The Toasters, live at Whelan’s, Dublin, Ireland, during their 30th Anniversary Tour.
67 mins., HD.
Bio
The Toasters are “Ska Pioneers” (Billboard magazine) and boldly go where no ska band has gone before. Having been compared to the Ramones, due to their longevity and adherence to core principles, the Toasters are held to be one of most influential ska bands out there. Their lean, mean ska machine has galvanized audiences and musicians alike with their embrace of the Jamaica-born pop music style that overwhelmed England in the 1960’s, migrated to America in the early 1980s, and went global in the 1990s. The hallmark Toasters sound sits at the nexus of Reggae, Jazz, Punk and Soul and is the musical equivalent of a brass knuckle-duster.
Formed in New York City by British guitarist/frontman Rob “Bucket” Hingley in 1981, the Toasters exploded onto the Lower East Side scene. Cutting their teeth with a residency at legendary clubs like CBGB and Danceteria, the band has defied gravity and industry skeptics alike by staying true to their original 2-Tone ska roots, whilst logging over 4000 globe-trotting live appearances.
Longtime fans and critics agree, the current “International All-Stars” posse (featuring members of some of the world’s greatest ska bands) is one of the most formidable in The Toasters’ long and chequered history. Along with the irrepressible Bucket on lead vocals and guitar, The Beat’s Andy Pearson is featured on bass. Expect to see Neil Johnson (Planet Smashers) and Tommy Quartulli on saxophone (The Allstonians), Greg Robinson (Mephiskapheles) on trombone and Jesse Hayes (Westbound Train) on drums. Special appearances by Arjen Bijleveld (Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation) and Buford O’Sullivan (Easy Star All-Stars) are also to be expected in 2009. Legendary keyboardist Dave Barry rounds out the posse.
As the founder of Megalith Records (and former boss of the legendary Moon Ska Records, the most influential ska label of the 1990s) the Toasters’ leader, Rob “Bucket” Hingley has a ska resume that trumps virtually anyone else in the business. With the aid and support of likeminded musicians such as producer Joe Jackson, who has worked with the band over the years, he has been able to compile a recorded legacy and a songwriting catalog. Among the many ska classics Hingley has penned: “Weekend In L.A.,” “Matt Davis,” “2-Tone Army,” “Social Security,” “Dub 56″—and the list goes on and on.
In the commercial realm, the Toasters have recorded jingles for AOL, Cisco Systems, Miller, Anheuser-Busch, and Coca-Cola, and have contributed to movie and television scores (Bleached, Bang!, MTV’s Wildboyz, Mission Hill, Kablam!, Showtime’s Brotherhood, etc.). Where Bucket and The Toasters truly excel, and live up to their reputation as one of the greatest bands of all time, however, is on the road. Averaging more than 200 performances a year, the band is well on its way to playing its 5,000th gig, a milestone they should achieve by the end of the decade.
Music
Upcoming Concerts
Apr 28 : Nachtleben, Frankfurt, Germany
Apr 29 : Weltecho, Chemnitz, Germany
Apr 30 : Weberei, Gütersloh, Germany
May 01 : Klex, Greifswald, Germany
May 02 : Café Central, Weinheim, Germany
May 03 : Groezrock, Meerhout, Belgium
May 08 : Molly Malones, Genoa, Italy
May 09 : Arci Ohibo, Milano, Italy
May 10 : Improvisorium, Huttwil, Switzerland
May 31 : Good Luck Show! w /Big D and the Kids Table, Boston, MA
Jun 01 : Apple Stomp II at Irving Plaza, New York, NY
Jun 04 : The Redemption Movement, Oneonta, NY
Jun 04 : B side Ballroom, Oneonta, NY
Jun 05 : The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, Canada
Jun 06 : Call The Office, London, Canada
Jun 07 : Underworld, Montreal, Canada
Jun 08 : Club Metronome, Burlington, VT
Jun 14 : Manchester 65, West Warwick, RI
Jun 19 : Cafe Nine, New Haven, CT
Jun 20 : Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
Jun 21 : Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Jul 18 : Pivo Festival, Prilep, Macedonia
Aug 05 : Punk Rock Holiday, Tolmin, Slovenia
Aug 08 : Rebellion Festival, Blackpool, United Kingdom
Aug 09 : Boomtown Fair, Winchester, United Kingdom
Aug 10 : Dingwalls, London, United Kingdom
Aug 11 : TBA, Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom
Sep 05 : Front Room, Rhyl, United Kingdom
Sep 06 : Prince Albert, Brighton, United Kingdom
Sep 07 : The Fleece, Northallerton, United Kingdom
Sep 09 : The Maze, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Sep 10 : Wharf Chambers, Leeds, United Kingdom
Sep 11 : The Trojan Rooms, Whitley Bay, United Kingdom
Sep 12 : The Diamond Music Venue, Sutton In Ashfield, United Kingdom
Sep 13 : Marlbrough Hall, Halifax, United Kingdom
Sep 14 : Pivo Pivo, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Sep 15 : The Citrus Club, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Sep 16 : Barrels Ale House, Berwick Upon Tweed, United Kingdom
Sep 17 : The Lady Luck, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Sep 18 : Garage Music Venue, Swansea, United Kingdom
Sep 19 : Guild Hall, Gloucester, United Kingdom
Sep 20 : Woolacombe Scooter Rally, Woolacombe, United Kingdom
Sep 21 : Queens Hall, Nuneaton, United Kingdom
Sep 26 : Mexico City tbd, Mexico City, Mexico
Links
The Toasters :
http://www.toasters.org/
https://www.facebook.com/TheToasters/
http://www.reverbnation.com/toasters
Merchandise :
http://impactmerch.com/store/thetoasters.html
Whelans :
