04 May 2012 - 0 Comments

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, new songs, and a big show to kick it all off on Saturday, May 12 at 4:20 in Auckland. 

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 Sampler. 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 ask to support."

Most recently, the band headlined the Prana Festival in Coromandel over the New Year, and toured the North Island with their new sound. Returning to Auckland early January, they played the only support slot for legendary British ska outfit Bad Manners, at the Auckland's packed Kings Arms.

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 Avalanche City, Batucada Sound Machine, Yebiisu, Atsushi & The Moisties, Masters of Metal, and 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, and Chris Murray.

On Saturday 12 May in Auckland however, The Skitz will be hosting the show themselves, and promise to bring everything you love about The Managers, but with more attitude.

NZ MUSIC MONTH K ROADSHOW
feat The Skitz, Macombee & The Absolute Truth, Tenement Yard & The AceTones

Saturday 12 May, 9pm

Club 4:20, 373 Karangahape Rd, Auckland.
Limited run of $5 tickets available at http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/ 

http://www.facebook.com/theskitz

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