The Scofflaws
Encyclopedia
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 bands on the now-defunct Moon Ska label, as well as the epicenter and focal point of the once-thriving Long Island ska scene.
The band had previously existed from circa 1984 under the name The New Bohemians, initially with a stronger emphasis on novelty ‘60s, R&B and television-show theme cover songs, bolstered by original ska-oriented anthems such as "Rudy's Back" and "Paul Getty". They sold the New Bohemians name to Edie Brickell in 1988, and regrouped as The Scofflaws.
The Scofflaws early sound was characterized by strong R&B and jazz influences as well as eclectic covers of such songs as Henry Mancini
's "A Shot in the Dark", Danny Elfman
's theme for Pee-wee's Big Adventure
, and a scorching live rendition of The Skatalites
instrumental "Ska-La Parisian". Original songs like "Ska-La-Carte", "Nude Beach" and "William Shatner
" became cult favorites due to the offbeat lyrics and quirky vocal stylings of bandleader Richard "Sammy" Brooks and trombonist Buford O'Sullivan.
They toured the United States several times, including stints as the openers for Desmond Dekker and Bad Manners.
The band's large lineup changed often, serving as a springboard for numerous New York ska musicians, as well as sprouting several subsequent groups. Original co-frontman Mike Drance left in 1994 to form The Bluebeats, while bassist Victor Rice
went on to found New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble and enjoy a distinguished production career. Several Scofflaws members including O'Sullivan, Paul Gebhardt, and Tony Calarco also played for fellow Moon Ska artists The Toasters
as well as One Groovy Coconut and Royal Roost, and The Scofflaws have often shared members with Huntington disciples Spider Nick & the Maddogs (whose leader, "Spider Nick" Martielli, wrote Scofflaws favorite "Spider on My Bed").
Although The Scofflaws have not released a studio recording since 1998, they continue to perform live gigs in the New York area, and are still fondly remembered by many ska fans as a driving force in establishing the US ska scene in the '90s.
Huntington, New York
The Town of Huntington is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York, USA. Founded in 1653, it is located on the north shore of Long Island in northwestern Suffolk County, with Long Island Sound to its north and Nassau County adjacent to the west. Huntington is part of the New York metropolitan...
, 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 bands on the now-defunct Moon Ska label, as well as the epicenter and focal point of the once-thriving Long Island ska scene.
The band had previously existed from circa 1984 under the name The New Bohemians, initially with a stronger emphasis on novelty ‘60s, R&B and television-show theme cover songs, bolstered by original ska-oriented anthems such as "Rudy's Back" and "Paul Getty". They sold the New Bohemians name to Edie Brickell in 1988, and regrouped as The Scofflaws.
The Scofflaws early sound was characterized by strong R&B and jazz influences as well as eclectic covers of such songs as Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
's "A Shot in the Dark", Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman
Daniel Robert "Danny" Elfman is an American composer, best known for scoring music for television and film. Up until 1995, he was the lead singer and songwriter in the rock band Oingo Boingo, a group he formed in 1976...
's theme for Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Pee-wee's Big Adventure is a 1985 American adventure comedy film directed by Tim Burton in his full-length debut and starring Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman. Reubens also co-wrote the script with Phil Hartman and Michael Varhol. Supporting roles are played by Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane...
, and a scorching live rendition of 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...
instrumental "Ska-La Parisian". Original songs like "Ska-La-Carte", "Nude Beach" and "William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
" became cult favorites due to the offbeat lyrics and quirky vocal stylings of bandleader Richard "Sammy" Brooks and trombonist Buford O'Sullivan.
They toured the United States several times, including stints as the openers for Desmond Dekker and Bad Manners.
The band's large lineup changed often, serving as a springboard for numerous New York ska musicians, as well as sprouting several subsequent groups. Original co-frontman Mike Drance left in 1994 to form The Bluebeats, while bassist 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....
went on to found New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble and enjoy a distinguished production career. Several Scofflaws members including O'Sullivan, Paul Gebhardt, and Tony Calarco also played for fellow Moon Ska artists 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...
as well as One Groovy Coconut and Royal Roost, and The Scofflaws have often shared members with Huntington disciples Spider Nick & the Maddogs (whose leader, "Spider Nick" Martielli, wrote Scofflaws favorite "Spider on My Bed").
Although The Scofflaws have not released a studio recording since 1998, they continue to perform live gigs in the New York area, and are still fondly remembered by many ska fans as a driving force in establishing the US ska scene in the '90s.
Studio albums
- 19911991 in musicSee also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
: The Scofflaws - 19951995 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
: Ska in Hi Fi - 19981998 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
: Record of Convictions
Compilations
- 19881988 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.-January-March:* January 1 – André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra plays its first concert....
: Ska-Ville USA Vol. 3 ("Rudy's Back") - 19901990 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
: NYC Ska Live ("Going Back to Kingston", "Ali-Ska-Ba") - 19951995 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
: Oi!/Skampilation Vol. #1 ("The Whip") - 19951995 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
: Ska – The Third Wave ("After the Lights Go Down Low", "William Shatner") - 19961996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
: This Are Moon Ska ("William Shatner", "Nude Beach") - 19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
: Freedom Sounds: A Tribute to The Skatalites ("Dr. Ring-A-Ding") - 19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
: New York Beat Volume 2: Breaking and Entering ("Man With the Golden Arm") - 19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
: Ska: The Instrumentals ("Watermelon Man")
Current
- Richard "Sammy" Brooks – Lead vocals, tenor saxophone
- John Soldo – Drums
- Brian Duggan – Bass
- Greg Bucking – Guitar
Past
- Mike Drance – Baritone saxophone, vocals
- Jennifer South – Keyboards
- Paul Gebhardt – Alto saxophone
- Victor RiceVictor RiceVictor 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....
– Acoustic bass - Buford O'Sullivan – Trombone, vocals, theremin
- Brian Lavan – Guitar
- Tony Mason – Drums
- Kerry Lafferty – Keyboards
- Ben Klingberg – Guitar
- Cary Brown – Keyboards
- Fred Reiter – Baritone saxophone
- Regina Bellantese – Baritone saxophone
- Wendy Scher – Baritone saxophone
- Glen Saunders – Acoustic bass, electric bass
- Tony Calarco – Baritone Saxophone, alto saxophone
- Jerica Rosenblum – Keyboards
- Matthew Voss – Alto saxophone
- Daniel Voss – Baritone saxophone
- Agent Jay – Guitar
- Tom McGee – Bass
- Jay Hackett – Guitar
- Glenn Hackett – Drums
- Adoni Xavier – Guitar
- Henning – Drums
- Christian Berdat – Soprano saxophone
External links
- The Scofflaws official page
- The Scofflaws on MySpace
- The Scofflaws "Nude Beach" official 1995 video
- HPSka.com 1997 interview with The Scofflaws
- Ink 19 circa 1997 interview with The Scofflaws
- [ Allmusic: The Scofflaws]
- Buford O’Sullivan page
- New York Times 2000 interview with former Scofflaws manager Scotto Savitt