In the year 2004 four lads and a chick got together with a common goal. The rock they liked, the ska they loved and at the root of it all, the polka they lived for, needed to be combined into one gear shifting album. After guitarist/vocalist Robert Berry's phone calls to the most capable players and a plea for solidarity the Schleptones were born. First out of common ground and then, out of common bond. On the drums was a small, feminine woman that played the drums like she had been beating children for years. A solid, frantic drummer that also could cop the most sensitive reggae groove. A student of percussion and a teacher of the skins. Gina Montel was her name and music was her game. Having recorded with Robert in her first original band Sweet Hues, Gina and Robert had formed an understanding on what makes the beat the bitch. The hammer. The almighty weapon of intoxication. To add the appropriate amount of authentic college bashing, lo-fi boom to the bottom end, bassist Mike Park was asked to join the team. Originally Robert had produced many a ska and punk band for Mike and his Asian Man Records. But this was to be different. This was a combination of what all concerned called - The Conglomeration. Mike was not afraid. He came to conquer. And he conquered with tight and satisfying low end rumble. His only request, "please stand back". But a band is not complete with foundation alone. You must build the walls tall. Yet another misfit of the American music scene had to be added. But this task was a seemingly impossible one. The center of the Schleptones sound- - - Accordion. Yes Accordion. Where would the band find a young soul who played the instrument that old souls are buried with? The instrument that launched a million pizzas and soothed the hearts and mind from Mexico to Vienna? Well right here in San Jose of course. We have it all. Hi tech. Low tech. Illegal immigrants. But only one state champion accordion player, accordion schmoozer, Accordion wizard of the 21st century. Yes. Gene Perrault was the missing ingredient of the Schleptones sound. But not anymore. As of June 2004 he was searched out, found and enlisted. But like most impressive accomplishments, Berry's new band would not be complete without the right amount of Trombone to add the slip, the slide, the hump de dump le crump to the music. To land this talent Berry had to go internal to the family gene pool. Brother-in-law Tom Swanson was just what the Schlepdoc had ordered. A tall, lunging, extrovert of a man. The bounce in the walk, the sex appeal of the polka, the inner emotion of the inner commotion. Tom was the topper and the buck stopped with him. Need I say more. You'll listen, you'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll take the music seriously but also with a little distance to protect yourself from to much exposure. The infectious rhythms and lyrics can cause a serious, compound infection which in time will only worsen. After prolonged exposure it will never be totally curable. So sit back. Put yourself in there place. But don't take sides. Because you must remember, being in a band with this much accordion is not easy. And lubeing the tubing on the Trombone does lead to unmentionable internal problems. Prepare yourself to be enlightened and entertained.
Lady's and Gentlemen---I present THE SCHLEPTONES in stereo.
