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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = The Scofflaws|background = group_or_band| alias =| origin = Huntington, New York , United States| genre = Third wave ska | years_active = 1988present| label = Moon Ska Records | associated_acts = The Bluebeats, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, The Toasters| current_members = Richard "Sammy" Brooks John Soldo Brian Duggan Greg Bucking| past_members = Mike Drance Jennifer South Paul Gebhardt Victor Rice Buford OSullivan Brian Lavan Tony Mason Kerry Lafferty Ben Klingberg Cary Brown Fred Reiter Regina Bellantese Wendy Scher Glen Saunders Tony Calarco Jerica Rosenblum Matthew Voss Daniel Voss Agent Jay Tom McGee Jay Hackett Glenn Hackett Adoni Xavier Henning Dave Waldo The Scofflaws are a Huntington, New York|Huntington , Long Island, New York -based third wave ska band that debuted in 1988. Known for their rambunctious live shows, technically proficient horn solos and tight arrangements, The Scofflaws were one of the top third wave ska acts of the '90s and one of the most beloved bands on the now-defunct Moon Ska label, as well as the center and focal point of the once-thriving Long Island ska scene.
The band had previously existed from circa 1984 under the name The New Bohemians, initially with a stronger emphasis on novelty 60s, R& B and television-show theme cover songs, bolstered by original ska-oriented anthems such as "Rudy's Back" and "Paul Getty". They sold the New Bohemians name to Edie Brickell in 1988, and regrouped as The Scofflaws.
The Scofflaws early sound was characterized by strong R& B and jazz influences as well as eclectic covers of such songs as Henry Mancini 's "A Shot in the Dark", Danny Elfman 's theme for '' Pee-wee's Big Adventure '', and a scorching live rendition of The Skatalites instrumental "Ska-La Parisian". Original songs like "Ska-La-Carte", "Nude Beach" and " William Shatner " became cult favorites due to the offbeat lyrics and quirky vocal stylings of bandleader Richard "Sammy" Brooks and trombonist Buford O'Sullivan.
They toured the United States several times, including stints as the openers for Desmond Dekker and Bad Manners.
The band's large lineup changed often, serving as a springboard for numerous New York ska musicians, as well as sprouting several subsequent groups. Original co-frontman Mike Drance left in 1994 to form The Bluebeats, while bassist Victor Rice went on to found New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble and enjoy a distinguished production career. Several Scofflaws members including O'Sullivan, Paul Gebhardt, and Tony Calarco also played for fellow Moon Ska artists The Toasters as well as One Groovy Coconut and Royal Roost, and The Scofflaws have often shared members with Huntington disciples Spider Nick & the Maddogs (whose leader, "Spider Nick" Martielli, wrote Scofflaws favorite "Spider on My Bed").
Although The Scofflaws have not released a studio recording since 1998, they continue to perform live gigs in the New York area, and are still fondly remembered by many ska fans as a driving force in establishing the US ska scene in the '90s.
Discography
Studio albums
1991 in music|1991 : The Scofflaws
1995 in music|1995 : Ska in Hi Fi
1998 in music|1998 : Record of Convictions
Live albums
1996 in music|1996 : Live& #33; Vol. 1
Compilations
1988 in music|1988 : Ska-Ville USA Vol. 3 ("Rudy's Back")
1990 in music|1990 : NYC Ska Live ("Going Back to Kingston", "Ali-Ska-Ba")
1995 in music|1995 : Oi!/Skampilation Vol. #1 ("The Whip")
1995 in music|1995 : Ska The Third Wave ("After the Lights Go Down Low", "William Shatner")
1996 in music|1996 : This Are Moon Ska ("William Shatner", "Nude Beach")
1997 in music|1997 : Freedom Sounds: A Tribute to The Skatalites ("Dr. Ring-A-Ding")
1997 in music|1997 : New York Beat Volume 2: Breaking and Entering ("Man With the Golden Arm")
1997 in music|1997 : Ska: The Instrumentals ("Watermelon Man")
Members
Current
Richard "Sammy" Brooks Lead vocals, tenor saxophone
John Soldo Drums
Brian Duggan Bass
Greg Bucking Guitar
Past
Mike Drance Baritone saxophone, vocals
Jennifer South Keyboards
Paul Gebhardt Alto saxophone
Victor Rice Acoustic bass
Buford O'Sullivan Trombone, vocals, theremin
Brian Lavan Guitar
Tony Mason Drums
Kerry Lafferty Keyboards
Ben Klingberg Guitar
Cary Brown Keyboards
Fred Reiter Baritone saxophone
Regina Bellantese Baritone saxophone
Wendy Scher Baritone saxophone
Glen Saunders Acoustic bass, electric bass
Tony Calarco Baritone Saxophone, alto saxophone
Jerica Rosenblum Keyboards
Matthew Voss Alto saxophone
Daniel Voss Baritone saxophone
Jay Nugent Guitar
Tom McGee Bass
Jay Hackett Guitar
Glenn Hackett Drums
Adoni Xavier Guitar
Henning Drums
Christian Berdat Soprano saxophone
External links
http://www.scofflaws.com The Scofflaws official page
http://www.myspace.com/thescofflawsofnow The Scofflaws on MySpace
http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=wuGbdhF2BlQ The Scofflaws "Nude Beach" official 1995 video
http://www.hpska.com/about/scofflawS.pdf HPSka.com 1997 interview with The Scofflaws
http://www.ink19.com/issues_F/98_08/ink_spots/scofflaws_nf.html Ink 19 circa 1997 interview with The Scofflaws
Allmusic|class=artist|id=p34562|pure_url=yes Allmusic: The Scofflaws
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/06/nyregion/for-promoter-ska-turns-the-world.html New York Times 2000 interview with former Scofflaws manager Scotto Savitt
DEFAULTSORT:Scofflaws, The Category:Third-wave ska groups Category:Musical groups from New York Category:American ska musical groups
