Mark D - drums, vocals Larry Hinkle - guitar Mo Marsh - percussion, vocals, melodica, trumpet, Harmonica John Buck - bass, vocals Jay Starling -keyboards, vocals, lap steel guitar
Influences
The Heptones, Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, Dudley Sibley, The Melodians, Sound Dimension, Lynn Taitt,
Aside for being from Virginia, The Transmitters are not your typical reggae band. Since the band’s inception, each member has found themselves firmly rooted in rare, rock-steady B-sides, giving the band a sound to set them apart from almost every reggae band present on the scene today.
While their overall sonic mission is that of soul, feel, and character, the various musical backgrounds of each member add a new flavor to an older framework. With two members being trained in Jazz, two members being former punk-rockers, and one member being the token Rastafarian, the bands collective meeting seemed to be one that a) may never have happened and b) certainly would not have yielded an old-school, rock steady band. Against all odds, this is exactly what ensued. With no initial expectations of what was to come, the Transmitters have found themselves to be both instrumentally and vocally captivating as a unit. While their motto is "Don’t replace the old with the new", their old-school sound still incorporates elements of dub and dance hall which are often intermingled with three and four part harmonies, making their sound mesmerizing, danceable and perfect for the festival atmosphere. Perhaps an even stronger attribute than their musicality is their care free attitude along with each members personal desire to keep it light and simply have fun playing music together.
The Transmitters have played up and down the east coast and their following grows with every performance. Recently, nationally known Keller Williams has incorporated the Transmitters talents and sounds as one of his backing bands. They have also played with such artists as: SOJA, Kevin Kinsella (John Brown’s Body.) and Jah Works.
I was just on youtube watching all the videos of you kids with Keller at Wakarusa...so amazing! I wish I could have been there!!! Let me know the next time you are planning a trip to RvA, I will design a poster for you:o) ~One~ Toni
Hey everyone. the word BROWN wants to thank all of our new friends. We don't make a habit of sending out mass comments but we just want to welcome all the newcomers. Our debut album is being mastered as we speak and will be released this summer. Thanks again. Nate