Ronnie Simmons and The Redback Spiders are a new punk influenced hard rock band from Sydney Australia, fronted by Ronnie Simmons (Rose Tattoo, Richie Ramone, ex-Faster Pussycat).
The band is about to release their debut EP, written and produced by Ronnie himself, recorded with Clay Davies at One More Time Recording in Los Angeles. Influenced by classic punk, Australian pub rock and with a tinge of ska, the album features Richie Ramone (The Ramones) and the late Chris Moye on drums, with Johnny Martin of LA Guns on bass, backing vocals by Danny Nordahl of Faster Pussycat and Scott Churilla of Reverend Horton Heat, lead vocals, all guitars – and saxophone! – by Ronnie Simmons.
In discussing the collaborative effort behind the EP, Ronnie emphasized the invaluable support from friends he worked with at various stages of his time in Los Angeles. “It was really cool to have my friends come together to help bring this record to life. Everyone’s support and involvement definitely brought a spirit of fun and energy to the recording process,” he elaborates. “Having drums played by Richie Ramone on songs I’d written is something I’ll eternally be proud of, and also being able to capture on record just how good of a drummer Chris Moye was really means a lot to me.”
The songs are an accumulation of Ronnie’s experiences leaving Sydney Australia, moving to Hollywood before returning to become a permanent member of Rose Tattoo. Stylistically and lyrically paying homage to elements of his journey and life in Los Angeles, they also are a return to his roots and where he started. Their debut single ‘Alone With You’ is due for worldwide release September 13 2024.
“You wanna know what it looks like to be in a relationship with a touring musician? Take out your phone and type ‘I miss you too’ because that’s basically it,” Ronnie says about the band’s debut single. “Being a touring musician is everything I dreamed of doing as a teenager, but there’s another side to it,” he adds. “Whether it’d be after a show or after a tour, physically and mentally exhausted, I’d be confronted with the solitude that I’d ultimately chosen. ‘Alone With You’ is about recognizing how lucky I am to get what I wanted, but realizing I’m allowed to want something else too and expressing that.”
When playing live, Ronnie is joined by his Redback Spiders: Hayden McGoogan and Sean Anderson on guitar, Tommy Hills on bass and Chip Scanu on drums. After just two live performances in Sydney, The Redback Spiders have signed with Suburban Records in the Netherlands and are fast picking up momentum.