The Pietasters
Encyclopedia
The Pietasters are a seven-piece ska
/soul
band hailing from Washington, D.C.
, with additional members from Maryland
and Virginia
.
and Chris Watt who had previously dabbled in playing punk rock covers.
Soon after, a mutual friend, Tal Bayer, began attending nearby Radford University
. He was very much into ska and reggae and suggested that they form a ska band. After recruiting a high school
friend, Tom Goodin, and an Architecture classmate, Ben Gauslin, The Slugs were born. Soon, they were skipping classes, melding ska, reggae, R & B and punk rock while practicing for hours to learn songs by Madness
, The Specials
, Bad Manners
, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Burial
, The Skatalites
, The Business
, and others. Unfortunately, the name The Slugs was already taken and the band needed a new name. For a few months, the name was changed to the Dancehall Crashers. It was too similar to another ska band out west so the search for a new name continued. Some British neighbors used to refer to the heftier guys in the band as Pietasters, which is British slang for "fat guys". The name stuck and The Pietasters were born.
A few months later, a similar band from the DC area, The Skunks
, asked The Pietasters to play a local ska night at a bar in Georgetown. The Pietasters were still rough around the edges. Soon, they were playing every dive bar in DC. The manager of one such bar befriended the band and helped them record their first record, The Pietasters
, more commonly known as Piestomp.
In the summer of 1993, The Pietasters set out on their first national tour in a used school bus they'd bought for $900. The tour was haphazard with stops in Ohio
, Oregon
, Kansas
and even many in Canada
. By the end of the tour, almost all of the original members quit the band. To this day, only trumpeter Carlos Linares and lead singer Steve Jackson remain as original members.
The Pietasters auditioned many players and decided on Jeremy Roberts, Toby Hansen and Alan Makranczy as their horn players, Rob Steward (Covington) on drums, and Paul Ackerman on keys. Tom Goodin remained on guitar. The new line-up continued to tour whenever possible, and soon attracted the attention of Bucket Hingley, front man of The Toasters
and owner of Moon Ska Records. He asked if The Pietasters wanted to be a part of a tour package called, "Skavoovie 94". The Pietasters accepted and were soon touring with The Toasters
and The Scofflaws
. The tour was much more organized than their last outing and proved to be very educational. By the end of the tour, The Pietasters were scheduled to record "Oolooloo" on Moon Ska with Victor Rice
producing.
Oolooloo
came out in the summer of 1995. The Pietasters continued to tour the country, and even managed to record "Strapped Live!
" between stops in Raleigh, NC and The Black Cat in Washington, DC. "Strapped Live!" was released in 1996 and quickly became a fan favorite and the closest thing to a live Pietasters show. Throughout this period, The Pietasters had been recording new songs, re-recording older ones, and recording some covers. The results ended up as "Comply", and the song selection foreshadowed their next release.
While touring with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the band made a stop in Los Angeles
. Backstage at the show, Tim Armstrong from the band, Rancid
, approached the band and asked if they'd like to be a part of a new label he was putting together, Hellcat Records
. The Slackers
, Hepcat
and Dropkick Murphys
were already committed and he wanted The Pietasters on board.
After clearing such a move with Moon Ska, The Pietasters signed with Hellcat, a subsidiary of Epitaph Records
, and their next album, Willis
was recorded and released in 1997. A tour of the US soon followed as well as their first ever tour of Europe
. The Pietasters also made appearances on the Warped Tour
and opened for such acts as The Reverend Horton Heat
, Cherry Poppin Daddies, and Ozomatli
.
By 1999, The Pietasters were in the studio again to record Awesome Mix Tape #6
for Epitaph's Hellcat Records
. They finished the album and set out on the road again touring Europe with the Warped Tour, then the US again with the Pilfers
and Spring Heeled Jack
, and closing out 1999 with an opening stint for the legendary Joe Strummer
. Years of touring finally took its toll on Paul Ackerman and Tom Goodin, who amicably left the band. Bassist Todd Eckhardt also left the band and was replaced by Jorge Pezzimenti of Virginia band, The Decepticonz. Erick Morgan, formerly of The Skunks, took over keys, and Toby Hansen replaced Tom Goodin on guitar.
