The Rifles new line up consists of, Joel Stoker (vocals, guitar), Lucas Crowther (guitar, vocals), Lee Burgess (bass guitar), Kenton Shinn (drums, percussion) and Dean Mumford (keyboard). Emerging in 2006 with their attitude-laden debut "No Love Lost". They spent the next two years touring relentlessly and building an enormous army of fans along the way, including some of their musical heroes like Paul Weller and Oasis. The Rifles released their second album (and Stateside debut) "Great Escape" in 2009.

Subculture were lucky enough to book the Essex five-piece to play one of our early Subculture gigs. Now, September sees The Rifles return with their third, highly anticipated album.

"Freedom Run" promises to escalate the band's profile further, and broaden their appeal, taking influence from a broader range, of no less credible artists, than those that ispired their previous work. Drawing on Merseybeat, psyched sixties folk rock and the jangling northern indie of the nineties, to produce an album of diverse tracks.

The album's first single "Tangled Up In Love" has already picked up plays on XFM due to its summery romanticism and killer hook. Whilst represnetetive of much of the album's mood, there are darker tracks too, "Little Boy Blue (Human Needs)" sprawling and spiralling out to a 6:44 pysch rock epic. Contrast with the poppy, romantic, yearning twangs of "Eveline".

"Even though this is our third album, in many ways it feels like our first“, says Joel. "It’s definitely a progression”.

"Freedom Run" was recorded at Paul Weller's studio, Black Barn and produced by the legendary Chris Potter (The Clash, The Stones, The Verve). The album also marks a personnel change, with Lee Burgess and Kenton Shinn (of the band Garda) replacing Grant Marsh and Rob Pyne. "Things have developing brilliantly with the new boys Lee and Kenny”, says Joel. “We believe we’ve so much we can bring in the future. It really does feel very positive”. Paul Weller also guests on the new album, on the track "Sweetest Thing".

"Freedom Run" is out 18 Septmber 2011.

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