Untitled - The Aggrolites

The Aggrolites - Biography
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 seven years,
this dirty reggae bunch has rolled from city to city, across the pond and up main street
USA. They rally the kids, the parents, the students, the cops, the bosses and the drifters.
The people come, they relish in The Aggrolites, the dirty reggae and the joy that comes
with it all. The liberating rhythms and catchy grooves demand a return trip.
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 the reggae
drums and bass, the ripping, soulful melodies of the organ and guitars, and Jesse
Wagner’s voice - a perfectly intact gift from Otis, Sam, Ray and Wilson.
The Aggrolites have a specific way of making music. They don't over think it, they don't
obsess over pop culture demands, they walk onto a stage or into a recording studio and let
"it" happen - a culmination of inspiration - from the road, from playing along side music
legends, and from the energy and motivation of their die hard fans.
The Aggrolites have shared the stage with Social Distortion, Madness, Rancid, Flogging
Molly, 311, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Dropkick Murphys, The Vandals, Against Me!,
The Aquabats, Hepcat, The Skatalites, Prince Buster and Derrick Morgan. They have
graced the stages at such notable events as Coachella, Vans Warped Tour, SXSW,
Bumbershoot, CMJ, Sundance Film Festival, L.A. Film Fest, Sunset Junction, Detour
Music Fest, KROQ’s Weenie Roast, 94/9 Independence Jam and Ragga Muffins Fest.
THE AGGROLITES
Strictly the facts…
The Aggrolites are Jesse Wagner (vocals, lead guitar), Brian Dixon (rhythm guitar), Roger Rivas (organ), and Jeff Roffredo (bass).
2009
th
The Aggrolites will perform at the Vans Warped Tour 15 Anniversary Celebration at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles on
September 6. They will be joined by Bad Religion, blink-182, Rise Against, All-American Rejects, Katy Perry, Ice T, among others. This
historical event will then air in 460 movie theatres across the U.S. on September 17.
Their fourth full-length album IV (Hellcat Records) was released on June 9.
IV debuted at #110 and peaked at #60 on the Top 200 CMJ Chart. IV also debuted at #37 on the Triple A CMJ Chart and #12 on the
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Commercial Alternative Specialty Show Album Chart.
IV peaked at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Charts.
IV listening parties and special acoustic performances were held at such California spots as Fingerprints Records in Long Beach, Blue
Beat Lounge in Hollywood, Bar One in Burbank, Johnny’s Saloon in Huntington Beach, Hensley’s Flying Elephant in Carlsbad and
Innes Clothing Warehouse in Oceanside.
The Aggrolites played nearly sold-out album release shows at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles and The Belly Up in San Diego.
They completed a successful North American tour and have embarked on an extensive European tour for most of the summer.
They will perform at such world-renowned festivals as Fuji Rock, Leeds, Reading, Lowlands, West Coast Riot, among others.
The New Yorker ran a caricature of The Aggrolites in their June 21 issue, in support of the band’s show at the Mercury Lounge.
They co-headlined Paradise Rock Club in Boston with Canada’s Bedouin Soundclash, playing to a nearly sold-out crowd.
“It’s Gonna Be Ok” is featured on the new digital Anti- Sampler 2009 that is available for free thru www.Amazon.com.
“The Sufferer” was debuted 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 regularly spins songs from IV.
Songs from IV have also received airplay on KCRW (Los Angeles), KXLU (Los Angeles), KGNU (Denver), KSYM (San Antonio), KRSC
(Tulsa), WSFX (Wilkes Barre-Scranton), KUNI (Des Moines), KMUW (Wichita), WDNC (Raleigh-Durham), among others.
The Aggrolites’ “Work To Do,” “Sound of the Bombshell” and “Mr. Misery” were featured in MTV’s new hit reality series Nitro Circus.
They contribute two songs to the upcoming National Lampoon Presents Endless Bummer movie and soundtrack, released on
Blackheart Records – dirty reggae renditions of The Specials’ “Ghost Town” and Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie” (the latter of which
features legendary Jamaican DJ General Smiley of Michigan & Smiley fame).
The Aggrolites showcased their soul-infused reggae at the 2009 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.
Both Ricky Fitness from The Aquabats and Joe The Kid from Mighty Mighty Bosstones were special guest drummers on select dates.