In late 2001, The Pietasters were well into recording their next album when they learned that former bassist, Todd Eckhardt, had died in his sleep. The news was extremely hard on The Pietasters and their fans. The Pietasters released a new album in 2002 titled Turbo
, a nickname of Todd's. The new album's blend of Jamaican riddims and Northern Soul won praise from fans and critics alike. It even caught the attention of James Brown
who asked The Pietasters to be his backing band at a sold-out concert in Washington DC in December 2002. The following year, The Pietasters released their first DVD, Live at The 9:30 Club
. Their song "Out All Night," was featured in the videogames Street Sk8er
for the PlayStation, and NCAA Football 06
. In 2006, The Pietasters played the International Ska Circus in Las Vegas
.
On August 21, 2007, seventeen years after their inception, The Pietasters released a new studio album entitled, All Day
.
In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records
and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter
to release "Oolooloo
" on vinyl, among other third-wave ska classics from Pilfers
, Edna's Goldfish
, and Suburban Legends
. If the funding goal is met by January 18, 2012, the records should be out Spring 2012.
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...
/soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
band hailing from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, with additional members from Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
History
In 1990, a group of friends were attending college at Virginia Tech in the mountains of Virginia. Among them were Stephen JacksonStephen Jackson (musician)
Stephen Jackson is a musician from Washington D.C.. Most notably he is a founding member, singer and songwriter for the Washington D.C...
and Chris Watt who had previously dabbled in playing punk rock covers.
Soon after, a mutual friend, Tal Bayer, began attending nearby Radford University
Radford University
Radford University is one of Virginia's eight doctoral-degree granting public universities. Originally founded in 1910, Radford offers comprehensive curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, and graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A...
. He was very much into ska and reggae and suggested that they form a ska band. After recruiting a high school
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Lake Braddock Secondary School is a combined junior-high and high school in Burke, Virginia, United States, administered by Fairfax County Public Schools . It is one of four secondary schools in Fairfax County; the other three are Hayfield, Robinson, and South County.Opened in 1973, Lake Braddock...
friend, Tom Goodin, and an Architecture classmate, Ben Gauslin, The Slugs were born. Soon, they were skipping classes, melding ska, reggae, R & B and punk rock while practicing for hours to learn songs by 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 Specials
The Specials
The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
, Bad Manners
Bad Manners
Bad Manners are an English 2 Tone ska band. They quickly became the novelty favourites of the UK pop scene through their bald outsized frontman's on-stage antics, earning early exposure through their Top of The Pops exploits and an appearance in the live film documentary, Dance Craze.They were at...
, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Burial
The Burial
The Burial were an Oi! band that incorporated ska, northern soul and folk influences into their music. Formed in 1981 in Yorkshire, England, they released one album, A Day On The Town in 1988, and worked with Bradford‘s anarchist rant-poet Nick Toczek on various projects under the name Britanarchists...
, The Skatalites
The Skatalites
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...
, The Business
The Business
The Business may refer to:* The Business , a British weekly magazine* The Business , a novel by Iain Banks* The Business , an English punk rock/Oi! band* The Business , a 2005 film directed by Nick Love...
, and others. Unfortunately, the name The Slugs was already taken and the band needed a new name. For a few months, the name was changed to the Dancehall Crashers. It was too similar to another ska band out west so the search for a new name continued. Some British neighbors used to refer to the heftier guys in the band as Pietasters, which is British slang for "fat guys". The name stuck and The Pietasters were born.
A few months later, a similar band from the DC area, The Skunks
The Skunks (ska band)
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.-History:...
, asked The Pietasters to play a local ska night at a bar in Georgetown. The Pietasters were still rough around the edges. Soon, they were playing every dive bar in DC. The manager of one such bar befriended the band and helped them record their first record, The Pietasters
The Pietasters (album)
The Pietasters, also commonly referred to as Piestomp, is the first album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1993 on Slugtone. Alternative recordings had earlier been released on cassette as All You Can Eat and The Ska-Rumptious 7 Inch. The CD was reissued in 2000 and made...
