SKAVILLE UK

Music:

Member Since: 7/4/2006
Band Website: NO WEBSITE
Band Members: The Skaville UK story begins in September 2006 when four restless musicians decided to get together, have some fun rehersing, then go into a studio and record some of the songs they had been writing. Those musicians were...Nick Welsh (vocals/bass) Nick has written, played and produced with artists like Bad Manners, Busters Allstars, The Selecter, Selecter Acoustic, Prince Buster, Dave Barker, King Hammond, Laurel Aitken, Judge Dread, Rico Rodriguez ,Rhoda Dakar & 3 Men & Black. Other projects have included Big 5 a ska/punk hybrid with vocalist Jennie Matthias (Belle Stars) and the hit single "This is Ska" with Longsy D. He also writes music for T.V. ( Peep Show, The Osbournes, Malcolm in the Middle, Gay,Straight or Taken, LA Ink, Date My Mom, Desperate Housewives,Ugly Betty,Pimp My Ride), computer games (Smackdown versus Raw 2006, Day of Reckoning 2) and the big screen (Domino, The Magic Roundabout). In 2002 Nick won a Grammy award for his work on the Lee "Scratch" Perry album "Jamaican ET" he was also on Scratch's "Alien Starman" CD and was the MD on the live DVD "The Ultimate Alien". Nick is the singer, producer & main songwriter in Skaville UK. Louis Alphonso (vocals/guitar). The Original guitarist in Bad Manners (voted channel four's 1980's best selling band), co-wrote (along with Martin) all the bands biggest hits including "Lip Up Fatty", "Special Brew", "Lorraine", "Walking in the Sunshine" and "Just a Feeling". As well as 12 hit singles Bad Manners also had 4 chart albums the debut "Ska 'n' B", "Loonie Tunes", "Gosh its!" and "Forging Ahead". The band also charted with the compilation "The Height of Bad Manners". Louis also played with Lee "Scratch" Perry, Judge Dread and played on Mr "Double Barrel" Dave Barker's album "Kingston Affair". Martin Stewart (keyboards). Original Keyboardist in Bad Manners. He was the featured instrument on the band's biggest hit "Can Can", Which he performed in front of the Pope at the San Remo festival in 1981. While in Bad Manners (with Louis), he appeared in the film "Dance Craze" alongside The Specials and Madness, as well as making countless memorable performances on shows like Top of the Pops and Tiswas. Bad Manners spent over 200 weeks in the UK charts. He was a member of the band Big 5 alongside Nick. Martin has also played with Prince Buster,Dave Barker,and the late great Laurel Aitken. Al Fletcher (drums). 1 Band - 2 Grammy winners! Al also won a Grammy for the Lee "Scratch" Perry Album "Jamaican ET" and played on the follow up "Alien Starman". He has also drummed on The Selecter album "Cruel Brittania" & all 3 volumes of "The Trojan Songbook" . Al played many concerts for reggae legends Laurel Aitken & Dave Barker and for the Two Tone Collective A Ska supergroup featuring members of The Specials The Beat & The Selecter. Al also played on the 3 Men & Black CD "Acoustic". The tracks recorded make up the first Skaville UK CD "1973". Released on the Moon Ska World label in April 2007, The CD featured guest vocalists Rhoda Dakar (ex The Bodysnatchers/Special AKA) & Jennie Matthias (ex The Belle Stars).The next move was to go out on the road To promote the CD. The band spent the summer of 2007 gigging in clubs and on the festival circuit (with apperances at Beautiful Days, The Wickerman & Guilfest where THE SUN said that "Skaville UK were the best band of the day"). After this The 'Ville went back into the studio to record a follow up CD. The result is "Decadent!" a Ska/punk/Pop hybrid. Once again it features guest contributions from Rhoda & Jennie (why change a winning formula!) and from Michael 'Wurzel' Burston (ex Motorhead). The CD is released on Moon Ska World in June 2008 and will be supported by a UK tour. The Skaville UK live show features songs from both CD's alongside selections from the individual members back catalogue.
Influences: WE OWE AS MUCH TO T.REX & MOTT THE HOOPLE AS WE DO TO PRINCE BUSTER & THE UPSETTERS.
Sounds Like: FUN!
Record Label: MOON SKA WORLD
Type of Label: Indie