Check out the interview and hear what they had say!

SMMO: Describe your music to someone who has never heard your music before:
Riptide: our music gets you on your feet even when your feeling down, exciting, bold with a punch.

SMMO: What's better stage, or studio?
Riptide: we have done both and believe me stage is much more exciting, watching the people get up and dance to the music, laughing and just plain enjoying themselves.

SMMO: How often does the band rehearse?
Riptide: 2 times a week, 3 hours each time, we go over old songs and learn new.

SMMO: What is the biggest downfall of local bands in southern Maryland area?
Riptide: DJ's. kareoke, and not getting enoughexposure, whether it be advertisement or radio, there are alot of great bands out there and we are one of them, we think what you (SMMO) all are doing here, is great for bands.

SMMO: What is the name of your band, who are the members, and what do they play?
Band Name : Riptide
Michelle (teach me) Benko - killer lead vocals / tambourine
George (wild man) White - lead guitar /lead & backing vocals
Steve ( chillin) White -great bass guitar / backing vocals
(big) Al Savedra - rhthym / lead / harmonica / backing vocals
John ( wild&crazy) O'Donnell - killer double bass drums (pearl)
Joe (the prince) Haggard - lead and backing vocals

SMMO: How long did the band get its name and how long has the group been around?
:our drummers old girlfriend picked our name also we live on the water, 3 of us have been together since 1993, drummer, lead and bass. What can we say music is addicting.

SMMO: Describe your band in one sentence?
Riptide: one of the best rocking party bands out there. (Riptide rocks!)

SMMO: Do you perform original songs,cover songs or both?
Riptide: cover songs are what we play, we have originals we are working on.

SMMO: Has the band received radio or television air play?
Riptide: 98.3 put us on the air back in 95 at the Solomon's labor day festival (T-bone and heather) this is when we played country and rock.

SMMO: What goals have you set for your band in the future?
Riptide: we all love music the biggest goal is to stay together, as you know with alot of bands it is hard to find personalities that match and just to make people dance,laugh, and just enjoy life, and to be the biggest well know party band around.

SMMO: What does your talent mean to you?
Riptide: well, speaking for the whole band we have alot of great talent in this band and we are blessed to have such talent to give to the public.

SMMO:hat style of genres most influence your music?
Riptide: Michelle Branch, No Doubt, Pink, Lynard Skynard , Alice and Chains, Tommy and the Two Tones, B-52's, Tom Petty, all the dance music that is out there to play.

SMMO: Are Southern Maryland venues supportive of local bands?
Riptide: yes as long as you are entertaining and can bring a crowd in.

SMMO: When the band is at rehearsal, describe the atmosphere:
Riptide: electrifying, we all love music, and we show it at practice and on the stage.

SMMO: Are there any comments that you would like to add before we end?
Riptide: We(Riptide) support and thank Southern Maryland Music Online for giving us this opportunity to speak out and give us this interview.