More about
the trojans...
Specialising in ska & reggae with
a dash of soul, funk, R&B and world roots, The Trojans
were formed in late 1986 from the ashes of the premature demise
of Gaz Mayall's first band Gaz's Rebel Blues Rockers where
brief emergence on the London pub/club scene lasted from early
1982 to mid 83.
Debut
gig was the Astoria on Charing Cross road by London's center
point on the 23rd December 1986 supporting premier ska band
Potato 5 and ska legend Laurel Aitken. Within two and a half
years the Trojans headlined the same venue with the above
acts supporting them. During the first few years they recorded
several albums well received on the UK underground all on
Gaz Mayall's own independent label Gaz's Rockin' Records,
the first being 'Ala-Ska' featuring the classic single 'Gaelic
Ska' launching a whole new genre of Afro-Celtic fusion that
has since become a hallmark of The Trojans' sound.
Several albums were licensed to Japan
from '88 with 'Spirit of Adventure' on Sony records opening
up an avenue of succesive tours with mainstream coverage to
a large audience where they are still very popular today.
Some
original band members are still regular performers with the
band including saxophonist Rudy Jones and drummer Mark Hamilton
who began as percussionist. The line-up often features bagpipes,
violin, guest female vocalists, on top of the regular two
guitars, drum, bass percussion regular touring group with
Gaz at the centre stage singing and playing melodica. Occasionally
guest horn players and the Trojan's long time founder saxman
Colin Humphries appear.
The trojans tour often mainly in Europe
and do lots of one-off special shows at festivals, clubs,
bars and private parties being popular with the young and
old and people of all cultures to suit our multicultural day
and age. More about the trojans... |