Xtaushun - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Xtaushun Band @ J'ouvert Mawnin' 2007
Xtaushun was formed by Angel "A.J. Ventura and his cousin Alvin in 2003 when Ventura was only 15 years old. "We used to play around on my grandmother's porch," he said. "I always had keyboards and he had a guitar." One day they looked at each other and said, "You know, we need a band!"
They lured lead vocalist Dennis "Pumpa" Liburd, a friend at Central High School, away from plans to form his own band. "I said, 'you need to come with us because we're doing something serious,'" Ventura recalled. With the addition of classmate Ana Nelson as female vocalist, another Ventura cousin Roland Horsford on bass and Wanson Harris, a longtime friend from summer camp, on drums, the band was born.
They pulled the name, Xtaushun, from a movie called "Shottas," except they "put a little Crucian twist and dialect to it and spelled it how we wanted," Ventura said.
Their first live performance was at Ventura's 16th birthday party in a local club, and it went much better than expected although "we were kinda nervous." On that night, Ventura also met Mapleton "Tarco" Lawrence Jr., who was there accompanying the sound engineer. Tarco, who is the son of the original Tarco and the Playboys, was a keyboard player and, Ventura thought, the perfect person to take over much of the keyboard duties for the band.
Only a month later, they were crowned Road March Champions for the first time with their breakout hit, "Energy." A year later, they hit gold again with the song "Gasoline."
Cousin Alvin left the band to pursue his education and was replaced by Mark Sexius. Drummer Harris, who was in the National Guard, recieved orders to report to Iraq with his unit and was replaced by Vio International bassist Peter Willock.
In May 2006, Nelson and the band parted ways and a month later, the band added Melushua "Lady Spice" Parker as their new female singer. In July 2006, Lawrence "Skittles" Walcott entered the band to replace Sexius.
For bookings, call 340-713-1098 or 340-773-9149

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 02/05/2006
Band Website: http://www.xtaushunband.vi
Band Members:
Angel "A.J." Ventura - Band Leader, Vocals, Drum Machine, Keyboards
Dennis "Pumpa" Liburd - Lead Vocals
Melushua "Lady Spice" Parker - Vocals
Moziah Miller - Bass
Peter "Big Pete" Willock - Drums
Mapleton "Tarco" Lawrence, Jr. - Keyboards
Lawrence Walcott - Guitar

Influences: Nick Friday, Rupee, Edwin Yearwood, U2, Kiss, Daddy Jones...
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Soca Band Competition in St. Kitts!

Xtaushun Band will be facing off against BURNING FLAMES BAND from Antigua, ULTRASONIC BAND from Nevis andNU VYBES BAND INTERNATIONAL from St. Kitts to see who is the baddest and the best soca Band of...
Posted by on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:23:00 GMT

New CD is out!!

"Evolution" has finally been released, just in time for the Crucian Christmas festivities. The CD includes previously released music such as "So Strange" and "Jam Turnova" as well as several n...
Posted by on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:40:00 GMT

VIRGIN ISLANDS RADIO GETS "STRANGE"

Xtaushun's newest song "So Strange" can be heard on several radio stations in the Virgin Islands these days, including Isle 95 and WSTX 100.3. The tune, which illustrates the "strange" experience of l...
Posted by on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:29:00 GMT

Xtaushun heats up Miami Carnival

For those of you who weren't able to make it, here's a taste of all the fun that you missed: Check out www.xtaushunband.vi for pictures as well!
Posted by on Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:15:00 GMT

Going into the studio!

As we speak, A.J., Pumpa and Malushua are busy working on new tracks for Xtaushun Band's upcoming album. The band is due to enter the studio next week to begin recording the CD, which is expected to b...
Posted by on Wed, 11 Oct 2006 13:36:00 GMT

Back to School

Lead singer Dennis "Pumpa" Liburd left St. Croix today to return to college in New York City. Band leader A.J. Ventura, in his second year at University of the Virgin Islands, remains behind, working...
Posted by on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 10:10:00 GMT

LADY SPICE joins the band!!

Malushua "Lady Spice" Parker made a strong debut as the new female vocalist for Xtaushun Band during a spirited show at Club Flava in Christiansted last night. Calypso fans may remember the sexy,...
Posted by on Sat, 24 Jun 2006 09:32:00 GMT

Tortola Show Postponed

Xtaushun's scheduled performance at Prospect Reef Resort in Road Town, Tortola, this Saturday, June 10th, has been postponed. Please check back for the new date!
Posted by on Thu, 08 Jun 2006 19:22:00 GMT

NEWS FLASH! Nina Nyce no longer with the band!

Ana "Nina Nyce" Nelson is no longer with Xtaushun Band. Nina had been with the band since it was founded in 2003, singing backup vocals as well as lead vocals on several tracks. We wish her well in he...
Posted by on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 06:49:00 GMT

Our new single is out!

"Jam Turnover" is our Limited Edition Single release for V.I. Carnival 2006! Have you heard it yet? If so, let us know what you think!
Posted by on Tue, 09 May 2006 13:39:00 GMT