Biography
Steppin' Razor brings original, conscious roots rock reggae to the masses of the 21st Century, who not only seek an escape from the monotony, but are inspired by positive vibrations. This music is for those who crave something new, but familiar; revolutionary, yet classic. With their debut CD, Gold In Rule, dropping March 28, 2009, Steppin' Razor's next chapter unfolds.
It was the spring of 2005. The successful Bob Marley and the Wailers tribute band, Babylon Bus, had dissolved. The former lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Johnny Myers, and drummer, Mark Patterson, realized something over the course of an inspiring phone conversation; they still had an unquestionable desire to play Reggae music. With an arsenal of tunes, and a resurgence of inspiration to learn as much as possible about the music they loved, the two started to assemble a new group.
The core 4, Johnny Myers, Mark Patterson, James Hoy, and B. Hold are who stand tall amongst the great cast of players that have come and gone in the history of the band (we give thanks to each of them because without their contributions, we would not be where we are today). Their gigs have taken them from the casinos of Atlantic City, to many of the legendary stages of Philadelphia including the World Cafe Live, Grape Street, The North Star Bar, The Barbary, The Pontiac Grille, and The Khyber, and more recently to headlining spots at The Note in West Chester, PA. Fans have also been enjoying them in West Chester every Wednesday night for Reggae Night for nearly 3 years. These shows are comprised of a mix of Reggae classics and Steppin' Razor originals.
Having cultivated and nurtured their approach to Reggae, work began on a record of Steppin' Razor originals. As it progressed, the band realized that it would be possible to create EVERYTHING themselves and keep all production in-house, save for the CD replication. The result is 2009's Gold In Rule. The full length album was written, produced, engineered, recorded, and mastered by the members of Steppin' Razor. Even the artwork and photography, except for 4 pictures (courtesy of Aaron Owens) were done completely by the band.
With a renewed sense of accomplishment and confidence, Steppin' Razor is looking forward to continued steady growth, with a greater focus on more songwriting and performances in original music-friendly venues. With a second album in the works, look for more shows by the band outside of the greater Philadelphia area soon!
Venues where the band has performed:
World Cafe Live - Philly
The North Star Bar - Philly
Grape Street - Manayunk, PA
The Barbary - Philly
The Pontiac - Philly
The Khyber - Philly
The Reef - Philly
Doc Watson's (both stages) - Philly
The Note - West Chester, PA
Summit House - Philly
Spence - West Chester, PA (Reggae Night)
Rex's - West Chester, PA
Canal Street - Reading, PA
Berwyn Tavern - Berwyn, PA
The Barn at Birchwood - Collegeville, PA
Finn McCool's - Hatfield, PA
Crazy Carl's - Schwenksville, PA
Appetites on Main - Exton, PA
McKenzie's Brew House - Frazer, PA
Fioravante Continental Cuisine - Downingtown, PA
Juno's - Collegeville, PA
Triumph Brewing, New Hope, PA
Triumph Brewing, Princeton, NJ
The Boathouse - Malvern, PA
AC Resorts - The Beach Ball
AC Hilton - Beach Bar
AC Hilton - Dizzy Dolphin
Trump Plaza - Jezebel's
Trump Plaza - Beach Bar
Trump Taj Mahal
AC Harrah's Pool Bar
Ventura's Greenhouse - Margate, NJ
Sand Barron's Country Club - Avalon, NJ
The Boiler Room, Cape May, NJ
The Rusty Nail, Cape May, NJ
Urie's - Wildwood, NJ
The Inlet - Somers Point, NJ
Shennanigan's, Sea Isle City, NJ
Joe's Mill Hill Saloon - Trenton, NJ
Rocktoberfest - Chadds Ford, PA(M.S. benefit)
Jam at the Dam - Douglassville, PA (benefit)
The Palace - Lansford, PA (Cancer benefit)
Instrumentation
Johnny Myers - lead vocals, keyboards, percussion, rhythm guitar, bass
B. Hold - vocals, bass, rhythm guitar, percussion,
James Hoy - lead guitar, vocals
Mark Patterson - Medicine Man Custom Drums, words
Discography
2009 - Gold In Rule
Gold In Rule, the first musical snap shot of Steppin’ Razor, is a collection of roots, rock, and dancehall inspired Reggae riddims, woven together with socially and spiritually conscious lyrics, dynamic solos, and uplifting vocal harmonies. Years of study and hundreds of hours of rehearsals and performances have been captured in their studio, and are presented in the West Chester, PA based quartet's debut CD. In an attempt to recreate the true essence of “roots music,” the entire record was done in house, and is a tribute to anyone who can appreciate the virtues of dedication and hard work.
Various live and studio tracks can be heard here:
www.steppin-razor.com
www.myspace.com/steppinrazorreggaeband
http://www.reverbnation.com/steppinrazor
Links
| http://www.steppin-razor.com |