Artist description A 7 piece band that brings together diverse influences to put on an incredibly high-energy live show!

Music Style Ska

Musical Influences Ska of every era (from Studio One to 2Tone to contemporary) with sprinklings of jazz and pop.

Similar Artists Specials

Artist History Cut Once was formed in the winter of 1996 by some ska fans in Pittsburgh who felt that earlier styles – Studio 1 Motown-inspired, and 80’s revival 2-Tone ska – were sadly being overshadowed by the recent wave of pop-punk-ska bandwagon jumpers. The band underwent some of the typical upheaval in its first year, but three of the original members - vocalist Austin Shifrin, guitarist Mike Conti, and bassist Nick Michaels - are still collaborating. In the fall of '97, Austin was able to recruit his friend, music major Ray Strobel, to play trumpet. In Jan. of '99, the group inherited Hernan Brizuela (on sax) from local group the Simpletons. In the spring, Ray was able to bring his friend Mike Cuccaro into the group to handle trombone duties, and they recruited drum prodigy Jason Rosemeyer when he arrived in Pittsburgh mid-summer. They write music that appeals to a wide variety of people, delivering soul, jazz and reggae sounds with rock attitude... and their onstage energy is infectious. They've played in various locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. In Pittsburgh, they've made several appearances at Coolpepper's Hothouse, the Next Decade, the 31st Street Pub, the Oakland Beehive, and Laga. They've opened for such international acts as the Slackers, the Pilfers, the Scofflaws, King Django, the Pietasters, and Skarface. Their first studio album, Measure Twice, consists of 16 tracks, some written when the band first convened and some written as recently as 2000. It demonstrates the band's range, with songs in a variety of styles that still maintain a consistent sound and identity. The band offers up this recording to the public with the hope that it will surprise people, and show them that ska music isn't something exclusive for insider scenesters, but appealing and danceable music for everyone.

Group Members Hernan Brizuela - alto sax..... Mike Conti - guitar..... Mike Cuccaro - trombone ..... Nick Michaels - bass ..... Jason Rosemeyer - drums..... Austin Shifrin - vocals..... Ray Strobel - trumpet

Instruments (see above)

Albums The Drill Deck Sessions, Measure Twice

Press Reviews "Cut Once, on their first recording (The Drill Deck Sessions), have managed to forge a sound which is particularly their own, intelligent, and emotive, a feat most ska bands spend entire careers failing to achieve." - Justin Hopper, staff writer for the Pittsburgh City Paper....... "a solid ska/reggae/rock sound which is nice to just sit and chill to or get up and dance to...these guys show a lot of promise and talent and I hope to see lots more come from them." - Wallace Kanney, Pennsylvania Ska Monthly......"The New Orleans-ish reggae vibe of this seven-piece ensemble is apparent. Good composition and dedication to pre-reggae ska traditions make Cut Once worth keeping an eye out for." - Kim Jones, In Pittsburgh......"Cut Once is a pillar of local ska... their album, however, has a much more expansive feel. Polished vocals, practiced riffs, and careful arrangements come together into a solidly orchestrated chunk of ska. The album jumps all around, but its shifts in focus manage to avoid being distracting or grating... the skips and leaps from instrumental to melancholy to bitter to hardworking motivation give the album a bit of the quality of a good mix tape. Cut Once has something to say, and that is, in a nutshell, that life is full of things that kind of suck, and full of things that really rock, so you just better pay attention to it all." - Emma Rhem, the Tartan (Carnegie Mellon University)

Additional Info We've had the good fortune to play with the Slackers, the Pilfers, Eastern Standard Time, Regatta 69, the Articles, the Robustos, Metro Stylee, Skarface, the Planet Smashers, Sturgeon General, and the Pietasters.

Location Pittsburgh, Pa - USA

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