Ska Fusion. An exciting intermix of Ska, Big Band, Sway Reggae, R&B, Dub and Jazz. Something for everyone.

13 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Ska, World Reggae

Start.Action.Stop. Songs


Details:
The high-powered wakeless of Unavowed Agent 8 was born in February of 1996 in Texas City, an industrial complex on the Texas Gulf Coast between Houston and Galveston Island. In the beginning, the group leaned toward "punk ska", imitating a style that arrived in the U.S. from England. Early influences included Operation Ivy and The Specials. Gradually, Unavowed Agent 8 has evolved into what they are today, nine members each as individual as their music. Current influences include such artists as The Skatalites, The Madness, The Specials and assorted Jazz, R&B, Rock and Blues performers. They have a unique style intermixing Big Band, Swing, Sway Reggae, R&B and Jazz with their recognizable Ska backbeat into what has been described as
Ska Fusion. Because of this mix, they attract an audience similarly diverse in age and musical tastes.

Unavowed Agent 8 has released two full-length albums on their independent label, 008 Records. In November 1998 the band introduced their self-titled debut album. The twelve original compositions on the album became the foundation for the band's signature approach to Ska music. Their sophomore offering, "Start.Action.Stop.", was released November 2002 and emphasizes the diversity of their music and maturity in the group's writing and arrangement skills. Both albums were recorded at SugarHill Studios in Houston with Grammy-nominated Dan Workman engineering and co-producing the projects. The band has also appeared on many national and international compilation releases.

Highlights in Unavowed Agent 8's career include:

* Placed first in the Ernie Ball International Battle of the Bands 2 Semi-finals in Long Beach, California in November 1998. As one of the four remaining bands out of an original pool of 5,000 entries, they went on to compete in the Finals that were held at the Hard Rock Café in Hollywood in January 1999.
* Performed at the Houston stop of the Van's Warped Tour 3 years in a row.
* Performed in many cities on the Annual Bob Marley Festival Tour.
* During the 2000 elections they were asked to perform at the Houston Green Party rally with candidate Ralph Nader.
Organizers chose them for "their energetic and topical music".
* In June 2001 the band was selected to perform in the First Annual Independent Music Festival held in Nashville.
Musicians were selected because of their success as independent artists.

Unavowed Agent 8 has shared the stage with notable bands such as Neville Staples (The Specials), The Skatalites, The Toasters, The Scofflaws, Regatta 69, Reel Big Fish and the Blue Meanies. Venues where Unavowed Agent 8 performs are as varied as the Bob Marley Festival Tour, The Van's Warped Tour, Six Flags Theme Parks, Mardi Gras, The Seabrook Music Festival, The Houston Downtown Street Festival, The Northgate Music Festival, charitable events, as well as clubs throughout the U.S.

Discography:
1998 "Texas Ska Volume 1" Compilation - Pinche Flojo Records
1998 "Unavowed Agent 8" Debut CD - 008 Records
1999 "Potluck" Compilation - Stub Daddy Records
2001 "Strike Back At The Empire" Compilation - Fifth Wheel Records, Australia
2002 "Start.Action.Stop." - 008 Records
2003 "Still Standing" Compilation - Megalith/Jump Up Records