The Expanders

The Expanders began playing reggae music together in the summer of 2003, and today are one of the most respected and hardest working reggae bands in Southern California. They have come to be known for their vintage "rockers" style of reggae, played in the tradition of classic 1970s Jamaican groups like The Ethiopians, Culture, The Mighty Diamonds, etc. Their music emphasizes three-part vocal harmonies and strong song writing. In addition to performing their own original material and rare Jamaican scorchers, since 2006 The Expanders have been the backing band of choice for legendary Jamaican singers when they come to California to perform, having backed such classic artists as Alton Ellis, The Maytones, The Ethiopians, The Wailing Souls, and many more. For two years in a row they were featured at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in Mendocino County, where their performances were praised in "The Beat" magazine as having recreated "the old classic Kingston rocksteady sound to a T". They have been frequent guests on SoCal radio shows such as "Reggae Central w/ Chuck Foster" (90.7 fm) and "The Reggae Show w/ Junor Francis" (88.9 fm). In addition to playing in The Expanders, several members of the band also play in Hepcat, The Lions, Chris Murray Combo, See Spot and Boogaloo Assassins.

Discography :

Old Time Something come Back Again

Melbourne Ska Orchestra

In 2003, the time was right. A world-record attempt to have the largest number of horn players on stage at the same time playing the ska-skank saw a slew of musicians take the stage at St Kilda’s Gershwin Room, and although nobody remembered to check if the record had actually been set, from this sold-out performance the Melbourne Ska Orchestra was born. Assembled from some of Australia’s preeminent names in Ska and Reggae and fronted by inimitable frontman Nicky Bomba (Bomba, Bustamento, John Butler Trio), the soaring popularity of the band is seeing the MSO fast becoming a fixture of Australia’s musical landscape.

Now, after more than a decade of sold-out shows and electrifying festival appearances the MSO has come together to produce a different kind of record. Their self-titled debut album showcases the versatility of a genre that has influenced some of the most venerated names in music, from Bob Marley to Gwen Stefani, as well as demonstrating a uniquely Australian vision of the exuberance and freewheeling colour of contemporary Ska.

DISCOGRAPHY :

Rude And Ready(2012)

Melbourne Ska Orchestra (2013)