Meet the Band!

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Originally formed in 1993, Rachel's Hippo was a downtown Peoria staple band. After a good four year run, everybody went off to school, or started new careers or families. In November 2003 the Eric(h)'s –the only original members remaining in the Peoria area – reformed "The Hippo Band". Our “new” set list is centered on old Hippo standards, 80's pop songs, and just stuff that generally makes our ears happy! If you see a song on our list that looks pretty cheesy… it probably is. But we’ve likely “freshened it up”. Come out and check out a show.

Members:

Jen Richrath - (Vocals) Professor of English by day, and rocker by night... our front woman has got it going on.

Don Mabus - (Lead Guitar) Don is a Rock Star. If he doesn't put that in the field for "Occupation" on his 1040... then he's lying.

Eric Richrath - (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar) Culled from a solid Central Illinois music family, Eric is our front man. The way Eric and Jen sing together you would think it's "brother's harmony" but they like to think of it as Harmonious Matrimony.

Erich Smith - (Drums/Vocals) Veteran drummer and singer from Peoria.

Joe Belcher - (Bass) Belch is stalward of the scene. His resume is 84 pages long - but his last gigs were with Second Nature and Farmer Ted.