Players Band Halftime CD

The Players BandHalftime (Self-released)Can a reggae/ska band rock? On its third CD, The Players Band proves that it definitely can. An eight-piece, the group makes the most of a muscular horn section (featuring Nick Reider on trumpet, David Blackstone on trombone, and Michael Gorman on saxophone) that, like the Skatalites, punctuates its rock steady tunes with shots of bouncing, upbeat brass. Funky songs such as “Joe’s Song” show it can also cut deep grooves out of Joe Ross’s nimble bass playing, Andy Schneider’s drumming, and Dan Schneider’s chicken-scratch guitar. In fact, Halftime exhibits a near-encyclopedic knowledge of classic soul that mixes nicely with its rocking take on reggae and ska.John Lewis, Baltimore Magazine. January 2006--“Your band freakin’ rocks!” Joe Strummer.--"A rocking big band out of Baltimore and DC, the Players can hit all the styles and are a must-see live!" - AP Magazine (Alternative Press). --"The Players do the ska thing, and they do it well, with horn-heavy choruses and chicken-scratch guitar on exuberant tunes - Ain’t no hatin’ these Players.” - Baltimore Magazine. The Players Band is an 8-piece ska band formed in Baltimore in 1999. The Players' musical style combines ska, rock, and reggae, and is characterized by the use of upbeat horns and percussion. The band has played over 325 live shows in various states, including; Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Virginia. The Players have performed with acts such as Grammy Award Winner The Isley Brothers, Grammy Award Winner Toots and the Maytals, The B-52s, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Joe Strummer, The English Beat, Third Eye Blind, Citizen Cope, Fishbone, The Toasters, The Skatalites, The Pietasters, The Aggrolites, The Slackers, Rebirth Brass Band, Big D and the Kids Table, The Know How, King Django, The Scofflaws, Westbound Train, Eastern Standard Time, Junkyard Band and many others. Notable ska musicians who have performed on stage with The Players Band as guests include; Jeff Richey (The Toasters), Buford O’Sullivan, Vinny Noble (Pilfers & Bim Skala Bim), Dr._Ring-Ding, Morgan Russell (Eastern Standard Time) and H.R. (Bad Brains).DiscographyThe Players â€" Instrumental (2001)The Players â€" Hate the Game (2003)The Players Band â€" Halftime (2005) ____www.theplayersband.com