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LOVE RIOT is
an original indie rock band based in Baltimore, Maryland. Lisa Mathews (vocals, electric guitar) and Mikel Gehl (backing vocals, guitar) started the group in 1993, releasing a now obscure self-titled, self-produced cassette. They were joined by Mark Evanko (bass) and Willem Elsevier (violin). “Young” Ron Campbell (backing vocals, drums) joined the band in 1996. They released four critically acclaimed albums before going on hiatus in 2000. Now Love Riot is back, with a new album, Better Now, set for early 2026 release.
“When a music video titled ‘So Much’ showed up on YouTube last week, it confirmed something that had been rumored for months: Love Riot, one of Baltimore’s best bands from the 1990s (and probably ever), is back." - Dan Rodricks, The Baltimore Fishbowl
Credit: Chris Myers
Credit: Chris Myers
OUR HISTORY
Back in August of 1994, Love Riot won MusicQuest, a worldwide contest sponsored by Yamaha, traveling to Japan and taking grand prize. They turned the funds from this prize into Muscle. Produced by Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, the release captured the band's early, predominantly acoustic sound. In 1996, the band signed with California-based Squirrel Boy Records and, adding the Ringo-esque drums of "Young" Ron Campbell, with producer Eric "Roscoe" Ambel back at the helm, Love Riot released Maybe She Will. The album was well-received and the band toured on healthy radio play, gracing the stages of LA's House of Blues, Nashville's Exit In, Washington DC's Nightclub 930, NYC's Bottom Line and the Lilith Fair's Maryland stop. Love Riot songs were heard on TV shows, soaps and a few movies, and in 1997 the band appeared as themselves busking in "The Subway" episode of NBC's Homicide - Life On the Street. Celebrating this, they released Killing Time, a four-song EP featuring a new recording of "Killing Time" - the song featured in the Homicide episode. Frustrated with Squirrel Boy Records, Love Riot left the label in 1999 and went back into the studio. Heaven Can Wait was the band's last release before Lisa became pregnant, sending the band on a long hiatus as she and Mikel formed Milkshake inspired by their children. Now Love Riot is back together after 26 years, recording music reflecting their older selves.
Credit: Bill Auth
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