The Stingers

Since 1998, The Stingers have developed their own modern hybrid of Jamaican rocksteady/ska and classic American doo-wop soul: solid roots-reggae rhythms, melodic horn lines, and 5 lead vocalists each with a unique style backed by tight 3- and 4-part harmonies. All of this is anchored by superb songwriting and lyrics that range from rocksteady love tunes to politically charged steppers reggae to high energy ska, reflecting the decades-old legacy of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Sam Cooke, The Skatalites and Bob Dylan. While Austin, Texas remains the supportive home base for this roots-ska sextet, international releases, tours backing some of the biggest names in ska music and shape-shifting shows ranging from Germany’s Reggae Summer Jam (Europe’s largest Reggae festival), to a sold-out New Year’s Eve show at La Fleche d’Or in Paris, to an appearance at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C have won the band world wide acclaim.
After the release of their first two recordings, The Stingers (2000), and Big in Mississippi EP (2001), on the band’s own label (Electric Entertainment), The Stingers signed on with Germany’s all-in-one indie label/tour promoter/catalog merchandiser Grover Records and also veteran producer Victor Rice. This collaboration immediately produced two quick releases (Rich Boy EP [2002], This Good Thing LP [2002]) and their first headlining European tour. Word spread quickly and The Stingers soon found themselves among the elite in the roots-ska scene, prompting four additional record releases (Three Points EP [2003], All In A Day LP [2004], Rude Roots [2006] and This Time Around [2008]), tours in over twelve different countries, and distribution deals with Jump Up Records (US) and a later label signing with Mossburg Music (US). Along with records, tours and label support came the honor of backing two great masters of their genre, Laurel Aitken, a Jamaican music pioneer who scored Island Records’ first 1 single, and Doreen Shaffer, lead singer of the band that started it all, The Skatalites, for a series of sold-out shows in 2003 and 2005 respectively. The Stingers also found their music on the big screen, when “Get Away,” was featured in Gold Circle Films release The Long Weekend (2005).
“Maybe the Democrats should look to ska survivors like the Stingers for inspiration. If they could write a platform with half as much pop sensibility as a Stingers tune, we’d never have to worry about a few befuddled South Floridians’ votes again.” -John Nova Lomax, Houston Press
“This is Austin Rocksteady: three-part harmonies combined with faithful execution of the Jamaican rhythms. Add to the mix one Jonny Meyers from Forest Hills, NYC with major songwriting ability. We emerged from Music Lane Studios with 14 fresh hot biscuits for this song-starved planet.” -Victor Rice on "This Good Thing"
2008 marks the ten-year anniversary for The Stingers. To celebrate, the band has released their fourth full length, appropriately titled This Time Around (Mossburg Music 2008). The record features five different lead vocalists, special guests (former members included), big new tunes and a sound that displays the type of forward-thinking that has long characterized the Stingers’ approach. Produced by both Victor Rice and the band, This Time Around will be supported by a European tour in the months following the release.
The Stingers ATX band updates, tour schedule, exclusive mp3s, and online press pack are available at www.thestingers.net and at www.myspace.com/thestingers. Available Stingers recordings can be purchased at either www.grover.de or www.mossburgmusic.com.
Discography (most recent to past):
This Time Around (2008)
-Mossburg Music (US) CD
-Grover Records (Europe) CD, LP
-Produced by Victor Rice
Rude Roots (2006)
-Independent EP
-Split EP with I*Gents
-Produced by Willy Camero
All in a Day (2004)
-Grover Records (Germany) CD, LP
-JumpUp Records (Chicago) CD
-Produced by Victor Rice
This Good Thing (U.S. - 2003)
-JumpUp Records - U.S. reissue
-Includes all material from Grover "This Good Thing" and "Three Points"
-Produced by Victor Rice
Three Points EP (2003)
-Grover Records CD
-Produced by Victor Rice
This Good Thing (Europe - 2003)
-Grover Records CD, LP
-Produced by Victor Rice
Big in Mississippi EP (2002)
-Grover Records 45
-Electric Entertainment CD
-Produced by Ter'ell Shaheed
The Stingers (2000)
-Electric Entertainment
-Produced by The Stingers