Rik Avalos
Lead vocals / Guitar
Founder and songwriter. Started Dirty Oliver in Austin in 1989, then Jumptrain, then years of songwriting as Seven's Fears. Plays his late friend Doug Wilson's '59 American Strat.
04 / Where the songs come from
Austin bands since 1989.
Dirty Oliver, 1989 to 1996
Rik started the band in Austin and was the only founder who stayed. A seven-night residency at the 6th Street Country Club made them tight. They worked the whole Texas circuit, played Hawaii in 1996 and went north to Anchorage, Alaska twice.
Jumptrain, 1996 to 1999
Rik's first original project, on bass: the Black Crowes meeting Soundgarden. Headlined Steamboat, opened big shows at Antone's, and held residencies at the Black Cat and the White Rabbit. In 1997 they made an official video for "Faded."
Seven's Fears, 2004 to 2013
Rik and Joe Cieplinski wrote together for nine years and released three EPs: Reconciliation, Introspection and Malefaction. They are still streaming everywhere.
Rik Avalos Band, today
The band came together at Austin's 512 Studios with producer Omar Vallejo. It plays Central Texas rooms such as Hanover's Draught Haus in Pflugerville and Buck's Backyard in Buda, and keeps writing.