Bio

Previously known as the Managers.

After two albums, an EP, international tours, and twenty years of high-energy live shows, The Managers are changing their name. The much-loved local outfit, fronted by larger-than-life singer Paul 'Hooli' Frewin, have decided to start a new chapter with some fresh members, and some killer new material.

True veterans of the difficult New Zealand music industry, The Managers formed in 1993, and quickly earned a big reputation for uncompromising live shows with their fast paced, 'big band' sound. Albums like Special (2003) and Take It Or Leave It (2007) would see The Managers contribute tunes to compilations such as Conscious Roots and Grey Lynn Park Festival Album.

In 2010 the acclaimed Grove Street Tapes was self-released, displaying the band in a more mellow roots reggae style which Graham Reid would review as "sitting easily alongside locals like Salmonella Dub, dDub and others... real nice" . Along the way have been three music videos, hundreds of shows around the country, international touring, and "a truckload of fun," says Hooli.

"It is always an honour to play with the bands we grew up with," adds Rick Singleton, who has played trumpet in the band for over a decade. "The Specials, The Skatalites, UK Subs, The Beat, Less Than Jake, these are all bands we have been honoured to support."

Most recently, the band headlined the Prana Festival in Coromandel over the New Year (booked to do the same over the 2012 / 2013 summer) and toured the North Island with their new sound. Returning to Auckland early January, they held the only support slot for legendary British ska outfit Bad Manners, at the Auckland's packed Kings Arms, and in August 2012 would play a sold-out show at Auckland's iconic Powerstation with British ska band The English Beat.

The Skitz' new line-up - which includes a 3 piece horn section, some of whom are younger than their early tour posters - features former and current members of Batucada Sound Machine, Yebiisu, Atsushi & The Moisties, Masters of Metal, and The Newmatics, to name a few - not to mention personnel who have played in the local touring bands for artists as diverse as Will Martin, Stranger Cole (Jamaica), and Chris Murray (USA).

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Whether pushing the musical envelope, or happily cocooned in the warm bubble of traditional Ska, The Skitz consistently deliver memorable high-octane shows. The Skitz are currently mid-way through writing their third LP. The Grove St Tapes is available for purchase via amplifier.co.nz from 3rd May.

Band Members:
Paul 'Hooli' Frewin (vocals, guitar)
Nick Brown (bass, vocals)
Simon Frost (drums, vocals)
Ross Hutchison (guitar, vocals)
Rick Singleton (trumpet, vocals)
John Faulding (keyboards, melodica)
Callum Passells (saxophone)
Jonathan Tan (trombone)

Links

• Amplifier Page
• MySpace Page
• Facebook Page