» The Aggrolites

The Aggrolites – “Reggae Hit L.A.”

They are brothers from another mother and willing to shed blood for family.

This five-piece group of L.A. musicians mix old school reggae with rock, soul and funk, heavily influenced by The Meters, James Brown and Wilson Pickett, among others. It's a thick blend of rhythm and melody, seasoned by years of love and soul. The result is the infectious sound called "dirty reggae."

They are Jesse Wagner (Vocals, Lead Guitar and Prophecies), Korey Horn (Master of Thunder and Lightning), J. Bonner (Bass King), Roger Rivas (Machine Gun Fingers and Keys) and Brian Dixon (Rhythm Guitar and A.K.47)

Nearly eight months straight on the road, criss-crossing the US and jetting back and forth to Europe, The Aggrolites are one of the world’s hardest working bands and with serious talent to boot. But they see themselves as one mean unit, a machine!

If you have ever seen one of their shows then you know they have the chops, chemistry, talent and that something special the Almighty gave them at birth to take this Aggrolites “machine” to the highest mountain.

The Aggrolites already have two albums to their credit -- "Dirty Reggae" (Axe, 2003) and the critically acclaimed self-titled "The Aggrolites" (Hellcat/Epitaph, 2006). Peter Relic from Rolling Stone Magazine raves, “A glorious, surprising treat. Ideal for your next soul shakedown party.” The anthem "Dirty Reggae" also appeared on Epitaph's "Give Em The Boot IV" compilation CD.

They recently completed their third album due to hit this June. It will be the second of their three album deal for indie label Hellcat/Epitaph. Singer Jesse Wagner sums it up best, “We've been breaking our backs on the road for months and when we got back from touring we poured our blood, sweat and tears into this album. It's the tightest one yet. The real deal!" A month-long album launch party throughout California is in the works.

While out on tour they knew when they arrived back in LA there was no time to relax, it would be straight into the studio for their second album with Hellcat Records. From city to city and continent to continent, the band hacked their way into the hearts and minds of newly converted Aggro-fans. Since they were either in a bus, van or some other mode of transportation most of the time and unable to demo new tunes, they found opportunity during sound checks to throw out new hooks and licks in anticipation of what would eventually become the masterpiece - “Reggae Hit LA.”

Once in the studio, despite the lack of completed tunes, the band found it amazingly easy to flow with lyrics, hooks, choruses, bridges…the whole thing just came together in a matter of three days! All the anxieties, hurdles, exhilarations and pain of the journey had paid off in a supernatural way. The Aggrolites, together, wrote and produced one hell of an album!

The title track says it all. It reflects two concepts the band formed while touring. One: The desire to represent who they are and where they come from. Los Angeles is in their blood - the culture, the weather the complexities of the city of angels. Two: While touring the US, The Aggrolites were stricken with the idea that they love the fact that LA has a reggae scene; one they can dig every week of the year and that’s worth talking about. It’s not something you can find in the heartland.

Another track that explains The Aggrolites position on things is “Work It.” With it’s simple lyrics and traditional reggae M.O., the band found a platform to express their pride in being able to get the job done when it comes to entertaining a crowd and showing loyalty to their faithful fans. They have no problem saying to the world, you got to work it so you can get it and it ain’t easy!

The Aggrolites have 15 addictive tracks on “Reggae Hit LA.” they’ll take you on a rhythmic and soulful journey, one that leaves a lasting impression along the lines of “What a relief, I thought they’d never come – a real band with real talent, that is.”

The band has had the pleasure on collaborating with Rancid frontman and Hellcat head Tim Armstrong on his new solo album "A Poet's Life.” "It was an honor to work with Tim. He gave us the freedom to make our sound HIS sound," boasts Jesse. "Hold On," "Wake Up" and “Into Action,” are the first three singles from this album available with videos on Epitaph.com.

They have also shared the stage with Jamaican music legends (Prince Buster, Derrick Morgan, The Skatalites), ska veterans (Madness, Rancid, Hepcat) and rock outfits (Ozozmatli, Dropkick Murphys), among countless other talents.

Lead singer Jesse Wagner is featured in SKYY Vodka's new "Rude Boys" advertising campaign along with Jonas Cabrera from The Skeletones. These ads can now be seen in numerous publications, including Rolling Stone Magazine, and on outdoor billboards.

The Aggrolites
May 9, 2006

1. Funky Fire
2. Mr. Misery
3. Time To Get Tough
4. Thunder Fist
5. Countryman Fiddle
6. Work To Do
7. Death At Ten Paces
8. Someday
9. The Volcano
10. Heavier Than Lead
11. Sound Of Bombshell
12. Fury Now
13. 5 Deadly Venoms
14. Grave Digger
15. Prisoner Song
16. Love Isn't Love
17. Sound By The Pound
18. Lightning & Thunder
19. A.G.G.R.O.

Resentie / Persbericht

Imagine a band of southern California twenty-somethings who play a brand of rocksteady reggae and ska that sounds like nothing less than Wilson Pickett throwing a house party backed by The Meters and The Maytals. This self-titled debut is that rare album that sounds like the real thing; all the grit and tube-warmed funkiness you'd expect from a Studio One recording from say, 1965. Veterans of the so-Cal ska punk scene, The Aggrolites appeal equally to punks raided on Rancid and The Clash and to reggae purists in love with the deep ska of vintage Trojan and Studio One. Nineteen tracks of sing-alongs and instrumentals that sound like instant classics.