The Stingers ATX Bio

Since 1998, The Stingers ATX have developed their own modern hybrid of Jamaican rocksteady/ska and classic American doo-wop soul: solid roots-reggae rhythms, melodic horn lines, and tight 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies. Austin, a city rich with “roots” bands (country, blues, soul), has been a supportive home base for this roots-ska sextet, whose songwriting sensibility reflects the decades-old legacy of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Sam Cooke, the Beatles, and the Drifters. Their live shows have won them world-wide acclaim, from their former weekly three-hour showcases at the Black Cat Lounge in Austin to a sold-out New Year’s Eve show at La Fleche d’Or in Paris, to backing some of the most legendary names in ska/reggae music on European tours.

In Austin, The Stingers ATX have earned big praise from audiences and critics alike, who keep the band consistently present in magazine polls and radio airplay (from Austin Chronicle: 2003 Critic’s pick for “Texas Top 10’s”; 2002-04 Reader’s Poll’s Top World Music list; “Austin’s first standout CD of 2003,” Raoul Hernandez). After the release of their first two recordings, The Stingers (2000), and Big in Mississippi EP (2001), on the band’s own label (Electric Entertainment), and several regional U.S. tours, The Stingers ATX signed on with Germany’s all-in-one indie label/tour promoter/catalog merchandiser Grover Records. This collaboration with one Europe’s most active ska/reggae labels puts The Stingers ATX in the company of some of the band’s heroes (Skatalites, Desmond Dekker, Rico Rodriguez), as well as their leading contemporaries (Dr. Ring-Ding, NY Ska Jazz Ensemble, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra). In the past four years, the group has shared the stage with reggae and ska legends such as Neville Staple (The Specials) and the Skatalites, as well as the leading younger bands (The Slackers, The Toasters).

“This is Austin Rocksteady: three-part harmonies combined with faithful execution of the Jamaican rhythms. Add to the mix one Jonny Meyers from Forest Hills, NYC with major songwriting ability. We emerged from Music Lane Studios with 14 fresh hot biscuits for this song-starved planet.”
-Victor Rice on "This Good Thing"

After two releases with Grover (Rich Boy EP [2003], This Good Thing LP [2003]) and a headlining European tour through six countries, The Stingers ATX picked up a U.S. distribution label (Jump Up Records, Chicago) and were invited back to Europe to accept their highest compliment to date – this time from one of the great early masters of their genre: they toured as the opening and backing band for “the Godfather of Ska” Laurel Aitken, a Jamaican music pioneer who scored Island Records’ first #1 single, for a series of sold-out shows.

The Stingers ATX followed with another EP (Three Points [2003]) and LP (All in a Day [2004]), both with veteran producer Victor Rice. The recordings showcase the development of the band’s deeper understanding of traditional Jamaican soul elements, filtered through the personality of modern-day Austin. Following return tours throughout Europe (spring 2004) and the US (summer 2004), the Stingers ATX visited Europe again in the summer of 2005 for a series of headlining dates, a recording with The Senior Allstars, a slot on the main stage at Summer Jam, Europe’s largest reggae festival, and, most significantly, the honor of backing Doreen Shaffer, the legendary original singer for the Skatalites, for a series of successful performances in Germany.

Following the 2005 tour, the Stingers returned home and secured a deal that placed the track “Get Away,” the first cut off of the LP This Good Thing (2003) in the movie “The Long Weekend,” featuring American Pie actor Chris Klein. This Gold Circle Films release was a joint U.S./U.K. production and was distributed in both Europe and the United States. This marked the first Stingers’ release to hit the pictures.

In 2006, The Stingers mark their eighth year with a DIY split EP release with Houston’s I*Gents (Rude Roots EP [2006]). With minimal equipment, the EP reflects the sound, the sweat and the soul of the weekly practice room atmosphere, where most of a band’s work occurs.

Ten years after the band's inception, The Stingers released their fourth LP entitled (This Time Around LP [2008]). The title revisits a song from their first self-titled LP in 2000. Recorded in Austin, Texas and mixed in New York City by Victor Rice, the record boasts 14 new tracks and six different lead vocalists. The Stingers have always been known for tipping their collective hats to the harmony singers of the 1950s, and this seemed the best way to show it. The album is supported by a new, up and coming U.S. label, Mossburg Music.

The Stingers ATX band updates, tour schedule, exclusive mp3s, and online press pack are available at www.thestingers.net.

