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Red 7

Red7 is a for 2 to 4 players designed by Carl Chudyk and Cieslik and published by Asmadi Games in 2014. The game features a consisting of numbers 1 through 7 in seven rainbow colors—, , , , , , and —where each color represents a distinct . Players begin with a seven- hand and one face-up forming their initial "palette," with the objective of being the last player remaining by ensuring they lead according to the active rule at the end of each turn. On a turn, a player must play at least one to their palette, may optionally discard a card to the central "" to change the active rule to that card's color, and must be winning under the new rule or be eliminated from the round. The game typically lasts 5 to 30 minutes, emphasizing quick decision-making, set collection, and hand management in a competitive elimination format. Red7 has been praised for its innovative mechanics that allow rules to shift dynamically based on played cards, creating a sense of constant adaptation and tension among players. It received a for the 2014 Golden Geek Best award, highlighting its appeal as a compact "filler" game suitable for casual play. The game's portability and minimal components—a single deck of cards—make it ideal for on-the-go gaming. Overall, Red7 stands out in the genre of light strategy card games for blending simplicity with strategic depth, encouraging players to outmaneuver opponents through clever rule manipulation.

History

Formation

Red 7 was formed in 1984 in , , as a rock group comprising a core trio of musicians. The band was a involving of , who later produced their albums. The initial lineup included Gene Stashuk on guitar and lead vocals, Michael Becker on keyboards and backing vocals, and Paul Revelli on drums and backing vocals. Shortly after forming, Red 7 secured a recording contract with MCA Records, positioning them for a debut in the competitive rock landscape.

Debut album

Red 7's self-titled debut album, Red 7 (MCA-5508), was recorded in 1985 at Fisher Lane Farm Studios in Surrey, England. The sessions were primarily overseen by producer Mike Rutherford of Genesis, who was drawn to the band's demo tapes and arranged for the recording in his home studio facility; Rutherford also contributed bass guitar on several tracks, helping to shape the album's sound. Additional production came from David Tickle, known for his work with Peter Gabriel, while Don Gehman co-produced two tracks. The album established Red 7's style as straightforward and , blending rock elements with influences. Key tracks included "Heartbeat," a mid-tempo rocker supported by a , and "Less Than Perfect," exemplifying the band's accessible, radio-friendly approach. The core trio—vocalist/guitarist Gene Stashuk, keyboardist Michael Becker, and drummer Paul Revelli—drove the performances, with Rutherford's input adding a polished, professional edge. Released in by , the marked the band's introduction to the market, with "Relentless" serving as the , also promoted via video. Initially, it showed promising commercial traction, climbing the RPM 100 chart after just four weeks on , and MCA executives projected potential in based on early momentum. Critical reception positioned it as a solid AOR debut, though it remained a modest entry in the competitive rock landscape.

Second album and disbandment

Red 7's second album, When the Sun Goes Down (MCA-5792), was recorded and released in 1987 under the production of Mike Rutherford, known for his work with Genesis and Mike + the Mechanics. The album featured ten tracks, including "Condition Red" and the title song, and marked the band's stylistic direction toward soft rock and pop rock, building on electronic influences from their debut while emphasizing melodic hooks and accessible arrangements. Rutherford also contributed bass on several tracks and backing vocals on one. Despite efforts to promote the release through radio play, the album achieved limited commercial success and failed to build on the modest momentum of their 1985 debut. This underperformance led to the loss of their contract shortly after the album's issuance, rendering both LPs relatively rare in subsequent years. Facing these commercial setbacks, Red 7 disbanded around 1987, concluding their short-lived tenure as a ensemble in the mid-1980s rock scene.

Members and personnel

Core members

Michael Becker served as the band's and , bringing a San Francisco-based perspective to Red 7's instrumentation during their 1984–1987 tenure. His contributions on keyboards helped layer the group's rock arrangements with synth-driven elements in their debut album Red 7 and follow-up When the Sun Goes Down. Paul Revelli, a native San Franciscan born in the , provided drums and backing vocals as a core member, drawing on his lifelong experience as a Bay Area performer. Revelli's rhythmic expertise anchored the band's live performances and studio recordings, supporting their worldwide tours from 1984 to 1987. His diverse drumming style influenced the solid, driving percussion that defined Red 7's energetic rock sound on releases. Gene Stashuk acted as the frontman, handling lead vocals and guitar to shape the band's rock identity throughout their active years. With prior roots as a guitarist and vocalist in the late-1960s group The Unspoken Word, Stashuk's songwriting and performance presence were central to the melodic and guitar-led tracks on both albums. His leadership in vocals and riffs contributed to the cohesive, arena-ready aesthetic that characterized Red 7's output.

