Monday, July 16, 2012

The Skints - Part & Parcel




The Skints are a reggae/dub/ska/punk band from London, United Kingdom. Since 2008 the band have toured extensively, playing hundreds of shows, supporting bands that include Gym Class Heroes, You Me at Six, Sublime with Rome, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, The Slackers, Gogol Bordello, Bedouin Soundclash, and The King Blues.

The band hail from the Leyton/Walthamstow and South Woodford/Woodford areas of northeast London and formed in 2005, whilst they were attending Woodbridge High School. They spent their first year and a half changing band members whilst perfecting their sound, before settling on the current line-up in May 2007. The Skints first 'publicity' came from playing at a pub in Walthamstow, where they were heard by Radio One Executive Producer Rhys Hughes, when three of their members were only 16. Two days later, other Radio One DJ's such as Colin Murray were soon playing Skints' tracks on their shows regularly. In 2007 the band played with other east London artists such as Brinkworth, Reeps One and ClayPigeon who they played many shows with including a DIY tour in the summer of 2008.


It was also in this year that they released their self-titled debut 6-track E.P. on Do The Dog Records following it up with their debut album Live.Breathe.Build.Believe’ in November 2009 on Sonic Boom Six's very own Rebel Alliance Recordings.

Now in March 2012 they released their second album ‘Part & Parcel’ on Bomber Music, having got the money for it through Pledgemusic, a scheme in which fans could financially contribute towards the recording of their new album in return for exclusive rewards such as signed CD's, limited edition t-shirts and the option for the 'pledger' to have their name printed in the album. Although they were given 90 days in which to raise the money needed to record the album, 100% of the money was reached in just 11.

Produced by Mike "Prince Fatty" Pelanconi, a British sound engineer who has worked with a diverse repertoire of artists and labels, from rock musicians like Graham Coxon (of Blur), reggae legends like Gregory Isaacs and Dub Syndicate, The Sugarhill Gang and pop singers such as Lily Allen, this album finds them on a more composed, reggae, tip. To read more about this album a hear sound bites of the haunting ska fused ‘Rat-At-At’ and chilled out ‘Sunny Sunny’ visit……..



Monday, July 9, 2012

Nico D - Coming in from the Cold



Nico D, born Nicholas Albert, Holter has had a more international upbringing than most. He was born in Paris and moved frequently from country to country with his family before settling down in Oslo, Norway.
While in high school he met DJ Daniel Lion and Admiral P from Zambia and their joint passion inspired them to start Ark Manifest Sound System.
With Lion behind the turntables and Admiral P and Nico D on the mic, Jah Ark Manifest would soon stand out as the #1 sound system in Norway.
Nico released his debut single “Ruff Times” a collaboration with Jah Mason that went all the way to #1 on the national chartlists in Jamaica in 2009 and was on the list for 25 weeks!

His debut album, “Coming In From The Cold” was released in March and you can read a full review at ……..