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THE EXPANDERS


BIO:
The Expanders began playing reggae music together in the summer of 2003, and today are one of the most respected and hardest working reggae bands in Southern California. They have come to be known for their vintage "rockers" style of reggae, played in the tradition of classic 1970s Jamaican groups like The Ethiopians, Culture, The Mighty Diamonds, etc. Their music emphasizes three-part vocal harmonies and strong song writing. In addition to performing their own original material and rare Jamaican scorchers, since 2006 The Expanders have been the backing band of choice for legendary Jamaican singers when they come to California to perform, having backed such classic artists as Alton Ellis, The Maytones, The Ethiopians, The Wailing Souls, and many more. For two years in a row they were featured at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in Mendocino County, where their performances were praised in "The Beat" magazine as having recreated "the old classic Kingston rocksteady sound to a T". They have been frequent guests on SoCal radio shows such as "Reggae Central w/ Chuck Foster" (90.7 fm) and "The Reggae Show w/ Junor Francis" (88.9 fm). In addition to playing in The Expanders, several members of the band also play in Hepcat, The Lions, Chris Murray Combo, See Spot and Boogaloo Assassins.

Latest Articles


Easy Star All-Stars Unleash 'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide' Featuring Macy Gray Photo Easy Star All-Stars Unleash 'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide' Featuring Macy Gray
by Michael Major - April 19, 2023

The project is a reggae reimagining of David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and features guest performances by Maxi Priest, Steel Pulse, Fishbone, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), The Skints, Mortimer, The Expanders, Samory I, and many others....

Easy Star All-Stars Share Cosmic New Single 'Moonage Daydream' With Naomi Cowan & Ale Photo Easy Star All-Stars Share Cosmic New Single 'Moonage Daydream' With Naomi Cowan & Alex Lifeson (Rush)
by Michael Major - February 22, 2023

Michael Goldwasser, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist of the band says, “This has been my favorite tune on the Bowie album since I first started listening as a teenager. In light of that, it’s interesting that it’s the song that I changed most radically by simplifying the chord progressi...

Easy Star All-Stars Announce New LP 'Ziggy Stardub' Photo Easy Star All-Stars Announce New LP 'Ziggy Stardub'
by Michael Major - January 20, 2023

The album features guest performances by Macy Gray, Steel Pulse, Fishbone, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), The Skints, Mortimer, The Expanders, Samory I, Naomi Cowan, and many others. Pre-order packages of the album will be available on the easystar.com webstore, including a limite...

The California Roots And Arts Festival Rescheduled To May 2022 Photo The California Roots And Arts Festival Rescheduled To May 2022
by Sarah Jae Leiber - January 25, 2021

The California Roots Music & Arts Festival announced today that they are moving their 2021 event to May 2022, due to the ongoing public health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic....

The Late Ones Drop New Video 'Troubled Streets' On Easy Star Records Photo The Late Ones Drop New Video 'Troubled Streets' On Easy Star Records
by Sarah Jae Leiber - December 14, 2020

Conscious reggae/hip-hop hybrid band The Late Ones just released their new EP, Lately, via Easy Star Records. ...

The Nowell Family Foundation And LAW Records Announce 'The House That Bradley Built D Photo The Nowell Family Foundation And LAW Records Announce 'The House That Bradley Built Deluxe Edition'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - December 09, 2020

LAW Records and the Nowell Family Foundation are back with an expanded edition of the critically acclaimed, fan-favorite album The House That Bradley Built. ...

The Late Ones Drop 'Lately' EP Photo The Late Ones Drop 'Lately' EP
by Sarah Jae Leiber - December 07, 2020

Conscious reggae/hip-hop hybrid band The Late Ones just released their new EP, Lately, via Easy Star Records....

The Expanders Pay Tribute To The Late, Great Toots Hibbert With 'Two For Toots' Photo The Expanders Pay Tribute To The Late, Great Toots Hibbert With 'Two For Toots'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - October 29, 2020

The Expanders - the Los Angeles-based roots reggae powerhouse band....

The Skints Release Highly-Anticipated Fourth Album 'Swimming Lessons' Photo The Skints Release Highly-Anticipated Fourth Album 'Swimming Lessons'
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 10, 2019

London “tropical punk” four-piece, THE SKINTS, are pleased to announce the release of their highly-anticipated fourth album Swimming Lessons, released today via Easy Star/Mr. Bongo. Drawing on influences as sprawling as Bad Brains, Popcaan, No Doubt, Alton Ellis, Wiley, and Weezer, Swimming Lessons ...

UK's THE SKINTS Prepare for SWIMMING LESSONS Out 5/10 Photo UK's THE SKINTS Prepare for SWIMMING LESSONS Out 5/10
by Tori Hartshorn - March 07, 2019

London “tropical punk” four-piece, THE SKINTS, are pleased to announce their highly-anticipated fourth album, SWIMMING LESSONS, which will be released May 10, 2019 via Easy Star / Mr Bongo....

For Peace Band's Sophomore Album ALWAYS LOVE To Be Released Today Photo For Peace Band's Sophomore Album ALWAYS LOVE To Be Released Today
by BWW News Desk - July 27, 2018

For Peace Band is proud to announce Always Love, their sophomore album due out on July 27, 2018 on the Rootfire Cooperative imprint. Formed in 2012 and hailing from the mighty island of Guam, For Peace Band is Ronald “RJ” Pereira (Guitar/Vocals), Freddy Bordallo (Drums/Vocals), Jacob Iosa(Keys/Vocal...

For Peace Band's Sophomore Album ALWAYS LOVE To Be Released 7/27 On Rootfire Cooperat Photo For Peace Band's Sophomore Album ALWAYS LOVE To Be Released 7/27 On Rootfire Cooperative
by Tori Hartshorn - June 27, 2018

For Peace Band is proud to announce Always Love, their sophomore album due out on July 27, 2018 on the Rootfire Cooperative imprint. Formed in 2012 and hailing from the mighty island of Guam, For Peace Band is Ronald “RJ” Pereira (Guitar/Vocals), Freddy Bordallo (Drums/Vocals), Jacob Iosa(Keys/Vocal...

The Expanders Announce Fall Tour Ahead of This Friday's New Album Release Photo The Expanders Announce Fall Tour Ahead of This Friday's New Album Release
by Caryn Robbins - September 27, 2017

One of the most respected voices in reggae music today, The Expanders will continue to spread their passion for the genre when their Roots Train Fall Tour makes stops in eight western states from October 5-28, 2017....












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