, more commonly known as Piestomp.
In the summer of 1993, The Pietasters set out on their first national tour in a used school bus they'd bought for $900. The tour was haphazard with stops in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
and even many in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. By the end of the tour, almost all of the original members quit the band. To this day, only trumpeter Carlos Linares and lead singer Steve Jackson remain as original members.
The Pietasters auditioned many players and decided on Jeremy Roberts, Toby Hansen and Alan Makranczy as their horn players, Rob Steward (Covington) on drums, and Paul Ackerman on keys. Tom Goodin remained on guitar. The new line-up continued to tour whenever possible, and soon attracted the attention of Bucket Hingley, front man of The Toasters
The Toasters
The Toasters was one of the first American bands in the third wave of ska, and is one of the longest active third wave ska bands.They have released nine studio albums, most of them on Moon Ska Records. The Toasters experienced a small degree of commercial success in the late 1990s due to the...
and owner of Moon Ska Records. He asked if The Pietasters wanted to be a part of a tour package called, "Skavoovie 94". The Pietasters accepted and were soon touring with The Toasters
The Toasters
The Toasters was one of the first American bands in the third wave of ska, and is one of the longest active third wave ska bands.They have released nine studio albums, most of them on Moon Ska Records. The Toasters experienced a small degree of commercial success in the late 1990s due to the...
and The Scofflaws
The Scofflaws
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...
. The tour was much more organized than their last outing and proved to be very educational. By the end of the tour, The Pietasters were scheduled to record "Oolooloo" on Moon Ska with Victor Rice
Victor Rice
Victor Rice is a musician and producer from New York City. He is most noted for his work within the third wave ska genre of the 1990s through the early 2000s, as both a bassist and as a producer....
producing.
Oolooloo
Oolooloo
Oolooloo is the second album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1995 .In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter to release "Oolooloo" on vinyl, among other third-wave ska...
came out in the summer of 1995. The Pietasters continued to tour the country, and even managed to record "Strapped Live!
Strapped Live!
Strapped Live! is a live album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters, recorded at two shows in 1995 and released in 1996 .-Track listing:#"Without You" – 3:02#"Tell You Why" – 4:16#"Something Better" – 3:57...
" between stops in Raleigh, NC and The Black Cat in Washington, DC. "Strapped Live!" was released in 1996 and quickly became a fan favorite and the closest thing to a live Pietasters show. Throughout this period, The Pietasters had been recording new songs, re-recording older ones, and recording some covers. The results ended up as "Comply", and the song selection foreshadowed their next release.
While touring with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the band made a stop in 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...
. Backstage at the show, Tim Armstrong from the band, 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...
, approached the band and asked if they'd like to be a part of a new label he was putting together, 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...
. The Slackers
The Slackers
The Slackers are a New York City band, formed in Brooklyn in 1991. The band's sound is a mix of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, soul, garage rock, and jazz...
, 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....
and Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
were already committed and he wanted The Pietasters on board.
After clearing such a move with Moon Ska, The Pietasters signed with Hellcat, a subsidiary of Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
, and their next album, Willis
Willis (album)
Willis is the third album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1997 This album was released during the mid- to late-1990s ska explosion, and reached 44 on the Heatseekers chart, a record for the Pietasters....
was recorded and released in 1997. A tour of the US soon followed as well as their first ever tour of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The Pietasters also made appearances on the Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
and opened for such acts as The Reverend Horton Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat is the stage name of American musician Jim Heath as well as the name of his Dallas, Texas-based psychobilly trio. Heath is a singer, songwriter and guitarist....
, Cherry Poppin Daddies, and Ozomatli
Ozomatli
Ozomatli is a seven to ten piece band playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock music, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. They are known both for their vocal activist viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap, and others.In a 2007 NPR interview, band...
.
