- Murphy's Kids
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Murphy's Kids Origin Richmond, Virginia, USA Genres Ska, Ska punk, Reggae Years active 1999-present Labels Community Records Website Official website Members Reid Attaway
John Charlet
Randy Bradley
Adam Bonini
Nate KochPast members DJ Kyriakides
Tom Callahan
Jason Cunningham
Eli Doxtator
David Haygood
Paul Riley
Matt Singleton
Will ThompsonMurphy's Kids is a six-piece American ska punk band from Richmond, Virginia, formed in 1999. The group has toured up and down the East Coast of the United States and is noted for organizing the yearly Happy Skalidays charity benefit show. The Band is also known for being politically active.
Their album, The Anti-Corporate Beach Party, was recorded in Petersburg, Virginia at Imagine Music Studios and had almost sold out its first pressing of 1,000 copies as of December 2006.[1]
In 2009, they released Departures.
Contents
History
Murphy's Kids formed in suburban Midlothian, Virginia in the summer of 1999. The original lineup featured John Charlet (vocals, trumpet), Reid Attaway (guitar, vocals), David Haygood (bass), Paul Riley (trombone), and Will Thompson (drums). Despite several lineup changes over the years, the core songwriting team of John Charlet and Reid Attaway has remained intact. The band's size has fluxuated between five and seven members but has, in recent months, settled into the current six-piece lineup.
The band's sound has evolved over the years. In the early days, their sound and lyrical content was heavily influenced by third wave ska bands Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake. As the band members matured mentally and musically, so did their songs. Murphy's Kids' current sound mixes elements of ska, reggae, funk, punk, and metal with influences ranging from The Police to Rx Bandits.
Murphy's Kids are well known in the Richmond area for their energetic live performances. They have shared the stage with international touring acts The Slackers, The Toasters, Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Pietasters, Fighting Gravity, Reel Big Fish, The Ernies, the Fray, Soldiers of Jah Army and others.
On December 21, 2006, the band performed an acoustic set during an episode of "Activate!" on radio station WRIR-FM to promote Happy Skalidays, performing several as-of-yet unreleased songs.[2]
Members
Current members
- Reid Attaway — guitar, vocals
- John Charlet — vocals, trumpet
- Reggie Chapman — bass trombone
- Nate Koch — saxophone
- Randy Bradley — drums
- Daniel Attaway- Bass
Past members
- Adam Bonini- Bass
- Kelly Hazlett - bass
- Tom Callahan — bass
- Jason Cunningham — saxophone
- Eli Doxtator — drums
- David Haygood — bass
- Paul Riley — trombone
- Matt Singleton — trombone
- Will Thompson — drums
- DJ Kyriakides - Trombone
Discography
- Johnny Ray (2001)
- Don't Wait (2002)
- This Voice (2003)
- The Anti-Corporate Beach Party (2005)
- Departures (2009)
Reviews
- Review of This Voice on CT Ska Productions
- Review of The Anti-Corporate Beach Party on CT Ska Productions
- Review of The Anti-Corporate Beach Party on Smother
References
- ^ Davis, Hays (December 21, 2006). "Murphy's Kids hardest rocking ska in town". Richmond Times-Dispatch. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/timesdispatch/access/1185060141.html?dids=1185060141:1185060141&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+21%2C+2006&author=Hays+Davis&pub=Richmond+Times+-+Dispatch&edition=&startpage=F.8&desc=Murphy%27s+Kids+hardest+rocking+ska+in+town. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
- ^ Rutz, Mike (December 20, 2006). "WRIR - Rewind - Activate!". http://wrir.org/x/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3479. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
External links
Categories:- Musical groups established in 1999
- Music of Richmond, Virginia
- Third-wave ska groups
- Musical groups from Virginia
- American ska musical groups
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