Skavoovie and the Epitones | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Newton, Massachusetts |
Genres | ska |
Years active | 1994–1999, 2024 |
Labels |
|
Past members | Kevin Micka Ansis Purins Ethan D'Ercole Ben Jaffe Eric Jalbert Eugene Cho Ben Herson Daniel Neely Jon Natchez Ben Lewis Joe Wensink Jesse Farber Rob Jost |
Skavoovie and the Epitones Skavoovie & The Epitones is an American ska band formed in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1992. The band is recognized for integrating traditional Jamaican ska with jazz, big band, and other musical styles. From 1992 to 1999, the band released three studio albums and appeared on multiple compilations. They played a significant role in the third-wave ska movement of the 1990s. [1] In 2024, they reunited for a performance at the Supernova International Ska Festival, marking their first live appearance in over two decades. [2]
The original members of Skavoovie and the Epitones included Ansis Purins (vocals), Ben Jaffe (tenor saxophone), Eugene Cho (keyboards), Jesse Farber (trumpet), Ben Herson (drums), Rob Jost (bass), Kevin Micka (guitar), Eric Jalbert (trumpet), Joe Wensink (euphonium), and Jon Natchez (baritone saxophone). The band later expanded to include Daniel Neely (guitar), Ben Lewis (trumpet), and Ethan D'Ercole (guitar.)
In 1994, the band self-released a demo tape titled An Evening with Skavoovie…. Their track "Nut Monkey" was included in the Skarmageddon compilation released by Moon Ska Records the same year. This exposure helped the band secure a recording contract with Moon Ska Records. [3]
The band’s debut album, Fat Footin', was released in 1995 through Moon Ska Records. It became one of the fastest-selling debuts on the label. [4] The album combined instrumental and vocal tracks, featuring a blend of ska, jazz, and big band influences. [5] Following the album's release, the band embarked on extensive U.S. tours.
In 1997, Skavoovie & The Epitones released their second studio album, Ripe, produced by Victor Rice and engineered by Matt Ellard. [6] This album marked a shift in the band's musical direction, incorporating elements of jazz, sci-fi themes, and unconventional song structures. The release of Ripe was supported by more national touring and the band’s first European tour. [7]
The band's third and final studio album, The Growler, was released in 1999 through Shanachie Records. [8] The album continued the band's exploration of jazz fusion and experimental composition, further moving away from traditional ska. After their final performance in 2000, Skavoovie & The Epitones disbanded.
In 2024, Skavoovie & The Epitones reunited for their first live performance in 24 years at the Supernova International Ska Festival. To coincide with the reunion, the band re-released their second album, Ripe, on digital platforms and with a double vinyl release and have plans to release live material in the future. [9] [10] [11]
The Toasters are one of the original American third wave of ska bands. Founded in New York City in 1981, the band has released nine studio albums, primarily through Moon Ska Records.
The Aquabats are an American rock band formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1994. Throughout many fluctuations in the group's line-up, singer the MC Bat Commander and bassist Crash McLarson have remained the band's two constant fixtures. As of 2024, the Aquabats' members include saxophonist Jimmy the Robot, drummer Ricky Fitness, guitarists Eaglebones Falconhawk and Chainsaw, the Prince of Karate, trumpeter Cat Boy and keyboardist Gorney.
Voodoo Glow Skulls are an American ska punk band formed in 1988 in Riverside, California, by brothers Frank, Eddie, and Jorge Casillas and their longtime friend Jerry O'Neill. Voodoo Glow Skulls first played at backyard parties and later at Spanky's Café in their hometown of Riverside, where they played shows with the Angry Samoans, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Firehose, Murphy's Law, and The Dickies.
Big D and the Kids Table is a ska punk band formed in October 1995 in Boston, Massachusetts, when its members converged in college. Their first release was on their own Fork in Hand Records label, but have since teamed with Springman Records and SideOneDummy. The band has been noted for its strict DIY work ethic, such as engineering, producing, and releasing their own albums and videos and self-promotion of their own shows.
Let's Go Bowling is an American third wave ska band from Fresno, California, formed in 1986.
The Mad Caddies is an American ska punk band from Solvang, California. The band formed in 1995 and has released seven full-length albums, one live album, and two EPs. To date, Mad Caddies have sold over 500,000 albums worldwide.
The Scofflaws are a Huntington, Long Island, New York-based third wave ska band that debuted in 1988. Known for their rambunctious live shows, technically proficient horn solos and tight arrangements, the Scofflaws were one of the top third wave ska acts of the '90s and one of the most beloved bands on the now-defunct Moon Ska label, as well as the center and focal point of the once-thriving Long Island ska scene.
