Managers

About the Artist

How do you fit themes of love, jealousy, karma, anti-war and planetary annihilation into an 18-minute reggae, ska/rocksteady EP?

Leave it to Auckland-based stalwarts of Aotearoa-Ska, Managers.

Turning their ears and talents to producing a roots/reggae piece of work, Managers have delivered a mellifluous, riff-laden "roots" gem, entitled The Grove St Tapes, while retaining their tongue-in-cheek signature style.

This bittersweet 4-track was written in the basement of a Grey Lynn flat in Grosvenor St, a punk flat where the band jammed and rehearsed for many years.

Recorded and mixed at The Lab by the band's sax player and professional sound engineer, Tom Anderson, the sound and tone of the Grove St Tapes was inspired by Virgin Records' short-lived sub-label, Frontline Records. It has captured the unique 1978-1980 Jamaican production similar in sound and composition to The Gladiators, Culture, Sly Dunbar and the Abyssinians.

The cover artwork (painted by drummer, Simon Frost) is symbolic of the band's endurance and renewal throughout its two-decades tenure. A Kiwi take on the ancient ‘ouroboros' symbol of a serpent swallowing its own tail, the artwork was inspired by track two "What Goes Around", a lyrical message about karma both good and bad.

Having progressed through many incarnations since the early 1990s, Managers current line-up is a solid seven-piece that has performed together for more than seven years to date.

This EP marks Managers departure from any label affiliations and in true Kiwi spirit has been produced and financed independently; welcome to Hoi Records!

No strangers to high profile summer festivals, Managers have shared the stages of New Zealand with their inspirations The Skatilites, The Beat and Neville Staples' Specials. Testament to their musical diversity, Managers are also at home with Punk legends such as UK Subs and are soon to perform alongside The Vibrators.

Whether pushing the musical envelope, or happily cocooned in the warm bubble of traditional Ska, Managers consistently deliver memorable high-octane shows.

Managers are currently mid-way through writing their third LP.

The Grove St Tapes is available for purchase via amplifier.co.nz from 3rd May.