Excuse The Blood is a Bay area 3-piece outfit with a pretty eclectic mix of sounds. Without trying to pigeon hole them, they sound like a mix of Slapshot-esque hardcore and a reggae/ska/punk blend ala Op Ivy or perhaps Rudiments. Despite the obvious influence the music feels fresh. The tempo keeps a good pace through the five tracks. That the disc is only a demo perhaps is the biggest shortcoming. Since I don’t have more of a sampling I’m going with a 3/5 instead of possibly higher. I’d like to hear more from Excuse The Blood. Until such time that a new release comes out, you can check the band out at their website www.excusetheblood.com

–Jerry Actually

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Soulful Dirty Reggae Group Embarks On US Tour In Support of Their New Album, IV, Due Out June 9th
“Through sheer force of will (not to mention grooves so enticing you can’t help but fall into them), this quintet simply commands you to buy into their music, which they call “dirty reggae.” It’s rock-steady with a punk-funk edge, with frontman Jesse Wagner’s white-soul vocals and Roger Rivas’ crazy organ lines giving it a party-or-die feel.” – Kevin Bronson, buzzbands.la

(May 6, 2009) After a successful Coachella performance and debut tour in Brazil, The Aggrolites now gear up for the release of their album IV, due June 9, 2009. IV is a definitive chapter in The Aggrolites journey with 21 original and self-produced tracks – each one a story of their determination and quest to spread soulful “dirty reggae” around the globe.

The first single, “The Sufferer,” can now be heard online at www.MySpace.com/TheAggrolites and www.Hell-Cat.com. It has received airplay on two popular Southern California radio stations – 98.7 FM in Los Angeles and 94/9 FM in San Diego – as well as KTLA Morning News during The Aggrolites on-site interview at Coachella. In the U.K., BBC Radio 1′s Punk Show with Mike Davies has also shown love with some spins.

Southern California Shows Added
The Aggrolites will soon hit the road for three months of touring through North America, the U.K., Europe and Japan. Their first hometown IV album release show is May 15 at the historic El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles with special guests Latin soul outfit Boogaloo Assassins and all-star reggae collective The Lions, in what is being called “A Triple Threat of Reggae & Soul.” On May 16, they will make a triumphant return to The Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA, joined by ska veterans The Upbeat and The Lions. Singer Jesse Wagner admits, “It’s funny to see how fast time flies when you are constantly on the road touring. We’re more than excited to hit our two favorite cities once again. It’s going to be nice to see some old familiar faces in the crowd. Get ready So Cal, we’re gonna keep you up all night!” Visit www.ticketmaster.com for tickets. The Aggrolites will also perform at Brixton’s South Bay on June 6, making their first appearance in Redondo Beach. Fans who attend any of these album release shows will have the opportunity to purchase IV prior to the official release date of June 9.

Festival Time Again
The Aggrolites added two of England’s biggest festivals to their summer schedule – Leeds and Reading – joining headliners Radiohead, Kings of Leon and Arctic Monkeys. Other rock-oriented festivals that will showcase their soul-infused reggae include England’s Isle of Wight with Neil Young and Prodigy, as well as Germany’s Vainstream Rockfest with Suicidal Tendencies and Gogol Bordello. Sticking to their roots, The Aggrolites will also play a handful of reggae and ska festivals, including Rototom Sunsplash in Italy with Bunny Wailer and Michael Franti & Spearhead; Nowa Reggae Festival in Spain with Alborosie and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra; and Festival Betes de Scenes in France with U-Roy and Pablo Moses.
Endless Bummer & Nitro Circus

The Aggrolites contribute two songs to the upcoming National Lampoon Presents Endless Bummer movie and soundtrack, released on Blackheart Records. The teen surf comedy, starring Matthew Lillard and executive produced by Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, will feature The Aggrolites’ renditions of The Specials’ “Ghost Town” and Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie..” Both ‘80s classics have been updated with The Aggrolites’ signature style, and “Pass the Dutchie,” features legendary Jamaican DJ General Smiley of Michigan & Smiley fame. The soundtrack will be released on June 23 followed by the movie this July. Visit www.endlessbummerthemovie.com and www.blackheart.com. Also, “Work To Do,” “Sound of the Bombshell” and “Mr. Misery” were recently featured in MTV’s new hit reality series Nitro Circus. Created by Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine of Jackass fame, Nitro Circus is centered on one of the world’s premier freestyle motocross riders Travis Pastrana and his crew of top action sport athlete buddies.

