Roger Rivas

Roger Thomas Rivas (born July 19, 1981) is an American musician best known for his work with bands The Aggrolites & The Bullets. Roger is the founder and owner of Rivas Records. He is known for his unique reggae keyboard styling as well as his role as producer and engineer. Roger is the son of "Tierra" Keyboardist Roger Rivas Sr.
Early life
Roger grew up in Azusa, CA. A Suburb of Los Angeles CA. While growing up in Azusa, Rivas would form and play in many bands that were influenced by Jamaican Ska & Reggae. While in high school Roger taught himself Piano and later Organ. Roger quotes "Piano and Organ have the obvious similarities, however there are tons of different characteristics to the organ that the piano does not have. 2 vastly different instruments." In the midst of being an important part of the local music scene, it would be during this time that Rivas would start his role as a Song Writer, Producer, & Engineer. " I remember my dad buying me my first 4-track. I wore
that thing to the ground. Recording bands around town would rapidly teach me the fundamentals of the recording process".
Roger Rivas Sr's Influence
His father Roger Rivas Sr. was a crucial part in the "Brown Sound" of East L.A playing keyboards for the legendary group known as Tierra. At a very young age Roger Jr would be introduced to many musicians in the Los Angeles circuit. Members from WAR, Malo, El Chicano, Thee Midnigters and more. Much of Roger Jrs musical taste is owed to his father. A big testament to this was his introduction to L.A oldies. Roger quotes saying: " That whole L.A oldie sound shares so much with Jamaican music. Any lover of The Techniques is gonna easily love Sly,Slick, and Wicked. Any lover of Gene Chandler is gonna dig Alton Ellis ."
The Vessels & Everton Blender
Out of high school Roger had joined Inland Empires "The Vessels". The Vessels were greatly influenced by the original Jamaican reggae and the characteristics of the sub genre known as "Skinhead Reggae". During this time Roger was getting session work recording for Boston reggae producer and Heartbeat Records A&R boss, Chris Wilson. Holding the sessions at Signet Sound Studios (formerly Motown L.A.) The material recorded during those sessions were used for Everton Blender's 'King Man' album released in 2003. 'King Man' featured an all-star Jamaican cast such as Joseph Hill of Culture, deejay Scotty, trombonist Nambo, and Dean Frazer on sax.
Formation of The Aggrolites
The original line up for The Aggrolites all met at a recording session for Jamaican Ska/Reggae Legend Derrick Morgan. Though the material done at this session never came out, this led to a relationship among the musicians that would lead to them playing live under the name The Aggrolites. The band would then go on to record their debut album "Dirty Reggae" which would soon start buzz inside and outside the reggae community worldwide. This would lead to a relationship with Hellcat Records and Rancid front man Tim Armstrong.
== Tim Armstrong's "A Poets Life" ==
Roger collaborated on 11 songs with Rancid front man and Hellcat head Tim Armstrong on his new solo album A Poet's Life. Released on May 22, this CD/DVD includes four music videos featuring The Aggrolites backing Armstrong. For this release, Roger lent his organ and piano duties to the whole album. Roger's signature organ bubble and piano skank can be heard throughout the album.
Aggrolites Further
The Aggrolites would go on to record 5 more albums Self-Titled,Reggae Hit L.A, IV, Rugger Road, and Unleashed Live Vol 1. Being one of the primary songwriters on these albums, Roger touches on such subjects as love, hard times, and the overall life of growing up in Los Angeles. Though the lineup of The Aggrolites has gone through changes, Roger (along with Jesse Wagner) continues to be one of the founding members since 2002. Through the years the Aggrolites have become one of the worlds top revival reggae acts. Touring America & Europe for 10 years, this band has shared the stage with such acts as No Doubt,Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, Social Distortion, Tim Armstrong, Rancid, Bad Religion, Easy Star Allstars, Toots & The Maytals, Madness, Katy Perry, The Pouges, Prince Buster, Slightly Stoopid, 311 & Derrick Morgan amongst others.The Aggrolites showcased their soul-infused reggae at such festivals as Cochella, Leeds & Reading amongst others.The Aggrolites continues to be Rogers primary band. He can be seen on tour with them throughout America and Europe.
