THE AGGROLITES
“The Sufferer” Hits the Airwaves
Additional Shows Added
Songs featured in Endless Bummer & Nitro Circus
“Through sheer force of will (not to mention grooves so enticing you can’t help but fall into them), this quintet simply commands you to buy into their music, which they call “dirty reggae.” It’s rock-steady with a punk-funk edge, with frontman Jesse Wagner’s white-soul vocals and Roger Rivas’ crazy organ lines giving it a party-or-die feel.” – Kevin Bronson, buzzbands.la
(May 5, 2009) After a successful Coachella performance and debut tour in Brazil, The Aggrolites now gear up for the release of their album IV, due June 9, 2009. IV is a definitive chapter in The Aggrolites journey with 21 original and self-produced tracks – each one a story of their determination and quest to spread soulful "dirty reggae" around the globe.
The first single, “The Sufferer,” can now be heard online at www.MySpace.com/TheAggrolites and www.Hell-Cat.com. It has received airplay on two popular Southern California radio stations – 98.7 FM in Los Angeles and 94/9 FM in San Diego – as well as KTLA Morning News during The Aggrolites on-site interview at Coachella. In the U.K., BBC Radio 1’s Punk Show with Mike Davies has also shown love with some spins.
Southern California Shows Added
The Aggrolites will soon hit the road for three months of touring through North America, the U.K., Europe and Japan. Their first hometown IV album release show is May 15 at the historic El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles with special guests Latin soul outfit Boogaloo Assassins and all-star reggae collective The Lions, in what is being called “A Triple Threat of Reggae & Soul.” On May 16, they will make a triumphant return to The Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA, joined by ska veterans The Upbeat and The Lions. Singer Jesse Wagner admits, “It's funny to see how fast time flies when you are constantly on the road touring. We’re more than excited to hit our two favorite cities once again. It's going to be nice to see some old familiar faces in the crowd. Get ready So Cal, we're gonna keep you up all night!” Visit www.ticketmaster.com for tickets. The Aggrolites will also perform at Brixton’s South Bay on June 6, making their first appearance in Redondo Beach. Fans who attend any of these album release shows will have the opportunity to purchase IV prior to the official release date of June 9.
Festival Time Again
The Aggrolites added two of England’s biggest festivals to their summer schedule – Leeds and Reading – joining headliners Radiohead, Kings of Leon and Arctic Monkeys. Other rock-oriented festivals that will showcase their soul-infused reggae include England’s Isle of Wight with Neil Young and Prodigy, as well as Germany’s Vainstream Rockfest with Suicidal Tendencies and Gogol Bordello. Sticking to their roots, The Aggrolites will also play a handful of reggae and ska festivals, including Rototom Sunsplash in Italy with Bunny Wailer and Michael Franti & Spearhead; Nowa Reggae Festival in Spain with Alborosie and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra; and Festival Betes de Scenes in France with U-Roy and Pablo Moses.
Endless Bummer & Nitro Circus
The Aggrolites contribute two songs to the upcoming National Lampoon Presents Endless Bummer movie and soundtrack, released on Blackheart Records. The teen surf comedy, starring Matthew Lillard and executive produced by Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, will feature The Aggrolites' renditions of The Specials’ “Ghost Town” and Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie..” Both ‘80s classics have been updated with The Aggrolites’ signature style, and “Pass the Dutchie,” features legendary Jamaican DJ General Smiley of Michigan & Smiley fame. The soundtrack will be released on June 23 followed by the movie this July. Visit www.endlessbummerthemovie.com and www.blackheart.com. Also, “Work To Do,” “Sound of the Bombshell” and “Mr. Misery” were recently featured in MTV’s new hit reality series Nitro Circus. Created by Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine of Jackass fame, Nitro Circus is centered on one of the world's premier freestyle motocross riders Travis Pastrana and his crew of top action sport athlete buddies.
