire down under so much because my first band played outlaw from that lp at my first battle of the bands around 1982-83. We also played 4 other badass cuts from that album, Swords & Tequila, Feel the Same, Altar of the King, and my favorite, No Lies! I miss those guys, Mark Reale could really put good musicians together, even did an underrated album with that bad ass singer from Rough Cutt that Dio found, (loved that song black widow!!!!) name of Paul Shortino,,,,, side trivia, saw Rough Cutts debut Tour as openers for Dio on the last in line tour, and that original Rough Cutt line up saw jake E Lee go on to Ozzy, Craig Goldy go on to do stints with Dio, and Guifria, and Claude schnell go on to play keyboards with Dio!! , lol small world huh? NICE CATCH DUDE!
patricio zazzini
and Joe Lynn turner on vocals on this song.
Brian Keightly
This is the shit , riot has been kicking ass for a long time , great line ups every time.
Ken Watanabe
Best song by Riot till now !
Tacomadome24
Excellent song.
Charlles Xavier
100% heavy metal 🤟🤟🤟
Manny Ruiz
Those are the Tower of Power horns. It works for me. It's metal and funked out.
Russell Crawford
The song killer is an absolute killer I've never heard this much sole in a heavy metal band before it blows my mind it tickles my balls it sucks my nipples and that ain't all
Uncle Remus
Hell yeah 🤟🏻