It’s a show that’s sure to get the whole audience skanking, mimicking a “running man” motion, elbows bent, fists punching right and left.
That’s what Jon Aaron aka Jonny Bones from the Bone Daddies predicts as his band readies to share the stage with ska pioneers The Toasters and local legends Los Furios.
“To be able to share a stage with a group that have done so much to shape the scene we love is a truly humbling experience, says Aaron, citing the New York band as one of the Bone Daddies influences.
“These guys have been doing it right for so many years and I can say from previous experiences seeing them live, they’re still at the top of their game. Add on top of that, the fact that we get to also play with our long time friends and Vancouver ska legends Los Furios – this is the perfect bill, guaranteed to get everyone out on the dance floor.”
Formed in 1981 in Manhattan, The Toasters have embarked on a tour to celebrate 33 years together.
The “2Tone” sound recreated by this unruly group of ruffians synthesized the classic ’70s British sound with eastside Punk and rock and is now regarded as the precursor to the Third Wave of Ska.
Aaron discovered The Toasters in the early 2000s.
“My original introduction to ska music was, like many from my generation, through the third wave scene that rose up in the ’90s,” he explains.
From there, Aaron worked his way back to ska’s early Jamaican roots and then discovered “the genius” of the 2Tone era and the likes of The Specials, Madness, The Selecter and The Beat.
“The Toasters were an interesting discovery for me, as they bridged the gap from the English 2Tone of the ’70s and brought it across the water,” he says.
“They took that sound, put an American spin on it and without them even trying, laid the ground work for the third wave scene to flourish across the States and then around the world.”
It’s easy to find the influences in the catchy tunes of the Bone Daddies, who have some “great things” in store for 2014.
The Maple Ridge-based band is still riding high on the release of their second album Sinister City, which dropped last summer.
They plan to shoot some videos and get the album released on vinyl as it was originally intended.
The Bone Daddies line up has changed a bit since their debut album. There’s a new bass player – David Gough, who is a talented addition who plays both electric and upright bass as well as dog-house bass, which is leading the band to pursue rockabilly sounds in some of their songs.
The band said good-bye to their old keyboard player Talia Butler-Grey as she decided to go back to school to get her masters degree.
“We were sad to see her go, but she’s doing amazing at school and was nice enough to come play keys for us on the new album,” says Aaron.
The rest of band meanwhile remains steady – with Skiff Kallweit on lead guitar and vocals, Willie Navarro keeping the beat on drums and Aaron still singing and strumming on his six string.
“We’ve also been busy working on new songs and with any luck we’ll be able to hit the road a bit this summer and maybe have a chance to record a new single or two in the fall,” says Aaron.
Los Furios
Los Furios is a high-energy indie band that is quickly rising to international fame. With a devoted fan following, Los Furios performs an intense mix of reggae and punk infused ska originals (complete with a horn section) sure to get you out on the floor. With an explosive festive sound it is impossible not to dance. Los Furios have played every venue in the city since 2000 as well as toured Mexico a few times now, where they are a force to be reckoned with.
Showtime
The Toasters play the Fanclub,1050 Granville Street, on Wednesday, Jan. 29 with Los Furios and The Bone Daddies. Tickets are $12 in advance (at Zulu Records, Red Cat Records, Neptoon records and Highlife records) or $15 at the door.
