Let me paint a picture for you. Spring has finally arrived, contrary to fears that it might never get here. Late night T service is real. And it’s working. Perhaps you find yourself a bit tired of the gloomy and angsty music that commiserated with you all Winter. The good folks at Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records are waiting for you in Cambridge with open arms.
This Saturday, The Plough and Stars (912 Mass Ave, Cambridge) will house an evening of rocksteady and reggae courtesy of Boston’s own Riki Rocksteady & The Arraignments and The Snails on tour from Philadelphia. Riki has been loyally serving up rocksteady and skinhead reggae to the Boston area for quite some time, even as the third wave and ska/punk sounds dominated the scene. His backing ensemble the Arraignments is made up of area scene vets who have supported such acts as Bim Skala Bim, Guns of Navarone, Steady Ernest, and others. Their specialty is rocksteady versions of Motown and soul classics, balanced with skinhead reggae standards. Get ready to sing along.
The Snails bring with them an affinity for American Rock n Roll and an expertise in rocksteady, ska, and early reggae grooves. There’s a good chance you’ve already seen them backing ska legend King Django or up-and-comer Sammy Kay (his Fast Four). They deliver the beat like few others can, so dust off those dancing shoes. They recently released a single from their upcoming album and their lead singer put out an americana/bluegrass record, both worth a listen. We also have it on good word that Matt MacLeod, keyboard player for Boston’s The New Limits, will be sitting in with them at this stop on their tour.
This party starts at 10pm, Saturday, April 26th, so you can go out with those lame friends of yours who call it a night after dinner, but then party with us. It’s 21+ and cover is only $5. Join the Facebook Event. This party was put together by Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records, a project of Sal Ellington, singer and guitarist for local pop/punk band Rebuilder.
Dig tunes from the bands below. We’ll see you Saturday night.