The Royal Crown Revue (RCR) is a band formed in 1989 in Los Angeles, California. They are often credited with starting the Swing Revival movement. The band's musical style, however, transcends the pigeon-hole label that was given to them as a swing band (most noticeable in their rendition of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man" and originals "The Contender" and "Walking Like Brando". RCR has had great success on The Van's Warped Tour, touring with the B-52's and Pretenders, and appearances at the major US Jazz Festivals. The band recently filmed a special episode of "Gene Simmons Family Jewels", with Gene taking the reins, to appear in March. The band was founded by Eddie Nichols, Mando Dorame, out of a love of Rockabilly, Punk, Jazz, Blues, Soul, and other styles of roots music . The Stern brothers, Mark and Adam, who hailed from the punk band Youth Brigade rounded out the group early on. After repeatedly leaving RCR to tour with Youth Brigade, the Sterns were told to leave the band in the mid-90s and it is now headed by singer Eddie Nichols, tenor saxophonist/arranger/writer Mando Dorame, trumpeter Scott Steen, and drummer Daniel Glass. Stronger than ever, the band continues to play to capacity crowds in Australia, Europe, and the US. After filming "The Mask" RCR began playing regularly at The Derby, a landmark club in LA in 1993, during a period when it gained worldwide recognition.. The hit film "Swingers" was based on the scene RCR created, but was unable to film the movie as their contract with Warner Brothers interfered. The RCR Horn section backed Bette Midler on her top-grossing 2003-2004 Kiss My Brass tour. Trumpeter Scott Steen was Bette's featured soloist.
