Richie Ramone-Live at Dusk-Providence, RI

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Hard to believe that this was my first show in 2014, but that’s only because Roky Erickson was cancelled two days earlier due to bad weather. Continuing my quest to meet all surviving Ramones before I croak, I ventured out to a new venue that I had not seen a show at before called Dusk.

I arrived about 8:30 PM. The vibe of the place was inviting. Small and intimate, this was going to be an up close and personal show. I decided to do my merch shopping early. Shirt, signed framed poster, drumsticks, and all access pass. I tossed my swag in my car and then headed back in for another adult beverage.

Richie Ramone came on about 10:15. I got a good spot stage right. He started off with the first single from his Entitled album called “Criminal.” He just completed a video of it too-it’s grainy and raw.

Then it was straight into Ramones classics-“Somebody Put Something in My Drink,” “Smash You,” and “I Just Want to Have Something to Do.” They all sounded tight and precise. The crowd was eating it up like Cocoa Puffs. He played some other Ramones songs that he did not play on originally, which was fine by me.

Visually the set really worked well because it was not just Richie behind the drums singing all night. His lead guitarist sang a few tunes. Then the rhythm guitarist would hop over to drums so Richie could sing up front. Good call on getting such a versatile band together. Other songs from his record that sounded killer live were the title track and “Forgotten Years.”

The show ended about 11:30 PM. Richie came out to sign stuff and chat with fans afterwards. So Joey, CJ, and now Richie. I have a couple more drummers to track down and my dream will be realized. Truly entertaining show so catch it live if you can and buy the new record!

Richie Ramone, while not typically as well known as the other members of the Ramones, was an integral part of the band during their middle years, working the kit on the albums Too Tough To Die, Animal Boy and Halfway to Sanity, as well as playing in more than 500 Ramones’ shows and penning the hit “Somebody Put Something in My Drink”. Despite these contributions, he was not inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (neither was C.J.) with the other members of the Ramones in 2002. TS

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Sean Koepenick

Sean Koepenick aka Earthdog grew up in the Washington, DC area. He lives, breathes and eats music, with a sweet tooth for punk rock. He loves his wife and 2 kids, Popeye’s chicken and playing the bass guitar. In his spare time he likes to read books that no one would even think of reading for pleasure like Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s August 1914 and William Shatner’s Teklab. Other favorite authors include Charles Bukowksi, John Fante and George Pelecanos. Fun fact: once drove Joey Ramone to the train station after a radio interview in a crappy Chevy Cavalier affectionately referred to as “the Grannymobile.” Now living in the Boston area, he is also a contributor to Razorcake magazine and currently plays bass guitar in Silver Screams: http://www.silverscreams.us/.

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