We live in a crazy world. Life is so unexpected. Things don’t go according to plan, and you have to learn how to navigate certain situations. This is something I’ve had to deal with all of 2025. An unfamiliar situation, a devastating loss. Losing connections but gaining new ones. Falling to a new low but learning to rise again. It was a tough year, and so I’m reminiscing and listening to my favorite band that I couldn’t get enough of years ago.
“Look around you / in the end it is you who must find you / don’t wake me / couldn’t swallow another day break” Anyone - “Don’t Wake Me”, Anyone 2001
With his heavy psychedelic sounds, Riz brings the rizz to my ears. The guitar riffs and drum beats keep me dancing and singing and I can’t get enough of it. You could consider it a mix between metal and progressive rock. The band is called Anyone, led by visionary Riz Story. Yes, it’s a generic band name but Riz definitely made a name for himself. He’s an all-around creative that composes, produces records, is a filmmaker, and is also working hard to conserve our oceans. His self-titled album “Anyone” is one of my favorite albums. I can listen to the whole album in one sitting, and after the last song leaves my ears, I can start the album all over again and listen to it twice, in its entirety. This is how much I love this album and the music on it.
“I’ve no faith in creation / so take a drag of elation / let’s experience some pain / and the whole world’s insane” Anyone - “Whole World’s Insane”, Anyone 2001
I once created a painting listening to Anyone on repeat. His psychedelic sound fueled my creative juices to paint something a little psychedelic myself. An alien flying through space is what was created while listening to the song “Wait Until Morning” on repeat. I called the painting “Fly” after the lyric in that particular song. I just love the drum work and the heavy melodics just give that song something special that makes me love it. It’s hard to say it’s my favorite track, but it might be. All the other tracks are just so great though too.
“We could wait until morning / we could wait until dawn / we can die if we try / are you going? / We could fly every sky / are you going home?” Anyone – “Wait Until Morning”, Anyone 2001
On January 22, 2015 I messaged Riz on Facebook, sharing my artwork and experience.
"This one’s for Riz…
I was browsing a BMG music catalog back in the day and saw Anyone. The artwork looked cool, and that’s how I took chances on bands. I liked the artwork, and so I bought your cd. I fell in love and still listen to it to this day. I’m a little artsy myself, and I listened to the Anyone album on repeat when I was coloring an alien sketch of mine in chalk. This is how it turned out…However, I’ve since moved and couldn’t take the door with me, so I’ve turned this piece into a painting, and I’d just like to share it with you. You are inspiring. PS: I love Infinika too!"
Riz replied in simple fashion
"Cheers, nice work. R~"
It wasn’t much, but it was enough. A response is all I needed. I felt acknowledged, seen, and even more connected. At the time, he was working on his latest project Infinika, which also has some great tracks. Although I think the Anyone album still remains superior.
“She enjoys being queen / prefers the eloquent to some bullshit faith / she’s in love with the rain / and old friend pain” Anyone – “She”, Anyone 2001
The Anyone album was on repeat in my car when I used to make long drives home to visit my family. One night, as I was driving back to the city, I was unaware that the weather was different in Dallas than it was in my hometown, being that it was six hours away. There was black ice on the road and I was driving the usual 70mph on an overpass. At only 18 years old, I wasn’t checking weather alerts or being any kind of safe. I was just driving and jamming out. Needless to say, I wrecked my beautiful pewter 2002 Firebird, damaging the frame and totaling the car. Along with it went my Anyone cd that was left in the cd player.
“Dear Sylvia / I wish you were here / I was hung up when the weather turned cold / I pray for a day in the coming of spring / when ginger snap dragons will fly…” Anyone –“Dear Sylvia”, Anyone 2001
I was so distraught I immediately found and purchased the Anyone album again. I just had to have it so I could keep listening to it. Streaming wasn’t as popular back then, and cd’s were still heavy in circulation. I was so happy when I got my hands on the album again.
“Gonna have to fly to reach the sky summit / gonna have die to reach the sky home / gonna fly home” Anyone – “Fly”, Anyone 2001
Nowadays, you will only find the album secondhand or among fans of the band. After the 9/11 disaster, their label company Roadrunner Records pulled it off the shelves and offline. Luckily for me, I had a PC that could burn cds, so I have the tracks digital and am always willing to share. Just reach out! It’s definitely worth the listen.
“Look at what you are / very far / what you think you are” Anyone – “Hitches”, Anyone 2001
Check out Anyone's website: https://www.anyoneden.net/
Find Anyone on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnyoneBandOfficial
Follow Anyone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anyonebandofficial
Sayonara 2025. Hello 2026! Let's hope this year treats me a lot better.
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