This year marked their debut performances in Brazil, with shows in Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo. While on tour, The
Aggrolites were interviewed by MTV Brazil.
They performed with socially conscious roots rockers Michael Franti & Spearhead at the new Club Nokia at Los Angeles.
Hand-picked by Flogging Molly, The Aggrolites joined the Irish punk rockers on their 2009 Green 17 Tour.
NBC television’s hit series Friday Night Lights featured their hit “Free Time.”
2008
“Into Action” featuring The Aggrolites backing Tim Armstrong and Skye Sweetnam is featured in Dream Works Pictures’ Hotel For Dogs
motion picture.
Recorded their third song for NICK Jr.’s Yo Gabba Gabba. “Animal Sounds” aired during the debut week of season two.
Songs “Reggae Hit L.A.,” “Countryman Fiddle,” “Funky Fire,” and “Time To Get Tough” are featured in the Rad Girls season two which
airs on Mav TV.
Opened for legendary rockers The Vandals at their annual Christmas Formal concert in Anaheim, CA.
The Aggrolites’ 21 city European tour in November is sponsored by Etnies apparel. The tour also included their first show in Moscow.
“Lucky Streak” is placed in The Pursuit, a surf film featuring some of today’s most popular surfers. It’s the first surf film released on
Blue-Ray high definition.
Made their debut on the 46-date Vans Warped Tour that kicked off June 20 in Pomona, CA and wrapped August 17 in Los Angeles,
CA. This traveling punk rock summer camp also showcased the likes of Angels & Airwaves, Pennywise, Rise Against and Story of the
Year.
Named “Best Band” on Vans Warped Tour by the artists, production staff and road crew.
“Faster Bullet” will be included on the Vans Warped Tour 2008 double CD compilation. It debuts at #35 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Performed at the Vans Warped Tour Kick Off Party at the Key Club in April.
Opened for veterans Social Distortion and 311 in Anaheim, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Phoenix.
Made their debut appearance at South By Southwest Music Conference performing two showcases in March.
Headlined the BMI Snowball at the Kimball Arts Center as part of the Sundance Film Festival. This was tied in to a press junket that
included radio, TV and print interviews.
Performed "Free Time" and "Faster Bullet" on Fuel TV's The Daily Habit.
“Free Time” and “Mr. Misery” get airplay on popular L.A. rock station 98.7FM during their weekly Ozomatli-hosted Ozo Local program.
The Aggrolites are also featured on Canadian singer Skye Sweetnam’s version of “(Lets Get Movin) Into Action,” from her album Sound
Soldier.
Tim Armstrong with The Aggrolites’ “Into Action” gets played during nearly every Dodgers baseball home game.
Guitarist Brian Dixon heads into the studio to produce Montreal's popular ska group, One Night Band.
2007
The Aggrolites third full-length album, Reggae Hit L.A. was released on June 5.
Reggae Hit L.A. is voted Best Reggae Album 2007 by IGN Entertainment Games.
RHLA debuted on Billboard’s Reggae Chart at #3. They peaked at #60 on the Alternative New Artist Chart. The album was the #10
most added on the CMJ charts with 41 adds during the add week and charted for 8 weeks on the top 200, peaking at #85. It was also
on the CMJ world chart for 3 weeks, peaking at #22.
Their first single "Free Time" received regular airplay on two very influential alternative stations - INDIE 103.1FM in Los Angeles and
FM94/9 in San Diego – as well as numerous reggae specialty programs all over the country.
Fans can find videos for “Reggae Hit L.A.,” “Free Time” and “Work It” on aggroreggae.com, myspace.com/theaggrolites and
YouTube.com.
Collaborated on 11 songs with Rancid front man and Hellcat head Tim Armstrong on his new solo album A Poet's Life. Released on
May 22, this CD/DVD includes four music videos featuring The Aggrolites backing Armstrong.
“Into Action,” "Hold On” and “Take This City,” the first singles from A Poet’s Life, are already receiving heavy rotation on multiple
stations throughout the U.S., including KROQ in L.A., INDIE, FM94/9 in San Diego, LIVE 105 in San Francisco and The End in Seattle.
They backed Armstrong at KROQ’s Weenie Roast y Fiesta at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA. They are joined on stage by
Rancid’s Lars Frederiksen and new sensation Skye Sweetnam.
On a few separate occasions, they are referred to as a BUZZ band by Los Angeles Times music critic Kevin Bronson.
