WORKINGCLASS BAND

Artist Information

Biography

The Working Class Band
The Working Class Band is based in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. They are a diverse group of musicians who can play almost anything: thanks to a solid rhythm section combined with a horn section and three unique vocalists. While the bulk of their repertoire represents the blues, R&B and the sounds of the Caribbean, you never know what might come next.
The first incarnation of The Working Class Band dates back to the 1970s. It wasn’t until 1997 that three of the original members – Hugh, Brian and Phil - decided to give it another go. The band has continued to entertain audiences throughout the years while taking advantage of the many talented area musicians and students of the St. Francis Xavier University Jazz Studies Program.
In 1999 WCB released their first CD entitled Is this Love. This recording demonstrates the bands flexibility as they lay down classic blues along side reggae, ska and R&B numbers.
After many years of gigging and rebuilding as musicians came and went, WCB released their second CD, Movin', in October 2006. Working Class plans to make a trip down south for a tour of the Caribbean sometime in the near future.
These guys love to play and on stage, it shows.

Instrumentation

Hugh Clarke - lead vocals and guitar
Jamie Sparks - bass and lead vocal
Phil Clark - sax and vocal
Hilton Reddick - lead guitar and back up vocals
Brian Steeves - drums
Michael Robinson - trombone
Aaron Bannerman - trumpet
Kenny Stewart - sound tech.

Discography

July 1999, Is This Love, Independant release, sold out,
October 2006, Movin', Independant release.

Links

• workingclassband

Audio

• No woman No cry
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• Caladonia
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• Rainy Night In Georgia
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• How Sweet It Is
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• WORKINGCLASS RELEASE CD [+ Show ]
  

  Working Class wowed the crowd Friday night at The Piper's Pub with the live release of its new CD ... Working Class wowed the crowd Friday night at The Piper's Pub with the live release of its new CD Movin', which is more than fitting title for the track compilation.
  The local band creates a tremendous combination of high energy dance music sprinkled in with some soft and tender ballads. They take some classic tunes and deftly make them their own with a special touch.
  Of course, the quality of most CD's is only as good as the music, which is certainly not a concern for Movin'. It's refreshing to hear musicians making their craft on a variety of instruments, rather than the oft-used music machines of many of todays bands.
  The cherry on the top of this music sundae, if you have the opportunity, is taking the opportunity to hear the local band in a live performance. It would be worth the price of admission.
  If people would like to get a first-hand taste of what Movin' has to offer, they can pick up a release at CD Plus in the Antigonish Mall, the Campus Clipper on the St. F. X. campus, on-line at http://cdbaby.com/cd/workingclass, and from band members.
  For more about the band go to www.workingclassband.com.
  
  By Corey Le Blanc
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Workin Class Band keeps Movin' [+ Show ]
  

  This Friday night at the Piper's Pub, Antigonish-based Working Class Band will launch its second C... This Friday night at the Piper's Pub, Antigonish-based Working Class Band will launch its second CD, Movin'.
  A band with a loyal local following, WorkingClass Band deserves to pull admiration from further afield, judging from a listen to the new CD.
  It six members merge R&B and raggae, focusing on classics like Caladonia, How Sweet It Is, No Woman No Cry, and a mellow, moving Rainy Night in Georgia to name a few of the lushly rendered covers.
  Original members Phil Clark (saxphone) Hugh Clarke (lead vocals and rythum guitar) and Brian Steeves (drums) began working together years ago - almost, they say, too far back to want to remember.
  But the band has gone through a series of re-inventions with terrific musicians coming and going over the last 20 odd years.
  The present incarnation adds lead guitarist Hilton Reddick, trombonist Michael Robinson and ECMA winner and oft-time nominee Jamie Sparks on vocals and base.
  These six musicians exemplify what people say about Nova Scotian artist, "that one job is never enough."
  Clark says the name Working Class Band comes "not from a class distinction, but from the fact that we all had other jobs, sometimes several. We were a working bunch."
  Though they'd love to be able to persue music on a full-time basis, they're all able to see what their day jobs offer their music.
  Steeves, the drummer and producer of the band, is a doctor in Antigonish, and is very sensitive to the relationship between the listening he does in the band, and the listening he does in his practice.
  "It's about good communication." say Steeves, "Watching for and developing an understanding of body language - what's said and what isn't. I can't seperate it from what I do every day. And it makes me more aware of it in the band."
  Sparks agrees and thinks it explains why the members all have such a good time in performance.
  "The best thing in this band, and maybe it's because the core has been solid so long, is the communication. If we're playing a song and if the song is near the end but the crowd is feeling it, we easily connect each other. We'll go into a bridge or add another a verse, and everyone just knows where to go.
  Although the pieces of this new album are covers, the arrangements are theirs and the brass sound stands out.
  
  By Shelley Thompson
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Setlist

I'm Ready
My Girl
The Thrill is Gone
Harder They Come
I'll Take You There
Master Blaster
I Got You - Original, by J Sparks
Thats the Way Love Is
Stand By Me
How Sweet It Is
Dock of the Bay
Its All Right
Midnight Train
Caladonia
Lets Stay Together
Cold Shot
Grapevine
Give Me What You Got
Signed Sealed and Delivered
Johnny Be Good
Mustang Sally
Members Only
Who the Cap Fits
Low Rider
Is This Love
Why Did You Do It
Sex Machine
Just a Little Bit
Shakey Ground
Superstition
I Feel Good
Pride and Joy
No Woman No Cry
Cadallac Baby
Misunderstood
Could You Be Loved
Built for Comfort
Rock Me Baby
One Love
Rainy Night in Georgia


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