User:Dr No 6684/The Prizefighters

The Prizefighters
The Prizefighters(2006-) are a seven piece band based out of the Twin Cities Minneapolis/Saint Paul specializing in the performance of Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Soul music. They are another band formed during the recent craze over music from the 60's and 70's from America and Jamaica. The Prizefighters make up a small portion of bands in the TC area performing this type of music. The Prizefighters are a regional band having played shows in Des Moines, IA and La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Prizefighters have been featured internationally on the German label Mad Butcher Records. The band includes members classically trained and self taught. All members of the band support themselves outside of the music business, therefore they are an amateur musical group. They have yet to release any material outside of compilations and they are not signed to any record label. The Prizefighters as a band are engaged in the purchasing and distribution of merchandise produced in a fair and humane manner. The Prizefighters choose to use a more expensive brand of clothing for their band T-shirts knowing they were manufactured in a safe work environment by adults paid a fair wage (Citation needed). "Many bands get caught up in the rush and fever of their projects and forget their ideals in the process. We choose not to support situations we feel are unjust and oppressive, such is the spirit of the music we play."

Band Description
"The Prizefighters are a group of people residing in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul with a love for good music and performance. More specifically, they like Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Soul music. The prizefighters lug around a heavy, bulky and very sexy Hammond organ because they don't compromise on sound. They utilize an eight by ten bass cabinet and use vintage guitar amps and guitars. The Prizefighters wish to make you and everyone you know dance to the rhythms of yesterday brought to life again. They believe the musical styles of Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Soul are just that, styles. Styles not belonging to any one person or group but to everyone. the Prizefighters are not a revivalist band just as a bebop jazz group is not. The Prizefighters are picking up the tradition set down long ago for others to follow. They expand upon what has been done so a new sound of the same style is created. Music for your dancing feet!"

History
The Prizefighters synthesized in 06 out of the meeting of two people with similar musical taste. Aaron Lord Grab and Flee and M. Callan were joined by soon to be permanent member Timmy "Tooth", playing the guitar, bass and drums respectively. They were soon joined by then keyboardist J. Porter. Together they provided sweet dancing music for crowds around the TC area. After a few years of four piece resonance, the PF added a new Piano/ Organist Whitey Williams and with her came the addition of a long awaited stick bass position filled by J. Porter. As the music began to deepen with the addition of more musical elements, Saxophonist Josh McCook and Nate Goodale were drawn into the mix by their musical admiration for the Prizefighters heavy sound. Today the Prizefighters have composed over twenty original songs and instrumentals and are constantly composing new sounds, each better than the last. and they specialize in recreating the classics that made this music so powerful.

The Prizefighters have shared the stage with local acts from many genres including: punk rock groups such as the Virgin Whores, Ponx Attax, the 86'd; soul vendors the Captones; ska groups Rocksteady Breakfast, Sajak and Umbrella Bed(An international group from the TC's); The Dub Reggae group Minneapolis Dub Ensemble; rockabilly act Reckless Ones; Black Blondie and Toki Wright.

The Prizefighters have also played music along side national and international groups such as: One Night Band(Canada), Greenroom Rockers(Indiana), The Bishops(Omaha), the Toasters(NYC), Westbound Train(Boston) and the Aggrolites(L.A.) The Prizefighters have played numerous benefit shows pro bono. They are available for such shows continually. Band availability and beneficial content are weighed prior to confirmation. The Prizefighters have been featured on numerous compilations, most notable Skanibal Party 7 released on the German label Mad Butcher Records.

Influences and Music Guidance
The Prizefighters of course are always working on new original material. Their musical inspiration is derived from the Skatalites, Derrick Morgan, Desmond Dekker, Jackie Opel, the Crystalites, the Upsetters, the Hippy Boys, the Harry J All-Stars, the Gaylads, the Uniques, the Soul Vendors, Tommy McCook and the Supersonics, Lynn Taitt, Jackie Mittoo, Ken boothe, Lee Perry, King Tubby, Prince Jammy, Alton Ellis, Claudette and the Corporation, the Sensations, the Aggrovators, Gregory Issacs, Jackie Johnson, Errol Flabba Holt, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Lloyd Brevett, Lloyd Knibbs, Don Drummond, Bobby Ellis, Ernest Ranglin and countless soul, hip-hop, R and B and jazz.

News
The Prizefighters are busy rehearsing and fine tuning for their studio sessions set to take place the second weekend of February 2010. These session will capture better than before the vibe and heavy frequency the Prizefighters are know for live. The group has come off a string of very fun and high profile shows and they are excited to again instigate great musical performances.

External info Links

The Prizefighters Website

MNSKA.com

Last.fm

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