Had songs placed on several popular TV programs, including MTV's The Hills with “Free Time” and USA's Dr. Steve-O with “Time To
Get Tough.”
“Free Time” was included on Metropark’s Soundoff Volume 3 CD, along with songs from Hot Hot Heat, Of Montreal, Atmosphere,
Brother Ali, among others.
Their song "Funky Fire" was placed in the Australian video game Cricket.
Recorded two songs for NICK Jr.’s kid’s program Yo Gabba Gabba. Viewers witnessed renditions of “Look Both Ways” and “Banana.”
Completed a 13-city sold-out U.S. tour with the Dropkick Murphys. Stops included performances at numerous House of Blues clubs, the
Fillmore Auditorium in Denver and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Agganis Arena in Boston.
Had the honor of headlining an L.A. Film Fest event that paid tribute to Joe Strummer with the showing of “The Future Is Unwritten.”
The band took the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre stage to perform versions of The Clash’s “White Man From Hammersmith Palais”
and “Know Your Rights.”
Performed at several high profile events including Bumbershoot Music Fest, Sunset Junction Street Festival, LA Weekly Detour Fest,
The Getty Center and Woolacombe Scooter Rally in the UK.
Held their inaugural Funky Fiesta at the Key Club in Hollywood, CA which showcased such funk and soul bands as Breakestra, The
Boogaloo Assassins and Poilce & Thieves.
Completed a month-long, nine country European tour, which included headline slots as well as supporting Gogol Bordello.
Headlined a sold-out New Year’s Eve concert at The Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA.
Lead singer Jesse Wagner is featured in SKYY Vodka's "Rude Boys" advertising campaign. These ads can be seen in numerous
publications (including Rolling Stone Magazine) and on outdoor billboards.
2006
Self-titled album was released on the independent label Hellcat/Epitaph in spring. This sophomore album boasts 19 dirty reggae songs,
including “Countryman Fiddle,” “Someday” and “Mr. Misery.”
Performed live on the popular L.A.-based Latin-American entertainment network LATV in spring.
In support of their self-titled album, they delight fans with appearances at Amoeba Music in Hollywood and San Francisco.
They toured California with label mates, The Slackers and throughout the U.S. with The Aquabats in June.
"Funky Fire" was voted #4 in Esquire Magazine's "The Summer Playlist: Start with These Six Songs" in their June issue. They were
joined on this prestigious list with chart-toppers Gnarls Barkley and The Raconteurs.
Graced the June cover of Southern California's popular music magazine, Big Wheel.
They headlined the summertime Victoria Ska Fest in British Columbia.
Playing to 6,000+ attendees, they headlined the annual Twilight Dance Series on the Santa Monica Pier.
The band toured with the Godfathers of Jamaican music, The Skatalites in November.
Opened for Madness on seven U.K. arena shows in December, including a sold-out show at Wembley Arena.
2005
Co-headlined the sold-out Ska & Rocksteady Bonanza at the historic El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.
Toured Europe four times starting in spring continuing through fall and winter 2006, playing shows in the United Kingdom, The
Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Finland and Hungary.
Joins L.A.’s rocksteady elite band Hepcat for three dates, selling out venues like House of Blues and Slim’s.
In December, Tim Armstrong requests the services of The Aggrolites on Alkaline Trio’s remixed version of the song “Burn.”
2004
In May, they headlined two nights at the world-famous Whisky A Go Go as part of the Aggro Convention.
Played the popular High Desert Ska Fest in Grand Junction, Colorado in summer.
Toured the East Coast states for first time in spring.
2003
Dirty Reggae is released on Axe Records. This was The Aggrolites’ debut album and included crowd favorites “Jimmy Jack,” “Pop the
Trunk,” and “Hot Spot.”
The Aggrolites were the backing band for ska icon Prince Buster at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in June. This was Buster’s
second time ever performing in California.
Showcased their talent at L.A. radio’s HOT 92 Jamz Funktastic Bombastic at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA in August.
2002
Formed in late 2002, The Aggrolites, a quintet of Los Angeles musicians, have risen through the ranks of the Los Angeles ska and
rocksteady revival scene.
Collectively, they have backed numerous seminal Jamaican talents, including Derrick Morgan, Everton Blender, Cedric Im Brooks and
the late Phyllis Dillon.