Artist description Formed in 1993 by a dynamic mix of cultures and influences, Spitvalves are held together by their love of music and performing it live. With influences ranging from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones to Fugazi and the Beastie Boys, Spitvalves continue to defy the boundaries of the Ska-Core category from which they dominate

Music Style Skacore

Musical Influences Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Voodoo Glowskulls, Pietasters, Link80

Similar Artists We have our own unique sound but most people say we sound like Link 80 and The Bosstones

Artist History Back in 1993, when the band was first put together, the original line up was supposed to be:Charlie-drums, Tito-trumpet and vocals, Jason-guitar, Shawn-bass, Bill-trombone, Freddy-trombone. It never happened. At the first practice, true to form today, everybody was late and someone forgot something. In this case Tito forgot his trumpet and decided to play drums for the day and have charlie sing. Well it stuck, and from there on Tito stayed on the drums and Charlie kept singing. At that same time the Spitvalves weren't even the Spitvalves yet. Names like "Ed's Beans" and "Darlene's Biscuits" were being thrown around for the band. hmmm...no. So one day at a practice, the horn players were emptying out their spitvalves and Jason asked them what they were doing. You can pretty much figure it out from there. The name seemed too perfect and it stuck. Since then members have come and gone, but with the current line-up we've been working our butts off. We have been booking our own tours, doing our own merchandise, putting out our CD's on own label with the help of very good friends - without whom a lot things wouldn't be possible for us.

Group Members The current line up of the band is Charlie-vocals, Tito-drums, Chris-saxophone, Jim-bass, Mikey-guitar, Ricky-trumpet.

Instruments Guitar, drums, bass, trumpet, sax, trombone, vocals

Albums Self titled Cd-11-tracks, Time Will Tell Ep-7 tracks (5 live), Fine Print on the Bottom (full length), Movin' On (full length)

Press Reviews Introducing... the Spitvalves, the world's finest ska-core by PezKing | Sep 23 '00 (Updated Oct 11 '00) First, let me thank Epinions for finally giving us a forum like this. Probably the majority of my reviews will now be in this category. And I would also like to say what an honor it is to be the first to post in this category.Band: SpitvalvesAlbum: fine print at the bottom Location: Orlando, FL (F*** the backstreet boys) Style: Ska, with heavy hardcore and hip-hop influences For fans of: Link 80, Bosstones, Big D and the Kids Table, rock-rap, but not rap-coreI just saw these guys two nights in a row, with Reel Big Fish. I have seen them 8 or 9 times, and not only are they the nicest guys you could meet, but they have an amazing stage presence, and an album that never gets old. Both yesterday, and today, I spent most of the show hanging out with them either at their merch table, or backstage, where they share everything with their most dedicated fans. Last night was fun, because they were al drunk, and we wrestled. Today was cool, because it was a really hot outdoor show, and we hung out in the AC, and they told us all about the tour they just finished. But enough about what great guys they are, onto their CD, and performances. Their style has changed a lot over the years. Originally just another happy, goofy, little high-school ska band, they have moved on to have a more serious tone to many of their songs. Mikey’s guitar has gotten heavier in places, and much more technical in others. This is ska for everybody who hates that “chink-chinka-chinka” sound that many people seem to find old in other bands. When not doing the soaring punk-metal riffs, he plays fast ska with tons of variation, and complex picking. He also has some of the greatest hardcore backing shouts you could ask for, perfectly straining, and filled with emotion. Charlie’s vocals have also gotten a hundred times better, going from a squeaky little kid sound, to that of a seasoned pro. The only thing I can think to compare the way his voice has changed is with James Hetfield of Metallica. Though their styles are nothing alike, they have made a similar progression in tone. Charlie now does the gruff hardcore sing-alongs perfectly, and his rapping skills surpass any other white man I have ever heard. But it is not a straight up g-funk style of rapping, and it is nothing like “rap-core”. It is more like he just sings with tons of quick rhymes and analogies, with perfect rhythm. While Mikey and Charlie are the driving forces behind the Spitvalves, we cannot neglect either the horn or rhythm sections. Lance has some furious bass, and Tito pounds the skins into submission. Ricky on trumpet can hit those notes and solos that take years to perfect, with plenty of jazz influence. Chris gets downright funky on sax, and Bill ties it all together on trombone. I have a friend who complains that he doesn’t like ska because horns always sound too happy. Not so here. When not getting funky or drifting on solos, this horn section sounds downright angry. The create tons of atmosphere, especially on the metallic tracks. Now, their live show is as good as their record. Many bands are studio creations, sounding horrible at a club. Through years of practice, the Spitvalves come off as smooth in concert as in the studio, and twice as strong. Mikey tears up his strings with utmost precision and screams even harder than on the record, while Lance really pours on the bottom end. Even with his amazing style, you can pick out Charlie’s every word. And provided the club has a decent sound system, the horn solos are crystal clear, and even give room for improvisation. Now, if Blink 182 is the only band you have ever seen live, forget everything you know about stage presence and attitude. These guys bound about the stage like maniacs. I have seen them on both the smallest stage possible for them to all fit on, and on huge flat beds. Whether Charlie is climbing on top of the drum set, or a tower of amps, he will be roaming the stage. He jumps higher than anyone I have ever seen, except for Coolie Ranx of the Pilfers (who Spitvalves play with tomorrow night). Not only does he jump, but he also swings his arms, gets the crowd clapping, motions out the lyrics, and always gives much love to the fans. Whether he is thanking them between songs, letting them shout the hardcore parts, giving hugs, or drinks, he is always there for the ones who support him. The rest of the band is not to be ignored either. Lance does hardcore lunges and Ricky always dances when not tooting his horn (ok, bad pun). Mikey leaps and shouts, while Bill cuts up. But as much as they fool around, they always pull it together and play the songs the way they were meant to be heard. And anytime a bouncer gives you trouble, you can count on the ‘valves to get your back. Now go check out www.spitvalves.com for tons of cheap merch, and look on Napster, Farmclub.com and Mp3.com for some of these songs. “One Time” “SSDD” “No Fiction” “Float” and “Mr. Man” for the hardcore side. “No Fiction” has the greatest metal intro, and the best shout along chorus on the album. “SSDD” has the most stereotypically “punk” lyrics, but it rings so true. "One Time" also has some great rhymes and a positve message, as do most of the songs on the album. “Float” is a 30 second ode to crowd surfing, and “Mr. Man”, the hardest song on the album, is all for the kids, a rail against greedy promoters. This song almost got them booted off of the local stage at the Warped Tour, but the Bosstones refused to go on unless the Spitvalves were allowed to play. “New Deal” “Skaboobidibobidiska” and “Did I stoop ya?” show off Charlie’s skills the best. “Did I stoop ya?” has tons of great tempo changes, and multiple catchy parts. Probably my favorite song. "New Deal" is another one with a strong postive message. “Come Try Again” “My Game” “Would I Still Smile?” and “Get It Right” show off some of their most mature songwriting. “Come Try Again” has some amazing vocal harmony, as does “Get It Right”. “My Game” is the closest they have to a love song on the album, and “Would I Still Smile?” slows it down a bit, but never loses the edge. I truly think these guys are the best ska-core band ever. No one I have ever heard blends the hard punk with such skilled upstroke guitar, well oiled horns, and smooth/rough vocals. When ska hits the TV and major press again in a few years, these guys could easily be the next big stars, but only if it is on their terms, never compromising their beliefs, and always looking out for the kids.

Additional Info We like free meals, free beer, and Free Bird.

Location Orlando, Florida - USA

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