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Since 1998, The Stingers have developed their own modern hybrid of Jamaican
rocksteady/ska and classic American doo-wop soul: solid roots-reggae rhythms,
melodic horn lines, and 5 lead vocalists each with a unique style backed
by tight 3- and 4-part harmonies. All of this is anchored by superb songwriting
and lyrics that range from rocksteady love tunes to politically charged
steppers reggae to high energy ska, reflecting the decades-old legacy
of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Sam Cooke, The Skatalites and Bob Dylan.
While Austin, Texas
remains the supportive home base for this roots-ska sextet, international
releases, tours backing some of the biggest names in ska music and shape-shifting
shows ranging from Germany’s Reggae Summer Jam (Europe’s
largest Reggae festival), to a sold-out New Year’s Eve show at
La Fleche d’Or in Paris, to an appearance at The Kennedy Center
in Washington, D.C have won the band world-wide acclaim.
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), The Stingers signed on with Germany’s all-in-one
indie label/tour promoter/catalog merchandiser Grover Records and also
veteran producer Victor Rice. This collaboration immediately produced
two quick releases (Rich Boy EP [2002], This Good Thing LP [2002]) and
their first headlining European tour.
Word spread quickly and The Stingers soon found themselves among the
elite in the roots-ska scene, prompting four additional record releases
(Three Points EP [2003], All In A Day LP [2004], Rude Roots [2006] and
This Time Around [2008]), tours in over twelve different countries,
and distribution deals with Jump Up Records (US) and, most recently,
a deal with Mossburg Music (US).
Along with records, tours and label support came the honor of backing
two great masters of their genre, Laurel Aitken, a Jamaican music pioneer
who scored Island Records’ first #1 single, and Doreen Shaffer,
lead singer of the band that started it all, The Skatalites, for a series
of sold-out shows in 2003 and 2005 respectively.
The Stingers also found their music on the big screen, when “Get
Away,” was featured in Gold Circle Films release The Long Weekend
(2005).
“Maybe the Democrats should look to ska survivors like the
Stingers for inspiration. If they could write a platform with half as
much pop sensibility as a Stingers tune, we’d never have to worry
about a few befuddled South Floridians’ votes again.”
-John Nova Lomax, Houston Press
“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"
2008 marks the ten-year anniversary for The Stingers. To celebrate,
the band is set to release their fourth full length, appropriately titled
This Time Around (Mossburg Music/Grover Records 2008). The record features
five different lead vocalists, special guests (former members included),
big new tunes and a sound that displays the type of forward-thinking
that has long characterized the Stingers’ sound.
Produced by both Victor Rice and the band, This Time Around will be
supported by a European tour during the summer of 2008.
The Stingers ATX band updates, tour schedule, exclusive mp3s, and online
press pack are available at www.thestingers.net. Available Stingers
recordings can be purchased at either www.grover.de
or www.mossburgmusic.com.
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