Anthology, Vol. I (1990-2000)

简介

In the summer of 1989 I was at The Roxy in Hollywood California watching the band Fishbone perform. As I looked around me a sudden feeling of emptiness came over me. God spoke to me and told me, "Look at these people, This is all they have, I want you to give them something deeper". I thought to myself that it would be impossible to start the first Christian Ska band but as the days went on it was all I could think about. The origianal Jamaican artists were raised in Christian churches and most of their tunes were spiritually based so I wanted to continue that tradition. I had been in many bands by that time and I was tired of starting new ones so I decided that this would be the last band I ever started. I had to come up with a name that would reach Christians as well as everyone else who loved this music. The first song that came to my mind was, "The Israelites" by Desmond Dekker. It was a spirtiual tune that was famous worldwide and of course it made refrence to Gods chosen people who crossed the desert to find the promise land. Little did I know however that my long journey was about to begin. With the help of my friend Dave Hawkins we enlisted some friends from church and had our first practice on Holloween night of that year ironicly. Within a few months the members from our church did'nt work out and we found people from the scene that were interested and by the summer of 1990 we had our first show which was a backyard party in fontana with a band called, "The Specs". Our first real show was at Clairmont college with Hepcat. We did many shows for Steady beat promotions over the next few years. In that year we recorded our first 4 song demo, "Friend". In 1993 we began recording our first album, "Wash Away" due to finances it was not released however till 3 years later. By 1995 a huge "Third Wave" revival exploded across the country. Christian "Ska" bands started popping up all over due to the success of a band called, "The Supertones". Up until this time our sound was more like the english bands of that time such as; Skaos, The Busters and the Potato 5. This new "Third wave" sound was a fusion of punk. With the comeback of the original Ska band from Jamaica called, "The Skatalites" and local band "Hepcat" a traditional revival was born. Bands now had decide what style they were going to play. We choose the real deal, Jamaican Ska. We however got mixed in playing many shows with the Christian third wave bands. Though I did not consider the third wave bands to be Ska I supported their spiritual message. From 1996 to 2000 we were so busy and bringing in so much income between the band and my record label "Kingston Beat" that I had to quit my job and go full time managing the band as well. In those years we accomplished many things. We went on several nationwide tours. Played everywhere from clubs in Hollywood like the Whiskey and the Roxy to huge festivals and crusades performing to audiences of up to several thousand. This is the first 10 year history of the band. The story continues in Anthology Vol II (2000-2010). I would like to thank the following people; The Father, Son and Holy Spirit , my only reason for living and playing. My family, My children (Ian, Ady and Caleb). Dave Hawkins and all the past Israelites members of this time. I'm sorry for differences. We'll sort it out in Heaven. My influences; The Skatalites, Prince Buster and Symarip. The bands ; Hepcat, Jump with Joey, The Specs, Let's go Bowling, Mobtown and all the bands at that time that helped us out and supported us. All the people that booked us; Luis (Steady Beat), Izot, Cornerstone fest, Tooth and Nail records, and all the people that paid money out their pocket to help us out on the road. Most of all I want to thank you, the fans, for dancing to us, supporting us and buying our music and merch. Without you we would'nt exsist. www.facebook.com/theisraelites

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