Meet Sonic Joyride Band | Rock Band

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sonic Joyride Band and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonic Joyride, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk has always been part of SONIC JOYRIDE’S story — not in some dramatic, headline-grabbing way, but in the quiet choices we made to stay true to who we were. We started out in the bar scene of Boston in the late ’80s, and by the ’90s, we’d grown into a truly original, self-driven act. The band was co-founded by Rick Reese and Christopher Hobler — two people deeply committed to the art, the craft, and the honesty of the music.

We weren’t chasing trends or trying to land a big break — we were immersed in creativity and in the joy and intensity of making something real. At one point, Capitol Records offered us a deal. And yes, that was a major opportunity, but it came with expectations and compromises that didn’t sit right with us. Chris made the decision to turn it down. He believed that the integrity of the work — the sound, the message, the soul of it — was more important than packaging it for someone else’s machine.

Instead, with Rick at his side, they created something on their own terms. They put together their own label and released the music independently. It wasn’t a move for attention — it was simply the most honest path forward. That spirit of independence was always at the heart of SONIC JOYRIDE.

When Chris lost his battle with ALS in 2005, everything came to a halt. It didn’t feel right to go on without him — not until 2024, when it became clear that SONIC JOYRIDE’s music deserved to be heard. These songs — this body of work — still had so much to say. That’s why the band is back.

Now, with Rick still holding the foundation on bass, Jeannie Cayrn stepping in as lead vocalist, and new members Tommy Wails on guitar and Thierry Bergeron on drums, SONIC JOYRIDE is once again a living, breathing creative force. Each of them is taking their own risks — not to replicate the past, but to contribute something deeply personal to a project they truly believe in. This is about evolution, not imitation.

Having a female lead is a shift, yes — but it’s also a powerful way to reinterpret and honor the band’s legacy. Chris’ songwriting was never limited to one voice. He was an artist, a poet, and a creator — and the greatest tribute we can offer is to let his work continue to grow, connect, and resonate.

In the end, it’s not about risk for the sake of risk. It’s about carrying something meaningful forward — staying true to the music, and to the collective spirit of SONIC JOYRIDE.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
SONIC JOYRIDE isn’t just a band — it’s a living, evolving story. From the start, we were different. We weren’t chasing trends; we were building our own experience—Multimedia shows, a repurposed school bus called the *Cosmic Sled*, and songs that told stories, provoked thought, and stirred emotion — we didn’t care about fitting in. We cared about feeling something real!

What sets us apart is the sincerity. Our songs aren’t manufactured — they’re born out of struggle, love, loss, and hope. And decades later, they still hold up because they were never trying to chase the moment. They were trying to make sense of it.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. After over a decade of creating music together, our brother and founding member Chris Hobler was diagnosed with ALS in 2001 at just 35 years old. Determined to make a difference, Chris and his family founded ALS Hope — The Chris Hobler/James Maritz Foundation. Two years later, ALS Hope evolved into Hope Happens, partnering with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to create the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders — a world-class facility dedicated to researching causes, treatments, and potential cures for devastating nervous system diseases.

Chris lost his battle with ALS on February 16, 2005. His devotion to the cause lives on through The Christopher Wells Hobler Laboratory for ALS Research, directed by Dr. Timothy Miller, one of the nation’s foremost ALS researchers — a major step forward in the Hope Center’s mission of discovery and collaborative innovation. For a while, it felt like the ride was over. But time has a way of reminding you what really matters. And what matters to us is the message— that hope, art, and human connection can outlive pain. That’s why we revived SONIC JOYRIDE — not as a nostalgia act, but as a renewed force for good, for storytelling, for truth.

Today, SONIC JOYRIDE moves forward with a renewed purpose:

      •     To raise awareness for collaborative neurological disease research.
      •     To share Chris’s story and legacy.

      •     To share SONIC JOYRIDE’s music with the world.

      •     To inspire others through the Christopher Hobler story and through the songs that still matter.

