Words by STACY MAGALLON PhotosR5 by CATHERINE POWELL

52 When they were younger, R5 days. now. “That’s actually how we’re get- used to charge their family a dollar The Colorado-born band had ting to Europe,” Ratliff jokes. “The to watch them play in their base- simple beginnings. R5 began bus turns into a submarine.” Rocky ment. Tonight, they’re scheduled to performing for small crowds at immediately turns to him and says, play a sold out show at the Best Buy festivals and often sifted through “Wait, but how sick would that be?” Theater in New York City. Craigslist advertisements looking R5 love traveling to places they Inside a hot pink-painted dress- for venues and events that needed have yet to leave their mark on, ing room two stories below a long performers. “We would play abso- but their effervescent international queue of fans, the members of R5 lutely any show we could get,” Riker fan base encourages them to keep are posing in front of a blinding, said to me two years ago. It was coming back. On their first Euro- white strobe light. Rydel Lynch crucial for R5 to get their hands on pean run on the Louder tour, the (keyboard), Riker Lynch (bass), any kind of exposure. Lately, they band found themselves competing Ross Lynch (rhythm guitar), Rocky haven’t needed to look for gigs on with the intensity of their energetic Lynch (lead guitar) and Ellington Craigslist. crowds. “This time around, we Ratliff (drums) stand beside one R5 have spent the last eight were kind of like, ‘Whoa.’” Riker another, shifting between smiles months traveling the globe in says of their worldwide audiences. and serious faces. R5 have definite- planes, trains and assorted vehicles “They made us want to set a new ly done this before, but what sets while on their Louder World Tour. level for our performances.” And them apart is their blatantly natural After a recent six weeks in Eu- that’s another important fact about chemistry. rope, and three weeks in Canada, R5: They continually want to raise The first time I met R5 in De- the band is currently wrapping up that bar. cember of 2012 they were dressed their final performances in North “We had a lot of fun making in coordinated, black-and-white, America before heading back to Louder and had even more fun studded ensembles. Today, I can’t Europe. R5 showed up to sound- touring with it,” Ratliff says. R5 make a valid comparison between check a little late this afternoon, agree that Louder was a strong first any two outfits. Rydel is dressed but it’s excusable — they were nap- record and serves as steady founda- in a short, lacy white dress and ping after their 3 a.m. wake up call tion for their upcoming creations. combat boots. The men of the band for GMA. “I didn’t even know we In fact, they’re already planning for are dressed more casually — simple were late for soundcheck,” Ratliff their sophomore full-length, which T-shirts or baseball tees and jeans. mutters quietly to himself before is slated for a fall release. “I don’t R5 are no longer dressed to match. his bandmates chuckle beside him. think any band should stay the This time around, they’re individu- Despite their global endeavors I same for their entire career,” Ross als. Because the truth is, R5 are smile at the one thing that hasn’t says. “There needs to be some sort older and they’re done with gim- been tampered with—their lovable of evolution otherwise your fans micks. They’re ready to take steps quirkiness. might outgrow you.” forward and hope their fans will Since their freshman full-length R5’s process to writing music follow closely behind. Louder was released in September comes naturally. The band’s fun I sit on the dressing room floor of last year, the record climbed to and outgoing personality inspire with Ross sitting cross-legged No. 2 on the iTunes charts and hit most of their music. Their favor- beside me. Rydel, Riker, Rocky and No. 1 in 10 different countries. ite musicians help contribute to Ratliff all manage to squeeze onto Their success doesn’t stop there their sound too. They are, however, a black leather couch. It’s been either. They recently filmed a growing older, and plan to develop eight months since I last spoke to Ring Pop commercial that will air their music accordingly. “Our R5, just a day after their first Good nationally, and then they will be newer material is a step in a dif- Morning America appearance. heading out on yet another tour ferent direction,” Riker says. Most They made their second one just this fall. But that’s not a big deal. recently R5 have begun experi- a few hours prior to our meeting The five international jet-setters menting with heavy percussion and today. When I ask them to recap have seen more of the world than sounds — specifically a firework their adventures from the past few most people will see in a lifetime. sample that Riker begins to gleam months, Rocky looks at me with a While traveling the roads of about. With all the positive feed- blank expression in his eyes. “Oh Jerusalem, Stockholm, Milan and back they received from Louder, crap,” he says. Clearly a lot has Copenhagen, R5 have grown accus- it only makes sense for fans to happened in those 200-something tomed to the tour bus lifestyle by prepare themselves for the band’s

