Ra Ra Riot bringing its infectious groove to S.L.

Indie rock sensation Ra Ra Riot rolls into town Monday holding down an opening spot for Death Cab for Cutie at a sold out Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre show.

The band is making quite a jump from their last pass through Salt Lake City, when they had the kids jumpin' at the all-ages Kilby Court.

The group's debut, full-length CD released last year, "The Rhumb Line," has been well-received by critics and audiences in the United States and Europe — charmed, no doubt, by the infectious, early-'80s Brit Pop groove with a twist thrown down by this Syracuse, New York-based quintet.

Bass player Mathieu Santos said worldwide recognition was never on their minds when he and the other members — all Syracuse University students at the time — joined in 2006.

"When we first got together, we didn't have any lofty goals," Santos said. "We wanted to play parties and have fun."

The fun-factor seemed to fire on all cylinders for both the band, and those initial shows at house parties and small venues around the Syracuse campus. Months later, they were invited to the prestigious College Music Journal festival in New York City — a notorious feeding ground for record labels on the hunt for up and coming talent.

The exposure led to opportunities to open for more established bands, two headlining tours in the United Kingdom, a major label released single and an EP.

In the summer of 2007, just as those first steps of success were happening, drummer and founding member John Ryan Pike drowned in a swimming accident. Santos said the emotional trauma of the event still haunts the band.

"It's something we still deal with every day," Santos said. "The loss manifests itself in everything we do."

Santos said the band decided to leave the drummer position in the band perpetually unfilled, in honor of their lost friend, and utilize guest musicians for recording and touring.

While the specter of that jolting experience is hard to hear in Ra Ra's bright, upbeat songs, their lyrics reflect a deeper introspection and more than just a little edge. The band's sound finds distinction in an alternative — at least for a pop band — array of instrumentation.

In addition to Santos on the bass, the group features cellist Alexandra Lawn, violinist Rebecca Zeller and vocalist Wes Miles. It's Miles' vocal stylings that really give the band a European flavor with more than just a hint of Morrissey shining through.

As for the band's newfound fame, Santos said it's a lot like those early days in Syracuse — just on a larger scale.

"We definitely miss some aspects of those first shows, but it's sort of the same," Santos said. "It's a lot of fun…on a bigger scale."

Ra Ra Riot plays July 13 with Andrew Bird and Death Cab For Cutie at the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre.

If you go...

What: Death Cab for Cutie, Andrew Bird, Ra Ra Riot

Where: Red Butte Garden Amphitheater, 300 Wakara Lane

When: July 13, 6:30 p.m.

How much: $38

Phone: 801-585-0556

Web: www.redbuttegarden.org

e-mail: araymond@desnews.com