Reika Launch New Single ‘Fat Stacks’

They’ve been described as having a Kings of Leon sound, but while the boys at Reika say that’s all good and flattering, they’re ready to break that stereotype and make a sound of their own. I chatted with Robbie Hallam, lead singer of up and coming band Reika.

Robbie, Alex (lead guitar) and Tyson (drums) met like most bands do at school roughly four years ago and ended up meeting Monty (bass) in true rocker style, while drunk at a house party. While they may have met like every other band does, it’s what they do and who they are that make them stand out from the rest.

Most bands fit into a genre, and while currently they’re categorised into ‘Indie Rock’, their music vibe is all about having a good time, and they don’t think Indie Rock quite sums up their jam. Rob said that they’re going with more of a ‘Party Rock’ vibe and genre, and with the number of warehouse gigs and festival slots they’ve performed at, they’re really hitting that nail on the head. These guys definitely know how to put on a show and get their vibes from knowing their audience is rocking out and having a mad time.

Originally the guys were going to be called Rome, but as Rob tells me, ‘There were already three bands called Rome in Melbourne, and we knew we wanted to stand out from the crowd’. So they’ve twisted things around a little, they’re still called Rome, but in Russian, and that’s how they came to be known as Reika.

These guys are literally the most down to earth chillers and when they’re not playing music and performing as Reika, the boys all enjoy hanging out drinking beers on decks with their mates. Rob made sure to mention that that’s not all they do, and they’ve all got something they love to do themselves, Alex is an avid camper, Monty’s the surfer, Tyson DJs under the name Just Add Eggs, and Robbie’s the self professed nerd of the group and enjoys playing Smash Hit on his phone, watching the 7.30 Report and Foreign Correspondent. Their band manager Max isn’t too bad either; he’s always down for a froff or two.

So having just supported Melbourne band North East Party House, Rob tells me Reika has an epic summer coming up. Having released amazing summer roadtrip anthem ‘Coast’ back in April, they’ve just released their new single ‘Fat Stacks’ and have a few festivals lined up. They’ll be releasing their next EP in early 2016, so be sure to keep an eye out for that too.

They’re officially launching ‘Fat Stacks’ on October 30 at the Grace Darling Hotel in Collingwood. They’re keen to party with you, have a couple of froffies and maybe if you’re lucky, they’ll do a couple of shoeys.

‘Fat Stacks’ Launch
The Grace Darling Hotel, 114 Smith Street, Collingwood
Friday October 30, 7:30pm
facebook.com/events/669233223211823