Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
They've only been together a little more than a year, but Offshore Riot has already recorded
a slick, catchy, self-titled debut cd. Equal parts ska, dub and beach bum manifesto, Offshore Riot
is all about sipping margaritas, Coronas and, um, a failed attempt to purchase a giant bong
decorated with flames and dragons. "I guess you can't say "bong" in a head shop, or they kick you
right out," laughs 30-year-old singer/guitarist Tyson Marshall of Clearwater, who's joined by bassist
Lawson White and drummer Mike Tzigos. "I've been writing songs since I was 12, and they're all
pretty comedic punk songs. I try not to take it too seriously whenever we play. It's all about trying
to get everybody moving, dancing or having a good time."
Jay Criblin, Tampa Bay Times - Tampa Bay Times, March 23rd, 2007
Loping reggae rhythms spiked with the occasional heavy blues guitar riff. Beachfront crooning
inter-cut with Carribean-style rapping. Lyrics about drinking too much on a Sunday and finding
"Peace of Mind". A pop-punk tune titled, "The Bong Song". There's a jack-of-all-trades feel to this
self-titled debut disc by Clearwater trio Offshore Riot, that works as a serviceable
seaside soundtrack. One disturbing aspect: Despite the feel-good sound of the music, frontman
Tyson Marshall's lyrics often take listeners down a path that rings dark on numbers such as
"My Gun", where he sings "My gun, my gun, my shiny little gun/You have all the fun."
-Wade Tatangelo, Tampa Creative Loafing - Creative Loafing - March 21, 2007
Rag Magazine - May, 2007
After the first few notes pour through the speakers, one can easily be fooled into believing that Offshore Riot is a Sublime album. Not long after, however, the vocals of Tyson Marshall come rumbling into the mix. Although he is no Brad Nowell, Tyson offers quite an original sound to the band's very cool reggae mix. The classic opening track, "Wanton Soup," immediately gives the listener the opportunity not to take Offshore Riot's music too seriously, but their seasoned professional sound invites listeners to reevaluate that.
Slowing the tempo down a little bit on the track "Turkish Revenge," Offshore Riot have no trouble proving that they can play any surf and/or Bob Marley Festivals around the world. The CD's shining moments are offered in the track "A Girl I Knew." The syncopation of the vocals and guitars make it difficult to believe that a three-piece band is pulling all of it off. If you are ever in the Tampa area, check to see if you can catch these guys out at a local club. If they can portray the same amount of energy live that they offer on their self-titled record, then it is bound to be an incredibly fun night. - Logan Lenz - Rag Magazine - May, 2007
With its mix of ska, dub, punk and hip hop, Offshore Riot draws inevitable comparisons to Sublime. Titles such as "The Bong Song" don't hurt, either. A listen to cuts such as the instrumental "Floater," though, confirms Offshore Riot is capable of establishing an identity all its own.
- CURTIS ROSS The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 7, 2007 - Tampa Tribune
Discography
Offshore Riot (Self Titled CD Released February 15th 2007)
Heavy rotation on Songplanet internet radio.
www.songplanet.com
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
With their reggae inspired blend of modern pop, Offshore Riot seem to have that special ingredient often missing in today's over-produced, sample based music scene. Catchy, hook-laden originals take the focus here. Deep funk and dub rhythms, basslines dropping low as physically tolerable, shimmering guitar lines and erratic vocal stylings make up an undeniable force comparable to the hurricanes often looming on Florida's coastlines.
Formed in the end of 2005, Offshore Riot's only been making waves in the Tampa Bay area for a small time, not considering the multitude of projects each member has done over the last decade. After selling several thousand copies of his '05 solo demo acoustic CD, "This Trip", lead singer and guitarist Tyson Marshall, in hopes to bring the music to a larger audience, helped form Offshore Riot with bassist Lawson White and Mike Tzigos on drums.
They reveal that their unique styles melded together seamlessly. Feeling as if they had been playing together for years, they got right to work on writing new music that would represent their carefree beach affected lifestyle. From waiting daily for the next rideable surf, dirtbike riding, late night hell raising, crazy women, to humorous songs poking fun at current world events, the ideas flowed. Their next step was taking their original 12 songs to the recording studio to start recording their debut CD, recently released on February 15th, 2007.
Playing several shows a week now, Offshore Riot has been promoting themselves the old-fashioned way, by playing LIVE. The band combined have shared shows with The Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Bush, The Toadies, Santana, Collective Soul, Matchbox 20, Kid Rock, Godsmack, Los Lonely Boys, Candlebox and Sister Hazel, ultimately determined to bring their punchy rhythms and unpredictable stage antics to happy party-goers everywhere.
www.offshoreriot.com
www.myspace.com/offshoreriot
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