From the beginning, it was decided by Go Jimmy Go that its sound would be more influenced by early ska and rocksteady pioneers such as The Maytals, The Wailers, The Skatalites, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, and more recently L.A.’s Hepcat. Eventually soul music, rocksteady, reggae, funk, and even Hawaiian folk began to blend seamlessly with the band’s sound, reflecting the many musical influences of its core members. Although chronologically, the band belongs to the third-wave, their mellow, slower tempo sound is reminiscent of the classic style of the original 1960s Jamaican first wave of ska. The band decided that a focus on original music, as opposed to covers, would set them apart from many of the traditional ska groups currently performing on the scene.
Go Jimmy Go’s music is big in Hawaii, and they tour all over the world, including places you wouldn’t expect like Czech Republic, Serbia, Macedonia, and Bosnia.
Their latest release is like a warm summer breeze coming off the Pacific while you are chillin’ and relaxin’ in your hammock, sippin’ on a Mai Tai.
| Jason “Bison” Friedman | Vocals |
|---|---|
| Eric White | Saxophone |
| Ryan Kunimura | Trombone |
| Shon Gregory | Drums |
| Ian Ashley | Guitar |
| Jayder | Bass |
The Hawaiian ska-rocksteady-reggae genre is exclusive to this one band, Go Jimmy Go. Its unique music and electrifying stage show have landed Go Jimmy Go on some of the grandest stages in the industry, with such superstar acts as Damien Marley, Eek A Mouse, Jack Johnson, WAR, No Doubt, and a couple of stints on the Van’s Warped Tour.
Very rarely does an album garner the excitement and anticipation that has surrounded Go Jimmy Go’s third release, “Fishbowl Eyes,” and then it’s even rarer that it lives up to its hype. Through a beautifully crafted collaboration of soulful vocals, slick horns, and a tight rhythm section, Go Jimmy Go has created an album for lovers of music, not exclusive to any genre. “Fishbowl Eyes” is a true representation of what it means to be Hawaiian, and the spirit that lives on through one of the islands’ most famous and successful bands.
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