Album Notes

2Tone Lizard Kings formed in 2004 in Tempe, Arizona and quickly became the Canyon State’s premier high-energy ska, rock, Latin and jazz group. The 7-pieces of this super group represent some of the most versatile and sought after musicians in Arizona. They came together from various music projects to bring a serious ska scene to Arizona and so far have succeeded wildly. When asked about the types of ska the group plays the most, Gary Bolena, founding member of 2Tone says “We have really followed the ska groove from the traditional sounds of Jamaican Jazz and the sound system grooves of Prince Buster all the way through to the skacore sounds of the Bosstones and other 3rd wave greats such as Reel Big Fish. There are elements in this music that you just don’t find in other genres so I wanted to put together a sound that encompassed ska and all its changing forms.” This is most evident on the band’s recent release, “Bombs Away”. There is the traditional, island-like sound of “Sally Brown”, the long, drawn out horn lines of the Motown-influenced “All Along” and the fast, crunching 3rd wave style of “Man Upstairs” that would give The Mighty Mighty Bosstones a run for their money. Oh, and if you need another reason to pick this one up, the final track is their version of The Pogues’ “Streams of Whiskey”.

Leading up to the release of this album the Lizard Kings had earned enough notoriety with the ska community that they were able to share the stage with some of their largest influences including The Toasters, The Pietasters and The Slackers, to name a few. With a second album in pre-production, a west coast tour in the works and an incredible live show, this is a band to watch. Make no mistake, these guys will bring out the rude boy in us all.