R5 is an American alternative rock and pop rock band.
Formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2009, the band consists of Ross Lynch, Riker Lynch,
Rocky Lynch, Rydel Lynch and Ellington Ratliff.
In March 2010, they self-released an EP, Ready Set Rock.
In April 2012, the band announced via their website that they had signed a record deal
with Hollywood Records.
R5's second extended play, Loud, was released on February 19, 2013, which featured the lead
single and title track "Loud".
The band's first full-length album, Louder, was released on September 24, 2013 and the
album not only includes the four songs from Loud but also seven new songs.
The lead single from Louder, "Pass Me By", was released on iTunes on August 20, 2013.
The music video premiered on August 29, 2013 on the band's Vevo channel.
The second single, "(I Can't) Forget About You", was released on December 25, 2013.
History 2009–2011: Formation and Ready Set Rock
R5 is made up of a group of siblings born and raised in Littleton, Colorado.
While living in Colorado, the Lynch children went to a performing arts school where they
learned to dance.
They made up and put on shows for their family and charged them at least a dollar to watch
them perform in their basement at a young age, as young as four or five.
In 2007, Riker, at 16, decided that he wanted to move to L.A. to pursue an acting career.
To accommodate, their parents, Stormie and Mark Lynch, moved the whole family to L.A.
so that they could stay together.
Shortly after moving, the second eldest brother, Rocky Lynch, picked up guitar and soon taught
Riker and Ross how to play as well.
Opportunity after opportunity arose, and the siblings began their debuts on commercials.
Four of the brothers were members of the dance team, the Rage Boyz Crew on the T.V.
show So You Think You Can Dance in 2009.
In October 2008, the family met Ellington Ratliff at a dance studio in California, in
which he was also a member of the aforementioned Dance Crew.
Ratliff joined the band on the drums and Rydel picked up the piano/keyboard, and R5 was created.
In Mid-2009, R5 began to make a YouTube web series called R5 TV to "show their fans what
they are up to" on Riker's YouTube Channel.
This has proved to be very successful marketing for the band with over 4 million views to
date.
Throughout mid to late 2012 R5 recorded their debut Loud, which was released on February
19, 2013.
They worked with producers Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou and Evan "Kidd" Bogart for the EP.
They made their first self-created music video for their song "Can't Get Enough of You" on
September 4, 2010.
The band self released an EP entitled Ready Set Rock on March 9, 2010, consisting of songs
written primarily by Riker, Rocky, Rydel, band coach E-Vega, and vocal coach/songwriter,
Mauli B.
The EP was produced by E-Vega.
During these early years they played sets throughout Southern California at venues,
including the Orange County Fair, the San Diego County Fair, the San Diego IndieFest,
the Knitting Factory, and Six Flags Magic Mountain.
2012–2014: Loud and Louder
In April 2012, the band announced via their website that they had signed a record deal
with DMG's Hollywood Records and that they are planning for their first Mini Tour in
May.
The EP Charted in the Top 3 of the iTunes chart within 24 Hours of its Release.
One of the four songs on the EP "Here Comes Forever" was written by Riker, Rocky and Ross.
Riker has described their debut single "Loud" as "It's like this big huge loud party."
On August 16, 2013, the lead single from their debut album was premiered on Radio Disney.
"Pass Me By" was released digitally on August 20, 2013, and was available for instant download
upon pre-ordering their debut album Louder.
The album released on September 24, 2013.
Fans can use the iTunes "Complete My Album" option to purchase the EP, which will allow
them to purchase the entire album at a lower price.
"Louder" climbed its way to number 2 on the iTunes charts and was classified as a "Chart-topper"
on iTunes end of the year album list.
On December 25, 2013, the second single from Louder was released titled "(I Can't) Forget
About You".
Shortly after, it was announced that they would release a music video on 2014.
The official video was released in the band's official website on January 15, 2014.
It features the band members being in different kinds of crazy adventures while in Japan.
On February 5, 2014, the band embarked on the first leg of their first ever world tour
starting in Warsaw, Poland.
They toured numerous cities in Europe including shows in, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany,
Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, France, England, Scotland and Ireland and also one
show in Israel.
They ended their European tour with their last show in Dublin, Ireland.
2014–present: Heart Made Up On You and second album
R5 also announced their second studio album, scheduled to be released on September 30,
2014.
Riker revealed that their second album will likely be sounding "more mature" and Ross
has started writing songs for it.
The band also performed on the annual White House Easter Egg Roll and at the Radio Disney
Music Awards on April 26 2014.
On April 24, 2014, the band appeared on Ryan Seacrest's popular KIIS-FM radio show, On
Air with Ryan Seacrest.
Here, it was announced that they would be the opening act at the Wango Tango music festival,
performing alongside other famous artists such as Maroon 5, Shakira, Ed Sheeran, Paramore,
OneRepublic, Christina Aguilera and lots more.
The band also released their music video on June 9, 2014 to "Rock That Rock".
The song was written for Candymania's Ring Pop and the video featured a few clips and
pictures sent in by fans while showcasing their candy.
Member Rydel takes the lead vocals on the song.
The third EP, entitled 'Heart Made Up On You', was released on July 22, 2014, which consists
of the songs 'Heart Made Up On You', 'Things Are Looking Up', 'Easy Love' and 'Stay With
Me'.
Influences The band cites Mcfly and Fall Out Boy as big
musical influences.
They have also mentioned The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Killers, Neon Trees, Walk
the Moon, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, and The Script as influences.
Members
Current members Ross Lynch – lead vocals, guitar
Riker Lynch – Bass, vocals Rocky Lynch – Guitar, vocals
Rydel Lynch – Keyboard, vocals Ellington Ratliff – Drums, vocals
Discography
Studio albums Louder
Extended plays Ready Set Rock
Loud Heart Made Up On You
Awards and nominations Tours
West Coast Tour East Coast Tour
Loud Tour Dancing Out My Pants Tour
Louder Tour Live on Tour
References
External links r5rocks.com
R5 at AllMusic Twitter
VEVO YouTube channel
Instagram