SYMARIP are really delighted to be appearing at this years Fordham Festival.

SYMARIP’S undisputed legendary status and history includes the following four facts:-

1. SYMARIP were the founders of skinhead/rude-boy reggae in the late 1960’s and are the acknowledged fore-fathers of the 2-Tone movement.

2. SYMARIP are Trojan Records and Moonska Records recording legends. Their records have been permanently in catalogue since 1970 with the seminal ‘Skinhead Moonstomp’ LP being re-issued in every decade from its release in 1970 to date.

3. SYMARIP have sold more than three million records

4. SYMARIP are a legendary ska band whose live performances have always been very very special events due to the incredible vibrancy of Roy ‘Kaleb’ Ellis and Monty Neysmith who together and as solo artistes have been wowing crowds for the last 45 years.

SYMARIP’s appearance at the Fordham Festival will be one of a very few special appearances this summer.

The ever-growing popularity of the Fordham Festival is a perfect platform for these legends of the late 60’s ska and rude-boy reggae scene to present their high energy and good time show.

If you have never seen or heard a SYMARIP show before – make sure you do not miss this performance - it is likely to be the highlight of the weekend.

The Songs

SYMARIP’s songbook is a treasure trove of classic tunes penned by Roy and Monty. This summer SYMARIP will present a show featuring all their great hits including –

‘Skinhead Moonstomp’, ‘Stay with him’, ‘Skinhead Girl’, ‘These boots were made for walking’, ‘Chicken Mary’, ‘Banana’ and ‘Try me best’.

SYMARIP in 2008 feature founders and original members Roy ‘Kaleb’ Ellis on lead vocals and Monty Neysmith on vocals and keyboards. Together, Roy and Monty were known as the ‘Lennon and McCartney’ of the Trojan label in the 1960’s penning many great hits together. They re-unite for these special performances together after a gap of 35 years.

SYMARIP were described in MOJO (May 2008) as the originators of skinhead reggae and the forefathers of the 2-Tone movement – their songs having been covered by The Specials, Bad Manners, Laurel Aitken, The Aggrolites and many more. When MOJO put together a free CD to celebrate the 2-Tone story – track 1 was ‘Skinhead Moonstomp’ by SYMARIP.

SYMARIP reformation

SYMARIP reformed for a one-off show at legendary West London venue Club Ska in 2005. That show was filmed and recorded and has just been released as a limited edition CD & DVD on the Moonska label with the title ‘SYMARIP – Moonstomping at Club Ska’ – available from the Moonska website. www.moonska.co.uk

SYMARIP were invited by Jet to headline his Skasplash 2008 three-day Festival in June in Lincoln. The new line-up of SYMARIP was assembled for the purposes of that show. SYMARIP headlined on the Friday night and shared a weekend bill with Prince Buster and The Pioneers.

SYMARIP’s blistering performance at Skasplash resulted in a flood of offers of work from various Festival promoters this summer. SYMARIP have been very selective about which shows they play and where. Fordham was at the top of the list of shows they were keen to do.

SYMARIP boasts an impressive line-up including Mark Wyeth and Lol Fox (bass and drums and both formerly with FOXY’S RUTS), Steve Harris (guitar and leader of FREETOWN), Drew Stansall, Anthony Robinson and James Linsey (sax, trumpet and trombone with PRINCE BUSTER), Dave Fisk and Roberto (keyboards with THE RIFFS and THE DUBCATS respectively).

SYMARIP LINKS
Booking – markwyeth@aol.com
Websites –
www.symarip.com
www.clubska.com
www.moonska.co.uk