Biography
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Years Active
2007 – 2013 (6 years)
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Founded In
Brooklyn, New York, New York, United States
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Members
- Jack Wright
- Matt Burdi
The Forthrights are a top-ranking rocksteady reggae band from Brooklyn, New York.
The group was formed in 2007, by reggae musicians who had moved to New York City a time when it had become unusually rare to hear authentic Jamaican music of the 1960s rocksteady, and early reggae genres performed there: the main figures of New York's oft-mythologized 'Version City' scene had relocated to Brazil, to New Jersey, or had touring obligations with The Slackers; legendary musician's hangout/record store Jammyland would soon to close its doors, and occasional DJ nights took prevalence over live performances. Three years later, the Forthrights can be credited, to a significant degree, with re-igniting the now quite lively reggae fire ablaze in New York.
On top of steadily producing original music, they often perform as the backing band for a number of artists, having embarked on a month-long tour with Chris Murray and Vic Ruggiero, as well as having backed prolific Italian artist Mr. T-Bone on select American dates. The group also nurtures a budding musical relationship with rising New Orleans talent Maddie Ruthless, whom they have equally backed in her New York performances. Their studio work as a solid rhythm section can be found on a track voiced by King Django, who released the Forthrights' first 7" single on his Stubborn label. Working with a variety of record labels, their forthcoming projects include another couple of 45s, collaborations with other artists, and a debut full-length album produced by Vic Ruggiero.
Having gone through a handful of line-up changes, the original group included former members of the Pinstripes and Eastern Standard Time. The band now regularly tours as a four-piece, with the occasional addition of founding member and organist Mihran Abrahamian. The current line-up of the band, then, is as follows:
Jack Wright - vocals, organ
Jimmy Doyle - guitar, vocals
Sammy Krajkowsi - bass guitar
Matthew Burdi - drums
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