In 2003, the time was right. A world-record attempt to have the largest number of horn players on stage at the same time playing the ska-skank saw a slew of musicians take the stage at St Kilda’s Gershwin Room, and although nobody remembered to check if the record had actually been set, from this sold-out performance the Melbourne Ska Orchestra was born. Assembled from some of Australia’s preeminent names in Ska and Reggae and fronted by inimitable frontman Nicky Bomba (Bomba, Bustamento, John Butler Trio), the soaring popularity of the band is seeing the MSO fast becoming a fixture of Australia’s musical landscape.
This April, only three years from Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s debut album –sees the release of their second album, Sierra-Kilo-Alpha, and kicks off an exciting National tour, picking up where they left off, taking the age old style of Ska and adding to it with aplomb. The band’s debut resulted in sell-out shows both in Australia and abroad, many high profile festival appearances internationally, a slew of award nominations and some wins both here and in the UK.
“The whole Melbourne Ska Orchestra family are super pumped for our new album tour around Australia and beyond in support of the forthcoming Sierra-Kilo-Alpha out in April. We’ll be playing lots of new tunes from Sierra-Kilo-Alpha, trying some new things on stage and generally suiting up to make this a mission to remember. You can hear ‘Funkchunk’, the latest single right now on our website!” – Nicky Bomba
Sierra-Kilo-Alpha is the Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s own history – a nod to the past with an eye firmly on the future, dangerous and free. Recorded at the ABC and Freeburgh studios in Melbourne, in the winter of 2015. Sierra-Kilo-Alpha throbs with hope, excitement and freshness. The band has recently signed record deals in both the US and the UK, after two years of very successful touring to the regions. So 2016 will see the new record released across the globe, with touring to follow.
MSO’s live performance is nothing short of spectacular, sometimes tipping the 30 player mark. The National album launch tour kicks off at The Night Quarter on the Gold Coast, April 22. Touring with between 20 and 30 band members at all times MSO will play both capital city and regional dates, spanning from April to June. Showcasing new songs from Sierra-Kilo-Alpha, fans are in for a treat; it will be an unstoppable dance floor across the nation!
All of this before the band head over to the UK in August, to play at The Garage in London, Kaya World Music Festival and Boomtown. 2016 sees Melbourne Ska Orchestra off and running, at break neck speed… Get your tickets now before you miss out!
Melbourne Ska Orchestra perform at Max Watts in Melbourne Saturday May 28. Tickets are on sale now via Oztix.com.au or visit www.melbourneskaorchestra.com for more details.