We are most proud that we’re still standing — not just because we can, but because the world still *needs* the songs. And if there’s one thing we want the world to know about this band, it’s this: SONIC JOYRIDE was never about fame or fortune. It was — and still is — about meaning. And meaning never goes out of style.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If our best friend came into town, we wouldn’t hit them with a tourist checklist — we’d build a vibe. A week with SONIC JOYRIDE means good people, great music, and that perfect balance of grit and soul. Atlanta and its surroundings are layered with history, stories, and the kind of dive bars and venues where music still hits you in the chest.

Day One – We’d kick things off close to home at Ground & Pound Coffee in Roswell for the first hit of caffeine and atmosphere. It’s a chill spot with great energy, a great menu, live music, and a perfect place to reset. Then we may take a nature walk along the Chattahoochee River or through Roswell Mill to clear the mental slate. We’d have dinner and drinks at New Realm Brewery right on the beltway in Atlanta where there’s sure to be live music somewhere nearby.

For Day Two we’d start the day with brunch at MadLife Stage & Studios in Woodstock—a spot for great food, great tunes, and the kind of laid-back creative energy that gets the day started right. Then we will head into the city: maybe do some record digging at Criminal Records, or stop by The High Museum, and then do some wandering through Krog Street Tunnel or Ponce City Market. We’ll head back to Roswell for dinner and beers at From the Earth Brewing Company — where the music and the menu both hit the mark.

For Day three we’d take a Northbound detour! We will head out to Dahlonega. It’s a change of scenery and a change of pace. We’d land at Shenanigans, our go-to for a pint and some local tunes. The night might end with someone playing acoustic on a porch under a mountain sky — and honestly, that’s the whole point.

Midweek, we will kick back at Kastaways in Marietta for dinner and then cruise around Marietta Square! We will also spend a slow day jamming in someone’s basement, or drinks out at Sunset Grille Woodstock on Lake Lanier,—water views, boat watching, live music, low-pressure, maximum vibe. Just talking, laughing, plotting whatever’s next.

Later we’ll head deep into ATL night culture: maybe The Earl for a killer live set, or Black Bear Tavern to cross paths with half the people we didn’t know we were missing. And of course, we’d dip into the Clermont Lounge. No trip is complete without it. It’s weird, wonderful, unapologetic Atlanta at its finest.

For the weekend, we’re back in the city for a full-on dive bar circuit. Northside Tavern is a must — blues, sweat, and no pretense. We may even end up somewhere we didn’t plan, with a band we’ve never heard that blows our mind. That’s the rule of the night: follow the sound. The weekend will include any or all of the following: rooftop hangs, backyard cookouts, or even a fun house show.

This isn’t a city you “do.” It’s one you *feel*. Every stop means something, every night takes on its own rhythm. It’s about good company, good music, and letting the city reveal itself one layer at a time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a lot of people who deserve credit for keeping SONIC JOYRIDE alive and meaningful — but if I had to give one shout out, it would be to Christopher Hobler. He wasn’t just our frontman; he was the heart, the spark, and the visionary voice behind so much of what we created. Even after ALS took him from us, his music and mission continue to guide this band’s direction. He had a way of seeing light in the darkest places, and that became the soul of SONIC JOYRIDE.

I also want to shout out all the friends, fans, and musicians who never stopped believing in what we were doing — even when the world moved on. Our band family (Peter Hobler, Jennifer Hobler, Mike Anderson, Hank Decken, David Luke, Sandy Pardee, David Amato, Rick Wheeler, Ed DiMuzio, Paul Sahlin, Ken Tondre, Matt Scurfield, just to name a few) helped carry this band forward when it would’ve been easier to let it go. We also want to thank our new and growing SONIC JOYRIDE family members (Stephen Blackburn, Michael Litten, Michael Naches, and Dean Cosentino) whose support and faith continue to inspire us.

And honestly? A quiet nod goes to every artist who’s ever chosen meaning over money, who’s risked stability for a shot at something beautiful. We’re standing on your shoulders, too.

Website: https://www.sonicjoyride.band

Instagram: @sonicjoyride

Facebook: Sonic Joyride

Youtube: @SonicJoyride

Other: www.rickreese.com
www.jeanniecaryn.com
[email protected]

Image Credits
Alex
Rebecca & Taryn
Michael Litten
Michael Naches