The Aggrolites
Encyclopedia
The Aggrolites are a reggae
and ska
band from Los Angeles
, California
, formed in 2002.
bands, the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors. They formed in 2002 as a live backing band for reggae icon Derrick Morgan
, and were asked to record music for a new Morgan album. The project was never released but the recording sessions inspired the Aggrolites to become a permanent band. They have served as the backing band for Phyllis Dillon
, Scotty, Joseph Hill of Culture
, Prince Buster
, and Tim Armstrong
.
In 2003, the Aggrolites released their debut album, Dirty Reggae
, on local reggae label Axe Records. The album was recorded at Signet Studios in Los Angeles in one day, with each song recorded in one take, and with many lyrics improvised on the spot. In November 2004, the Aggrolites were featured on Hellcat Records
compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV, and were officially signed to Hellcat in October 2005. The Aggrolites' self-titled Hellcat debut
was released on May 9, 2006. In December 2006 they toured the UK as the support band for Madness
. The Aggrolites finished a collaboration with Rancid
frontman Tim Armstrong
for his new solo album, A Poet's Life
. They are providing the instrumentals with Tim as lead singer.
They released a new album on June 5, 2007 called Reggae Hit L.A.
, which won an IGN award for Best Reggae Album of 2007.
The Aggrolites made an appearance on the Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba!
, created by Christian Jacobs, lead singer of The Aquabats
.
In mid-2007, original bassist J Bonner quit the band and played his last show on August 12, 2007 in Washington DC. He was replaced by Hepcat
bassist David Fuentes. Fuentes died on September 23, 2007.
The band entered the studio in early 2009 to record their fourth album. It was released June 9, 2009 and titled IV
.
The band is kicking off a US tour in October 2009 before joining Slightly Stoopid for a run of dates in November 2009.
The band released their fifth studio album, Rugged Road
, on February 22, 2011. It is their first album for Young Cub Records.
was featured in the film Bandslam.
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
and ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, formed in 2002.
Overview
The Aggrolites are an amalgamation of two previous Los Angeles reggae and skaSka
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
bands, the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors. They formed in 2002 as a live backing band for reggae icon Derrick Morgan
Derrick Morgan
Derrick Morgan is a musical artist popular in the 1960s and 1970s. He worked with Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley, and Jimmy Cliff in the rhythm and blues and ska genres, and he also performed rocksteady and skinhead reggae.-Biography:In 1957 Morgan entered the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, a talent...
, and were asked to record music for a new Morgan album. The project was never released but the recording sessions inspired the Aggrolites to become a permanent band. They have served as the backing band for Phyllis Dillon
Phyllis Dillon
Phyllis Dillon was a Jamaican ska and reggae singer who recorded for Duke Reid's lucrative Treasure Isle record label in the late 1960s and early 1970s.-Life and career:...
, Scotty, Joseph Hill of Culture
Culture (band)
Culture was a Jamaican roots reggae group founded in 1976. Originally they were known as the African Disciples.The members of the trio were Joseph Hill , Albert Walker and Kenneth Dayes ....
, Prince Buster
Prince Buster
Cecil Bustamente Campbell, O.D. , better known as Prince Buster, and also known by his Muslim name Muhammed Yusef Ali, is a musician from Kingston, Jamaica. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of ska and rocksteady music...
, and Tim Armstrong
Tim Armstrong
Timothy Lockwood Armstrong is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with punk rock bands Rancid, Operation Ivy, Downfall, and the Transplants. He is also the owner and operator of Hellcat Records.-Personal life:Armstrong was born November 25, 1965 and was...
.
In 2003, the Aggrolites released their debut album, Dirty Reggae
Dirty Reggae
Dirty Reggae is the debut album by reggae band The Aggrolites. The album was released in 2003 on Axe Records.-Track listing:#"Hot Stop" - 2:49#"Jimmy Jack" - 2:46#"Black Lung" - 3:46#"Keep It Cool" - 3:15#"The Stampede" - 3:06...
