illScarlett
IllScarlett is a 5 piece rock/reggae band from Toronto Ontario
1
top 50
10
songs
7.9K
plays
Rally Rally
NTF NTF
dont stop dont stop
Babylon Babylon
Here We Go Here We Go
Show all (10)
Band/artist history
Established only in the spring of 2001, Ill Scarlett has already managed to carve themselves a healthy niche within the Southern Ontario music scene. Drawing from various musical styles such as dub, reggae, punk and even pop, the boys of 'Scarlett have managed to filter the input of its five member's tastes, to create a sound unlike anything else. Their story, is as follows...
Like many bands, Ill Scarlett basically came together due to a series of weird fates. Simply put, a lifestyle found its way to them and they created the music to soundtrack that lifestyle. After stints with various Clarkson bands, founding members Swav P (beats) and Alex Norman (lungs/ guitar) came together and formed the emo band "Saturday Morning Cartoon Special", in the spring of 2000. Though this band would only last a few months, it became apparent that Alex and Swav were developing a serious musical chemistry together.
Finding their musical tastes changing, due in large part to a new found passion for Sublime and marijuana, Alex and Swav retreated to Swav's basement where they would smoke out and jam Sublime covers endlessly. As their musical relationship became tighter and tighter and the room smokier and smokier, the obvious next step was to bring in a bassist.
After testing a series of failures, Alex happened upon Dan Krolikowski one day, after he mistook him for Cone of Sum 41 when he strolled into the skateshop Alex worked at. Coincidence was, that though he was not the infamous Cone, he did play bass and he also loved Sublime. A jam was arranged and though Dan showed three hours late (just his style), his smooth rhythm on bass and ability to create a powerful low-end for their evolving sound, made him an easy choice to take up the position.
With the basic elements now in place, the still unnamed "Ill Scarlett" recorded their first demo in April 2002, after attracting some modest attention while playing local jam nights. Recorded live in Swav's basement, the three song recording is now described as the "biggest shit sound, known to man". Laid down in this virgin session would be "Take Control", "Not a Prophecy" and "Clearer Now", the first song they'd written together.
Coming up with the band name was quite calculated, though everyone who knows Ill Scarlett seems to tell their own version. Basically, the word/name "Scarlett" surfaced in a band discussion one day. Everyone agreed it sounded nice, but lacked a little flavour. Later, while sessioning around their neighbourhood, they happened by Will Scarlett Drive. After some quick and clouded contemplation, the 'W' was dropped and (W)Ill Scarlett was born. The band's super-roadie, Yarko, stole the street-sign to seal the deal.
With the name and a ghetto-fab demo taken care of, the boys played their first show that June at Toronto's legendary Horseshoe Tavern. This would be the first of many gigs that summer, played all over the GTA and surrounding areas.
Summer 2002 would be instrumental for a couple of reasons. As well as building a solid reputation for their upbeat and dance-friendly shows, Ill Scarlett was also pumping out new material with seemingly little effort. By the end of the summer, they would be back in the studio cutting their first "official" demo. The famed "$5 Demo" would contain retooled versions of "Clearer Now" and "Not a Prophecy", as well as the early workings of crowd favorites like "Rally" and "Dance Hall". More importantly, during these recordings a new member would be brought into the fold.
John Doherty, son of Danny Doherty of 'Mamas And The Papas fame, was originally brought into the studio to add backing vocals and some lead guitar. His ability to arrange and lay down harmonies so naturally did not go unnoticed, and by October he'd quit his former project and was working with Ill Scarlett full-time. Though John would be a member for only a few months, his influence on the band would prove significant as he would also introduce turntables to the mix. By February he would be lost, moving on to play drums on Broadway... Seriously.
At the time of his parting, the boys were back in a Clarkson home-studio re-recording their most prominent songs as a four-piece. The "In Da' Bassment" demo, would be their first attempt at using 'tables in their recordings and contained a new song, "Mary Jane", a crowd pleaser. Finishing off the demo sans John, Ill Scarlett would leave the studio, now in the market for a new guitarist and DJ.
Temporary help would come via local player, Ken Kelley, who had helped overlook the "In Da' Bassment" sessions. He would stay long enough to help them win a city-wide Battle of the Bands in March, before making way for current member, Will Marr. Will was ushered into the band after playing their first Ontario "tour" and appears to be the missing piece of the puzzle. He brings an experienced song writing ability and heavier feel to round out the bands diverse palette. His presence has helped take even the bands oldest material to another level.
The newest member is DJFK (Pat Kennedy), who has assumed his place behind the ones and twos, completing the band's present lineup. Adding ambience as well as an influence of hip-hop, it will be interesting to hear the songs take on a new look as he adds his touch.
* * *
Currently, Ill Scarlett are in the early stages of shooting their first video, while still maintaining a healthy regiment of local and not so local shows.
Written by Neal LyonsYour musical influences
sublime, strung out, the police,Contact
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Comments (9)
Dance Hall, new old one, haven't heard it yet. This is why I love you guys, but you guys know I love you guys, cause I talk to you too much:D. Talk to you tonigh:D dial-in show, woohoo!
Oh man you guys are awsome! Heard you first off the West 49 player. "Here we go" and "Ain't Supposed to be" are among my favs' get that CD out!!!
I like what I've heard
Keep your head stoned
Sounds like 80's influenced pop ska. Not bad, very interesting sound and hard to peg into a genre. Keep it up! Check out our music if you have a chance!
Whussup tho?
T dot represent!
Ayo holla at me sometime, maybe we can do some work togetha no doubt.
Check my ish on Soundclick.
Peace
Los
Promoted
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