Fri
Jul
27
The Aggrolites
The Snails, Wareika Hill
MilkBoy Philly
1100 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Doors 8:30PM / Show 9:30PM
This event is 21 and over

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 seven magnificent years, this dirty reggae bunch has rolled from city to city, across the pond and up main street USA. They rally the kids, the parents, the students, the cops, the bosses and the drifters. The people come, they relish in The Aggrolites, the dirty reggae and the joy that comes with it all. The liberating rhythms and catchy grooves demand a return trip.
Out of the Los Angeles school of hard knocks, The Aggrolites have earned a PhD in "feel good music." On the road they educate with the thunder and punch of the reggae drums and bass, the ripping, soulful melodies of the organ and guitars, and Jesse Wagner's voice - a gift from the heavens, a perfectly intact gift from Otis, Sam, Ray and Wilson.
Early 2011 saw the release of their 5th full-length collection "Rugged Road" from Young Cub Records. The sessions were released as a series of vinyl and digital singles, as well as a compilation. The recordings took place at Young Cub Records' studio headquarters in Boston, MA. Of the sessions, Roffredo says the band wanted to "lay down these new rhythms on reel to reel tape, playing all together in one room."
The Aggrolites have a specific way of making music. They don't over think it, they don't obsess over pop culture demands, they walk onto a stage or into a recording studio and let "it" happen - a culmination of inspiration - from the road, from playing alongside legends, and from the energy and motivation of their die hard fans.
They have four other full-length albums to their credit -- Dirty Reggae (Axe, 2003), The Aggrolites (Hellcat, 2006) and Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat, 2007) and IV (Hellcat, 2009). "A glorious, surprising treat. Ideal for your next soul shakedown party," raved Peter Relic from Rolling Stone. In 2007, the band also collaborated with Rancid front-man Tim Armstrong on his solo A Poet's Life (Hellcat 2007) CD/DVD release.
The Aggrolites have shared the stage with Social Distortion, Rancid, Flogging Molly, 311, Slightly Stoopid, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Dropkick Murphys, Against Me!, Gogol Bordello and Rebelution. They have graced the stages at such notable events as Vans Warped Tour, SXSW, Coachella, Fuji Rock in Japan, West Coast Riot, Open Air St. Gallen, Pohoda Festival, Rebellion Festival, Chiemsee Reggae Festival, Couvre Feu Festival, among numerous others around the world.
Their songs are featured on the 2008 Vans Warped Tour Compilation and numerous Give 'Em The Boot compilations from Hellcat. In 2007, the band also collaborated with Rancid front-man Tim Armstrong on his solo A Poet's Life (Hellcat 2007) CD/DVD release.
The Aggrolites are well represented in film, television and video games. Their songs have been featured in NBC's Friday Night Lights, MTV's The Hills, Nick Jr.'s Yo Gabba Gabba, USA's Dr. Steve-O, MavTV's Rad Girls, the award-winning surf film The Pursuit, and Australian video game Cricket. The Aggros-backed, Tim Armstrong and Skye Sweetnam duet, "Into Action," is featured in Dream Works Pictures' Hotel For Dogs. Their renditions of The Specials' "Ghost Town" and Musical Youth's "Pass The Dutchie" will be heard in the upcoming teen surf comedy Endless Bummer, and "Free Time" will be in Walden Media's musical-romantic comedy Band Slam.
The Aggrolites are Jesse Wagner (vocals, lead guitar), Roger Rivas (organ), Jeff Roffredo (bass) and Alex Mckenzie (Drums).
It's hard to definitively nail down a genre when asked what style of music is that of The Snails, but their goals and passion come from a clear love of the music that has influenced them as a band. From the music of The Clash, early ska, and old reggae favorites like Toots and the Maytals comes The Snails' motivation to keep authentic music around, that is, emotional music which carries a genuine message to its listeners. Their influences are extremely important in keeping their music and goals alive. The band's lyrics are written by Todd Fausnacht whose inspiration clearly originates from personal experiences, political and social controversies, and the wisdom of Joe Strummer. At a Snails show, it's easy to feel the elements of punk, ska, rockabilly, reggae, 50's rock and roll, and even a dash of old-time country folk music making it effortless to break out in skanking, moshing, and 50's swing and twist. However you want to move, the feel-good, and not to mention educational, tunes will get you going, and standing still is not an option. "Ska and soul with a side of rock and roll!" is what The Snails always say.
Wareika Hill
Veterans of the Philly reggae and ska scene, Sean "MacIrie" McPhillips (drums), Dave "The Squire" Segal (lead guitar) and "Lord" Tedford Juachon (lead vocals/trombone) have played together in various incarnations on and off for ten years. Joined by the musical kinship of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Dan "Brawta" Poruban in 2005, the core of Wareika Hill was born. The whole group sits firmly on the foundation laid by "Atomic" Larry Kelsall (bass) along with the triple threat of Adam "Bigga Lungs" Flicker (keys/trumpet/vocals). Finishing out the seasoning in the Wareika Hill musical stew is Devon "Pele" Gooden on lead vocals...
Each member of Wareika Hill brings a unique element to the band's sound. Their collective influences range from Ska, Reggae and Rocksteady to modern Dub with touches of Jazz, Soul, Blues and Funk in between. This varied and unique mix results in an infectious sound that'll have listeners out of their seats with their feet grooving to the beat!
Current and former projects from the members of Wareika Hill include: Inspecter 7, King Django's Roots & Culture, Skanatra, Stubborn All-Stars, the Studebakers, Version City Rockers, Hub City Stompers, Dialects and The Brakes.
Wareika Hill has been fortunate enough to perform on its own and also as an opening act for such reggae legends as Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Isreal Vibration and Sizzla Kalonji. They have performed at local venues such as the Trocadero, The TLA, North Star Bar and World Café Live in Philadelphia and also venues such as the Knitting Factory in NYC and the House of Blues in Atlantic City, NJ.
Another facet to Wareika Hill is their service as a back up band (ala Roots Radics Stylee) for many of Philadelphia's own reggae artists. Recently they have shared the stage and layed down the backing riddims for King Django, El Feco B and Pele.
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The Aggrolites with The Snails, Wareika Hill
Friday, July 27 · Doors 8:30PM / Show 9:30PM at MilkBoy Philly