Forces 1977-1982

Two years before the UK Two Tone movement (Specials, Madness, Selector, Beat) announced a raw punky ska "new popular movement" in the UK, months before The Offs captured San Francisco with their dubby punk, the number one band playing reggae, ska, dub and punk on the East Coast, particularly New York City, were Terrorists. They were regularly gigging in N.Y.C. at Max's Kansas City, CBGBs, Irving Plaza, Mudd Club, Hurrah, Tramps, the 80's. Their unique punky, reggae, dub, ska were in great demand.

Started in October 1977 by drummer Dro, bassist Gary Schiess (a/k/a DB), singer and guitarist Ray De Angel and keyboardist Frank Covello with early replacement singer John Collins and guitarist Mark "Dino Supreme" Levi, the band became truly solid and extremely bookable.

Their commitment to reggae and their ability to consistently crowd the dance floor kept them busy week after week.

These guys were hot, they brought in business and before long they played with Roland Alphonso and Lee "Scratch" Perry, who adopted them as his collaborators. They were punk, ska, dub, reggae freaks, just as the 1977 "Exodus" Marley punky reggae movement and Two Tone Earthquake captured the UK press and a new scene was born.

A US cult audience (readers of the NME, Sounds and Melody Maker from the UK) propelled the Terrorists to enthusiastic cult audience adoration -- but these guys were totally committed to reggae and its incarnations. They knew their stuff and became professors and teachers to a whole new generation of New Wave scenesters who started to dominate the US underground market.

Because of the involvement of Lee "Scratch" Perry, who traveled with and fronted the Terrorists over 20 years ago, and the many tracks with Roland Alphonso of the Skatalites, also from 20 years ago, this is an important slice of reggae, ska, punk, dub from Manhattan in the late 70's. This is an historic document with material that is absolutely marvelous and unique. It puts a totally new perspective on reggae in Manhattan evenings during that period just before Marley was breaking through internationally with "Exodus" and brought reggae to a new tidal wave.

Who will buy this? Reggae, dub, ska, punky reggae collectors in a time warp and a lot of new faces enticed by Blood & Fire, Pressure Sounds, Heartbeat and Simply Vinyl. An extremely strong release for a cult base.



REVIEWS:


"Well I do them an honor and I do them a pleasure. Is a new group I want to see more of." -- Lee "Scratch" Perry

"Acknowledged reggae producer/performer Lee Perry has taken the NY band Terrorists under his proverbial wing." -- Andrew Helfer

"Terrorists are a white NY rockers band who aided and abetted by a few local dreads (percussion and trombone play thoroughly convincing roots reggae). This is classic Upsetter madness." -- Boston Reader The 80s Recordings

"The Lee Perry & Roland Alphonso tracks make this a special collector's item." -- Black & White

"Backing 'Scratch' Perry will be the NYC based reggae band Terrorists who have impressed the audience previously." -- Boston Globe 1981

"Terrorists are the best NY band playing this kind of material." -- East Village Eye

"This is amazing." -- Slash Magazine

"Lee Perry has surfaced again and is producing a local reggae group Terrorists. They've played Irving Plaza opening for Culture and will be traveling to San Francisco and Toronto." -- Richard Grabel

"Saturday night at the Irving Plaza show, at their best, Terrorists presented an immaculate crisp show. Terrorists represent the first NY based new wave punky reggae band." -- Richard Grabel, NME