By 1999, The Pietasters were in the studio again to record Awesome Mix Tape #6
Awesome Mix Tape vol. 6
Awesome Mix Tape vol. 6 is the fourth album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1999 .-Track listing:# "...This Precious Record" – 0:24# "Chain Reaction" – 2:46...
for Epitaph's 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...
. They finished the album and set out on the road again touring Europe with the Warped Tour, then the US again with the Pilfers
Pilfers
Pilfers are an American ska band formed in 1997, when former Toasters vocalist, Coolie Ranx, at the urging of Pietaster's vocalist Steve Jackson, joined with former Bim Skala Bim trombonist, Vinny Nobile...
and Spring Heeled Jack
Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A.
Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A. was 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...
, and closing out 1999 with an opening stint for the legendary Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer
John Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...
. Years of touring finally took its toll on Paul Ackerman and Tom Goodin, who amicably left the band. Bassist Todd Eckhardt also left the band and was replaced by Jorge Pezzimenti of Virginia band, The Decepticonz. Erick Morgan, formerly of The Skunks, took over keys, and Toby Hansen replaced Tom Goodin on guitar.
In late 2001, The Pietasters were well into recording their next album when they learned that former bassist, Todd Eckhardt, had died in his sleep. The news was extremely hard on The Pietasters and their fans. The Pietasters released a new album in 2002 titled Turbo
Turbo (The Pietasters album)
Turbo is the fifth album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 2002 .-Track listing:# "Told You the First Time" – 2:28# "Set Me Up" – 2:51...
, a nickname of Todd's. The new album's blend of Jamaican riddims and Northern Soul won praise from fans and critics alike. It even caught the attention of James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
who asked The Pietasters to be his backing band at a sold-out concert in Washington DC in December 2002. The following year, The Pietasters released their first DVD, Live at The 9:30 Club
9:30 Club
Foo Fighters Promise to come back to D.C. and play the 9:30 ClubNightclub 9:30 is a nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. Originally located at 930 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C., in the 1970s it was called the "Atlantis Club", and hosted primarily rock, New Wave, and punk bands...
. Their song "Out All Night," was featured in the videogames Street Sk8er
Street Sk8er
Street Skater - sometimes spelled as "Street Sk8er" - is a skateboarding video game for the PlayStation. It was first released in Japan in 1998 under the name Street Boarders, then was licensed by Electronic Arts for distribution in America in 1999. It was re-released later in Japan as part of the...
for the PlayStation, and NCAA Football 06
NCAA Football 06
NCAA Football '06, known colloquially as College Football 2006 is a collegiate American football video game which was released on July 11, 2005. The product features former Michigan Wolverines standout and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard on the cover...
. In 2006, The Pietasters played the International Ska Circus in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
.
On August 21, 2007, seventeen years after their inception, The Pietasters released a new studio album entitled, All Day
All Day (The Pietasters album)
All Day is an album by The Pietasters, released on August 21, 2007 on Indication Records. It includes material that the band had been writing for the previous three years. The band released a free preview of the album at concerts on 1 and 2 June 2007...
.
In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records
Asbestos Records
Asbestos Records in an independent record label in Stratford, CT founded in 1996 by Matt Flood, and Dave Leone....
and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is an online threshold pledge system for funding creative projects. Kickstarter has funded a diverse array of endeavors, ranging from indie film and music to journalism, solar energy technology and food-related projects.-Model:...
to release "Oolooloo
Oolooloo
Oolooloo is the second album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1995 .In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter to release "Oolooloo" on vinyl, among other third-wave ska...
" on vinyl, among other third-wave ska classics from Pilfers
Pilfers
Pilfers are an American ska band formed in 1997, when former Toasters vocalist, Coolie Ranx, at the urging of Pietaster's vocalist Steve Jackson, joined with former Bim Skala Bim trombonist, Vinny Nobile...
, Edna's Goldfish
Edna's Goldfish
Edna's Goldfish was a ska punk band from Long Island.Together from 1997 to 2000, their studio albums include Before You Knew Better and "The Elements of Transition" , both released on Moon Ska Records. The video for their song "Veronica Sawyer" received some airplay on the MTV show 120 Minutes...
