The Long Ryders are the founders of Alt-country, a musical genre which did not exist before they burned so brightly in the 1980s, and they are a key link in the Americana chain, uniting Gram Parsons’ Flying Burrito Bros with Wilco and the Jayhawks. Fortunately for us all the Long Ryders saddle up again in March 2026 when their first album in three years is released, High Noon Hymns, with a tour to follow.

Back in the day their indie LP Native Sons was the Number One alternative/College radio album in the USA, and the held the Number Two spot on the UK’s indie charts. Their next album was State Of Our Union, featuring their classic single, Looking For Lewis & Clark. Exhausted after four years of solid road work 1987 saw the Long Ryders release their swan song, Two Fisted Tales, to great acclaim but the band was history by Christmas.

In 2004, 2009, and 2014 the demand for the Long Ryders was so great they hit the road for lengthy tours and since 2014 the band has been an ongoing concern once again as fans thrilled to the power of an electric 12-string guitar when matched with a punk energy.

Recently the band took a break from gigging and focused on material for High Noon Hymns. Recorded in California over this past summer with legendary producer Ed Stasium their efforts became “High Noon Hymns” which will be released worldwide on Cherry Red Records.

There is nothing like the Long Ryders live, not back then, and not now. Go see them for the ride of your life. Saddle up and hang on tight.