The Rivermen were formed in late 2004. Peter Assirati had recorded 10 songs earlier that year and given a copy to his brother, Nick. The songs were recorded very simply on acoustic guitar and vocals in one late-night sitting. Nick felt the songs should be re-recorded with other instruments and introduced Peter to his friend, Rebekah Gueye. Rebekah, a classically trained cello and piano player who had not been playing for some time, put the CD on the side and kept meaning to get around to listen to it... There it sat for some time until Nick's persistence paid off, and when Rebekah played the CD and liked what she heard.

The three finally began rehearsing at Rebekah's house and worked on the songs. As the band's sound and style began to take shape, new songs were written. Rebekah had seldom played by ear and Nick and Peter were not used to working with a classical musician. Nick's love of English folk music and punk rock, and Peter's obsession with all things Americana and beat poetry blended well with Rebekah's classical training and ear for melody. A CD of completely new material titled "Loved" was recorded and released to great critical acclaim in the late spring of 2005. The CD was promoted through the summer and autumn on national and local radio and with live performances. The Band's second album, 'My Best Mistakes', was released in 2006.

Nick Assirati

Nick was born in Walworth, London, and started his first band "The Clinkers" with his brothers Julian and Peter in 1977. He worked out that he didn't belong in 80's London, so he got out and started searching for whatever it is. He ended up working on a farm and joined the line from inner-city punk to rural folk. Nick settled with his family in Gloucestershire in 1993 where he started work as a woodsman in the Forest of Dean. The tree-hugging, axe-wielding bassist describes the band as follows; "Peter is a tortured artist, Rebekah is hip to the trip and I'm just about smart enough to know how stupid I am."

Rebekah Gueye

Born in the Forest in Dean, Rebekah was educated locally until she studied music at the University of London. She then pursued a career as a professional cellist working with various orchestras and string quartets across the south of England. Rebekah has been teaching music since 1991 and also works for the education initiative 'Creative Partnerships. She was a founder member of The Rivermen in the winter of 2004 and now is allowed to sing a bit. Of the band she says "Peter writes great songs and knows he's always right. Nick can sing, and makes it all happen. I supply biscuits, coffee and the venue for rehearsals and in return get to make great music.

Peter Assirati

Peter was born at Christmas time in the Elephant & Castle area of London, the youngest of an extended Irish Italian family. Peter joined his older brother’s punk band ‘The Clinkers’ when he was 13 and went on to play, write, perform and release work in his own bands ‘Union Sundown’, 'Three Stations East’ and ‘Yossarian’. When he was growing up he wanted to play guitar like The Clash, but now just wants to find some peace of mind or rather a piece of his mind he left in a pocket of an old coat somewhere. Likes red wine from the fridge, hates medication. Says of the band members “Nick is the organiser; making lists, getting gigs, booking studios, organising websites. Rebekah is the one with the musical skill. She tells me what notes and chords I’m playing and when I’m out of tune. They are both well read and listen to Radio 4, whereas I just flounce in late, act bohemian and forget to do things”.