, and Suburban Legends
Suburban Legends
Suburban Legends are a third wave ska/pop band that formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1998, and are currently based out of Santa Ana, California.- History :...
. If the funding goal is met by January 18, 2012, the records should be out Spring 2012.
Current lineup
- Stephen JacksonStephen Jackson (musician)Stephen Jackson is a musician from Washington D.C.. Most notably he is a founding member, singer and songwriter for the Washington D.C...
- vocals - Toby Hansen - guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, trumpet - Andrew Guterman - 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 ....
- Alan Makranczy - saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
- Jeremy Roberts - tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
- Carlos Linares - trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
- Dave Vermillion - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Dan Schneider - keyboards
Past members
- Talmage Bayer - vocals
- Tom Goodin - guitar
- Pat Kelley - guitar
- Todd Eckhardt - bass (deceased)
- Chris Watt - bass
- Jorge Pezzimenti - bass
- Jon Darby - bass/keyboards
- Ben Gauslin - drums
- Rob Steward - drums
- Chuck Roberts - drums
- Eric Raecke - tenor saxophone
- Rob French - trombone
- Caroline Boutwell - farfisaFarfisaFarfisa is a manufacturer of electronics based in Osimo, Italy.The Farfisa brand name is commonly associated with a series of compact electronic organs, and later, a series of multi-timbral synthesizers. At the height of its production, Farfisa operated three factories to produce instruments, in...
- Paul T. Ackerman - keyboardsThe Players BandThe Players Band is an 8-piece ska band formed in Baltimore in 1999. The Players' musical style combines Jamaican ska, rock, and reggae, and is characterized by the use of upbeat horns and percussion. The band has played over 400 live shows in various states, including; Maryland, Pennsylvania,...
- Erick Morgan - keyboards
- Jeb Crandall - keyboards
- Dave Pinkert - keyboards
- Jason Trippett - Saxophone
Studio albums
- The PietastersThe Pietasters (album)The Pietasters, also commonly referred to as Piestomp, is the first album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1993 on Slugtone. Alternative recordings had earlier been released on cassette as All You Can Eat and The Ska-Rumptious 7 Inch. The CD was reissued in 2000 and made...
- 1993 on Slug Tone! Records - OoloolooOoloolooOolooloo is the second album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1995 .In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter to release "Oolooloo" on vinyl, among other third-wave ska...
- 1995 on Moon Ska Records - WillisWillis (album)Willis is the third album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1997 This album was released during the mid- to late-1990s ska explosion, and reached 44 on the Heatseekers chart, a record for the Pietasters....
- 1997 on 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... - Awesome Mix Tape vol. 6Awesome Mix Tape vol. 6Awesome Mix Tape vol. 6 is the fourth album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1999 .-Track listing:# "...This Precious Record" – 0:24# "Chain Reaction" – 2:46...
- 1999 on Hellcat Records - TurboTurbo (The Pietasters album)Turbo is the fifth album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 2002 .-Track listing:# "Told You the First Time" – 2:28# "Set Me Up" – 2:51...
- 2002 on Fueled by RamenFueled by RamenFueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City... - All DayAll Day (The Pietasters album)All Day is an album by The Pietasters, released on August 21, 2007 on Indication Records. It includes material that the band had been writing for the previous three years. The band released a free preview of the album at concerts on 1 and 2 June 2007...
- 2007 on Indication Records - OoloolooOoloolooOolooloo is the second album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters. It was released in 1995 .In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter to release "Oolooloo" on vinyl, among other third-wave ska...
- 2012 Limited Vinyl Pressing on Asbestos RecordsAsbestos RecordsAsbestos Records in an independent record label in Stratford, CT founded in 1996 by Matt Flood, and Dave Leone....
and Underground Communiqué Records
Rare Albums, EPs, Singles, and Others
- The Ska-Rumptious 7 Inch - 1992 on Slug Tone! Records
- All You Can Eat (EP) - 1992 on Slug Tone! Records
- Soul Sammich - 1994 on Slug Tone! Records
- Crazy Monkey Lady b/w Ocean 7" - 1996 on Moon Records
- Strapped Live!Strapped Live!Strapped Live! is a live album by the ska/soul band The Pietasters, recorded at two shows in 1995 and released in 1996 .-Track listing:#"Without You" – 3:02#"Tell You Why" – 4:16#"Something Better" – 3:57...
