There be some history here!

       Did you know DJ Rider's Rhythms & Brews may be one of oldest live music clubs on Long Island. In this location, there has been continuous live music since the early sixties, and possibly as far back as the late forties. It's true. While the name and size of the place has evolved over the years, live music has always been at the forefront in this location.

       During the sixties the club was known as Page Two. It offered a mix of live Jazz and occasional Rock n' Roll acts. Later on it became known as Morrison's again offering live music on the weekends into the late seventies. The bar was sold again and became Christopher's and began offering an eclectic mix of local cover and original acts, well into the eighties. It was during this period that bar began its "shrinking act". Where before the club originally took up the space of the entire building, it had now shrunk down to the small, intimate, "back of the building" venue it is today. It's this odd placement in the building that gives it that "secret and private hangout" vibe that so many of our regulars enjoy. Again the bar was sold, and became known as Calico Jack's Roadhouse , continuing to offer live music all week and on the weekends. The name " Calico's" is still used by many locals. It was during this period that the sound system was first installed during the early nineties. The system has been upgraded several times since this period, and eventually became what this bar is most well known for within the local music community. The physical renovations done to the building, quite by accident, created a exceptional acoustic space (the room sounds great), that is unparalleled by most clubs.  In mid 2003 the bar was sold yet again and renamed The Funky Munky Lounge, it's most begrudged (and most memorable) moniker.

      In 2005 the bar once again was bought and sold, and the bar sort of coasted along and still had lots of live music, albeit with a silly name. That name didn't last nor did the owners, and again the bar was sold. Local personality and musician/band leader DJ Rider (Fallin Angel)  took over the asylum and so now it's DJ Rider's Rhythms & Brews.  DJ Rider (our fearless leader) has made a commitment to keeping the traditions of live music at this location intact and, in fact, expand to its utmost musical potential.

DJ Rider's Rhythms & Brews "A Hangout for Musicians"

       Over the years many notable performers have played at this location. Johnny and Edgar Winter, Robbie Kreiger of The Doors, NRBQ, and Commander Cody. Pat Travers and Carmine Appice recently chose DJ Rider's to work out their set for a European tour for their joint project Travers and Appice. Other famous and semi-famous players have graced our stage, like Liberty Devito & Ritchie Cannatta (Billy Joel Band), TM Stevens (Joe Cocker, Steve Vai, James Brown), and John O' Reilly (TSO, O'2L, Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult), Al Pitrelli (Alice Cooper, Megadeath, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) just to name a few.

     Every month DJ Rider's presents The Dharma All-Stars which features the music of local lengendary drummer John Favicchia (Steve Khan, Tony Levin, Chieli Minucci, Lonnie Plaxico, Harvie Swartz, Larry Coryell, Dean Brown,Chris Geith and Bob Malach). The All-Stars are just that including some of the best players of Jazz, Funk and Pop. The line-up includes legendary guitarist  CHIELI MINUCCI (Special EFX, Jessica Simpson, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and the Backstreet Boys),  bassist MIKE POPE (Chick Corea Electric Band, Mike Stern, Chuck Loeb, Anton Fig, Jason Miles and Blood Sweat & Tears), keyboardist  BILL HELLER (Willie Steele, John Abercrombie, Randy Brecker, Brian Johnstone (AC/DC), Bruce Johnston (Maynard Ferguson), the Mudmen, and the Jim Pin Band), saxaphonist  JOHN SCARPULLA (Tower of Power, Billy Joel, Hall & Oates, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton and latin luminaries Willie Colon and Celia Cruz), trumpet player  CARL FISCHER(Temptations, Maynard Ferguson, Billy Joel, Shakira, The Four Tops, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Diane Schuur). This band will knock your socks off! Usually they will play on a Thursday night about once a month (as the various members schedules allow). Check our calendar for dates and times.  

      Some of these musicians come down and can be seen nearly every Tuesday night (if their not off touring somewhere in the world) for one of our amazing open Jams, which is organized by Open Jam legend and guitarist Jim Moran . And lest we forget about our host DJ Rider himself. This Jam is killer, you never know who may show up!

       And while it is great we have this history of some of the greatest players on our stage over the years, The DJ Rider's has and always will continue its tradition of having the best local artists as its mainstay. Over the last few years, and especially now with our new ownership, our commitment to supporting local music is stronger than ever. DJ Rider's puts the local musician on the forefront, and we never make them pander to visiting "national acts" (unless they ask to). Every artist that plays at DJ Rider's is the headliner. However as a consequence, we have recently raised the bar. We now present only the best acts. We think raising the standard for local acts will only help to inspire artists to improve and become better. Since we help support local musicians, and not just "use" them as many other local venues do to prop up their "nationals", we think that lets us raise the standard. So as an audience, you are guaranteed to see and hear only the best of what the local Long Island music scene has to offer, and see it in an atmosphere that's casual and fun.

       Many local favorites play regularly at DJ Rider's . Local Blues favorites like Breakaway, Big Daddy, The Jim Moran Band and others from the Downstate Blues Society. Heavy Metal/Hardcore bands like Guernica, Borgo Pass, Act of God, Size Deep and Suicide City. Hard driving rock bands like Z02, The X's, and  and the  And these are just some of the excellent original music presented at DJ Rider's. Awesome tribute bands like The Electrix (Grateful Dead), Monkey Wrench (Foo Fighters), Warchild (Jethro Tull), Riot Act (Pearl Jam), and Streetfighter (Stones). And of course we always have great open Jams several times a week where anyone can come and play or sing, sometimes with legendary players who also come to just "hang-out" and enjoy good music, great people and drinks.

It's not simply "all about the music", it's about the people who make it.

       We never forget that at DJ Rider's! Come down, have a drink and hear the best live music Long Island (or dare we say anywhere) has to offer.

     As the "Head Bananas" always said ... umm ... oh yeah ... screw them. Besides, what they said probably wasn't true. Their outta here anyway!!! The Munky is DEAD!!!! See ya!!!