Riddlin' Kids

Riddlin' Kids (sometimes referred to as RK) was a punk rock band from Austin, Texas and was made up of Clint Baker (guitar and vocals), Dustin Stroud (guitar and vocals), Mark Johnson (bass), and Dave Keel (drums).

History

1999-2005

Stroud and Baker met at a local pizza parlor in Austin where they both worked and formed "Igmo" (derived from Ignorant Motherfucker).^[1] Following the departure of Mikey Baker,^[2] brother of lead singer Clint, the group decided to rename their band after Ritalin, the drug commonly used in children to treat attention deficit disorder. Following this name change, Keel and Johnson joined the band, and the Riddlin' Kids released a 500-copy limited edition EP entitled What Does it Matter? on KYQ Records. The band followed with another EP, Any Day Now, which they sold as they toured with Goldfinger and Reel Big Fish. The band's audience began to grow as they received airtime on KROX-FM in Austin.^[3]

The band released their first full album entitled Hurry Up and Wait on August 6, 2002 featuring "I Feel Fine", which was featured in the 2002 movie Orange County.^[4] The band also made a music video for this track, based on the movie Loverboy starring Patrick Dempsey. In addition, the song "Pick Up the Pieces" was featured in the soundtrack for the video game ATV Offroad Fury 2,^[5] and in the movie Extreme Ops.^[6] The band toured for over two years to promote their first album.^[7] The Riddlin' Kids' second album, Stop the World, was released on October 22, 2004. "Never Live it Down" and "Stop the World" became the Riddlin' Kids' next singles, and the latter was featured on MX vs. ATV Unleashed's soundtrack.

Riddlin' Kids won "Best Alternative Rock/Punk Band" at the 2001-2002 Austin Music Awards.^[8] They were also nominated in the same year for "Best Rock Band", "Best Single" (for "Blind"), and "Best Pop Band".

After heavily touring for over 5 years to promote their two albums, the band began to feel quite "burned out". Riddlin' Kids mutually agreed to break up in August 2005.^[9]

2006-present (solo careers)

Following the break-up, Johnson formed the rock band New Disaster,^[10] who released their first album entitled Last Night Rites in February 2008.^[11] Baker and Keel are currently working on a project entitled Vegas Bomb, previously named "Clint's Junior Orchestra" and "Twenty Questions".^[12] Stroud formed Say Hello to the Angels and signed with Altercation Records and released 3 albums on the label.^[13] Stroud was the focus of the documentary "Leave It All Behind" premiered at CBGB's Music - Film Festival 2013 and was featured by popular alternative music webzine AbsolutePunk.net^[14]

Baker also had a cameo appearance in the Fox hit TV show House.^[15] In addition, Paul Ebersold, the producer for two of the Riddlin' Kids' albums, helped to record the demos tracks for Baker and Keel's new project. Some of these songs may be part of the soundtrack for the new movie Weekend Junkies.

Riddlin' Kids reformed for a reunion show in Austin at the Red Eyed Fly with Rubberhed, Born to Lose, and The Banner Year on September 25, 2009.^[16]

In March 2010, Riddlin' Kids played two additional reunion shows in Austin.^[17]

Band members

• Clint Baker, guitar and vocals
• Dustin Stroud, guitar and vocals
• Mark Johnson, bass
• Dave Keel, drums

Discography

Extended Plays

• What Does it Matter? (2001)
• Any Day Now (2002)

Studio albums

• Hurry Up and Wait (2002)
• Stop the World (2004)

References

External links

• Official Website
• Live Video of "Crazy" from Hurry Up and Wait at sonymusic.com