Ride returns to Korea
Ride performs on a stage crowded with guitar effects pedal boards at the O2 Oxford Academy in April 2015. / Courtesy of Carolina Faruolo
By John Redmond
Oxford indie band Ride will perform at Understage in Seoul on Feb. 24 as part of the Asian leg of its world tour.
The reformed band, with all original members, released a new album this month titled “Tomorrow’s Shores.”
Andy Bell (vocals and lead guitar), Mark Gardener (vocals and rhythm guitar), Loz Colbert (drums) and Steve Queralt (bass) formed Ride in Oxford in 1988.
The band was a defining act of the U.K.’s shoegaze scene that emerged in the early 1990s.
Shoegaze is a subgenre of indie and alternative rock, characterized by a mixture of obscured vocals, guitar distortion and effects, feedback and overwhelming volume.
The term “shoegaze” was coined by the British music press to ridicule the minimal stage presence of groups who stood still during live performances in a detached, introspective, non-confrontational state with their heads down. Also, the use of effects pedals meant the guitarists often looked down at their feet during concerts.
Most bands drew from the music of My Bloody Valentine as a template for the genre.
Ride released four albums “Nowhere,” “Going Blank Again,” “Carnival of Light” and “Tarantula” before splitting up in 1996.
The debut “Nowhere” has often been cited as one of the most important shoegaze releases.
Following the breakup, members moved on to various other projects, most notably Bell who played bass for Oasis.
After a lengthy hiatus, Ride reformed in 2014 and sold out headline tours around the world to much critical acclaim, as well as performances at festivals including Coachella, Primavera and Field Day.
The current world tour sees Ride return to Seoul, but will be the first time the band visits China.
Understage is about 400 meters from exit 3 of Hangangjin Station on Line 6.
Tickets cost 77,000 won.
Visit thebandride.com or
for more information.