Hot off the heels of their acclaimed performance at Electric Picnic, Dublin ensemble, the Bionic Rats will bring their reggae, rocksteady and ska influenced sound to Monroe’s Live on Friday, September 29.
The six-piece band will deliver its signature style of dance-ready reggae ska, with a sprinkling of dub and 80s dancehall, to the award-winning venue.
Created in 2006, and led by the talented singer-songwriter Del Bionic, the group is one of Ireland’s most celebrated ska bands. Its ‘Sunday Skank’ residency in Temple Bar is one of the country’s longest-running live nights.
Having shared stages with the likes of Imelda May, Madness, Bad Manners, and Damien Dempsey, the Bionic Rats have remained true to their roots while pushing the boundaries of ska and reggae. Their genre-defying work weaves elements of traditional Irish music into ska compositions; the fusion of sax and fiddle bringing the spirit of Irish revelry to Jamaican rhythm.
With an impressive discography featuring four studio albums and one live recording, the band is forging its own path on the ska scene.
From ‘The Return of the Bionic Rats’ in 2009 to ‘Another Fine Mess’ in 2015, they’ve carved a niche with strong, socially conscious lyrics wrapped in two-tone ska vibrancy.
Well known songs such ‘Dear John’ and ‘Don’t Be Giving It All That’ show how their lyrical depth is juxtaposed with an ability to infuse every note with an overriding sense of fun.
“[We are] a constantly moving and evolving project, that has taken many twists and turns over the years, but the vision of creating honest music you can dance to, has never wavered,” is the band’s self-description.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a night of original ska music with the Bionic Rats at Monroe’s Live on Friday, September 29, at 11pm.
And this celebration of ska continues with a DJ set as Del Bionic spins the decks with anthems from icons such as Madness, Specials, The Beat and more.
Tickets €15 from www.monroes.ie
