Ripface Invasion is a coalition of veteran musicians from the New Jersey punk/hardcore/metal scene from over the past 20 years. Ripface Invasion was formed in December of 2010 by Anthony (Red) Paladino. Red is the founder and an active member of the Earache Records 1997 new chapter recording artist IDK, since their creation in 1990. Ripface Invasion’s discography features a 7” vinyl single for their song The Last One on Earth and their self-titled debut EP, which was released (CD and digital)on July 5, 2011, on the band’s DIY label (IDK music LLC). The EP features a number of cameos by some of New Jersey’s and New York’s punk and hardcore scene mainstays from over the last 20 years. Some of these players include Rey Fonseca from Agents of Man/Maximum Penalty/One4One, Ron Taylor from Backlash, and the rest of the members from the current line up of IDK.
The first “LIVE” line up of Ripface Invasion featured Red on Lead Vocals/Guitar, Rey Fonseca on Guitar, Tom Conti on Bass, and Jesse Koblentz on the drums. This is the Ripface line up that is featured in the video for the song “ The Last One on Earth “ which was released on June 28, 2011. In September of 2011 Jesse was replaced by longtime veteran New Jersey drummer Dan Lockhart. Dan played for New Jersey hardcore bands One4One and A Moments Peace. Rey Fonseca was replaced by guitarist Ant Lefty from Staten Island. Dan, Ant, Tom, and Red complete the Ripface Invasion line up that will be performing live throughout the tri-state area in 2011 and 2012 in support of the Ripface Invasion debut EP release.
Ripface Invasion’s thrashy punk hardcore crossover style is influenced by many bands. The Misfits, The Ramones, Sick of it All, Agnostic Front, Leeway, Metallica, Anthrax, S.O.D, Slayer, and Iron Maiden to name a few.
Red is the lead vocalist and sometimes second guitarist for the band. He is also the primary song writer. He draws from a variety of styles and influences to create song lyrics. Red uses his personal views on societal culture, as heard in “God Fearing Mutants”. He then takes from the insanity of thriller movies, like in “Horrortech”, which was inspired by the movie The Collector. In other songs Red draws from his imagination, like in “The Last One on Earth”. This is the story of a man, who wakes up one day to find that no one appears to be left alive except for himself. The story continues that the man is terrified he is all alone, but shortly thereafter he has an epiphany. He becomes ecstatic that he now holds all the power.