Oceanside Sound System (2Tone SKA)

Oceanside Sound System, a.k.a. O.S.S., was founded in 2009 by Skillet, the vocalist of seminal hardcore street punk band Wanted Dead and guitarist Ben Blessing of Irieside. Wanted Dead spent a decade on the road touring the country with every major punk band, as well as putting out albums with both Charged, and Chunksaah Records. Wanted Dead toured extensively with the Vans Warped Tour from 2001 to 2005 even doing one summer in the coveted position of “Bar-B-Q band”. Although Wanted Dead was gaining popularity, the violence began to cloud the hardcore scene in the eyes of the maturing front-man. Skillet, now a father and survivor of the hardcore years, had a new vision on the horizon.
It was not long after that Skillet met the much younger Ben Blessing an extremely talented guitarist from the local party band Irieside. The pair bonded at local shows in their hometown of Oceanside, Ca and quickly realized they shared the same passion for music despite the difference in their musical backgrounds.
Skillet, with his background firm in punk rock, and Blessing having been schooled in late 70’s rock, two tone SKA, and reggae guitar styles, created a sound that was realized immediately in one of the first songs they penned titled “You or me”. With that, the “New Kings of Ska” were born. Shortly after the pair wrote “You or Me”, they began to form the rest of the band starting with Sid Hilarides (A.K.A. “Sid Sloth”) on the drums. Soon after, they would add a who’s who of local musical giants. Aaron “Knuckles” Petersen, (who originally hailed from the legendary Gilman street punk scene in Berkeley California) also of Wanted Dead, brings his amazing abilities to finesse a measure with the kind of bass-line that forces your ear to respond regardless of your musical background. Garrett Grabowsky, would be O.S.S.’s anchor on rhythm guitar. Grabowsky is one of the founding fathers of the amazing and versatile North County California band Stone Senses. He has spent years rocking, and playing with acts such as Pato Banton, and The English Beat.
Blasting soul shaking, panty dropping notes from his saxophone, O.S.S. boasts Joshua Donahue, of the band Spoken Gun, who brings experience and a subtle but pronounced reserve to the bands already distinct sound. Also a member of the North County punk music scene is the percussionist of O.S.S., Kendall T. Rogers II. Rogers played for close to a decade in one of Oceanside’s best known punk band’s The Hillstreet Stranglers. Last, but certainly not least, The O.S.S. has Kelly “The Don” Dunn on Keyboards, a holder of multiple Gold Records in sales. With Dunn caressing the ivories he gives O.S.S. that classic soul-full sound that only a man of his musical expertise can bring. A stellar line-up of amazing players indeed. Come out to a show, and be sure to buy the bands' forthcoming record the moment it drops. Make sure you stay up to date with all things O.S.S. by visiting www.oceansidesoundsystem.com today!