NKDMAG.COM 53 54 NKDMAG.COM 55 56 next big step. The members of R5 all fall be- tween the ages of 18 and 22, and they agree that this change is com- ing with maturity. Their new record promises to showcase their evolu- tion, all while staying true to the original tunes that hooked many of their listeners. “Most of our fans are our age, so they’re maturing and growing with us,” Rydel says. “It’ll be good,” Rocky interjects. “It’s a new, fresh take on R5.” R5 have an overall idea of where they’d like to be, including making a shift from their current main- stream, “bubble gum-esque” sound. A vast majority of their fan base comes from Ross’ success on Dis- ney Channel’s Austin & Ally. His well-known television persona has only empowered the band’s public- ity, but ultimately the band’s true talent is what’s keeping fans inter- ested. The typical Disney-endorsed acts are anticipated to be cleaner and appropriate for all ages. R5, on the other hand, are trying to steer away from being too squeaky clean. “I think the newer stuff is a lot less bubblegum-sounding than Louder,” Rocky says. His older brother, Riker agrees. “If you listen to that album, we say all sorts of innuendos in that,” Riker says. “But what makes it easy listening are the melodies.” With that said, they hope the new EP and follow-up album won’t be a total surprise to their fans. They’re pushing to make this evolution evident in their lyr- ics and instrumentals, just as it’s evident in their age. “We’re still R5, but a whole year later in our lives,” Riker says. R5 are constantly mak- ing a name for themselves, but they wouldn’t categorize themselves un- der any genre. “If we were to label ourselves, we would just set limita- tions,” Ross says. “I want to keep all possibilities open and see where we go naturally.” But regardless of sound, R5

NKDMAG.COM 57 claim their true element shines on toss around the thought of one day the dressing room. Their meet and stage. “We always say that we don’t performing at Radio City Music greet is starting in 10 minutes. The feel like you can understand R5 Hall or Madison Square Garden band, who lost track of time, begins until you see us live,” Riker says. before Rocky catches my attention. to file out of the room after giving “You just get it after that.” They “Can I ask you a question?” he me hugs. But first, Riker calls for don’t have the pyrotechnics or asks, before leaning in closer to me. his tour manager’s attention. “We’re background dancers they’ve been When I agree, he follows up with getting her into the show tonight,” yearning for, but they apparently another inquiry. “Are you a Rangers he says, resting his arm on my have “their own lights” and “really fan?” He pumps his fist into the air shoulder. “Can we get her a ticket?” cool fog.” I would not know. I have when I tell him no. “So you’re okay Luckily, Riker makes it happen. yet to see R5 perform live. The with them losing the Stanley Cup?” Later that night, I watch R5 take dressing room explodes with an The Los Angeles residents obvious- the dimly lit stage. I stand in a back abrupt series of “What?” and “Why ly take their competition seriously corner of the theater, in the middle not?” though the best response — to the point where they consid- of the madness. Teenage girls are comes from Rocky who furrows his ered posting a Vine of Rocky walk- running across the venue, holding eyebrows and asks, “Why do you ing through Times Square to pro- a large photo of Ross’ face adorned even like us, then?” mote the L.A. Kings hockey team. with Christmas lights, but they stop My absence at tonight’s show They start laughing when I tell once they realize what’s about to wasn’t my choice; there was a lack them Ranger fans might’ve started happen. Their crowd erupts with of complimentary tickets. “Ross a riot. That playful demeanor is shrieks and screams as their silhou- was inviting everyone over at MTV what attracted the listeners cur- ettes take position on stage. earlier,” Riker says. Ross lets out a rently waiting in line outside. And Like Riker said, you tend to just laugh. “That’s what I hate about Los even with such a loyal fan base, R5 “get” R5 once you see them live. Angeles and New York City,” Ross manages to keep cool while bask- Between their easy listening tunes, continues. “You can never have ing in the spotlight. “Someone once playful personalities and the fan enough tickets, and I just want to told us that fame doesn’t change base that drives their constant invite everyone.” Tonight’s guest list who you are, it brings out the real craving to raise the bar, I think is filled with 200 names. Hearing you,” Ross says. “When people start I do. I can only imagine where this puts a smile on my face. They catering to you, it’s up to you to they’ll be in another eight months. did, after all, start by asking for decide how to react. We are also I bet they’ll still shoot for pyro- their family’s money. “That just surrounded by people that wouldn’t technics and background dancers, means we have to start playing big- put up with it.” and I’m sure they’ll have them soon ger venues,” Ratliff interjects. They R5’s tour manager walks into enough.NKD 58 NKDMAG.COM 59