THE AGGROLITES are more than a band – they are a movement unto themselves. They carry a banner – one created with their own hands. This banner reads, “Dirty Reggae,” and represents their signature fusion of reggae, soul, grit and determination. For 7 magnificent years, this dirty reggae bunch has rolled from city to city, across the pond and up main street USA. They are Jesse Wagner (vocals, lead guitar), Roger Rivas (organ), Brian Dixon (rhythm guitar) and Jeff Roffredo (bass). Out of the Los Angeles school of hard knocks, The Aggrolites have earned a Ph.D in “feel good music.” On the road they educate with the thunder and punch of reggae drums and bass, the ripping, soulful melodies of the organ and guitars, and Jesse’s voice – a gift from the heavens, a perfectly intact gift from Otis, Sam, Ray and Wilson. Over the course of their career, they have shared the stage with Social Distortion, Madness, Rancid, Flogging Molly, 311, Dropkick Murphys, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Vandals, The Skatalites, The Aquabats, Hepcat, Prince Buster and Derrick Morgan. The Aggrolites have performed at such notable events as Vans Warped Tour, Coachella, Bumbershoot, SXSW, CMJ, Sundance Film Festival, Sunset Junction, Detour Music Festival and KROQ’s Weenie Roast y Fiesta. Their last album, Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat Records), was released in June 2007.

www.AggroReggae.com
www.MySpace.com/TheAggrolites
www.Hell-Cat.com

Upcoming Shows
May 15 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre – with Boogaloo Assassins & The Lions
May 16 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern – with The Upbeat & The Lions
May 17 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
May 27 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
May 28 – Ashland, OR – Stillwater
May 29 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
May 30 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
May 31 – Victoria, BC – Element Nightclub
June 1 – Vancouver, BC – The Plaza
June 4 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
June 6 – Redondo Beach, CA – Brixton South Bay
June 7 – Tempe, AZ – The Clubhouse
June 9 – San Antonio, TX – Rock Bottom
June 10 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Alternative Lounge
June 12 – Kansas City, MO – Official After-Party for Rise Against/Rancid @ The Beaumont Club
June 13 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen
June 14 – Minneapolis – Varsity Theater
June 16 – Detroit, MI – Shelter
June 18 – Washington, DC – DC 9
June 19 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club – with Bedouin Soundclash
June 20 – Philadelphia, PA – M Club
June 21 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
June 25 – Goteborg, Sweden – West Coast Riot Festival @ Frihamnspiren
June 26 – Voss, Norway – Ekstremsportveko Festival
June 27 – France – Rock Dans Tous Ses Etats
June 28 – St. Gallen, Switzerland – Open Air St. Gallen
July 3 – Munster, Germany – Vainstream Rockfest
July 4 – Germany – The 24th Summerjam Festival
July 6 – Ossopo, Italy – Rototom Sunsplash
July 8 – Cuneo, Italy – Nuvolari
July 10 – Potsdam, Germany – Potsdam Ska Festival
July 11 – Barcelona, Spain – Nowa Reggae Festival
July 13 – Mulhouse, France – Festival Betes de Scenes
July 16 – Dour, Belgium – Dour Festival
July 17 – London, England – Madstock @ London Victoria Park
July 18 – Trencin, Slovakia – Pohoda Festival @ Airport Trencin
July 19 – Olsi u Tabora, Czech Republic – Mighty Sounds Festival
July 25 – Niigata, Japan – Fuji Rock Festival @ Naeba Ski Resort
August 6 – Reunion Island, France – Sakifo Music Festival
August 8 – Aulnoye-Aymeries, France – Festival Les Nuits Secretes
August 9 – Blackpool, England – Rebellion Festival @ Blackpool Winter Gardens Arena
August 10 – Plymouth, England – White Rabbit
August 11 – Bristol, England – The Croft
August 12 – London, England – Underworld
August 14 – Leipzig, Germany – Endless Summer Festival
August 16 – Chiemsee, Germany – Chiemsee Reggae Summer Festival
August 20 – Schaffhausen, Switzerland – Tap Tab
August 21 – Glarus, Switzerland – Stadfest
August 22 – Biddinghuizen, Netherlands – Lowlands Festival @ Evenemententerrein Walibi World
August 23 – Corsept, France – Festival Couvre Feu
August 28 – Reading, England – Reading Festival
August 29 – Isle of Wight, England – Planet Ice Arena
August 30 – Leeds, England – Leeds Festival

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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Bosterdamian group Jaya the Cat deliver a unique fusion of punk, reggae, rock, and ska that took a few listens before it gelled into awesome.  More Late Night Transmissions With… bounces across the Atlantic like Cannabis Cup winning weed followed by a dram of 20 yr barrel aged Glensomething whiskey — oh-so-hazy and smoother than a mo’fo’.

