Fortunate Youth
Manhattan Beach, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
The 7 piece Fortunate Youth bring a breath of fresh air with their brand of reggae/dub from South Bay, CA. This EP is their debut and judging from this EP I will be adding these guys to my list of good bands from the reggae/dub genre to keep an ear on. You gotta love the heavy keys and the sick guitar solos that these guys bust out all over the EP, it makes a solid listen from front to back. To get this album you have to contact them via their manager HERE. For fans of The Movement, Rebelution, Tribal Seeds. - Hillydilly.com
"Local reggae superstars Fortunate Youth and Santa Cruz heavy hitters Sourgrass will be taking their artistry and musical gifts to the stage in support.
Fortunate Youth has sprouted straight from our own backyards, and while Sourgrass finds many of its roots planted here in the South Bay as well, they now come to us from Santa Cruz. Fortunate Youth is a fluidly talented reggae and dub outfit, psyching us out with keyboards, brass, and the smell of skunks in the air. Sourgrass is a powerful rock & roll band, deeply based in blues, funk, jam, and sexy moves." - Easy Ready- Jeff Vincent
Reggae/roots band Fortunate Youth will be opening for the legendary Wailers at Brixton Saturday, March 13. The band has become a local favorite amongst reggae area bands and will be performing songs from its recent EP, “Up Lifted.”
The seven-piece lineup currently consists of Dan Kelly (vocals), Travis Walpole (percussion), Jered Draskovich (keys/ bass), Ryan Gonzales (guitar), Greg Gelb (bass/ guitar), Corey Draskovich (guitar/keys/bass) and Myles Poydras (drums).
“We were all born and raised here in the South Bay, except for Dan,” said Corey Draskovich. “We all knew one another at some point when we went to Hermosa Valley School. Greg, Ryan and I were in a band and needed a drummer, so we asked Myles to jam with us.”
The reaction to the band thus far has been very supportive from the South Bay music fans.
“It’s been pretty amazing how quickly their draw has picked up,” said band manager Jared Segawa. “We’ve been so aggressive with this band on the promotion end. The band has played with a lot of legendary acts in the past eight months like Toots & the Maytals and The Wailers.”
Fortunate Youth will be hitting the road this summer playing various festivals, and hop on dates with bands like The Expendables and Tribal Seeds.
“I’m stoked to be playing on bills with bands that I grew up listening to like Tribal Seeds. I used to listen to them all day on my iPod when I was in school,” Draskovich said.
“They have played with a lot of good bands that come into town and Fortunate Youth always seems to jump on board,” Segawa said.
In addition to touring as much as possible in 2010, the band plans on releasing its debut album as well. For more information on Fortunate Youth, visit www.fortunatemusic.com. - Beach Reporter- Shaun Hague
Discography
Up-Lifted EP
Live @ DiPiazzas
Photos
Bio
Fortunate Youth is a collaboration of South Bay reggae stand-outs. Rising from various bands, they've created a phenomenal 7-piece masterpiece bringing more fire to the stage than ever before. Combining rootsy vibes and unique bass lines united with multiple harmonies, boisterous guitar solos, and heavy keys separates Fortunate Youth from every other mainstream reggae band. With their high energy approach and positive stage presence they provide an unforgettable show to every music fan. Fortunate Youth's objective is to ensure a performance that leaves you feeling euphoric.
In 2011 they supported Tribal Seeds on their nationwide Tribal Youth Tour to spread their conscious music to the nation. They have hit the masses promoting only their 5-song EP, "Up-Lifted EP", and will be releasing their full-length album in Summer 2011. Fortunate Youth will also be touring very heavily through 2011 including a run with The Green, from Hawaii, in April.
They have had the honor to share the stage with bands such as Groundation, Toots & The Maytals, The Abyssinians, The Wailers, Katchafire, Tribal Seeds, Dirty Heads Natural Vibrations, and Sashamon.
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