Artist description Ska for this and the next Millennium. Swing, lounge, ska, rocksteady and reggae are genres that Easy Big Fella have incorporated into their unique blend of music.

Music Style Ska, Swing, Reggae

Musical Influences Wailers, Skatalites, Lee 'scratch' Perry

Similar Artists The Specials, The English Beat

Artist History Easy Big Fella began in late 1991 when Rick Dybvad and Steve Mandl put an ad in the local Seattle rock rag , The Rocket. Colin Shroy, former trombonist for the Australian band The Allsorts, was the first to answer, followed by keyboardist Aaron Simms. By January of 1992, Brazilian drummer Rodrigo Cerqueira had joined, as had Steve's soccer mate, Liam Barksdale. Various sax players came and went, until Jason Nelson joined, fresh out of high school. Now the reigning ambassadors of Northwest Ska, Easy Big Fella celebrates eight years of non-stop excitement with their forthcoming release on Moon Ska NYC... Tasty Bits & Spicy Flicks!. With personnel changes occurring over the years, the band now consists of: Mike Birenbaum (organ, vocals), Eric Ellsworth (trombone), Jeff and Brendan DeMelle (bass), Bret Coffin (drums), Jason Nelson (saxophones, clarinet), Diablotone Ric Penttila (Guest Trumpet) and Rick Dybvad (guitar, vocals). The band has played extensively in Seattle and the Northwest area, both as headliners and as openers for touring national and international bands. Notable bands EBF has played with include: The Skatalites, The Specials, Desmond Dekker, The Toasters, Skankin' Pickle, Bad Manners, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and many more, both within the genre of Ska and otherwise. Easy Big Fella had two successful tours of Australia in 1993 and 1994 promoting their debut CD, Easy Listening. They culminated 1995 promoting their second CD, Fruitcup, with the thousands at Bumbershoot, Seattle's mega music extravaganza, returning to the festival again in 1998. With the release of Eat At Joey's the Fellas toured the western US in the Fall of 1997 with Let's Go Bowling and The Cherry Poppin' Daddies. EBF took the Big Fella show to the Mid-West and East Coast on the Moon Stomp III tour with The Articles and The Robustos throughout the summer of 1998. With the release of Tasty Bits and Spicy Flicks, Easy Big Fella puts the vulcan neck pinch on 1999 and warps into the new millennium.

Group Members Rick Dybvad (guitar, vocals) Mike Birenbaum (organ, vocals) Eric Ellsworth (trombone) Jeff and Brendan DeMelle (bass) Bret Coffin (drums) Jason Nelson (saxophones, clarinet) Diablotone Ric Penttila (Guest Trumpet)

Albums Easy Big Fella, Fruitcup, Eat At Joey's, Tasty Bits and Spicy Flicks

Press Reviews Easy Big Fella • Eat at Joey's • Moon Ska Records • This is slow to mid tempo ska with a nice horn section and use of hammond. This cd is well worth it for the above standard tracks, all which contain vocal harmonizing. Get this, as their harmonizing separates this CD from being a “same sound different band” situation which is plaguing ska. From Impact Press. Easy Big Fella EAT AT JOEY'S Moon Ska, POB 1412, NY NY, 10276 Damn, those Moon Ska people just keep surprising me! This is the swingenest ska yet - I listened to this disc three times today and it keeps impressing me with its amiable groove. Your favorite diner does not fit as comfortable at this recording. Reviews by Tommy Tearaway. Easy Big Fella-Eat At Joeys By Justyn wow! This is a great album. I was very surprised when i popped the cd in and i nver took it out. Easy big fella goes fom swing on the song

Location Seattle, WA - USA

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