
Links:
Official Website
Tourdates
Pete
Needs a
Friend
Johnny
O'Reilly
Shakin'
All Over
Press:
Metroland,
4/15/99
City Newspaper,
3/24/99
Rolling
Stone,
1/22/98
Details
Magazine, Jan
'98
Alternative
Press,
Sept '97
Local
Underground,
June/July '97
Boston
Globe,
5/23/97
Improper
Bostonian,
5/20/97
Boston
Herald,
5/18/97
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Within the past few months, Ska has been the focal point of everyone predicting trends in the future
of the music world. It has been featured in The New York Times, on the cover of Billboard and in both
Spin and Rolling Stone (to name only a few). Bim Skala Bim has been at the forefront of the
American Ska scene since its inception. Bim Skala Bim is a classic in the world of Ska. They
have paved the way for and been emulated by countless bands who they have influenced over the years.
They are the trailblazing ambassadors of Ska.
Take a step back to Boston Massachusetts 1983, a time when bands called No Doubt, Reel Big
Fish and Goldfinger were not even conceived. Dan Vitale (vocals) and Mark Ferranti (bass) decided
the time was right to bring the English "Two-Tone" Ska explosion (sparked by the Specials, The
Selector and Madness) to American shores. Bim Skala Bim was born and along with their
contemporaries The Mighty Mighty Bosstones & The Toasters they became responsible for bringing
the genre now popularly termed as "third wave ska" into existence. That year Bim Skala Bim won
Britain's NME vote as "The Best U.S. Ska Band."
Bim Skala Bim has had the same line up for 10 years. This fact becomes crystal clear in their
live shows. They play with a chemistry and an ease that is impossible to fake. Vitale is as diverse as
a chameleon, sometimes silky smooth, and sometimes raspy and cutting. His vocal diversity,
complimented by a swath of many influences - punk, pop, R&B, and salsa combine to make the Bim Skala
Bim's unique sound.
Throughout the years Bim Skala Bim has built up a reputation and a huge fan base by constantly
touring and recording. Their highly anticipated 7th album Universal got glowing reviews nationwide
including a perfect 5 from Alternative Press Magazine who tagged it as "A perfect alchemy of ska,
soul and surf, congealing it with patience, punk grit and summer breezes...Everything is tight, but
Bim make it seem effortless as the two step." They are the toast of Boston and have received 8 Boston
Music awards and 7 Boston Phoenix Reader's Poll Awards among dozens of other awards and accolades.
Their most recent video is soon to be added to MTV2.
Bim Skala Bim are also the founders of their own labels BiB Records and DVS Media. These
labels have striven to keep Ska alive during the times when major labels were completely ignoring the
genre. DVS has many releases up its sleeve for 1998 as Bim Skala Bim continues on their trailblazing
do it yourself path. Recent highlights of 1997 include an 8 week tour with the explosive
Mighty Mighty Bosstones and a Southern tour with Moon Ska recording masters The Toasters.
"Ska will never Dead"
-Roland Alphonso (The Skatalites, 1986)
These words were spoken by Roland Alphonso, legendary founding member of The Skatalites when he
found out that there were a few young American bands carrying on the tradition that he helped begin
in Jamaica in the 60's. 12 years later and ska is blowing up so fast, it is almost impossible to stop
our heads from spinning. Bim Skala Bim was there at the beginning and they will remain.
For interviews, CDs, and any further information,
please do not hesitate to contact:
Ariel Publicity Artist
Relations
and Promotions
2999 Shady Hollow East
Boulder, CO 80304
Phone (303)443-0083
Fax (303)443-0720
© 1999 Ariel Publicity and Bim Skala Bim
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