, on local reggae label Axe Records. The album was recorded at Signet Studios in Los Angeles in one day, with each song recorded in one take, and with many lyrics improvised on the spot. In November 2004, the Aggrolites were featured on Hellcat Records
Hellcat Records
Hellcat Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. The label, an off-shoot of Epitaph Records, was started as a partnership between Brett Gurewitz carp Bad Religion, the owner of Epitaph, and Tim Armstrong of Rancid, the latter of whom is generally responsible for...
compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV, and were officially signed to Hellcat in October 2005. The Aggrolites' self-titled Hellcat debut
The Aggrolites (album)
The Aggrolites is the self-titled album by a band of the same name, released in 2006. It is their second album overall and first on Hellcat.-Track listing:#"Funky Fire" - 4:10#"Mr...
was released on May 9, 2006. In December 2006 they toured the UK as the support band for Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
. The Aggrolites finished a collaboration with Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
frontman Tim Armstrong
Tim Armstrong
Timothy Lockwood Armstrong is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with punk rock bands Rancid, Operation Ivy, Downfall, and the Transplants. He is also the owner and operator of Hellcat Records.-Personal life:Armstrong was born November 25, 1965 and was...
for his new solo album, A Poet's Life
A Poet's Life
A Poet's Life is the first solo album by Tim Armstrong , made in collaboration with Hellcat-signed reggae band The Aggrolites. It was released on May 22, 2007 on Armstrong's own label, Hellcat Records....
. They are providing the instrumentals with Tim as lead singer.
They released a new album on June 5, 2007 called Reggae Hit L.A.
Reggae Hit L.A.
Reggae Hit L.A. is the third full-length studio album from Los Angeles reggae band The Aggrolites. It is also their second album for Hellcat Records, following their May 2006 self-titled release...
, which won an IGN award for Best Reggae Album of 2007.
The Aggrolites made an appearance on the Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba!
Yo Gabba Gabba!
Yo Gabba Gabba! is an American children's television show currently airing on the Nick Jr. cable network in the United States and the Nick Jr. networks in the United Kingdom & Ireland, Italy, France and Australia as well as Treehouse TV network in Canada and RTE2 on RTEjr see Raidió Teilifís...
, created by Christian Jacobs, lead singer of The Aquabats
The Aquabats
The Aquabats are an American rock band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California. They have released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. They are best known for their mythology, in which they claim to be superheroes on a quest to save the world from evil through music...
.
In mid-2007, original bassist J Bonner quit the band and played his last show on August 12, 2007 in Washington DC. He was replaced by Hepcat
Hepcat
Hepcat is a ska and reggae band formed in southern California in 1989.Their soulful harmonies and mellow rhythms were unlike those of contemporaries and more akin to musicians from the heyday of 1960s Jamaican ska, also referred to as the first wave....
bassist David Fuentes. Fuentes died on September 23, 2007.
The band entered the studio in early 2009 to record their fourth album. It was released June 9, 2009 and titled IV
IV (The Aggrolites album)
IV is the fourth studio album from reggae band The Aggrolites. It is the band's third album for Hellcat Records.Prior to the album's release, the band posted "The Sufferer" on their Myspace page...
.
The band is kicking off a US tour in October 2009 before joining Slightly Stoopid for a run of dates in November 2009.
The band released their fifth studio album, Rugged Road
Rugged Road
Rugged Road is the fifth studio album from reggae band The Aggrolites released in 2011. It is the band's first for Young Cub Records.-Track listing:# "Trial and Error" - 3:55# "Enemy Dub" - 3:16# "Dreamin on Erie" - 4:20# "Eye of Obarbas" - 2:36...
, on February 22, 2011. It is their first album for Young Cub Records.
