Ska-B-Que time

30/10/12
Media Release for Ska-B-Q gig
For immediate release

Battle-Ska Galactica: John Downes (bass), Steve Swanson (drums), Saali Marks (guitar/vox), Damian Forlong (trombone), Matt Enright (trumpet), Dayle Jellyman (keys/vox), Frankie Curac (sax/vox)

It’s Ska-B-Que time! Battle-Ska Galactica and Skapiti, two high energy, good-time ska bands are welcoming summer with a bang and a barbie at St Peter’s Hall, Paekakariki on Saturday November 10th. Battle-Ska Galactica are a 7-piece retro-futuristic intergalactic ska explosion from Wellington, who have recently beamed their debut album directly to Earth. Skapiti are a local 6-piece band known for getting audiences skanking to fast, original tunes.

Formed in 2009, Battle-Ska Galactica is comprised of some of Wellington's finest and busiest musicians. Blending old-school Jamaican style ska with UK rude boy ska, rock, reggae, funk and blues they’ve created a new ska sound, one that could only have come from New Zealand.

With their new album "Everybody's got an opinion" released in June, Battle-Ska Galactica have stamped their mark on the NZ ska scene. The album presents the band at their raw best, capturing their live sound with big hooks, catchy choruses, blazing solos and a range of firmly held opinions, all underpinned by an infectious ska groove.

Skapiti have been busy gigging from Taranaki to Wellington since Bret Pryor and James Davenport sat down over two years ago to have a beer and a jam. The most recent line-up have been playing together for a year. Their set of 12 original songs includes one called ‘Paekak after midnight’ about the music at St Peter’s having to finish by midnight and the parties and shenanigans that happen afterwards. Well known film-maker Phil Simmonds is going to be taking footage on the night to celebrate the special venue and hopefully turn into a music video.

Saali Marks, Battle-Ska guitarist is excited about playing in Paekakariki, “A lot of well-known musicians love playing at St Peter’s like The Yoots and Delaney Davidson, as well as overseas acts. The town always comes out to have a good time and the hall just keeps getting better. We’re hoping to get the word out to Wellingtonians that it’s an easy train ride for a great night out.”

This November Battle-Ska Galactica and Skapiti are hosting a novel ‘Ska-B-Que’ complete with a barbie, licensed bar, local legend ska DJ Paul Howard playing from 6pm and two unmissable bands. As Saali Marks says, “Ska music is heaps of fun. It may make you dance funny but I challenge anyone to have a stink time listening to ska.”

Organisers hope it will be a perfect start to herald the new season and people come and support great local music at St Peter’s Hall, Paekakariki, Saturday November 10th, BBQ and DJ 6pm onwards, show starts 8.30pm, licensed bar, $10 door sales.

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