For nearly a decade now, Bumpin Uglies have been playing their brand of groove-heavy jams – a curiously fun mix of ska, Reggae and good ole’ punk rock – all while putting strong lyrics at the forefront of the music. It’s a formula that quickly took them from local favorites, playing around Annapolis, to a national stage. With a wildly infectious sound, tattoo-worthy lyrics and an itch to take their music to the masses, the band piled into the van years ago and have rarely seen home since.
The Bumpin Uglies’ origin story begins with singer/guitarist Brandon Hardesty playing open mics around Maryland. He met bassist Dave Wolf not too long after and Bumpin Uglies was born. With a proper set of wheels and TJ Haslett on drums, they went off to spread their music across the country like modern day Johnny Appleseeds. The group recently added Chad Wright on keyboards, expanding on their sound.
Raised on everything from Bad Religion and The Beach Boys to Sublime and Reel Big Fish, Bumpin Uglies have managed to take inspiration from some of the best out there, run it through their own distinctive filter and end up with a truly original take on the various genres creating an original hybrid. With a unique sound that’s nearly impossible to ignore, the band has gotten everyone from dreadlocked kids to PBR-fueled tattooed punks moving their heads to their music at festivals and on headlining tours across the country.
When they aren’t on the road, they’ve been camped in the studio, churning out three full lengths, two EPs and a live record. Their latest, 2016’s Keep It Together came out on Right Coast Records and is proof that the band has found their groove. The album consists of a dozen stand-out tracks, any one of which could be considered instant classics for the band. They’re already at work on the follow up, but true to their rep as being on the never-ending tour, chances are they’ll be coming to a venue near you soon.
Pacific Roots
Quickly becoming one of Santa Cruz's next premier Reggae/Rock groups, Pacific Roots is building their popularity by shredding the stage with upbeat reggae jams mixed with punk rock swells and solos. They have opened for well known artists such as, Jamaican reggae legends Sly and Robbie and Black Uhuru, The Expendables, The Expanders, Gonzo, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, The Hold Up, Katastro, Talking Dreads and more. Their self titled debut album, produced by Adam Paterson of The Expendables, is available now!
ARTIKaL Sound System
Based out of South Florida the multicultural group unites American, Jamaican & Hispanic Reggae culture. Performing nationally and internationally collaborations with some of the most influential musicians and artist in the Reggae scene include: Redlyte, The Abbysinians, Apple Gabriel of Israel Vibration, and a descendant of Bob Marley himself Biggz General. The band has had the honor of sharing the stage with Pepper, Dirty Heads, The Wailers, Steel Pulse, Yellowman, Less Than Jake, The Aggrolites, and Jesse Royal.
Their three most recent albums have reached the #2 position on the Billboard Reggae Charts. For their latest EP "Smoke & Mirrors" the group joined forces with singer/deejay Monsoon from Northern Clarendon Jamaica. The veteran singer-songwriter's vocal ability has been compared to Reggae veterans Capleton, Luciano, and Tony Rebel.
