The Long Ryders ride again in The Netherlands; new album "High Noon Hymns"

The Long Ryders return in 2026 with their new album High Noon Hymns, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed September November. Once again produced by studio veteran Ed Stasium—best known for his long association with The Ramones as well as work with artists like the Smithereens, Soul Asylum, Motörhead, and the Hoodoo Gurus—the record refines the band’s signature blend of roots rock and punk energy. Recorded at Kozy Tone Studios in Poway, California, the album captures a warm, sunlit intensity that feels both classic and freshly inspired.

Guitarist and mandolin player Sid Griffin describes High Noon Hymns as “two thirds the distilled alt-country genre we helped found back in the 1980s, one third Paisley Underground adventurism, yet with a dash of our own crazed soulfulness.” The album also reflects a period of transition for the band following the passing of bassist Tom Stevens. Bass duties are shared by Murry Hammond of The Old 97s and Long Ryders’ own Stephen McCarthy, who also performs with The Jayhawks and records with the Dream Syndicate. Guest contributions from DJ Bonebrake of X on vibes and young mandolin talent Wyatt Ellis add further texture and depth.

The Long Ryders continue to embody the fusion that helped define alt-country in the first place: punk urgency, Gram Parsons-style cosmic country, Merle Haggard’s soul, and the chiming jangle of The Byrds. With the release of the single “Four Winters Away” and the arrival of High Noon Hymns, the band reinforces its legacy while pushing forward creatively. Known for their electrifying live shows, they remain a rare force—still capable of turning every performance into a living piece of rock ’n’ roll history.

01/05: Den Bosch, NL - Willem Twee
02/05: Groningen, NL - R&B Night