Guests and production team

Mike Rutherford, known for his work with Genesis and Mike + the Mechanics, served as the primary producer for Red 7's debut album Red 7 (1985), contributing to several tracks and possibly providing backing vocals in the choir on "The Way." His involvement brought a polished, professional sound influenced by his experience in progressive and production, elevating the band's synth-infused rock arrangements. Additional session contributors on the debut included an uncredited for the "The Way." co-produced and mixed select , such as "Relentless" and "," while engineer oversaw the sessions, with mastering handled by . Art direction was provided by Jeff Adamoff, ensuring a cohesive visual identity aligned with ' aesthetic. For the band's second album, When the Sun Goes Down (1987), production shifted to Ritchie Zito, a Los Angeles-based producer and guitarist, due to Rutherford's scheduling conflicts with touring; Zito's involvement aimed to refine the band's commercial appeal under MCA's guidance. No prominent guest musicians are documented for this release, though the production emphasized a tighter sound reflective of Zito's work with artists like .

Discography

Albums

Red 7 released two studio albums during their brief tenure with MCA Records, both showcasing a blend of pop rock and AOR influences with synth elements. The band's self-titled debut album, Red 7 (MCA-5508), was issued in 1985 on vinyl LP and cassette formats. Produced by Mike Rutherford of Genesis, it features ten tracks, with a total runtime of approximately 41 minutes. The album received limited commercial attention and did not achieve notable chart success. Their sophomore effort, When the Sun Goes Down (MCA-5792), arrived in 1987, also available on vinyl LP and cassette. Clocking in at around 42 minutes across ten tracks, the record leaned further into pop/electronic rock stylings. Disappointing sales led to the loss of their MCA contract soon after release, capping the band's output at these two albums.

Singles

Red 7 released three singles from their 1985 self-titled debut album on MCA Records, all in 7-inch vinyl format aimed at promoting the record to album-oriented rock (AOR) radio stations during the mid-1980s. These efforts included video productions and promotional copies distributed to broadcasters to build airplay in the competitive AOR market. The , "Relentless," was issued in with "Can't Much Anymore" as the B-side; though it did not achieve notable positions. "" followed later that year, available as a standard 7-inch single (MCA-52531) and in 12-inch promotional editions, often featuring the track on both sides for DJ use; a was filmed in to aid promotion. "" appeared in as a 7-inch promo (MCA-52632) backed by "Can't Much Anymore," with a 12-inch promo version also circulated, but like the others, it saw limited commercial success on charts. From their 1987 sophomore When the Sun Goes Down, the band released "I'm on Your Side" as a on , with "Under the Water" as the B-side, continuing the focus on radio play through standard vinyl formats, though it failed to chart prominently.

Legacy

Media appearances

Red 7's music gained notable exposure through placements in and during the 1980s, primarily via tracks from their self-titled debut . The song "Less Than Perfect," written by Gene Stashuk and Michael Becker, appeared on the of the 1985 adventure film Explorers, directed by . Performed by the band, it was included on the official , contributing to the film's youthful, rock-infused atmosphere alongside tracks by artists like . The track "" achieved further visibility in Michael Mann's 1986 thriller , where it served as an end-credits song, enhancing the film's tense, noir aesthetic. This placement was part of the movie's eclectic soundtrack, which also featured contributions from The Reds and . Additionally, "" was featured in the episode "Nobody Lives Forever" (Season 1, Episode 20), which aired on March 29, 1985; it underscored a reflective scene involving Don Johnson's character Sonny Crockett on his boat, aligning with the series' signature synth-rock vibe. In later years, continued to appear in media, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Red 7's sound. It was used in Euphoria Season 2, Episode 4 ("You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can"), which aired on , , during a scene where Eric Dane's character Cal Jacobs drives drunkenly while singing along. No other significant sync licenses or placements for Red 7's catalog from the 1980s onward have been widely documented. These media appearances, particularly in high-profile projects by director , provided Red 7 with broader cultural reach beyond their modest chart performance, introducing their music to audiences of influential films and television while sparking renewed interest decades later through streaming-era revivals.

Post-band activities

Following the disbandment of Red 7 in 1987, the core members pursued individual paths, with varying degrees of continued involvement in the music industry. Gene Stashuk, the band's lead vocalist and guitarist, relocated to Washington State and established Apostrophe Music Studios in the Seattle area, where he has served as a producer, engineer, and front-of-house mixer for various contemporary music projects. Paul Revelli, the drummer and backing vocalist, remained active in the San Francisco Bay Area, continuing to perform and produce music across genres; he has collaborated with notable artists, including a live performance with Elvis Costello at the Great American Music Hall in 2010. Michael Becker, the keyboardist, is from New Jersey.

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