The Expanders
The Expanders are an American roots reggae band from Los Angeles, California.[1]
The Expanders | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | Roots reggae, Rocksteady |
Years active | 2003–present |
Labels | Easy Star |
Associated acts | The Gladiators, The Ethiopians, The Mighty Diamonds, Walshy Fire |
Website | www |
Members | John Asher John Butcher Roy Fishell Chiquis Lozoya |
Past members | Devin Morrison |
Biography
The Expanders formed in Los Angeles, California in 2003.[2] The band's sound is influenced by vintage 1970s and early 1980s Jamaican reggae groups, with three-part vocal harmonies, conscious songwriting, and an indie-DIY spirit.[2][3] The Expanders self-titled debut album (2011) captured the retro Jamaican sound they hoped to create by recording at Killion Sound studio in Los Angeles, CA alongside sound engineer Jay Bonner, the original bass player for The Aggrolites.[4][5] In 2012, The Expanders released Old Time Something Come Back Again, Vol. 1, a free 13-track covers album of rare Jamaican songs.[6]
In 2015, The Expanders released Hustling Culture via Easy Star Records.[7] The album debuted #1 on the Billboard's chart of Top Reggae Albums.[8] The Expanders returned to Killion Sound studio in Los Angeles, CA between 2012 and 2014 to record Hustling Culture.[3] Recordings were done entirely on analogue tape. In 2017, The Expanders released their 2nd covers album and fourth studio album, Old Time Something Come Back Again, Vol. 2 via Easy Star Records.[1] The album was their 2nd release to debut #1 on the Billboard chart of Top Reggae Albums.[9]
In 2018, The Expanders collaborated with renowned producer Walshy Fire for two separate riddim albums of their tracks "Top Shelf" and "Thanks For Life."[10] The albums feature vocals from reggae artists like Cocoa Tea, Randy Valentine, Queen Omega, and others.
Discography
- The Expanders (2011)
- Old Time Something Come Back Again, Vol. 1 (2012)
- Hustling Culture (2015)
- Old Time Something Come Back Again, Vol. 2 (2017)
References
- "The Expanders". Discogs (in German). Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- reggaeville. "Biography: The Expanders". www.reggaeville.com. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- "The Expanders". Rootfire. 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- "Interview: The Expanders « The Pier Magazine". Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- dev. "The Expanders". Easy Star Records. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- "Free Expanders Album". Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- "Hustling Culture - The Expanders | Releases". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- "The Expanders Hustling Culture Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- "The Expanders Old Time Something Come Back Again!!, Vol. 2 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- Yuen, Brian. "Catching up with The Expanders". Top Shelf Music. Retrieved 2019-10-21.