Gravelly-voiced Geoff growls, croons, and skanks his way through this 13+1 track album. With songs ranging from band-on-the-road observations through to political outcries, their lyrics are a potent hit. Grumbly drums, rockin’ guitar, subtly layered bass and flowy keyboards make this fivesome a crafty crew that surely deliver more of a party at their live gigs.

Boston love song “Government Center” struck this ex-Mass girl especially: “The speaker’s blown and the needle’s worn…they say when you leave, you can never go home.”  The jem atop this crown of an album is Jaya’s bonus-track cover of “The Harder They Come”, one of the best I’ve heard.  It’s hard to draw a comparison to other bands, as there aren’t any in Jaya the Cats’s realm. Give them a try if you like Boston punk, reggae, and songs about Amsterdam — you’ll be impressed.

-HK-47

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“The Aggrolites are one of the most unique bands out there today. In an era where way too many groups sound the same, it’s nice to have a group that is like a breath of fresh air. Their tunes can turn any bad day into a good one and their lyrics will have you singing along in no time.” – Quinnipiac Chronicle (Oct. 2008)

The Aggrolites have returned to the studio to craft their fourth full-length album and follow-up to the acclaimed Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat Records). Recording at Kingsize Soundlabs in Los Angeles, and scheduled for release in May 2009, the new album is guaranteed to deliver even more of their signature hard-hitting, soul-infused reggae.

The Aggrolites join socially conscious roots rockers Michael Franti & Spearhead at the new Club Nokia at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles on January 31. Poet, musician and composer, Franti blends hip-hop, funk and reggae together with his outspoken political and progressive lyrics, and has gone on to become a worldwide million-selling artist and a leader in the peace and social justice movement. This show is part of Michael Franti & Spearhead’s 2009 Hey World Tour in support of All Rebel Rockers (Anti- Records), their first Top 40 album. This is the debut pairing of these two truly progressive bands with equally diverse and devoted fan bases. www.spearheadvibrations.com

Hand-picked by Flogging Molly, The Aggrolites join the Irish punk rockers on their 2009 Green 17 Tour. Now in its fifth year, the Green 17 Tour was created by SideOneDummy recording artists Flogging Molly to spread the revelry of St. Patrick’s Day to cities across North America. The tour makes 23 stops nationwide from February through March, including two festivals – Langerado in Miami and Shamrock in Washington D.C. www.floggingmolly.com

In keeping with their feverish touring schedule, 2008 was one of the busiest and most rewarding years for The Aggrolites. They spent November in Europe, opening for Rancid and Skatalites in the U.K., and making their debuts in Russia, Slovenia and Slavakia. Upon their return to the U.S. in December, they performed memorable shows with The Vandals at House of Blues Anaheim and two New Year’s shows with Flogging Molly at Denver’s historic Fillmore Auditorium.

THE AGGROLITES mix old school reggae with soul, funk and rock to create what they describe as “dirty reggae.” Touring ten months of the year throughout North America and Europe, The Aggrolites are considered one of the world’s hardest working bands and with serious talent to boot. They are Jesse Wagner (vocals, lead guitar), Roger Rivas (organ), Brian Dixon (rhythm guitar) and Jeff Roffredo (bass). Over the course of their nearly seven year career, they have shared the stage with Social Distortion, Madness, 311, Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, Skatalites, The Aquabats, Hepcat, Prince Buster and Derrick Morgan. The Aggrolites have performed at such notable events as Vans Warped Tour, SXSW, Bumbershoot, CMJ, Sundance Film Festival, Sunset Junction and Detour Music Festival. Their last album, Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat/Epitaph), was released in June 2007.

www.aggroreggae.com
www.myspace.com/theaggrolites
www.hell-cat.com

UPCOMING SHOWS:
January 17 – Las Vegas, NV – Old Shoe Records 2nd Anniversary Party @ Palms Hotel

“All Rebel Rockers Tour” with Michael Franti & Spearhead
January 31 – Los Angeles, CA – Club Nokia at L.A. Live

“2009 Green 17 Tour” with Flogging Molly
February 15 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
February 16 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis
February 17 – Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
February 19 – Detroit, MI – Fillmore
February 20 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
February 21 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
February 23 – St. Paul, MN – Myth
February 24 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
February 25 – St. Louis, MO – Pageant
February 27 – Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theater
February 28 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s
March 1 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
March 2 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
March 4 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
March 5 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
March 6 – Miami, FL – Langerado Music Festival @ Bicentennial Park
March 7 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
March 9 – Richmond, VA – The National
March 10 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
March 11 – Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall
March 13 – Atlantic City, NJ – House of Blues
March 14 – Washington, DC – Shamrock Festival @ RFK Stadium
March 17 – Chicago, IL – Congress Theater

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