(live album) - 1996 on Moon Records - Comply - 1996 on Moon Records
- Warren Miller's Snowriders 2 Soundtrack - 1997
- Out All Night (Promo) - 1997 on Hellcat Records
- [ Out All Night] (EP) - 1998 on HellCat Records
- Yesterday's Over (Promo) - 1999 on Hellcat Records
- The Pietasters 1992-1996 - 2003 on VMS Records
- Live at the 9:30 Club (DVD) - 2005 on MVD
- Don't Wanna Know EP - 2007 on Indication Records
- NCAA Football 2006 (Game Menu and Minigame Soundtrack)
Compilations
- [ Ska Gone South], on Bob Records, 1994
- [ Skarmaggedon Vol. 1], on Moon Ska, 1994
- [ Ska - The Third Wave, Vol. 1], on Continuum Records, 1995
- This Are Moon Ska, on Moon Records, 1996
- CMJ New Music Volume 51, November 1997
- [ Ska - The Third Wave, Vol. 3], on Shanachie Records, 1997
- [ Skandalous: I've Gotcha Covered, Vol. 2], on Shanachie Records, 1997
- [ Skanaholics Unanimous: Under the Influence of Ska], on Moon Records, 1997
- Give 'Em The Boot, Vol. 1, on Hellcat Records, 1997
- [ Ska Sucks], on Liberation Records, 1998
- [ Steady Sounds From The Underground], on Side One Dummy, 1998
- Rolling Stone Rare Trax Vol. 5: Summer in the City, 1998
- Vans Off The Wall Sampler, on Vans Records, 1998
- CMJ New Music Monthly Vol # 73, September 1999
- Vans Off The Wall Sampler, 1999, on Vans Records, 1999
- Give 'em the Boot, vol. 2, on Hellcat Records, 1999
- [ Free Air, Vol. 1], on GoBig! Records, 1999
- [ Ska Party '99], on Simitar Records, 1999
- Music To Piss Off The Old Folk, on Stickyfingerz Records, 2000
- [ Capital Radio], 2000
- [ Metalliska], on Too Hep Records, 2000
- Give 'em the Boot, vol. 2, on Hellcat Records, 2002
- Green Hell Compilation, Vol. 2, on Green Hell Records, 2002
- Fueled By Ramen, Vol. 1, 2002
- Feed Your Ears, Vol. 1, on Fueled By Ramen, 2002
- Kick Ass Ska, on Pimp Records, 2002
- Still Standing, A North American Ska Uprising, on JumpUp! Records, 2003
- Punk Rock Academy, on Suckerpunch Records, 2004
- Kubota, Takeshi - Neo Classics 2, on TAD Sound, 2008
- All Beats of Ska, 2009
- Potluck - A SKA Concoction, 1999
Videos
- New Breed - a Burning Toast / Slug Tone! Records Production (or see it on YouTube)
- Stoned Feeling - a Burning Toast / Slug Tone! Records Production
- Out All Night - an Epitaph / Hellcat Records / Slug Tone! Records Production
- Yesterday's Over - an Epitaph / Hellcat Records / Slug Tone! Records Production
Articles
- CMJ New Music Monthly, Best New Releases, Nov 1997
- Spin Magazine, Crude Boys: The Pietasters Take Ska One Step Beyond, Mar 1998
- CMJ New Music Monthly, Soul Providers, For the Pietasters, soul and ska go together like Sammy and Dean-O, September, 1999
Interviews
- Hoi Polloi! #4 Interview, June 1997 (PDF)
- Interview with Steve Jackson by Greg Szeto at Aural States (Nov 2007)
- Mobtown Ska PodOmatic Podcast Interview, 2008