Biography
Reggae from The Rock
Idlers are an eleven-piece reggae circus from St. John's, Newfoundland. Their unique sound comes from a love for reggae, ska, afro-beat, peppered with a little of their Atlantic influences. Ringmaster Mark Wilson fronts a solid rhythm section, heavy horns, and tight harmonies bringing audiences to frenzy since they began in April 2006.
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Idlers have cultivated a loyal following and are consistently expanding their fan base. They were winners of the Galaxie Rising Star of the CBC Award and named Alternative Artist/Group of the Year at the 2008 Music Newfoundland (MusicNL) Conference and Awards Show in Gander, Newfoundland. In the week leading up to the awards conference, The Radar Report named Idlers their featured artists of the week on XMU radio. Idlers have been named Best Loud Band (2008), Best Band to Dance To (2008) and Best Live Band (2007) in The Scopes Best of St. John’s Readers Survey. In May 2008, Idlers were featured artists in the Reggae Festival E-Guide Newsletter.
Idlers released their debut full length CD, Corner in December 2007. It has received tremendous national and international reviews in print and online. Corner is in rotation at radio stations across Eastern Canada and nationally on CBC radio.
Idlers have just returned from West Hurley, New York where they recorded their second album at Dreamland Studio with producer Darryl Jenifer (Bad Brains bassist and Bedouin Soundclash producer). Phil Burnett, Grammy award-winning engineer, was lead engineer on the project. The album will be released in September, 2009.
Idlers perform throughout Central and Atlantic Canada and are emerging on the National scene. In the summer of 2008, Idlers entertained audiences at the Montreal International Reggae Festival, the St. John’s Folk Festival and the Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival (St. John’s, Newfoundland). During a recent visit to Toronto, Ontario (March 2008), they were invited to perform at 102.1 The Edge Nu Music Nite at The Horseshoe. In the next year Idlers will continue expand their touring circuits to a town near you.
Idlers reggae/ska sound comes from years of listening to artists like Burning Spear, The Congos, The Wailers, Desmond Dekker, The Gladiators, UB40, Steel Pulse, The Clash, The English Beat, The Skatalites, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Lee Scratch Perry, and King Tubby.Idlers take much of their inspiration from mid-70’s roots reggae. Staying true to the conscious voice of roots reggae, Idlers music speaks of the human condition, discussing issues of war, capitalism, and social and personal struggle.
Idlers are:
Mark Wilson - Vocals, Trumpet
Paul Schiralli - Earle Guitar, Vocals
Craig Millett - Guitar, Vocals
Aneirin Thomas - Bass
Luke Power - Keys
Chris Harnett - Tenor Sax
Susan Evoy - Alto Sax
John Duff - Trombone
Chris Power - Drums
Curtis Andrews - Percussion
www.idlers.ca
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.