Influenced by disco, funk, and new jack swing, Boston’s Bad Rabbits formed from the ashes of Eclectic Collective, a live-oriented ten-piece that sometimes performed as Slick Rick’s backup band. After playing together for five years, vocalist Dua Boayke, guitarists Santi Araujo and Salim Akram, bassist Graham Masser, and drummer Sheel Dave decided to re-form with the idea that they would take a rock approach to retro R&B. In 2011, they put out Stick Up Kids, an album that was recorded at Encore Studios with their hero, Teddy Riley, before joining up with the Warped Tour for the summer. ~ Jason Lymangrover