ChainSka Brassika are a nine-piece ska-fuelled, energetic reggae and dub band from South East London and have been spreading their contagious horn driven ska anthems across the UK, mainland Europe and beyond. The “mischievous rabble” (their own description) is made up of Shman (vocals), Henry Freestone (guitar), Toby Keel (bass), Seth Wallis (drums), Lucas Petter (trombone), Rory Pagan (saxophone), Tom Keel (saxophone) and James Howell (trumpet) and their lively old-school ska sound combines with the skank of today’s bass culture and defies any audience to not feel the urge to get up and dance.
Chainska burst on to the scene in the summer of 2013, and following the release of their first single ‘This I Know’, Chainska made appearances Glastonbury, Bestival, Secret Garden Party, One Love and Boomtown Fair and supported the likes of The Skatalities, The Abyssinians and Californian reggae band Rebelution on their UK tour. The band toured the UK in their own right during 2014, promoting their ‘Unwind’ EP and in 2017 the band released their second LP, Harry J Business, recorded at the Harry J Studios in Kingston, Jamaica with double Grammy award winning producer Stephen Stewart. The album included the band’s single ‘Don’t You Try’ featuring reggae legend Toots Hibbert of Toots & The Maytals.
“Real musicians, real band, real brass section… fabulous & so refreshing” David Rodigan, BBC 1xtra
“The Rising Stars of the London Ska Scene” Richie Cadence, efestivals
“ChainSka is one of the most impressive and promising upcoming acts in the reggae/ska genre that I have seen or heard in while. Refreshingly unique and our audience loved them as much as we did.” The Skatalities
“Growing artistically, stylistically & musically by the day, coming on leaps & bounds as their gigging range & experience expands. Performing with The Skatalites and smashing it at Glastonbury festival this year helped widen their influences.” Gaz Mayall