Band members
- Alex McKenzie – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Roger Rivas – pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with... - Jesse Wagner – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, lead guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Jeff Roffredo – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Brian Dixon – Rhythm GuitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
Past members
- Scott Abels – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2005–2006) - J Bonner – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- David Fuentes – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2007, deceased) - Korey HornKorey HornKorey Horn , also known as Kingston is a musician and drummer for Los Angeles-based bands The Aggrolites and Hepcat. , he is the drummer for Suedehead.- Professional background :...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Films
The band's song "Free Time" from the album Reggae Hit L.A.Reggae Hit L.A.
Reggae Hit L.A. is the third full-length studio album from Los Angeles reggae band The Aggrolites. It is also their second album for Hellcat Records, following their May 2006 self-titled release...
was featured in the film Bandslam.
Albums
- Dirty ReggaeDirty ReggaeDirty Reggae is the debut album by reggae band The Aggrolites. The album was released in 2003 on Axe Records.-Track listing:#"Hot Stop" - 2:49#"Jimmy Jack" - 2:46#"Black Lung" - 3:46#"Keep It Cool" - 3:15#"The Stampede" - 3:06...
, Axe Records, 2003 - The AggrolitesThe Aggrolites (album)The Aggrolites is the self-titled album by a band of the same name, released in 2006. It is their second album overall and first on Hellcat.-Track listing:#"Funky Fire" - 4:10#"Mr...
, Hellcat Records, 2006 - Reggae Hit L.A.Reggae Hit L.A.Reggae Hit L.A. is the third full-length studio album from Los Angeles reggae band The Aggrolites. It is also their second album for Hellcat Records, following their May 2006 self-titled release...
, Hellcat Records, 2007 - IVIV (The Aggrolites album)IV is the fourth studio album from reggae band The Aggrolites. It is the band's third album for Hellcat Records.Prior to the album's release, the band posted "The Sufferer" on their Myspace page...
, Hellcat RecordsHellcat RecordsHellcat Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. The label, an off-shoot of Epitaph Records, was started as a partnership between Brett Gurewitz carp Bad Religion, the owner of Epitaph, and Tim Armstrong of Rancid, the latter of whom is generally responsible for...
, 2009 - Rugged RoadRugged RoadRugged Road is the fifth studio album from reggae band The Aggrolites released in 2011. It is the band's first for Young Cub Records.-Track listing:# "Trial and Error" - 3:55# "Enemy Dub" - 3:16# "Dreamin on Erie" - 4:20# "Eye of Obarbas" - 2:36...
, Young Cub Records, 2011
Compilations
- Give 'Em the Boot IVGive 'Em the Boot IVGive 'Em the Boot IV is the fourth compilation album in the Give 'Em the Boot series, released in 2004 .- Track listing :#"Killing Zone" - Rancid#"Dirty Reggae" - The Aggrolites#"Atomic" - Tiger Army#"Propaganda" - The Slackers...
(2004) - Give 'Em the Boot VGive 'Em the Boot VGive 'Em the Boot V is the fifth compilation album in the Give 'Em the Boot series, released in 2006 .- Track listing :#"Tattoo" - Rancid#"Warriors Code" - Dropkick Murphys#"Cold Concrete" - Time Again...
(2006) - Give 'Em the Boot VIGive 'Em the Boot VIGive 'Em the Boot VI is an unofficial sixth entry in the Give 'Em the Boot series of albums. The compilations are periodically released by "Hellcat Records" and there is no record of it on the label's website. It has been distributed through the use of torrent download websites and features a...
(2007) - Warped Tour 2008 Tour CompilationWarped Tour 2008 Tour CompilationThe Warped Tour 2008 Tour Compilation is the thirteenth installment in the annual compilation series accompanying the Warped Tour. The cover is a photograph of Underoath singer Spencer Chamberlain. The 2008 Warped Tour Compilation was produced by Jon Pebsworth and Mike Pelak.- Track listing :...
(2008)