THE AGGROLITES are more than a band – they are a movement unto themselves. They carry a banner – one created with their own hands. This banner reads, “Dirty Reggae,” and represents their signature fusion of reggae, soul, grit and determination. For 7 magnificent years, this dirty reggae bunch has rolled from city to city, across the pond and up main street USA. They are Jesse Wagner (vocals, lead guitar), Roger Rivas (organ), Brian Dixon (rhythm guitar) and Jeff Roffredo (bass). Out of the Los Angeles school of hard knocks, The Aggrolites have earned a Ph.D in "feel good music." On the road they educate with the thunder and punch of reggae drums and bass, the ripping, soulful melodies of the organ and guitars, and Jesse’s voice – a gift from the heavens, a perfectly intact gift from Otis, Sam, Ray and Wilson. Over the course of their career, they have shared the stage with Social Distortion, Madness, Rancid, Flogging Molly, 311, Dropkick Murphys, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Vandals, The Skatalites, The Aquabats, Hepcat, Prince Buster and Derrick Morgan. The Aggrolites have performed at such notable events as Vans Warped Tour, Coachella, Bumbershoot, SXSW, CMJ, Sundance Film Festival, Sunset Junction, Detour Music Festival and KROQ’s Weenie Roast y Fiesta. Their last album, Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat Records), was released in June 2007.
Upcoming Shows
May 15 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre – with Boogaloo Assassins & The Lions
May 16 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern – with The Upbeat & The Lions
May 17 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
May 27 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
May 28 – Ashland, OR – Stillwater
May 29 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
May 30 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
May 31 – Victoria, BC – Element Nightclub
June 1 – Vancouver, BC – The Plaza
June 4 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
June 6 – Redondo Beach, CA – Brixton South Bay
June 7 – Tempe, AZ – The Clubhouse
June 9 – San Antonio, TX – Rock Bottom
June 10 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Alternative Lounge
June 12 – Kansas City, MO – Official After-Party for Rise Against/Rancid @ The Beaumont Club
June 13 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen
June 14 – Minneapolis – Varsity Theater
June 16 – Detroit, MI – Shelter
June 18 – Washington, DC – DC 9
June 19 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club – with Bedouin Soundclash
June 20 – Philadelphia, PA – M Club
June 21 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
June 25 – Goteborg, Sweden – West Coast Riot Festival @ Frihamnspiren
June 26 – Voss, Norway – Ekstremsportveko Festival
June 27 – France – Rock Dans Tous Ses Etats
June 28 – St. Gallen, Switzerland – Open Air St. Gallen
July 3 – Munster, Germany – Vainstream Rockfest
July 4 – Germany – The 24th Summerjam Festival
July 6 – Ossopo, Italy – Rototom Sunsplash
July 8 – Cuneo, Italy – Nuvolari
July 10 – Potsdam, Germany – Potsdam Ska Festival
July 11 – Barcelona, Spain – Nowa Reggae Festival
July 13 – Mulhouse, France – Festival Betes de Scenes
July 16 – Dour, Belgium – Dour Festival
July 17 – London, England – Madstock @ London Victoria Park
July 18 – Trencin, Slovakia – Pohoda Festival @ Airport Trencin
July 19 – Olsi u Tabora, Czech Republic – Mighty Sounds Festival
July 25 – Niigata, Japan – Fuji Rock Festival @ Naeba Ski Resort
August 6 – Reunion Island, France – Sakifo Music Festival
August 8 – Aulnoye-Aymeries, France – Festival Les Nuits Secretes
August 9 – Blackpool, England – Rebellion Festival @ Blackpool Winter Gardens Arena
August 10 – Plymouth, England – White Rabbit
August 11 – Bristol, England – The Croft
August 12 – London, England - Underworld
August 14 – Leipzig, Germany – Endless Summer Festival
August 16 – Chiemsee, Germany – Chiemsee Reggae Summer Festival
August 20 – Schaffhausen, Switzerland – Tap Tab
August 21 – Glarus, Switzerland – Stadfest
August 22 – Biddinghuizen, Netherlands – Lowlands Festival @ Evenemententerrein Walibi World
August 23 – Corsept, France – Festival Couvre Feu
August 28 – Reading, England – Reading Festival
August 29 – Isle of Wight, England – Planet Ice Arena
August 30 – Leeds, England – Leeds Festival
