Vic Ruggiero, Chris Murray, The Forthrights, Broadway Shottas
poster designed by Jeremy McFarren
Wednesday July 21st, 2010
Vic Ruggiero (of The Slackers of New York City)
Chris Murray (Los Angeles, CA)
The Forthrights (Brooklyn, NY)
Broadway Shottas
9PM
$5
Biography by Jason Ankeny
One of the most notable bands to emerge out of the New York City ska revival scene of the 1990s, the Slackers is comprised of vocalist Marq Lyn, vocalist/keyboardist Vic Ruggerio, guitarist T.J. Scanlon, bassist Marcus Geard, saxophonist David Hillyard, trumpeter Jeremy Mushlin, trombonist Glen Pine, and drummer Luis Zuluaga. After beginning their career in 1991 playing rocksteady and ska in the 2-Tone vein, the Slackers moved toward a more traditional style, even adding a horn section in 1994. They issued their debut LP, Better Late Than Never, in 1996, followed a year later by Redlight. The group resurfaced in 1998 with The Question; Live at Ernesto’s appeared two years later; Wasted Days, which featured a cover of Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” surfaced in early 2001. Two years later, the Slackers released Close My Eyes, the band’s harsh reaction to the events of 9/11 and a reflection of what followed. With that and the band’s own personal responsibilities to their families, Close My Eyes highlighted a more mature approach from the Slackers. The International War Criminal EP and the Japan-only Slack in Japan preceded the 2006 release of Peculiar.
Chris Murray is a unique force on today’s music scene. As leader of influential Canadian ska group King Apparatus, Chris earned a strong reputation as a dynamic performer and gifted songwriter. Upon the band’s breakup, he relocated to Los Angeles, emerging as a solo artist with his debut album The 4-Track Adventures Of Venice Shoreline Chris. This charmingly lo-fi collection of home recordings won high praise for its finely crafted tunes and the raw sincerity of its vintage production.
In addition to his busy schedule of live appearances throughout North America, Japan, Europe and South America, Chris finds time for a remarkable array of collaborative efforts. Chris has co-written with and produced albums for Montreal’s Planet Smashers and eclectic NYC supergroup Da Whole Thing. His writing credits have also appeared on releases by Hepcat, The Slackers, Westbound Train, and Neville Staple of The Specials. Most recently, his classic song We Do The Ska was covered by highly popular UK group The King Blues.
Life has led Chris down a musical path to the very roots of reggae music. From trading songs on acoustic guitar with boogie-ska pioneer Laurel Aitken and singing with Caribbean bandleader Carlos Malcolm & His Afro-Jamaican Rhythms, to jamming with The Specials in a basement club and recording with Jamaica’s original drums and bass masters, Lloyd Knibb and Lloyd Brevett, Chris has served his apprenticeship with the finest musicians connected with the genre. Chris backed Prince Buster on harmonica for a rare US live appearance at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in 2003.
Chris has hosted Bluebeat Lounge at Hollywood’s Knitting Factory for the past seven years. The weekly concert series, focusing on reggae and ska, has showcased a diverse range of top quality music and served as home base for the thriving Los Angeles scene.
