“­One of Canada’s most respected yet underexposed songwriters” TORONTO STAR.

" Ripper puts spikes back in folk music." VANCOUVER PROVINCE.

" Few can turn a couple of chords into something majestic, and

Eugene Ripper has the gift." OTTAWA CITIZEN.

" Roots rock rebel summons up visions of film noir and spaghetti

western not to mention Johnny Cash " HALIFAX HERALD.

“ He has heart and grit, balls and talent, a combination that will

always rise above mediocrity” Here Magazine Saint John.

“The Ballad of Black showcases a Canadian singer-songwriter on the rise.

Think Wil with a better knack at turning a phrase, more keyboards

and maybe even higher energy.” FFWD - CALGARY.

Eugene Ripper’s musical roots can be traced back to his first group: Stark Naked and Fleshtones – a band of surf punk pranksters who tore up the Toronto club and concert scene in the earlier 80’s - he went solo in 1985 to pursue a path that remained forged in the sonic edge of post modern punk but also embraced a roots based acoustic sound with a lyrical touch.

A series of singles and videos were recognized at 102.1 The Edge CASBY Awards – nominated as best indie artist (1987, 1988) and via Q107 Toronto Music Award nominations as best folk musician (1987,1988). Also placed him under the lights on the main stage of the 2nd annual EdgeFest at Molson Park and into the mix as a songwriter at the Mariposa Folk Festival. 1990 released my first full length album “Fast Folk Underground” and recorded and released a roots/reggae/ska EP with called Deadhead Cool. (1991). Left a small footstep on the international scene with the release of “Fast Folk Underground” in Germany in 1993 and returned to stages of The Mariposa Festival and was tapped to join “The Great Canadian Party” at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver also featuring The Tragically Hip and The Violent Femmes. Moved to New York City (1994-96) -wrote and recorded “Faster Than You Think” with musical friends including drummer Billy Ficca (Television). In NYC, Ripper was an active member of the East Village Anti Folk Scene. In 1995 he performed with a caravan of the cream New York Anti Folk at the Mariposa Folk Festival. In 1996, released and toured “Faster Than You Think” in Canada. In 1998, He moved to Halifax Nova Scotia and produced some the some of the most varied material of his career including a re mastered version of the Stark Naked cult hit “ I was a Teenage Stockbroker”, a garage rock album project” El Musico” and an internet only single “Folk Song 2000/Apollo Meltdown.” This coproduced by Charles Austin (Superfrienz, Buck 65). In the summer of 2001, recorded a mini album “Hi Lonesome” with Vincent Leslie Jones producing. In 2002 began to write/collect material for “The Ballad of Black.” Released in 2004, supported with a coast to coast national tour. In 2005 relocated to Toronto mixed and released “Crackle” and got to work on Fast Folk Undergound 2.0 – pegged for a Fall 2007 release.

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