Ricky is a San Diego–based slacker rock band drawing from punk grit, blues swagger, and a hazy strain of psychedelia. Their songs trace the contours of everyday life in Southern California—not the postcard version, but the lived-in reality from its lower rungs, where things feel a little more precarious.
Since forming in 2020, the band has released two full-length albums along with a string of singles, steadily carving out their place in the underground. Along the way, they’ve shared the road with kindred spirits like The Frights, Worriers, Tiny Stills, and Decent Criminal.
Now, Ricky is gearing up for their next chapter, with a third full-length, What’s The Point, set to arrive on March 27th via DHCR Records. They’re also ready to hit the road to start their album release tour.
The Third Eye had the pleasure of corresponding with the band via email. Check out our interview with Ricky below:
Interview with Ricky
Third Eye: How does living in San Diego shape the sound and attitude of Ricky?
Ricky: I guess just as much as anyone living anywhere. We do mention San Diego in a few songs and make references to things here, but I feel like those things and feelings happen to people in all cities, not just San Diego. We just happen to be in SD.
Third Eye: You’ve toured with bands like The Frights, Worriers, Tiny Stills, and Decent Criminal. What did you learn from being on the road with them?
Ricky: We’ve learned that we like all those people a lot. It’s nice being out with friends. We’ve been extremely fortunate in that sense when it comes to touring.
Third Eye: What’s The Point is a pretty blunt album title. Where did that idea come from?
Ricky: Well, the song that is the title track. I’d say start there and give it a listen. This album is for sure coming from a depressed place. Things aren’t great for a lot of people, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. In fact, it seems to be getting worse.
Third Eye: How does this new album feel different from your earlier releases?
Ricky: It’s a little more sloppy and rock n roll. We purposely didn’t want to over-polish and produce this. In the wake and onslaught of AI, it feels good to have that human touch of imperfection.
Third Eye: Many of your songs focus on everyday life in Southern California. Why do those stories matter to you?
Ricky: I think that’s just because we live here, so when we internalize/digest our lives and then take those thoughts and feelings and express them in our songs, Southern California inevitably rears its naughty little head.
Third Eye: What’s one of the craziest or weirdest things that’s ever happened to the band while on tour?
Ricky: We almost died in a blizzard driving from Bend to Klamath Falls after a show. Van almost flipped. Was not chill. Don’t recommend it. Be safe out there, kids.
Third Eye: What keeps you excited about making music right now?
Ricky: Um… It’s cathartic. Playing shows and being around like-minded folks is everything right now. Hanging out with each other and making/playing music is medicine.
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