The Pietasters are an American eight-piece ska/soul band from Washington, D.C., with additional members from Maryland and Virginia.
Spring Heeled Jack is a third wave ska band based out of New Haven, Connecticut. The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist Ron Ragona and drummer Dave Karcich in 1991. After a short breakup, Ragona and Karcich reformed the band with a new lineup. This lineup went on to record two albums before announcing a hiatus in 2000. While the band members moved on to perform in several new bands, their intention was to play the occasional reunion show. This plan would never come to fruition as a cerebral aneurysm would be cause for Karcich's death in 2002. In 2015, several band members returned to reform the band full-time. A third studio album, Sound Salvation, followed in 2017.
King Django is an American bandleader, singer, songwriter, arranger, engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, especially in the genres of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, dancehall, rhythm & blues and soul. Other influences in his music have included traditional jazz, swing, klezmer, hardcore/punk rock, hip-hop and electronica.
Mephiskapheles is a ska band based in New York City. Their name is a portmanteau of "ska" and "Mephistopheles", of the Faust legend. As their name suggests, their lyrics are often playfully satanic in nature.
Ruder Than You is an American ska band that was founded in 1989 at Penn State University and, in 1991, the group relocated to Philadelphia. While ska and reggae stylings have always provided the common musical thread, over the past 15 plus years Ruder Than You has been mixing in dancehall, hip hop, rocksteady, and rub-a-dub – even adding elements of funk, jazz, and punk.
Genius + Soul = Jazz is a 1961 album by American musician Ray Charles, featuring big band arrangements by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns. Charles is accompanied by two groups drawn from members of The Count Basie Band and from the ranks of top New York session players. It was recorded at Van Gelder Studio in two sessions on December 26 and 27, 1960 and originally released on the Impulse! label as Impulse! A–2. Charles plays the Hammond B3 organ on all tracks.
The Kingpins featuring Lorraine Muller - The Queen of Ska was a ska band from Montreal, Quebec that created Stomp Records label with fellow Montreal Ska band The Planet Smashers. The last Kingpins tour took place in 2004, after which the members of the band reformed under the name Lo and the Magnetics founded by Muller in order to reflect the drastic line-up changes that had taken place since the band's inception in 1994. During their ten-year reign, the band toured extensively in Canada, the U.S., France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, and Japan. They are known for their danceable ska rhythms, and their catchy song-writing abilities in both English and French.
The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone." They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period, including Bob Marley & The Wailers, on their first single "Simmer Down." They reformed in 1983 and have played together ever since.
Victor Rice is an American bassist, composer and producer from Long Island, NY. Rice moved to New York City in 1985 to attend Manhattan School of Music, where he received his BM and MM degrees in orchestral performance under Homer Mensch and Linda McKnight, respectively. Rice started his career producing records for the record label Moon Ska Records the following year. In 1996, he moved to Stubborn Records and began engineering his own productions. He moved to São Paulo, Brazil in 2002 and built his own studio, Studio Copan where he is the sole engineer.
Groove Collective is an American band. In 2007 they were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year for the release People People Music Music on the Savoy Jazz label.
The Skunks were a third wave ska band formed in 1988 by a group of high school friends from suburban Maryland. They recorded three albums, performed extensively in the Washington, DC/Baltimore, Maryland area, and toured the United States.
The SKAndalous All-Stars are an American ska band, composed of members of The Slackers, the Skatalites, Mephiskapheles, the Stubborn All-Stars, Agent 99, Ruder Than You, Sic & Mad, The Excalibur, Cocktaillica, The Hurtin' Buckaroos, Living Colour, Perfect Thyroid, the Cycle Sluts from Hell, and The Klezmatics, and is led by Slackers frontman Vic Ruggiero. Considered one of the first ska supergroups, the Skandalous All Stars built their reputation on ska and reggae stylized versions of popular rock and pop tunes. Their first two albums—Hit Me, released in 1997, and Punk Steady, released the following year—included dance-inspiring interpretations of songs by the Sex Pistols, The Clash, Blondie, Patti Smith, the Ramones, Kiss, Nirvana, Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, and White Zombie. With their third album, The Age of Insects, released in 1999, the group began focusing on the original songs of keyboardist and vocalist Ruggiero.
This Time by Basie is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring jazz versions of contemporary hits recorded in 1963 and originally released on the Reprise label.