Published: April 17, 2008 04:36 pm            

MUSIC: Local ska band is on a roll

High school showcase winners prep for show, demo CD.

The Abominable Killer Snowmen wowed judges and audience members alike at the recent Niagara University High School Music Showcase, but the band’s members have been too busy to celebrate.

Fresh off the victory two weeks ago, the band resumed rehearsals and its recording schedule so that the group’s demo could be ready next month. The eight musicians have also been fine-tuning their live show for a professional gig they’ll take part in tonight in Buffalo.

“It feels pretty good, I guess,” trumpeter Ricky Coates said of the victory, which came at the expense of four other local high school bands. “Usually we always go into a contest the same way — just play the best we can and see how the outcome comes.”

AKS is an eight-piece ska ensemble, with seven of its members being students in the Niagara-Wheatfield School District and the eighth coming from Lockport. The band started as a three-piece a few years ago to compete in school contests and has continued adding on members since.

Bruce Wojick of Klear, who served as one of the event’s judges, was impressed with the band’s music and showmanship.

“They’re just the whole ball of wax in terms of aesthetics, sound, presentation, even the end of the show — it was a ‘show ending,’ ” he said. “In general, they were fantastic.”

AKS has performed other professional shows, but Coates said the band is looking forward to tonight’s concert, which features Mustard Plug, The Aggrolites and Wolf Tickets.

“It’s going to be a huge ska show,” he said.

The band has also spent time in a Buffalo recording studio lately preparing its first CD, a five-track EP that’s set to come out in May. The band will likely play a benefit show in Lockport soon after the album’s release, Coates said.

From there, the band will seek out a label with the help of promoter Mark Miller of Sick Boy Productions.

“We’’re hoping to get major,” Coates said. “Once we get a press kit together, we hope someone picks us up.”

The band has received mentorship from Sean Equils, father of guitarist Eric Equils, who considers the band to be a must-see act.

“They have the look, the stage presence and they definitely have a unique sound with a lot of catchy riffs,” he said. “Some of these songs (from the demo) are ready for radio.”

While admitting he’s not a ska expert, Wojick agreed.

“I would assume if they could stick together and persevere, they could make a big dent,” he said.

AKS’ other members include Alec Dube, drums, vocals; Jake Dullen, tenor saxophone; Seamus McDonell, baritone saxophone; Joe Goehle, trombone; Jason Roman, bass, vocals; and Eric Richardson, lead guitar.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.