Interviews

February 2008, Victor Rice, bass player, producer, pioneer of the early ska scene in NYC, he played with NYSJE, Stubborn All Stars and many others, currently he lives between San Paolo and NYC.

1- You have been involved in many great projects as producer or bass player since many years, how did you got into the music scene?

February 2008,Matthew Hardison (Moon Invaders), singer and cofounder of the Moon Invaders, he lives in Bruxelles (B).

1) You guys are one of the greates band of the european scene right now, can you tell us a short story of your band?

thank you, what a cool compliment !
well, the band was formed in early 2001 and it was put together by Nico and myself. We have had numerous lineup
changes but the band is now steady.
We've put out 3 records so far on Grover records, the
last one is called "Moovin'n'Groovin'" and it just
came out !

 
May 2007, "Rocksteady" Freddie Reiter, saxophone and flute player, singer, founder and band leader of the great NYSJE, he played with many bands in the 80's creating the "first era" of the american ska scene, a mix between the english two tone and the jamaican reggae, he played for eight years with the Toasters touring all over the world, since 1994 he play with the NYSJE, he lives in NYC.
1) Can you please tell us about the early days of the NYSJE? how and why was the band born?
NYSJE was started in 1994. Rick Faulkner + I decided to join forces and form a"super band" made from members of NYC's leading ska bands(Toasters,Skatalites+ Scofflaws). At the time, we were both playing with the Toasters and on the 1993 Skavoovie tour we played alongside the Skatalites,Selector + the English Beat.

May 2007, David Hillyard, saxophone player, cofounder of the Slackers, member of the Hepcat early days, founder and band leader of the Rocksteady Seven, he lives in NYC.
1) I saw you many times playing live in Italy with the slackers but this was my very first RS7 show and I really enjoyed it a lot, so, what can you tell me about that, it was cool for you too?

It was one of my favorite Italian gigs in a while. The crowd was really nice. A lot of people were dancing from the beginning. A lot of people were also listening to the music. Seriously checking it out. I liked that a lot. I like the fact too that you had the ska scene people, some local hipsters, and then just some regular middle aged town folk who came out. That makes me happy when someone who doesnt know who you are or what you play comes out and enjoys the sounds. That validates what you are doing.

May 2007, Gigi De Gaspari aka Mr.T-Bone,in 1999 he founded the Jamaican Liberation Orchestra, the first italian ska-jazz band, he played with the Bluebeaters, Africa Unite and NYSJE, founder and band leader of the Mr.T-Bone & the Young Lions, he lives in Turin (I).
1) What was your very first musical experience as a child?
- I was 3 years old...with my brother at the guitar and me at the percussion!
2) When did you first sing?
- I was 12...and i sang "Non l'hai mica capito" a famous italian song for the Mom's day!