Ray Boyce
Former guitarist and co-founder of the Returnables and M.O.D.E, Ray's solo debut features original roots/pop rock songwriting and powerful guitars. His musical style can be described as hard-edged roots rock with power-pop leanings.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Ray Boyce is the former guitarist and co-founder of the Boston-based band the Returnables, who were a fixture on the Boston club scene from 1991-1993. Highlights of their career included the 1992 CD release "Red", as well as being selected as a semi-finalist in the 1992 Tanqueray Rocks National Talent Contest. Ray is also co-founder, guitarist and keyboard player for The Field of Carrots, a long-running cover band that specializes in quirky power-pop tunes. After the Returnables broke up in 1993, Ray co-founded, and was the guitarist and principal songwriter of, M.O.D.E., another Boston-based band whose sound was much heavier and grittier than the Returnables. Trained as a pianist, Ray started playing guitar just after college and it is now his primary instrument. Ray also plays bass, keyboards and harmonica. These songs were recorded in 1995-1996 on big, fat analog tape at Ducky Carlisle's studio "Room 9 from Outer Space" in South Boston MA, after Ray had left M.O.D.E. and was hoping to put together a new musical project that would reflect his more "rootsy" influences. Recorded, engineered and mixed by Bill Carr, these songs have been released on a CD EP entitled "It Shouldn't Have To Be This Difficult". After taking a musical sabatical for the past several years, Ray is currently starting to pursue a new musical project that would reflect his love of American roots rock n' roll.
Your musical influences
Musical influences: Roots Rock (Jayhawks, Wilco, BoDeans, Tom Petty, Freedy Johnston), Pop & Garage (Velvet Crush, Mathew Sweet, Pernice Brothers, Hoodoo Gurus, Marshall Crenshaw, Smithereens, Neighborhoods), New Wave/Post-Punk (Police, Pretenders, X, Luna), Hard Rock (AC/DC, BOC, Helmet). Similar Artists: Gin Blossoms, Old 97's, BoDeans, Buffalo Tom, The Honeydogs, The Odds, Todd Thibaud.
Anything else?
Group members:
Ray Boyce Guitars, Lead Vocals; Vinnie DePolo Drums, Background Vocals; Jim Mumford Lead Guitar, Background Vocals; Rich Eichacker, Background Vocals Bass.
Discography:
It Shouldn't Have To Be This Difficult (CD): 1998