		The Stingers ATX Bio	other formats: word doc / pdf

		Since 1998, The Stingers ATX have developed their own modern hybrid of Jamaican rocksteady/ska and classic American doo-wop soul: solid roots-reggae rhythms, melodic horn lines, and tight 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies. Austin, a city rich with “roots” bands (country, blues, soul), has been a supportive home base for this roots-ska sextet, whose songwriting sensibility reflects the decades-old legacy of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Sam Cooke, the Beatles, and the Drifters. Their live shows have won them world-wide acclaim, from their former weekly three-hour showcases at the Black Cat Lounge in Austin to a sold-out New Year’s Eve show at La Fleche d’Or in Paris, to backing some of the most legendary names in ska/reggae music on European tours. In Austin, The Stingers ATX have earned big praise from audiences and critics alike, who keep the band consistently present in magazine polls and radio airplay (from Austin Chronicle: 2003 Critic’s pick for “Texas Top 10’s”; 2002-04 Reader’s Poll’s Top World Music list; “Austin’s first standout CD of 2003,” Raoul Hernandez). After the release of their first two recordings, The Stingers (2000), and Big in Mississippi EP (2001), on the band’s own label (Electric Entertainment), and several regional U.S. tours, The Stingers ATX signed on with Germany’s all-in-one indie label/tour promoter/catalog merchandiser Grover Records. This collaboration with one Europe’s most active ska/reggae labels puts The Stingers ATX in the company of some of the band’s heroes (Skatalites, Desmond Dekker, Rico Rodriguez), as well as their leading contemporaries (Dr. Ring-Ding, NY Ska Jazz Ensemble, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra). In the past four years, the group has shared the stage with reggae and ska legends such as Neville Staple (The Specials) and the Skatalites, as well as the leading younger bands (The Slackers, The Toasters). “This is Austin Rocksteady: three-part harmonies combined with faithful execution of the Jamaican rhythms. Add to the mix one Jonny Meyers from Forest Hills, NYC with major songwriting ability. We emerged from Music Lane Studios with 14 fresh hot biscuits for this song-starved planet.” -Victor Rice on "This Good Thing" After two releases with Grover (Rich Boy EP [2003], This Good Thing LP [2003]) and a headlining European tour through six countries, The Stingers ATX picked up a U.S. distribution label (Jump Up Records, Chicago) and were invited back to Europe to accept their highest compliment to date – this time from one of the great early masters of their genre: they toured as the opening and backing band for “the Godfather of Ska” Laurel Aitken, a Jamaican music pioneer who scored Island Records’ first #1 single, for a series of sold-out shows. The Stingers ATX followed with another EP (Three Points [2003]) and LP (All in a Day [2004]), both with veteran producer Victor Rice. The recordings showcase the development of the band’s deeper understanding of traditional Jamaican soul elements, filtered through the personality of modern-day Austin. Following return tours throughout Europe (spring 2004) and the US (summer 2004), the Stingers ATX visited Europe again in the summer of 2005 for a series of headlining dates, a recording with The Senior Allstars, a slot on the main stage at Summer Jam, Europe’s largest reggae festival, and, most significantly, the honor of backing Doreen Shaffer, the legendary original singer for the Skatalites, for a series of successful performances in Germany. Following the 2005 tour, the Stingers returned home and secured a deal that placed the track “Get Away,” the first cut off of the LP This Good Thing (2003) in the movie “The Long Weekend,” featuring American Pie actor Chris Klein. This Gold Circle Films release was a joint U.S./U.K. production and was distributed in both Europe and the United States. This marked the first Stingers’ release to hit the pictures. In 2006, The Stingers mark their eighth year with a DIY split EP release with Houston’s I*Gents (Rude Roots EP [2006]). With minimal equipment, the EP reflects the sound, the sweat and the soul of the weekly practice room atmosphere, where most of a band’s work occurs. Ten years after the band's inception, The Stingers released their fourth LP entitled (This Time Around LP [2008]). The title revisits a song from their first self-titled LP in 2000. Recorded in Austin, Texas and mixed in New York City by Victor Rice, the record boasts 14 new tracks and six different lead vocalists. The Stingers have always been known for tipping their collective hats to the harmony singers of the 1950s, and this seemed the best way to show it. The album is supported by a new, up and coming U.S. label, Mossburg Music. The Stingers ATX band updates, tour schedule, exclusive mp3s, and online press pack are available at www.thestingers.net.

		Audio Releases

		This Time Around (2008) -Mossburg Music (US) CD, LP -First proper release in 4 years -Produced by Victor Rice Rude Roots (2006) -Self-released EP split with IGents -Produced by Willy Camero All in a Day* (2004) -Grover Records (Germany) CD, LP -JumpUp Records (Chicago) CD -Produced by Victor Rice This Good Thing (U.S. - 2003) -JumpUp Records - U.S. reissue -Includes all material from Grover "This Good Thing" and "Three Points" -Produced by Victor Rice Three Points EP (2003) -Grover Records CD -Produced by Victor Rice This Good Thing (Europe - 2003) -Grover Records CD, LP -Produced by Victor Rice Big in Mississippi EP (2002) -Grover Records 45 -Electric Entertainment CD -Produced by Ter'ell Shaheed The Stingers (2000) -Electric Entertainment -Produced by The Stingers