#9: The Aggrolites

I need more soul with my music. I got to have reggae, reggae music.

Single digits kick off with The Aggrolites, who in a short time have become one of the most respected bands in the reggae scene.

Wiki Says: The Aggrolites are an amalgamation of two previous Los Angeles reggae and ska bands, the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors. They formed in 2002 as a live backing band for reggae icon Derrick Morgan, and were asked to record music for a new Morgan album. The project was never released but the recording sessions inspired the Aggrolites to become a permanent band. They have served as the backing band for Phyllis Dillon, Scotty, Joseph Hill of Culture, Prince Buster, and Tim Armstrong.

In 2003, the Aggrolites released their debut album, Dirty Reggae, on local reggae label Axe Records. The album was recorded at Signet Studios in Los Angeles in one day, with each song recorded in one take, and with many lyrics improvised on the spot. In November 2004, the Aggrolites were featured on Hellcat Records compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV, and were officially signed to Hellcat in October 2005. The Aggrolites' self-titled Hellcat debut was released on May 9, 2006. In December 2006 they toured the UK as the support band for Madness. The Aggrolites finished a collaboration with Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong for his new solo album, A Poet's Life. They are providing the instrumentals with Tim as lead singer.

They released a new album on June 5, 2007 called Reggae Hit L.A., which won an IGN award for Best Reggae Album of 2007.

The Aggrolites made an appearance on the Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba!, created by Christian Jacobs, lead singer of The Aquabats.

In mid-2007, original bassist J Bonner quit the band and played his last show on August 12, 2007 in Washington DC. He was replaced by Hepcat bassist David Fuentes. Fuentes died on September 23, 2007.

The band entered the studio in early 2009 to record their fourth album. It was released June 9, 2009 and titled IV.

Discovery: Dirty Reggae (2003)
The Aggrolites (2006)
Reggae Hit L.A. (2007)
IV (2009) - Favorite album all time # 24

Other Releases: A Poet's Life (2007) -Tim Armstrong "solo" album. Aggrolites play instrumentals, Tim Armstrong sings

Favorite Songs: 20. Lucky Streak
19. Countryman Fiddle
18. Work It
17. Brother Jacob
16. Let's Pack Our Bags
15. Love Isn't Love
14. Mr. Misery
13. Tonight
12. By Her Side
11. Gotta Find Someone Better
10. Prisoner Song
9. Well Runs Dry (Free Soul)
8. The Sufferer
7. Reggae Summertime
6. Keep Moving On
5. Faster Bullet
4. Reggae Hit L.A.
3. Free Time
2. Feelin Alright
1. Dirty Reggae (Favorite song all time #51)

Years Active: 2002-Present

Seen Live: 3 times
August 2007-Asbury Park, NJ
April 2008?-Baltmore, MD
July 2008-Englishtown, NJ

Only one song on my top 100 and #9 on this list? How can that be? The Aggrolites are just that good. Their latest album, IV, has one flaw: too many songs so they take away from the others. They play exactly what they want to and certainly have made an impressive name for themselves. They were the highlight of the 2008 Warped Tour and have been fantastic the other times I've seen them as well. I'm in a video of them from that Warped Tour. I'm not posting it though. If you can find it on Youtube you get 10 points!

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