Naked Magazine 19

ering his younger brother’s newfound passion, Riker
picked up the bass, Ross took up rhythm guitar and
Rydel put her past piano lessons to good use. They
met family friend and drummer, Ratliff, in California
and the fifth and final piece of the R5 puzzle was
completed.
“When we were younger, we’d have our family
come down to our basement and we would charge
them a dollar to watch us play. We were such little
schemers,” Rocky says laughing, causing his siblings
to join him in a reminiscent moment. Their mother
walks into the green room to say hello, and the
Lynches, Ratliff included, all jokingly call for security
to escort her from the area, then burst out in unison
laughter. “We still charge her to watch us too,” Ross
whispers to me, smirking.
R5’s beginning was
small, but nonetheless
fundamental. They
took their first steps as
a group by performing
for small crowds
at festivals they were
fortunate enough to
book. “Our father was
really great and supportive
with helping
us book shows when
we first started,” Rydel
says, explaining that he
would use the Internet
— especially Craigslist
— to search for Southern
California venues
or events that were
seeking performers.
“We would play absolutely any show we could get,”
Riker adds, noting how crucial it was for the band to
get their hands on any kind of exposure.
Once the band started to take off, Riker and Ross
pursued acting roles on music-themed hit television
shows — Riker, a Dalton Academy Warbler on Fox’s
Glee, and Ross with a lead role on Disney Channel’s
sitcom, Austin & Ally. For Riker and Ross, the balance
between a band and a successful television career
doesn’t come easy. “It’s pretty hard, actually,” Riker
says. His younger brother agrees. “I’m acting during
the day then rehearsing at night,” he says. “I try to
get as much sleep as I can.”
“WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER, WE’D HAVE OUR FAM-
ILY COME DOWN TO OUR BASEMENT AND WE WOULD
CHARGE THEM A DOLLAR TO WATCH US PLAY.”
>> ROCKY LYNCH