Dayride Ritual

an outlet to express creativity

As many musicians will tell you, chemistry and connecting on many levels with your band mates is critical. Dayride Ritual has that covered and then some, and it shows when they play together. Whether it's on a stage, or in their private rehearsal studio. These guys just love playing music together. The band is comprised of members that had history together, but separately, all the way back to their teens. Playing in bands together, taking lessons from the same teachers, grinding out songs and live performances to progress musically and continually grow their musical palette."Two of us grew up in the north, and two in the south." Says lead vocalist Michael Vaughn. "Mike Sivo and I grew up in the New York. We played together in one of the later versions of my first original band when I was around 18. That's how long we've known each other." Then it was on to other bands, he continues: "He would come to see my bands, I would go and see his. I remember Mike always had something really cool going on visually as well as musically with whatever band he was in, and I was always into that, and I always loved his drumming style. I knew we'd do something again in the future. We'd still get together and jam every now and then with friends, and we'd keep in touch when we could, but we eventually kind of lost touch with each other, and I had moved to Florida." Years later a mutual friend put them back in touch once Mike moved to south Florida as well. Coincidence ...Maybe.

Some of the band got inspired by friends and/or family members that played. Influences range from artists / bands such as: Led Zeppelin, KISS, Hendrix, to things like STP, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden. Just to name a few. What bought them here would be the common desire to create and express oneself artistically.

Florida music scene

Michael continues: "The jamming with mutual friends began again, and Mike actually got me a cover gig playing down the block from where his cover band was playing in Fort Lauderdale." It lasted about six months until I was dumped because I didn't want to play covers in a bar six nights a week." "It was a very different Florida music scene by then. All the clubs wanted was cover bands. And all bands wanted to do is play covers. Nobody wanted to write a song! Very different from the Florida I used to visit in the old days. Unfortunately, it's still pretty much like that to this day." Meanwhile, back in those old days, David Siclari and Dave Thomas were tearing up what was a really happening local original music scene here in south Florida. Also playing together as well as separately in various bands."There were a lot of places to play back in those days, and we did. We made the rounds playing everywhere we could." Says bassist Dave Thomas."It was a great time." Adds guitarist David Siclari. "There were so many opportunities and places to be seen and heard live and to get your original music out to the people. Not like today."

Over time, musical paths changed, touring and other opportunities came and went, and people did what they felt was right at that time. Then it all comes down to timing. Friends checking in with each other and deciding to re-connect. Dave Thomas and David Siclari would find themselves playing together again and Mike Sivo was on the drums in that band. When that situation didn't work out, the guitarist, bassist, and drummer decided to drop the other two members, and put together what would be their ultimate band.

Mike Sivo called in his long-time friend Michael Vaughn on vocals, and the band was on it's way. Michael Vaughn adds: "When Mike called me and said he had a band that was writing and playing only original material, I said without hesitation... I'M IN!" The lineup was complete and the members of Dayride Ritual came together with a mindset to write "The kind of music that we feel, regardless of what's in at the moment. And NO Covers!"


Self-produced, debut CD

"Dayride Ritual" was released just over a year later."We have that special connection that keeps song ideas continually flowing. We communicate like brothers, and we know how to be a creative team and make great music together." Add to that their explosive live show and you have a can't miss combination. They have been seen at various musical festivals in the south Florida area as well as opening for national acts at local music venues. The band is currently locked away in the studio writing songs for the next CD and rehearsing for more live shows. Drawing on some of their hard rock influences such as: Led Zeppelin, KISS, Guns N' Roses, STP, and Alice in Chains, just to name a few, the four friends got together and started writing. "The chemistry was instant, and the songs started coming together immediately."

The songwriting process goes like this "Basically, one of the guys will come to rehearsal with an idea. We jam on it together, build on it and come up with a basic arrangement. Then, I take it home and come up with vocal melodies and lyrics. When I bring it back, the band will then collectively fine tune it together and come up with a final arrangement. Everyone in the band has a say in everything we write. The latest tunes will be along the same lines as the older tunes. .Hard rock with melody. But obviously we want to push ourselves as artists and see where we can go musically. We have a great time playing together, and it shows." Says drummer Mike Sivo. "There are plenty of laughs at a Dayride Ritual rehearsal. We get the work done, we make great music, and we have a great time doing it. What's better than that?"

Dayride Ritual would like to teach kids about music history in all avenues. To re-establish real musicians again. They are always advocates for a band. "It's the sum of all the individuals and the results are what they are, good or bad... it's gotta be real. Again, leave the pre-recorded tracks and auto-tune at home. Write your own music and play it live. These days, too much success goes to the wrong people, and the business end of the music business is to blame. So, if our contribution could be to have the reputation of being a band that always "brought it," that would be great."

music with the click of a mouse

As far as the effect of the Internet on music, "You can get music with the click of a mouse. And that's great for a band to get exposure, build a fanbase and a following. A band can cover so much more territory online. The internet has made the world a very small place. It's leveled the playing field for a lot of artists. It used to be that a record company was the only way to get your music out to the people. That's not the case anymore. But, gone are the days when you got excited because your favorite band's new album was coming out and you couldn't wait to buy it, take it home, open it up, listen to it, read the liner notes and check out the pictures. There is no feeling like going to see your favorite band live. That's what the song "On With The Show" from our debut CD is all about. The rush that the fan gets from going to see a band, and the rush that the band gets from seeing and playing for the fans. But, you don't have to do that anymore. Just about everything you want to see or hear is online, and much of it is being downloaded illegally. It's just not the same anymore."

The business side can recognize real artists and work with them to help produce real music, rather than just looking to make the next studio created, disposable pop star. On a local level... There needs to be more venues and opportunities for the exposure of original music. If more local venues promoted original music, more people would come out and support it, and once that happened, that would bring the business side back to seeing how it used to be done... LIVE! Come out and see live if an artist/band has got "it." If they do, work with them to produce real music. Everybody wins.

Playing in front of crowds and having them appreciate you is always great. Whether it's opening for a national act, traveling and playing in another city, or just playing a local venue. When you get that energy back from the crowd, it's awesome. When you see them singing your songs back to you, it's just an incredible feeling. Hearing yourself on the radio is pretty cool too!

"In closing, Dayride Ritual would just like to add that we really appreciate the opportunity to bring our music to the people. We feel it, and we hope you do too. And to the local venues that still have original music, and the people that come out and support original bands...We can't thank you enough!" SUPPORT ORIGINAL MUSIC!!!

Michael Vaughn, (Lead Vocals) David Siclari, (Guitars and Backing Vocals) Mike Sivo, (Drums and Backing Vocals) and Dave Thomas (Bass and Backing Vocals) make Dayride Ritual an exceptional band with no limitations and a driving force in the musical world for years to come.
Dayride Ritual is currently working on songs for their follow-up CD and rehearsing for upcoming live shows.
Check out their website: dayrideritual.com and follow them on Facebook.