THE TOASTERS IN CONCERT:
Ska masters The Toasters have stuck to their guns over the past three decades with a supercharged, punk-infused third wave style that always makes for a rowdy show. Their upbeat concerts are a total party, inciting serious skanking among fans with swinging basslines, bouncy rhythms, and a rambunctious horn section. Leading the fun-loving madness is frontman Robert "Bucket" Hingley, who lays down tasty guitar licks and belts the melodious refrains of lighthearted favorites like "2-Tone Army," "East Side Beat," and "Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down" with infectious verve. The Toasters give ticket buyers all the rollicking ska they can handle, delivering non-stop, fast-paced sets fueled on pure, unadulterated adrenaline.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
After relocating to New York in 1980, Englishman Robert "Bucket" Hingley (guitar/vocals) saw British 2 Tone pioneers The Beat perform and immediately began assembling his own ska band, The Toasters. Their wild early shows – including their live debut opening for legendary reggae/hardcore act The Bad Brains – won them a dedicated following before they released their 1983 EP Beat Up. They made their full-length debut in 1987 with Skaboom, an acclaimed effort that helped the band become an integral part of the third wave ska movement. The group found commercial success in the '90s when they wrote the theme song for the cartoon variety show KaBlam! and licensed their music for America Online and Coca-Cola commercials. Hingley then founded the Megalith record label in 2002 to distribute records by The Toasters, including Enemy of the System (2002) and One More Bullet (2007). The Toasters turned 30 in 2011 and embarked on an extensive tour to celebrate the momentous milestone. Though the lineup has changed over the years, they continue to proudly carry the banner of third wave ska every time they kick out their amped-up tunes in concert.
