Member Since: 10/05/2006
Band Members:
Current 08 line-up:
Faisal - Bass; Silas - Guitar; John - Keys;
Mark - Trombone/Trumpet;
Glyn - Percussion;
Paul - Tenor Sax;
Tim - Drums; Jo - Alto Sax/Flute.
Line-up on 07 Album - as above, but substitute:
Joelle Barker - Percussion, Nick Flood - Trumpet,
Jasper - Drums, 'D' Thompson - Alto Sax
Album Production/Engineering - Brian Bannister, Red Box Studio
Special thanks to Yad Jaura ([email protected])
for the wonderful tour photos (as indicated).
Influences:
''Racism is a pigment of the imagination'' Haqi Ali.
Reviews of The Heels:
"Great Birmingham Ska band who have toured with The Beat.
Great musicianship, a tight horn section and funk influences
give them an edge over most ska bands, recommended."
(Review by Jibbering Records/Shambala)
"The Heels took to the stage and I was impressed;
the tight twin saxes (alto/tenor) buzzed up the crowd
and the harmonies were amazing with pounding reggae bass lines
and a sharp man on 6 strings playing all styles from Jazzy Ska
to South African/Senegalese guitar picking - it really got things going."
(Review by The Cracked Actors).
"Fat horn ska band."
(Surge Music/Ryan's Gig Guide)
"The Heels are Mentally Ska'd as the track of the same title suggests;
Think epic horns... think dub bass, latino guitar, skanking keys
and rock steady drumming. Think musical tourettes. This is The Heels."
(Skiddle)
"Awesome Brummie Ska Band!"
(Moon Buggy)
Sounds Like:
The Skatalites, Studio One and Trojan Records, mixed with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Ska Cubano and Jazz Jamaica.
We're looking to Prince Buster, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, and Duke Reid, sound systems for "that" sound.
Then add a little Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Willie Bobo, Youngblood Brass Band, The Beginning of the End and so on.
We also reference Don Drummond, Rico Rodriguez, Tommy McCook, Jackie Mittoo, Ernest Ranglin etc...
It's that authentic 1960's "ya-ya" music . . . you get the idea!
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Type of Label: Major