RJ Archer & the Painful Memories are a Cambridge, UK-based rock band that will appeal to fans of Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top, Small Faces and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their album “Horseplay” in 2023 included a great rocket ride of a track with “Cable Car to Your Heart.” 

  • Richard Archer: Guitar and vocals
  • Roger James: Bass
  • Ben Kingsbury: Guitars
  • Marc Ritchie: Drums

The band has since expanded to a four piece with the addition of another old friend Marc Ritchie on drums and Ben moving to second guitar. Having gained support slots with rock legends such as Gypsy’s Kiss and Slady, their newly completed third album ‘The Cost of Loving Crisis’ will be released in early 2025.

Our new single ‘Out of Line’ was released on 8th November through Spotify, Apple and all the usual digital platforms and shows a heavier, riff-based side of the band. It is the fourth track to be released from their forthcoming third album, “The Cost of Loving Crisis,” which is an interesting run-on from the “Horseplay” cover picture of the rather wonderful lady Godiva (lol), who was a protester against tax rises, I believe. 

My review: This was a trip into some southern rock; you need a nice bourbon and coke to listen to this one properly!  It’s a good bit of rock n’boogie and the drums gain a nice heartbeat for the “ooh” that takes us into the track. It’s a fun rocker and it switches mood nicely mid-section, with a good bit of light and shade in there. I’d say it places the marker down neatly for the album to come, showing what the boys can do! 

For those of you who are new to the band, I have placed an earlier official single, “I Can’t Lose You,” below as it takes you nicely into the world of these guys and their music.

And there we are, on with my Sunday! As a finishing point, to keep us improving the magazine, we really do need your support, and if you can go to the “support us” button and buy us a coffee or follow us, it helps us feel appreciated and keep improving the magazine. 

You can stream music from the band here

By Stevie Ritson