Most bands last only a little while. Most bands cash in on a fad and then drift away. Most bands come together because of ads in magazines, and change the line-up like it's Three's Company. But most bands aren't Skavoovie and the Epitones. This is a band with a history like no other.

When the 10 members of Skavoovie moved into a house together in September 1998, their friends called them crazy. But then again, that's what their friends had said seven years earlier when the 10 high school buddies would practice until 2 AM in a dingy garage, having fun and hoping maybe they'd get a couple of gigs. It was then that they came up with their name - a product of ten deviant high school minds. Their name wasn't normal, and it certainly wasn't normal when the kids in Skavoovie played their own prom and had completed their first national tour before even out of high school. By the time they had graduated, they had finished recording their first release, Fat Footin', which, in 1995, went on to become the fastest selling debut in Moon Ska history.

Although the next few years saw Skavoovie members scattered throughout the Northeast, they continued to make musical leaps and bounds along with their commutes. The result was Ripe (Moon Ska 1997), an album which proved that Skavoovie was not only one of the youngest bands around, but also one of the most talented. The potential that was evident in Fat Footin' had begun to blossom; Ripe displayed creativity and maturity advanced far beyond their years, and advanced far beyond the increasingly trite and repetitive ska scene. As the years have gone by, the individual members of Skavoovie have distinguished themselves in many contexts outside of the band, from weekly gigs at the legendary Birdland club in New York to recording sessions with Japanese pop stars. Numerous side-projects, too, have been spawned from Skavoovie; everything from hardcore groups to New Orleans marching bands to R&B projects to free improvised electronica - a range of styles that reveals the depth of talent and ambition in this band. Over the past year, the members of the group have moved in together and combined this talent and ambition with focus and determination - 6-hour a day rehearsals, over 100 shows including a month in Europe - and the results can be seen on their upcoming Shanachie release, The Growler. The Growler showcases the diversity and depth that this band can maintain while satisfying ska purists and new listeners alike. Over the years, many classifications of the Skavoovie sound have been attempted: "traditional ska," "swing-ska," "modern dance music," "improvisational big band groove," "jazz/ska," "punk music," "pop music." But none of these labels can fully capture the vibrant, dance-oriented, creative sound of this energetic band. Live, the band puts on an unbelievable show, moving from raging up-tempo tunes to mellow groovers, inciting what Billboard magazine described as "high-energy sweat-fests."

Amazingly, the average age of the band is a young 22 years - pretty amazing considering the accomplishments already behind them: over 400 shows, 12 national tours, one month-long European tour, 3 full-length albums (2 of them recorded at Boston's world famous Fort Apache Studio), a video which received tons of national airplay including a feature on MTV, and countless awards, including five prestigious Boston Music Award nominations, and a selection as one of the "Top Ten Unsigned Bands in Boston" (Boston Tab). Even more impressive than this list of accomplishments is the talent and exuberance that these ten young men bring to their music. Skavoovie is a large band, but every member composes for the group, and every member is a featured improviser on stage. Skavoovie will make you dance with their "infectious and boisterous" (CMJ) sound, and will also dazzle with their originality and musicality. One can only guess what the next unpredictable chapter will be in the history of this band, where we will find these ten bright young talents in a few years. But for now, be sure to check out this unique musical ensemble.

Skavoovie is:

  Ben Herson (drums)
  Ans Purins (vocals)
  Ben Jaffe (tenor sax)
  Eugene Cho (keyboards)
  Jesse Farber (trumpet)
  Joe Wensink (euphonium & trombone)
  Ethan D'Ercole (guitar)
  Ben Lewis (trumpet)
  Jon Natchez (alto & bari sax)
  Rob Jost (bass)

Here's what the press is saying about The Growler, out now on Shanachie Records ...

"Progresses far beyond anything Skavoovie has previously recorded... It ventures far beyond traditional ska incorporating elements of jazz and big band." - The Westword, Denver CO

"If you have an aversion to the notion of ska, let me put it in other words: danceable jazz. While not truly swing, Skavoovie do make even the most staid of music listeners do the groovy groove. There is a familiar upbeat jump, the shouting, uplifting lyrics and massive array of horns. The slamming backbeat keeps it all together ." - Eight Days, Albuquerque NM

"What separates Skavoovie and The Epitones from other ska bands is the fact that its range of influences creates a refreshingly original sound... Be warned because as soon as this album is inserted in the CD player, it may not leave it for a while, as it gets better and better with each listen." - State News, Lansing MI

"Whether it's the smooth organ sliding through the songs or the bright horns lighting up the song, the band always stays true to the beauty of ska and jazz, but takes the songs to new heights with their touch...They have a combination sure to win smiles. And still young, they only have room to get better , which is scary because they're already so tight." - In Music We Trust

"Ans Purins' quirky vocals and sounds shine...The music is top notch. This band is just getting started (average age 22) so there is no telling where these guys will go next." - The Final Word, New Orleans LA

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 Skavoovie and the Epitones