Meet the Band
Avery Johnson
Guitar, Vocals, Fiddle
Avery’s musical adventure kicked off at just six years old when his parents introduced him to the Suzuki method for violin. As he grew up, fiddle contests in grade school became a blast, and he decided to stick with it. Attending high school in Idaho, he stumbled upon the exciting world of rock and roll, jamming with friends in different bands throughout his teens and into college.
Later, during his college years, he fell head over heels for jazz, spending countless hours listening to it and performing to make a few extra bucks as a struggling student. In 2004, he took a big leap and moved from Portland to Nashville, where he dove deep into the vibrant music scene for 13 amazing years. While he may have forgotten some jazz along the way, he picked up country music and became quite skilled in both genres – he considered it a fair trade.
Inspired by the talented songwriters he met and his experiences in Nashville’s recording sessions—some absolutely fantastic and others not so much—he found his passion for writing his own songs. In 2017, he returned to Portland and reconnected with fellow musicians eager to collaborate, write, and craft catchy, danceable tunes together.
Tim Laughlin
Bass, Vocals
Tim’s musical journey began years ago, playing and recording with the legendary Southern California band, the Dangers, leaving a lasting impact on the scene.
Tim frequently collaborates with Johnny Hickman of Cracker during his solo performances, showcasing his versatility.
A decade ago, Tim moved to the vibrant city of Portland, where his creative spark truly began to fly. It was here that he crossed paths with the talented Avery Johnson, and the duo quickly dove into songcraft, igniting a dynamic partnership.
They eventually brought in Josh and Randy, forming the powerhouse band Bridgetown Riot. Together, they’ve been creating unforgettable music and captivating audiences, proving that their journey is just beginning.
Joshua
Guitar
As a session musician and live performer, Joshua does it all, making him the ultimate utility man.
He’s played electric and acoustic guitar, bass, drums, and percussion for all kinds of groups. From Rock to Jazz, and from Country to Pop, he can play it all.
And he’s done it both in the studio and on stage. Starting in New York, he’s played to sellout crowds at historic venues such as The Bottom Line, as well as the birthplace of punk, CBGB’s.
Joshua’s eclectic musical tastes are evident throughout his playing. His influences range from the rockabilly and roots sounds of Sun Studio to the stripped-down styles of Garage and Blues, as well as 1950’s/60’s era Jazz. On guitar (his primary instrument), his style has been described as “Django Reinhardt meets Keith Richards.”
Born and raised in New York, Joshua has also lived in Seattle and Hawaii and now calls Portland his home.
Randy Sanders
Drums
Randy began his journey as a drummer at the age of 13, growing up on Chicago’s South Side. When he turned 16, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he quickly established himself in the local music scene. While attending the University of Arizona, he played with various bands in Tucson, and it wasn’t long before he caught the attention of Glen Buxton, the talented guitarist and songwriter from The Alice Cooper Band, who invited him to join his band.
He spent his 20s making a name for himself in the post-punk desert rock scene with Open Market, sharing the stage with the Meat Puppets, Green on Red, and The Gentlemen After Dark. During this time, he crossed paths with guitarist and songwriter Doug Hopkins of Ten O’Clock Scholars, known for the Top 40 Gin Blossoms hits “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You.” The band made an appearance on the Portland, Oregon segment of the USA Network’s Nite Zoo.
By 1986, Randy had firmly established himself in Portland, Oregon, performing full-time and playing more than 20 shows a month with various country music artists, including Gary Bennett from BR459. His passion for jazz and Afro-Beat also led him to record with Pays du Cathare, an avant-garde jazz quartet, and Jitterbug Perfume.
In 2022, Randy set out to find an all-original indie band and, after hearing Avery’s Nashville demos, he joined Bridgetown Riot. Along with the lads in Bridgetown Riot, the band’s extensive experience and diverse musical influences continue to shape it.