Album Notes

"Will Rich Restaino be Austin's version of Randy Newman? Just listen to his new CD, "Revisionary Man," and you will see what I mean. Rich is intellectual (he's on his way to becoming a certified history teacher) and funny(well, he has a song written from his dog's perspective - "Good Boy"), and well versed in the disconnects associated with too much drinking. . ."
- Duggan Flanakin, flanfire (http://flanfire.blogspot.com/)


Born in Brooklyn to a musical family, Richard Frank Restaino first cast his sideways glance upon the world in the Year of the Rabbit, 1975. His father, Richard Sr., sang on street corners and performed in dance halls in the bustling seaport Bay Area of Brooklyn. His uncle Steve was a member of Capitol Records recording-artists Plum Nelly, and a studio musician throughout the 70s and 80s.

Doo-wop, blues, Elvis, Beatles and Dylan were Rich's main musical diet as a lad, interspersed with some questionable choices he made on his own during those heady days of the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was Long Island, and it was the Age of Metal, and young Richard worshiped at its evil altar.

Rich quickly expanded his musical horizons, though an enduring love of monster riffs and power chords remained. At college in upstate New York, a steady stream of new sounds -- indie rock, folk, punk, ska, neo soul, country, bluegrass and jazz -- all made their mark. After earning a degree in journalism and political science, Rich formed a band with some friends while earning a living as a reporter. That band, DRAGON EDDIE, marked the beginning of a musical partnership between Rich and future fellow Austinite, Jason Silverberg (currently of The Lemmings.) Dragon Eddie broke up just as it was on the cusp of regional success in New York's Hudson Valley.

Rich recorded his first CD in 1999, with brother Stephen engineering and co-producing. That EP, ROSEANNE, featured six original songs and would be Rich's calling card during the next couple of years.

Rich took that CD with him when he set out, on a hunch, for Austin, TX on April Fool's Day, 2000. There, Rich formed strong musical relationships that continue to this day, and he has continued to write, record and perform his own music, and also serve as a side-man with several other Austin acts, including KRIS BROWN'S FAMILY SAUCE (now MR. BROWN), THE BOXCAR ANGELS, and ZACH WHITNEY. In 2003, Rich released his second CD, a collection of home-recorded demos entitled GEMINI DREAMS IN LO-FI.

Rich's third full-length CD, REVISIONARY MAN, was released in early 2006 on his own indie madhouse! records. Produced and performed almost entirely by the artist, the CD also features guest appearances by Kris Brown, Jason Silverberg, Chris Hinojosa and Jason James. Local and regional shows in support of the album will come in 2006.

Rich also recorded and co-produced the debut album from madhouse! recording artists, The Late Fees, released April of 2007. Rich also currently plays lead guitar and sings backup in the Austin pop band, The Lennings. He is hard at work on new songs for a follow-up solo CD.