Sonic Boom Six

From Manchester's dynamic musical landscape comes the most compelling soundclash to rise from the underground for years. Few bands can so smoothly mix dancefloor-savvy elements of reggae, jungle and ska with the rigorous commentary of hip-hop whilst retaining enough grit and aggression to be an active fixture of the UK's punk scene. Only Sonic Boom Six are propelled by the melodious rapping of Laila K who (characteristically contrary to the stereotype of a young asian female from Hulme) is one o... (more)

From Manchester's dynamic musical landscape comes the most compelling soundclash to rise from the underground for years. Few bands can so smoothly mix dancefloor-savvy elements of reggae, jungle and ska with the rigorous commentary of hip-hop whilst retaining enough grit and aggression to be an active fixture of the UK's punk scene. Only Sonic Boom Six are propelled by the melodious rapping of Laila K who (characteristically contrary to the stereotype of a young asian female from Hulme) is one of the most incendiary vocalists to ever bounce around a moshpit of Mohawks. A true product of their environment - the sound of a thousand city-centre clubnights and student party mash-ups invigorate the righteous fury of distorted guitars and dubby grooves - SB6 create a sound as authentic as it is unique. Looking as at home on a festival stage as they are playing at a warehouse party, the band are retaining their grassroots ideation and positive, unifying message as their music steadily permeates a wider international audience. Check out 'Sound of a Revolution' for the Boom in an instant - fluid grime vocals laid over a bass-heavy skank, detonated with a blast of punk-rock.

The group, completed by Ben C (guitar and vocals), Barney Boom (bass and vocals) and Neil 'Madfish' McMinn (drums and samples) recorded their newest release in Liverpool with current UK punk wúnderkind Peter Miles (Captain Everything!, The King Blues, Howard's Alias). Arcade Perfect drops on November 12th, 2007 on the band's own label imprint, Rebel Alliance (distributed by Code 7). Speaking on the new material Laila comments "it's been the first time we've felt like the record speaks for itself whereas in the past our records have kind of been an extension to the live show." Ben continues "We've spent so much time playing to fresh crowds in across Europe - where they genuinely know nothing about you and you have to entertain non-stop for an hour and a half or more - that our writing was influenced by that vibe. We wanted to keep the inventiveness of our older stuff for the current fans whilst also being able to make a room full of kids in a squat dance their arses off when they hear these songs for the first time."

This outlook extends into the band's distinctive tradition of the mixing the narrative and wordplay of hip-hop with an unflinching commentary of their surroundings that snarls with the studded spirit of 77. "I've always been as influenced by rappers lyrically as I have by rock artists" explains Barney, "I'm definitely drawn to the idea of talking directly about an issue rather than shrouding the whole thing in poetry. I think it's the most effective way to get a point across". SB6 include their comrades Johnny One Lung (the Filaments) Itch (the King Blues) Babar Luck (ex-King Prawn) and Matt Reynolds (Howards Alias) in the action; a chorus of dissent from the scene they have been involved with over the last five years. Sonic Boom Six released their first two EPs on Moon Ska Europe before signing to Deck Cheese Records in the UK for their acclaimed debut album, The Ruff Guide to Genre-Terrorism which they promoted a Radio One Punk Show session and gigs alongside such as Mad Caddies, Hard-Fi, Flogging Molly and RX Bandits as well as festival appearances at Glastonbury, Rebellion and the Lock-Up Stage at Reading and Leeds festivals.

In addition to Sonic Boom Six, the band perform acoustic reggae sets as Babyboom; a project that specialises in playing fundraisers, houseparties and holding musical workshops… but won't turn their nose up at busking for a few extra pennies during tours. Laila, Ben and Barney are also members of Suicide Bid, the ongoing dub-punk collective who are beginning work on their third full-length. A continuation of the DIY approach at the heart of band's ethos, SB6 arrange the Ruff and Ready package tour which provides a collective platform for some of the most intensifying underground bands around and toured to resonant success in 2007 and is set to return in Spring 2008. Touring in the past year has placed Sonic Boom Six on festival stages at Fusion (D), Rockade (D), Mondiali (IT), City Invasion (UK), Rock Im Dorf (A) and the Lock-Up stage at Reading and Leeds festival as well as support slots at high-profile shows with Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Bad Brains. Up next, the Boom head around the UK on their biggest headline tour to date with Connecticut's The Flaming Tsunamis in support and then onto a full UK tour with Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto in the 2008 New Year.