Two
years before the UK Two Tone movement (Specials, Madness, Selector, Beat)
announced a raw punky ska "new popular movement" in the UK, months before
The Offs captured San Francisco with their dubby punk, the number one
band playing reggae, ska, dub and punk on the East Coast, particularly
New York City, were Terrorists. They were regularly gigging in N.Y.C.
at Max's Kansas City, CBGBs, Irving Plaza, Mudd Club, Hurrah, Tramps,
the 80's. Their unique punky, reggae, dub, ska were in great demand.
Started in October 1977 by drummer Dro, bassist Gary Schiess (a/k/a DB),
singer and guitarist Ray De Angel and keyboardist Frank Covello with early
replacement singer John Collins and guitarist Mark "Dino Supreme" Levi,
the band became truly solid and extremely bookable.
Their commitment to reggae and their ability to consistently crowd the
dance floor kept them busy week after week.
These guys were hot; they brought in business and before long they played
with Roland Alphonso and Lee "Scratch" Perry, who adopted them as his
collaborators. They were punk, ska, dub, reggae freaks, just as the 1977
"Exodus" Marley punky reggae movement and Two Tone Earthquake captured
the UK press and a new scene was born.
A US cult audience (readers of the NME, Sounds and Melody Maker from the
UK) propelled the Terrorists to enthusiastic cult audience adoration --
but these guys were totally committed to reggae and its incarnations.
They knew their stuff and became professors and teachers to a whole new
generation of New Wave scenesters who started to dominate the US underground
market.
Because of the involvement of Lee "Scratch" Perry, who traveled with and
fronted the Terrorists over 20 years ago, and the many tracks with Roland
Alphonso of the Skatalites, also from 20 years ago, this is an important
slice of reggae, ska, punk, dub from Manhattan in the late 70's. This
is an historic document with material that is absolutely marvelous and
unique. It puts a totally new perspective on reggae in Manhattan evenings
during that period just before Marley was breaking through internationally
with "Exodus" and brought reggae to a new tidal wave.
Who will buy this? Reggae, dub, ska, punky reggae collectors in a time
warp and a lot of new faces enticed by Blood & Fire, Pressure Sounds,
Heartbeat and Simply Vinyl. An extremely strong release for a cult base.
"Well
I do them an honor and I do them a pleasure. Is a new group I want to
see more of." -- Lee "Scratch" Perry
"Acknowledged
reggae producer/performer Lee Perry has taken the NY band Terrorists under
his proverbial wing." -- Andrew Helfer
"Terrorists
are a white NY rockers band who aided and abetted by a few local dreads
(percussion and trombone play thoroughly convincing roots reggae). This
is classic Upsetter madness." -- Boston Reader The 80s Recordings
"The
Lee Perry & Roland Alphonso tracks make this a special collector's item."
-- Black & White
"Backing 'Scratch' Perry will be the NYC based reggae band Terrorists
who have impressed the audience previously." -- Boston Globe 1981
"Terrorists are the best NY band playing this kind of material." -- East
Village Eye
"This
is amazing." -- Slash Magazine
"Lee Perry has surfaced again and is producing a local reggae group Terrorists.
They've played Irving Plaza opening for Culture and will be traveling
to San Francisco and Toronto." -- Richard Grabel
"Saturday
night at the Irving Plaza show, at their best, Terrorists presented an
immaculate crisp show. Terrorists represent the first NY based new wave
punky reggae band." -- Richard Grabel, NME