The Bullets
In 2009 Roger formed the Los Angeles outfit The Bullets. The Bullets draw influence from original Los Angeles soul/Lowrider oldies as well as Jamaican Rocksteady. With their debut release "Sweet Misery", The Bullets quickly gained mass attention. Though the band has played many shows in the L.A area, they have yet to go on an official tour. The organ drenched instrumentals "Hotter Reggae & Explosion" can be found on the 45 release by Rotten Roll Records. The band will play their first out of state show Jan 2013 in Mexico city & Guadalajara.
Organ Versions Vol 1 & 2
Over the years Roger has released Organ Versions Vol's 1 & 2. Paying homage and staying true to Jamaican music culture, Roger put together a series of songs in which he is playing organ over old recordings of Jamaican reggae and rocksteady rhythms. All these "Versions" are Roger take on the tune. This is a throwback to the days of Jamaica in which there would be an organ version to the more popular vocal version that everyone was use to hearing at the dancehalls. These albums can be found for free download at Roger's Official Website
== Work with 10ft Ganja Plant - "10 Deadly Shots II" ==
In 2011 Roger Rivas fly to Boston to record 10 Foot Ganja Plant's "10 Deadly Shot Vol 2". This album features and showcases Rogers organ brilliance. As the boys of 10 Foot Ganja served as the backing band, Roger was able to sprinkle organ melodies and leads that vary from early 1969 upsetter reggae to roots Studio 1 Jackie Mitto impersonations. This was the second of a series of albums released by 10 foot. It was released on the classic label ROIR.
Rivas Records - Present
In 2012 Roger formed his own label "Rivas Records" which specializes in vintage Reggae and Soul from Los Angeles. Everything from the label is mixed,recorded and produced by Roger himself. The first release from this label was a 45 vinyl single titled which featured the song "First Attack" done by Rogs All stars and the traditional tune "Sabor A Mi" which was done by The Virgos. Roger is currently working on recording the second 45 release which will be available sometime in 2013.
Roger recently lent his mixing/producing skills to the album "Old Time Something Come Back Again" by Los Angeles reggae outfit The Expanders. This album is available for free download from Expanders Official Website. In January 2013 Roger will be taking The Bullets to Mexico to perform rare concerts in Guadalajara and Mexico
city.
Organ/Piano Styling and Playing.
Roger's organ playing is a very unique blend of inspirations from Jamaican organ/piano players as well as American soul/funk keyboard players. The percussive playing of Roger can be compared to that of a drummer. Roger is able to maneuver around the keyboard in a fast manner all the while maintaining a classic reggae locked in groove. You can hear comparisons to famous keyboard players such as Jackie Mittoo, Winston Wright, Walter Wanderley, , & Gladstone Anderson. Roger is fluent in every genre of Jamaican music including Ska, Rocksteady, 1969 Reggae, Rockers & Roots Reggae.
Roger Has Played on The Following Albums
* The Aggrolites - Dirty Reggae (Axe Records)
* The Aggrolites - Self Titled (Hellcat Records)
* The Aggrolites - Reggae Hit L.A (Hellcat Records)
* The Aggrolites - IV (Hellcat Records)
* The Aggrolites - Rugged Road (Young Cub Records)
* The Aggrolites - Unleashed Live Vol 1 (Self Released)
* Tim Armstrong - A Poets Life (Hellcat Records)
* Roger Rivas - Organ Versions Vol.1 (Self Released)
* Roger Rivas - Organ Versions Vol.2 (Self Released)
* The Upbeat - Shuku (Self Released)
* The Bullets - Sweet Misery (Jump Up Records)
* The Expanders - Self Titled (Broken Complex Records)
* 10 ft Ganja Plant - Deadly SHots Vol 2 (ROIR)
* Rogers All Stars - First Attack (Rivas Records)
* The Virgos - Sabor A Mi (Rivas Records)

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